Murder mystery sudoku — the daily cases for 24 September 2026

Every detective in the world got these same crime scenes on 2026-09-24 — each difficulty published twice, once untimed and once as time attack. Each case is procedurally generated and then proved to have exactly one logical solution before it is published, including the cases where somebody is lying. You place every suspect back on the map using only their testimony: exactly one person per row, never two in a column. Whoever is left alone with the victim did it.

Beginner — The Old Harbor

A 5×5 grid across 4 rooms: Marina, Cold Store, Harbormaster's, Boathouse. Seven statements, six squares nobody could stand on, and enough testimony that the surplus is what pins the last two down.

Cracked by 8 detectives so far.

How this case was cracked — the full solution to this board, step by step

Every step below is the solver’s own — the same one that proved this board has exactly one answer. The counts are real: you can check them against the grid.

Lettered squares are objects. Most take the square out of play — which is why the counts above are of free squares, not of all of them — but the ones marked below do not: their square is still in play. CH — chest · CO — computer · F — floor lamp · S — shark · WI — window (square stays free) · WO — wooden chair (square stays free)

The testimony

What each person said, and how much of the board it rules out.

Horacio was in the boathouse. leaves 4 of 21 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Horacio: 4 of 21.
Horacio was in row 2. leaves 1 of 21 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Horacio: 1 of 21.
Delia was in column 4. leaves 4 of 21 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Delia: 4 of 21.
Lidia was in column 2. leaves 5 of 21 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Lidia: 5 of 21.
Lidia was in the marina. leaves 2 of 21 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Lidia: 2 of 21.
Katia was in column 3. leaves 4 of 21 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Katia: 4 of 21.
Katia was in row 3. leaves 1 of 21 squares

Show the squares Lidia had left

The squares still open to Lidia once their own statements are taken into account — 2 of 21.

What the testimony settles on its own

Nobody shares a row or a column, so each placement narrows everyone else. Before a single guess:

Delia can only be in Harbormaster's (row 5, column 4) — down from 4 possible squares.
Lidia can only be in Marina (row 1, column 2) — down from 2 possible squares.
Percy can only be in Cold Store (row 4, column 1) — down from 21 possible squares.

The answer

That leaves one arrangement, and one person who could have done it: Katia, in Cold Store (row 3, column 3).

Show the solved board

The only arrangement the testimony allows. Katia is ringed in red.

Beginner · time attack — The Old Harbor

A 5×5 grid across 4 rooms: Breakwater, Pier, Boathouse, Warehouse. Six statements, eight squares nobody could stand on, and no assumption anywhere: elimination alone closes it.

Cracked by 2 detectives so far.

How this case was cracked — the full solution to this board, step by step

Every step below is the solver’s own — the same one that proved this board has exactly one answer. The counts are real: you can check them against the grid.

Lettered squares are objects. Most take the square out of play — which is why the counts above are of free squares, not of all of them — but the ones marked below do not: their square is still in play. CA — cabinet · CH — chest · F — floor lamp · R — radio · S — shark · WI — window (square stays free) · WO — wooden chair (square stays free)

The testimony

What each person said, and how much of the board it rules out.

Gilda was in the breakwater. leaves 4 of 20 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Gilda: 4 of 20.
Gilda was in column 3. leaves 1 of 20 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Gilda: 1 of 20.
Sol was in the pier. leaves 4 of 20 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Sol: 4 of 20.
Vivienne was in the rightmost column. leaves 3 of 20 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Vivienne: 3 of 20.
Horacio was in row 2. leaves 4 of 20 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Horacio: 4 of 20.
Horacio was in the warehouse. leaves 1 of 20 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Horacio: 1 of 20.

Show the squares Vivienne had left

The squares still open to Vivienne once their own statements are taken into account — 3 of 20.

What the testimony settles on its own

Nobody shares a row or a column, so each placement narrows everyone else. Before a single guess:

Julian can only be in Warehouse (row 5, column 2) — down from 20 possible squares.
Sol can only be in Pier (row 1, column 4) — down from 4 possible squares.
Vivienne can only be in Boathouse (row 4, column 5) — down from 3 possible squares.

The answer

That leaves one arrangement, and one person who could have done it: Horacio, in Warehouse (row 2, column 1).

Show the solved board

The only arrangement the testimony allows. Horacio is ringed in red.

Easy — The Old Harbor

A 6×6 grid across 4 rooms: Cold Store, Marina, Pier, Fish Market. Seven statements, eight squares nobody could stand on, and no assumption anywhere: elimination alone closes it.

Cracked by 7 detectives so far.

How this case was cracked — the full solution to this board, step by step

Every step below is the solver’s own — the same one that proved this board has exactly one answer. The counts are real: you can check them against the grid.

Lettered squares are objects. Most take the square out of play — which is why the counts above are of free squares, not of all of them — but the ones marked below do not: their square is still in play. CA — cabinet · CH — chest · CO — computer · S — shark · WD — wooden table · WI — window (square stays free) · WO — wooden chair (square stays free)

The testimony

What each person said, and how much of the board it rules out.

Yago was in the fish market. leaves 6 of 30 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Yago: 6 of 30.
Greta was in column 3. leaves 5 of 30 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Greta: 5 of 30.
Greta was in row 4. leaves 1 of 30 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Greta: 1 of 30.
Walter was beside the computer. leaves 2 of 30 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Walter: 2 of 30.
Vera was in the top row. leaves 6 of 30 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Vera: 6 of 30.
Vera was in the pier. leaves 2 of 30 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Vera: 2 of 30.
Milo was seated on the wooden chair. leaves 1 of 30 squares

Show the squares Walter had left

The squares still open to Walter once their own statements are taken into account — 2 of 30.

What the testimony settles on its own

Nobody shares a row or a column, so each placement narrows everyone else. Before a single guess:

Yago can only be in Fish Market (row 6, column 5) — down from 6 possible squares.
Nico can only be in Marina (row 3, column 2) — down from 30 possible squares.
Walter can only be in Cold Store (row 5, column 1) — down from 2 possible squares.
Vera can only be in Pier (row 1, column 6) — down from 2 possible squares.

The answer

That leaves one arrangement, and one person who could have done it: Greta, in Marina (row 4, column 3).

Show the solved board

The only arrangement the testimony allows. Greta is ringed in red.

Easy · time attack — The Old Harbor

A 6×6 grid across 4 rooms: Dock, Cold Store, Marina, Pier. Eight statements, eleven squares nobody could stand on, and no assumption anywhere: elimination alone closes it.

Cracked by one detective so far.

How this case was cracked — the full solution to this board, step by step

Every step below is the solver’s own — the same one that proved this board has exactly one answer. The counts are real: you can check them against the grid.

Lettered squares are objects. Most take the square out of play — which is why the counts above are of free squares, not of all of them — but the ones marked below do not: their square is still in play. CA — cabinet · CH — chest · CO — computer · CR — crate · F — floor lamp · R — radio · WD — wooden table · WI — window (square stays free) · WO — wooden chair (square stays free)

The testimony

What each person said, and how much of the board it rules out.

Dora was in the cold store. leaves 8 of 27 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Dora: 8 of 27.
Dora was in column 3. leaves 2 of 27 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Dora: 2 of 27.
Wilfred was beside the radio. leaves 3 of 27 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Wilfred: 3 of 27.
Wilfred was in row 4. leaves 2 of 27 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Wilfred: 2 of 27.
Estela was beside the radio. leaves 3 of 27 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Estela: 3 of 27.
Ulises was beside the floor lamp. leaves 3 of 27 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Ulises: 3 of 27.
Nadia was in the dock or in the marina. leaves 14 of 27 squares
Nadia was in the leftmost column. leaves 1 of 27 squares

Show the squares Dora had left

The squares still open to Dora once their own statements are taken into account — 2 of 27.

What the testimony settles on its own

Nobody shares a row or a column, so each placement narrows everyone else. Before a single guess:

Sol can only be in Marina (row 5, column 2) — down from 27 possible squares.
Dora can only be in Cold Store (row 2, column 3) — down from 2 possible squares.
Wilfred can only be in Dock (row 4, column 5) — down from 2 possible squares.
Estela can only be in Dock (row 3, column 4) — down from 3 possible squares.
Ulises can only be in Dock (row 1, column 6) — down from 3 possible squares.

The answer

That leaves one arrangement, and one person who could have done it: Nadia, in Marina (row 6, column 1).

Show the solved board

The only arrangement the testimony allows. Nadia is ringed in red.

Medium · time attack — The Old Harbor

An 8×7 grid across 5 rooms: Warehouse, Boathouse, Harbormaster's, Breakwater, Pier. Twelve statements, thirteen squares nobody could stand on, and enough testimony that the surplus is what pins the last two down.

Cracked by one detective so far.

How this case was cracked — the full solution to this board, step by step

Every step below is the solver’s own — the same one that proved this board has exactly one answer. The counts are real: you can check them against the grid.

Lettered squares are objects. Most take the square out of play — which is why the counts above are of free squares, not of all of them — but the ones marked below do not: their square is still in play. B — boat · CA — cabinet · CH — chest · CO — computer · CR — crate · F — floor lamp · R — radio · S — shark · WD — wooden table · WI — window (square stays free) · WO — wooden chair (square stays free)

The testimony

What each person said, and how much of the board it rules out.

Bianca was in the same row as the floor lamp. leaves 6 of 44 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Bianca: 6 of 44.
Bianca was in the eastern half of the scene. leaves 4 of 44 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Bianca: 4 of 44.
Gordon was in the same column as the computer. leaves 6 of 44 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Gordon: 6 of 44.
Gordon was somewhere north of Yago.
Yago was beside the chest. leaves 2 of 44 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Yago: 2 of 44.
Zaida was in the same room as Rufus.
Zaida was in the same row as the boat. leaves 5 of 44 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Zaida: 5 of 44.
Zaida was in the same column as the cabinet. leaves 1 of 44 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Zaida: 1 of 44.
Rufus was in the warehouse or in the harbormaster's office. leaves 22 of 44 squares
Nadia was in the same column as the radio. leaves 4 of 44 squares
Nadia was in the boathouse or in the harbormaster's office. leaves 1 of 44 squares
Nobody was in the breakwater.

Show the squares Yago had left

The squares still open to Yago once their own statements are taken into account — 2 of 44.

What the testimony settles on its own

Nobody shares a row or a column, so each placement narrows everyone else. Before a single guess:

Bianca can only be in Warehouse (row 3, column 6) — down from 4 possible squares.
Gordon can only be in Pier (row 1, column 5) — down from 6 possible squares.
Yago can only be in Pier (row 2, column 2) — down from 2 possible squares.
Rufus can only be in Harbormaster's (row 5, column 7) — down from 22 possible squares.
Ignacio can only be in Warehouse (row 4, column 4) — down from 44 possible squares.

The answer

That leaves one arrangement, and one person who could have done it: Bianca, in Warehouse (row 3, column 6).

Show the solved board

The only arrangement the testimony allows. Bianca is ringed in red.

Medium — The Old Harbor

A 7×7 grid across 6 rooms: Boathouse, Warehouse, Harbormaster's, Dock, Fish Market, Cold Store. Ten statements, fourteen squares nobody could stand on, almost as many rooms as suspects, so a room claim nearly names a square, and enough testimony that the surplus is what pins the last two down.

Cracked by 6 detectives so far.

How this case was cracked — the full solution to this board, step by step

Every step below is the solver’s own — the same one that proved this board has exactly one answer. The counts are real: you can check them against the grid.

Lettered squares are objects. Most take the square out of play — which is why the counts above are of free squares, not of all of them — but the ones marked below do not: their square is still in play. B — boat · CA — cabinet · CH — chest · CO — computer · CR — crate · F — floor lamp · R — radio · WD — wooden table · WI — window (square stays free) · WO — wooden chair (square stays free)

The testimony

What each person said, and how much of the board it rules out.

Tesa was in the boathouse or in the warehouse. leaves 9 of 36 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Tesa: 9 of 36.
Yago was beside the wooden chair. leaves 4 of 36 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Yago: 4 of 36.
Octavio was in the same room as the Professor.
Octavio was in the same row as the crate. leaves 5 of 36 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Octavio: 5 of 36.
Octavio was beside the wooden chair. leaves 1 of 36 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Octavio: 1 of 36.
Helena was in the same column as the floor lamp. leaves 5 of 36 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Helena: 5 of 36.
Wanda was in the same column as the computer. leaves 4 of 36 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Wanda: 4 of 36.
Wanda was somewhere south of the Diva.
Wanda was in row 2. leaves 1 of 36 squares
Alma was somewhere east of Octavio.

Show the squares Yago had left

The squares still open to Yago once their own statements are taken into account — 4 of 36.

What the testimony settles on its own

Nobody shares a row or a column, so each placement narrows everyone else. Before a single guess:

Tesa can only be in Boathouse (row 4, column 2) — down from 9 possible squares.
Yago can only be in Dock (row 6, column 4) — down from 4 possible squares.
Vivienne can only be in Fish Market (row 3, column 1) — down from 36 possible squares.
Helena can only be in Dock (row 5, column 7) — down from 5 possible squares.
Alma can only be in Cold Store (row 1, column 6) — down from 36 possible squares.

The answer

That leaves one arrangement, and one person who could have done it: Wanda, in Fish Market (row 2, column 3).

Show the solved board

The only arrangement the testimony allows. Wanda is ringed in red.

Hard — The Old Harbor

A 10×8 grid across 6 rooms: Fish Market, Warehouse, Cold Store, Harbormaster's, Marina, Pier. Thirteen statements, seventeen squares nobody could stand on, and one round of assume-and-test after elimination ran dry.

The twist: the accusation also demands the motive, not just the name.

Cracked by 7 detectives so far.

How this case was cracked — the full solution to this board, step by step

Every step below is the solver’s own — the same one that proved this board has exactly one answer. The counts are real: you can check them against the grid.

Lettered squares are objects. Most take the square out of play — which is why the counts above are of free squares, not of all of them — but the ones marked below do not: their square is still in play. B — boat · CA — cabinet · CH — chest · CO — computer · CR — crate · F — floor lamp · R — radio · S — shark · WD — wooden table · WI — window (square stays free) · WO — wooden chair (square stays free)

The testimony

What each person said, and how much of the board it rules out.

Petra was in the same room as Tobias.
Vivienne was in the same row as the wooden chair. leaves 7 of 65 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Vivienne: 7 of 65.
Nadia was in the same column as the computer. leaves 6 of 65 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Nadia: 6 of 65.
Nadia was all alone in a room.
Nadia was in the same row as the boat. leaves 1 of 65 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Nadia: 1 of 65.
Julian was exactly 1 column west of Nadia.
Julian was in the same row as the computer. leaves 7 of 65 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Julian: 7 of 65.
Ivan was not touching the outer wall. leaves 39 of 65 squares
Ivan was in the same column as the wooden chair. leaves 6 of 65 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Ivan: 6 of 65.
Tobias was in the same column as a floor lamp. leaves 13 of 65 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Tobias: 13 of 65.
Simon was in the same column as the wooden table. leaves 7 of 65 squares
Simon was somewhere west of the Chef.
Nobody was in the harbormaster's office.

Show the squares Ivan had left

The squares still open to Ivan once their own statements are taken into account — 6 of 65.

What the testimony settles on its own

Nobody shares a row or a column, so each placement narrows everyone else. Before a single guess:

Julian can only be in Fish Market (row 6, column 5) — down from 7 possible squares.

The squares that had to be tested

The rest does not fall out on its own. It takes 9 eliminations of the same move: put someone on a square, follow the consequences, and watch the board contradict itself.

Had Petra stood in Pier (row 5, column 9), Vivienne would have had nowhere left to stand. So not there.
Had Vivienne stood in Pier (row 5, column 8), Simon would have had nowhere left to stand. So not there.
Had Ivan stood in Marina (row 7, column 4), Petra would have had nowhere left to stand. So not there.
Had Tobias stood in Pier (row 4, column 10), Simon would have had nowhere left to stand. So not there.

Show what goes wrong

Suppose Petra stood on the dashed square. Vivienne then has nowhere left to stand: every square still open to them is shaded out.

Another 5 squares fell the same way.

The motive

This case demands the why as well as the who: naming the killer without proving the motive counts for nothing. 7 motives are in play, and these statements narrow them.

Julian's motive would have been obsession.
Petra's motive would have been revenge.
Tobias's motive would have been blackmail.
Nadia's motive would have been jealousy.
Whoever did it was not driven by inheritance.
Whoever did it was not driven by buried secrets.

The answer

That leaves one arrangement, and one person who could have done it: Ivan, in Cold Store (row 2, column 4).

The only motive left standing for Ivan is ambition.

Show the solved board

The only arrangement the testimony allows. Ivan is ringed in red.

Hard · time attack — The Old Harbor

A 10×8 grid across 7 rooms: Harbormaster's, Warehouse, Fish Market, Pier, Dock, Marina, Boathouse. Twelve statements, sixteen squares nobody could stand on, almost as many rooms as suspects, so a room claim nearly names a square, and one round of assume-and-test after elimination ran dry.

The twist: the accusation also demands the motive, not just the name.

Cracked by one detective so far.

How this case was cracked — the full solution to this board, step by step

Every step below is the solver’s own — the same one that proved this board has exactly one answer. The counts are real: you can check them against the grid.

Lettered squares are objects. Most take the square out of play — which is why the counts above are of free squares, not of all of them — but the ones marked below do not: their square is still in play. B — boat · CA — cabinet · CH — chest · CO — computer · CR — crate · F — floor lamp · R — radio · S — shark · WD — wooden table · WI — window (square stays free) · WO — wooden chair (square stays free)

The testimony

What each person said, and how much of the board it rules out.

Margot was in row 7. leaves 8 of 66 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Margot: 8 of 66.
Margot was exactly 1 column east of Petra.
Delia was in the same column as a window. leaves 14 of 66 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Delia: 14 of 66.
Delia was in the same room as Abel.
Petra was exactly 2 rows south of Abel.
Bruno was in the same row as the chest. leaves 7 of 66 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Bruno: 7 of 66.
Bruno was all alone in a room.
Abel was in the same row as a window. leaves 26 of 66 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Abel: 26 of 66.
Helena was in the same column as the wooden table. leaves 7 of 66 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Helena: 7 of 66.
Lorenzo was in the same row as the crate. leaves 7 of 66 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Lorenzo: 7 of 66.
Lorenzo was in the same column as the shark. leaves 1 of 66 squares
Nobody was in the pier.

Show the squares Bruno had left

The squares still open to Bruno once their own statements are taken into account — 7 of 66.

The squares that had to be tested

The rest does not fall out on its own. It takes 65 eliminations of the same move: put someone on a square, follow the consequences, and watch the board contradict itself.

Had Margot stood in Fish Market (row 7, column 2), Helena would have had nowhere left to stand. So not there.
Had Ofelia stood in Warehouse (row 1, column 1), Helena would have had nowhere left to stand. So not there.
Had Delia stood in Warehouse (row 1, column 1), Helena would have had nowhere left to stand. So not there.
Had Petra stood in Warehouse (row 5, column 1), Helena would have had nowhere left to stand. So not there.

Show what goes wrong

Suppose Margot stood on the dashed square. Helena then has nowhere left to stand: every square still open to them is shaded out.

Another 61 squares fell the same way.

Margot can only be in Harbormaster's (row 7, column 5) — down from 3 possible squares.
Ofelia can only be in Harbormaster's (row 6, column 6) — down from 3 possible squares.

The motive

This case demands the why as well as the who: naming the killer without proving the motive counts for nothing. 7 motives are in play, and these statements narrow them.

Abel's motive would have been blackmail.
Petra's motive would have been ambition.
Lorenzo's motive would have been revenge.
Bruno's motive would have been obsession.
Whoever did it was not driven by debts.
Whoever did it was not driven by buried secrets.

The answer

That leaves one arrangement, and one person who could have done it: Margot, in Harbormaster's (row 7, column 5).

The only motive left standing for Margot is jealousy.

Show the solved board

The only arrangement the testimony allows. Margot is ringed in red.

Expert — The Old Harbor

A 9×9 grid across 8 rooms: Warehouse, Marina, Cold Store, Pier, Dock, Fish Market, Harbormaster's, Boathouse. Fifteen statements, fifteen squares nobody could stand on, almost as many rooms as suspects, so a room claim nearly names a square, and two rounds of assume-and-test after elimination ran dry — and one of the nine was lying throughout.

The twist: one suspect is an accomplice — every statement they make is false; the accusation also demands the motive, not just the name.

Cracked by 5 detectives so far.

How this case was cracked — the full solution to this board, step by step

Every step below is the solver’s own — the same one that proved this board has exactly one answer. The counts are real: you can check them against the grid.

Lettered squares are objects. Most take the square out of play — which is why the counts above are of free squares, not of all of them — but the ones marked below do not: their square is still in play. B — boat · CA — cabinet · CH — chest · CO — computer · CR — crate · F — floor lamp · R — radio · S — shark · WD — wooden table · WI — window (square stays free) · WO — wooden chair (square stays free)

The testimony

What each person said. One of these 9 is the killer's accomplice and every word they said is false — but not which one, not yet.

Lidia was not touching the outer wall. if true, leaves 26 of 66
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Lidia: 26 of 66.
Lidia was in the same column as the chest. if true, leaves 25 of 66
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Lidia: 25 of 66.
Katia was in the same column as a boat. if true, leaves 28 of 66
Rosa was in the same column as the chest. if true, leaves 6 of 66
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Rosa: 6 of 66.
Rosa was somewhere west of the Journalist.
Alma was in the same column as the computer. if true, leaves 8 of 66
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Alma: 8 of 66.
Nico was in the same column as the wooden chair. if true, leaves 8 of 66
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Nico: 8 of 66.
Nico was in the same row as the wooden table. if true, leaves 1 of 66
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Nico: 1 of 66.
Hugo was somewhere south of the Colonel.
Hugo was beside a boat. if true, leaves 6 of 66
Boris was somewhere east of Alma.
Boris was in the same row as a radio. if true, leaves 14 of 66
Boris was somewhere south of the Heiress.
Conrad was in the same row as the crate. if true, leaves 7 of 66
Exactly 2 people were in the boathouse.

Show the squares Rosa had left

The squares still open to Rosa once their own statements are taken into account — 6 of 66.

Unmasking the liar

One of these 9 people is the killer's accomplice, and every word they said is false — but you are not told which. Take each in turn: read their statements backwards and ask whether the rest of the testimony can still be satisfied.

If Katia were the one lying, no arrangement satisfies the rest. Not them.
If Rosa were the one lying, no arrangement satisfies the rest. Not them.
If Ignacio were the one lying, no arrangement satisfies the rest. Not them.
If Alma were the one lying, no arrangement satisfies the rest. Not them.

Another 4 candidates collapse the same way.

Only Lidia survives the test. That is the accomplice, and everything they said is now read backwards.

Read backwards, Lidia actually told you:

Lidia WAS touching the outer wall.
Lidia was NOT in the same column as the chest.

What the testimony settles on its own

Nobody shares a row or a column, so each placement narrows everyone else. Before a single guess:

Lidia can only be in Boathouse (row 9, column 1) — down from 25 possible squares.
Katia can only be in Harbormaster's (row 6, column 3) — down from 28 possible squares.
Rosa can only be in Fish Market (row 1, column 4) — down from 6 possible squares.
Ignacio can only be in Boathouse (row 5, column 2) — down from 66 possible squares.
Alma can only be in Cold Store (row 8, column 8) — down from 8 possible squares.
Hugo can only be in Pier (row 7, column 6) — down from 6 possible squares.
Boris can only be in Cold Store (row 4, column 9) — down from 14 possible squares.
Conrad can only be in Dock (row 3, column 7) — down from 7 possible squares.

The motive

This case demands the why as well as the who: naming the killer without proving the motive counts for nothing. 8 motives are in play, and these statements narrow them.

Rosa's motive would have been debts.
Alma's motive would have been blackmail.
Conrad's motive would have been jealousy.
Nico's motive would have been ambition.
Hugo's motive would have been obsession.
Whoever did it was not driven by inheritance.
Whoever did it was not driven by buried secrets.

The answer

That leaves one arrangement, and one person who could have done it: Lidia, in Boathouse (row 9, column 1). Lidia lied throughout and was never charged.

The only motive left standing for Lidia is revenge.

Show the solved board

The only arrangement the testimony allows. Lidia is ringed in red.

Expert · time attack — The Old Harbor

A 10×9 grid across 7 rooms: Fish Market, Warehouse, Boathouse, Cold Store, Dock, Harbormaster's, Marina. Twelve statements, eighteen squares nobody could stand on, and one round of assume-and-test after elimination ran dry.

Cracked by one detective so far.

How this case was cracked — the full solution to this board, step by step

Every step below is the solver’s own — the same one that proved this board has exactly one answer. The counts are real: you can check them against the grid.

Lettered squares are objects. Most take the square out of play — which is why the counts above are of free squares, not of all of them — but the ones marked below do not: their square is still in play. B — boat · CA — cabinet · CH — chest · CO — computer · CR — crate · F — floor lamp · R — radio · S — shark · WD — wooden table · WI — window (square stays free) · WO — wooden chair (square stays free)

The testimony

What each person said, and how much of the board it rules out.

Kira was all alone in a room.
Kira was in the same row as the computer. leaves 8 of 73 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Kira: 8 of 73.
Ivan and Marina were alone together in one room.
Clara was exactly 3 columns east of Quentin.
Vasco was exactly 6 columns west of Clara.
Quentin was exactly 1 row north of Ivan.
Quentin was exactly 6 columns east of the Curator.
Wilfred was all alone in a room.
Dante was all alone in a room.
Marina was exactly 1 row north of Vasco.
Exactly 2 people were in the harbormaster's office.
Exactly 2 people were in the boathouse.

Show the squares Kira had left

The squares still open to Kira once their own statements are taken into account — 8 of 73.

The squares that had to be tested

The rest does not fall out on its own. It takes 134 eliminations of the same move: put someone on a square, follow the consequences, and watch the board contradict itself.

Had Fabio stood in Dock (row 1, column 4), Vasco would have had nowhere left to stand. So not there.
Put Kira in Boathouse (row 3, column 5) and the testimony cannot be satisfied at all. So not there.
Had Ivan stood in Harbormaster's (row 5, column 2), Kira would have had nowhere left to stand. So not there.
Had Clara stood in Cold Store (row 4, column 10), Ivan would have had nowhere left to stand. So not there.

Show what goes wrong

Suppose Fabio stood on the dashed square. Vasco then has nowhere left to stand: every square still open to them is shaded out.

Another 130 squares fell the same way.

Fabio can only be in Boathouse (row 4, column 6) — down from 25 possible squares.
Kira can only be in Cold Store (row 3, column 8) — down from 2 possible squares.
Ivan can only be in Harbormaster's (row 8, column 3) — down from 2 possible squares.

The answer

That leaves one arrangement, and one person who could have done it: Clara, in Boathouse (row 2, column 10).

Show the solved board

The only arrangement the testimony allows. Clara is ringed in red.

How to read a case above

The grid size is the size of the crime scene, so a 10×9 expert case is a far larger search than a 5×5 beginner one — but the difficulty is really carried by the clues, not the square count. A beginner case tells you almost directly where somebody stood. An expert case tells you where somebody was not, three times, and expects you to do the rest — and on half of them one of those statements is a lie told to protect the killer. If a case lists a motive, naming the right person is not enough on its own; you have to prove why.

How to play · Solving cases with a liar · Techniques

The day in review

The Archivist’s Silence — The accomplice at The Old Harbor is charged: 5 independent detectives put the same name to the same lie.

All ten cases played out along the fog-bound docks of The Old Harbor, beginning with the standard untimed inquiries. On the 5x5 beginner grid of four rooms, eight of eleven attempts ended in solutions, led by chentian in 0m 10s. The 6x6 easy board saw seven solves from seven plays, with chentian closing it out in 0m 15s, before going on to take the 7x7 medium in 0m 21s, where six of nine attempts succeeded. Demands grew steeper on the 10x8 hard board, requiring motive alongside the facts; all seven players cleared it, chentian leading in 1m 31s. The 9x9 expert case carried both an active liar and a required motive across its eight rooms, where five of seven investigators solved it, chentian setting the mark at 3m 23s.

The time attack inquiries moved briskly through the same salt air. chentian claimed the fastest clock across every single board, starting with the 5x5 beginner grid in 0m 08s out of two solves, and the 6x6 easy room in 0m 18s on a lone play. A single solver likewise tackled the 8x7 medium case, where chentian clocked 0m 24s. Complications returned on the 10x8 hard board, where a motive requirement held the room to just one solution from four plays, finished by chentian in 3m 33s. The 10x9 expert challenge closed the day with one solve in four attempts, chentian recording 2m 44s.

Fastest detectives of the day

Beginner: chentian — 0m 10s · Easy: chentian — 0m 15s · Medium: chentian — 0m 21s · Hard: chentian — 1m 31s · Expert: chentian — 3m 23s · Beginner · time attack: chentian — 0m 08s · Easy · time attack: chentian — 0m 18s · Medium · time attack: chentian — 0m 24s · Hard · time attack: chentian — 3m 33s · Expert · time attack: chentian — 2m 44s

The solutions

The solved boards — spoilers for every case of 24 September 2026

Key: red ring = the murderer · amber dashes = the lying accomplice · ✕ = the victim · initials mark where each suspect was proved to stand.

Beginner — The Old Harbor

8 detectives put Katia (professor) away before the day was out.

Easy — The Old Harbor

Greta (diva) is in custody — the case was closed by 7 detectives.

Medium — The Old Harbor

Wanda (journalist) ended the day behind bars — convicted by 6 detectives.

Hard — The Old Harbor

Ivan (gardener) was named and charged; 7 detectives closed this one. The motive — ambition — was proved along with the name.

Expert — The Old Harbor

The cell door shut on Lidia (diva), on the evidence of 5 detectives. The motive — revenge — was proved along with the name. Lidia lied for them and was never charged.

Beginner · time attack — The Old Harbor

2 detectives put Horacio (curator) away before the day was out.

Easy · time attack — The Old Harbor

Nadia (journalist) is in custody — the case was closed by one detective.

Medium · time attack — The Old Harbor

Bianca (professor) ended the day behind bars — convicted by one detective.

Hard · time attack — The Old Harbor

Margot (doctor) was named and charged; one detective closed this one. The motive — jealousy — was proved along with the name.

Expert · time attack — The Old Harbor

The cell door shut on Clara (journalist), on the evidence of one detective.

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Every day's cases — the calendar · ← the cases for 23 September

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