Murder mystery sudoku — the daily cases for 28 September 2026

Every detective in the world got these same crime scenes on 2026-09-28 — 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 — Blackbriar Manor

A 5×5 grid across 3 rooms: Gallery, Foyer, Library. Eight statements, six squares nobody could stand on, and enough testimony that the surplus is what pins the last two down.

Cracked by 15 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 — carpet (square stays free) · CH — chest · F — floor lamp · P — painting (square stays free) · S — statue · W — window (square stays free)

The testimony

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

Queralt was in column 2. leaves 5 of 22 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Queralt: 5 of 22.
Queralt was in the foyer. leaves 1 of 22 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Queralt: 1 of 22.
Delia was in the gallery. leaves 6 of 22 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Delia: 6 of 22.
Delia was in row 3. leaves 1 of 22 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Delia: 1 of 22.
Gilda was in column 3. leaves 3 of 22 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Gilda: 3 of 22.
Gilda was in row 4. leaves 1 of 22 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Gilda: 1 of 22.
Elena was in the gallery. leaves 6 of 22 squares
Elena was in row 2. leaves 1 of 22 squares

What the testimony settles on its own

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

Nestor can only be in Library (row 5, column 1) — down from 22 possible squares.

The answer

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

Show the solved board

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

Beginner · time attack — Blackbriar Manor

A 5×5 grid across 3 rooms: Library, Study, Foyer. Eight statements, seven squares nobody could stand on, and enough testimony that the surplus is what pins the last two down.

Cracked by 3 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.

The testimony

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

Gordon was in the foyer. leaves 7 of 20 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Gordon: 7 of 20.
Gordon was in column 4. leaves 3 of 20 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Gordon: 3 of 20.
Xavier was in row 4. leaves 4 of 20 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Xavier: 4 of 20.
Xavier was in the study. leaves 1 of 20 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Xavier: 1 of 20.
Ada was in row 3. leaves 3 of 20 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Ada: 3 of 20.
Ada was in the library. leaves 1 of 20 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Ada: 1 of 20.
Petra was in the top row. leaves 5 of 20 squares
Petra was in column 2. leaves 1 of 20 squares

Show the squares Gordon had left

The squares still open to Gordon 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:

Gordon can only be in Foyer (row 2, column 4) — down from 3 possible squares.
Rosa can only be in Library (row 5, column 3) — down from 20 possible squares.

The answer

That leaves one arrangement, and one person who could have done it: Ada, in Library (row 3, column 1).

Show the solved board

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

Easy — Blackbriar Manor

A 6×6 grid across 5 rooms: Lounge, Study, Library, Cellar, Kitchen. Seven statements, ten squares nobody could stand on, and no assumption anywhere: elimination alone closes it.

Cracked by 10 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. A — armchair (square stays free) · B — bonsai · C — carpet (square stays free) · H — harp · PA — painting (square stays free) · PI — piano · R — round table · S — stove · 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.

Victor was in the cellar. leaves 5 of 31 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Victor: 5 of 31.
Victor was in column 4. leaves 1 of 31 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Victor: 1 of 31.
Xavier was in the kitchen. leaves 4 of 31 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Xavier: 4 of 31.
Wren was in row 3. leaves 3 of 31 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Wren: 3 of 31.
Gilda was beside the stove. leaves 3 of 31 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Gilda: 3 of 31.
Gilda was beside the carpet. leaves 1 of 31 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Gilda: 1 of 31.
Felix was beside the stove. leaves 3 of 31 squares

Show the squares Wren had left

The squares still open to Wren once their own statements are taken into account — 3 of 31.

What the testimony settles on its own

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

Xavier can only be in Kitchen (row 2, column 1) — down from 4 possible squares.
Wren can only be in Study (row 3, column 2) — down from 3 possible squares.
Lidia can only be in Study (row 6, column 3) — down from 31 possible squares.
Felix can only be in Library (row 4, column 6) — down from 3 possible squares.

The answer

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

Show the solved board

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

Easy · time attack — Blackbriar Manor

A 6×6 grid across 4 rooms: Ballroom, Kitchen, Cellar, Study. Six statements, ten 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. B — bookshelf · CA — carpet (square stays free) · CH — chest · G — grandfather clock · H — harp · PI — piano · PO — potted plant · R — round table · S — statue · W — window (square stays free)

The testimony

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

Delia was in row 5. leaves 6 of 28 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Delia: 6 of 28.
Delia was in the cellar. leaves 3 of 28 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Delia: 3 of 28.
Zeno was beside the window. leaves 1 of 28 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Zeno: 1 of 28.
Elias was beside the harp. leaves 3 of 28 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Elias: 3 of 28.
Oscar was beside the round table. leaves 3 of 28 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Oscar: 3 of 28.
Rita was beside the bookshelf. leaves 3 of 28 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Rita: 3 of 28.

Show the squares Delia had left

The squares still open to Delia once their own statements are taken into account — 3 of 28.

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 Cellar (row 5, column 2) — down from 3 possible squares.
Wilfred can only be in Kitchen (row 6, column 5) — down from 28 possible squares.
Elias can only be in Study (row 2, column 1) — down from 3 possible squares.
Oscar can only be in Study (row 4, column 3) — down from 3 possible squares.
Rita can only be in Kitchen (row 3, column 6) — down from 3 possible squares.

The answer

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

Show the solved board

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

Medium · time attack — Blackbriar Manor

An 8×7 grid across 6 rooms: Kitchen, Cellar, Library, Ballroom, Conservatory, Lounge. Eleven 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 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. B — bonsai · CA — carpet (square stays free) · CH — chest · F — floor lamp · G — grandfather clock · H — harp · PA — painting (square stays free) · PO — potted plant · R — round table · SO — stove · ST — statue · W — window (square stays free)

The testimony

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

Rosa was beside the bonsai. leaves 1 of 45 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Rosa: 1 of 45.
Gordon was in the same room as Xavier.
Gordon was somewhere east of Ofelia.
Gordon was beside the potted plant. leaves 2 of 45 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Gordon: 2 of 45.
Wanda was in column 3. leaves 7 of 45 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Wanda: 7 of 45.
Wanda was in row 6. leaves 1 of 45 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Wanda: 1 of 45.
Ofelia was in the same room as Xavier.
Jonas was in the same row as the floor lamp. leaves 7 of 45 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Jonas: 7 of 45.
Jonas was beside the statue. leaves 1 of 45 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Jonas: 1 of 45.
Xavier was in the western half of the scene. leaves 23 of 45 squares
Nobody was in the lounge.

Show the squares Gordon had left

The squares still open to Gordon once their own statements are taken into account — 2 of 45.

What the testimony settles on its own

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

Gordon can only be in Kitchen (row 4, column 7) — down from 2 possible squares.
Leo can only be in Cellar (row 5, column 5) — down from 45 possible squares.
Ofelia can only be in Kitchen (row 7, column 6) — down from 45 possible squares.
Xavier can only be in Kitchen (row 1, column 4) — down from 23 possible squares.

The answer

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

Show the solved board

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

Medium — Blackbriar Manor

A 7×7 grid across 6 rooms: Conservatory, Gallery, Ballroom, Study, Foyer, Library. Eight statements, thirteen squares nobody could stand on, almost as many rooms as suspects, so a room claim nearly names a square, and no assumption anywhere: elimination alone closes it.

Cracked by 11 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 — bookshelf · C — chest · F — floor lamp · G — grandfather clock · H — harp · P — piano · R — round table · SO — stove · ST — statue · 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.

Ximena was in the southern half of the scene. leaves 16 of 39 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Ximena: 16 of 39.
Ximena was in the conservatory or in the study. leaves 4 of 39 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Ximena: 4 of 39.
Ruben was beside the statue. leaves 1 of 39 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Ruben: 1 of 39.
Vasco was in the conservatory or in the library. leaves 11 of 39 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Vasco: 11 of 39.
Alma was beside a window. leaves 2 of 39 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Alma: 2 of 39.
Alma was beside the piano. leaves 1 of 39 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Alma: 1 of 39.
Boris was beside a window. leaves 2 of 39 squares
Kurt was beside the grandfather clock. leaves 4 of 39 squares

Show the squares Boris had left

The squares still open to Boris once their own statements are taken into account — 2 of 39.

What the testimony settles on its own

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

Ximena can only be in Study (row 5, column 5) — down from 4 possible squares.
Fabio can only be in Gallery (row 4, column 2) — down from 39 possible squares.
Vasco can only be in Library (row 1, column 4) — down from 11 possible squares.
Boris can only be in Conservatory (row 2, column 7) — down from 2 possible squares.
Kurt can only be in Ballroom (row 3, column 3) — down from 4 possible squares.

The answer

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

Show the solved board

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

Hard — Blackbriar Manor

An 8×8 grid across 7 rooms: Conservatory, Ballroom, Foyer, Lounge, Gallery, Library, Cellar. Fourteen statements, fifteen 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 — and one of the eight 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. A — armchair (square stays free) · BK — bookshelf · BO — bonsai · C — chest · F — floor lamp · PI — piano · PO — potted plant · R — round table · SO — sofa (square stays free) · ST — statue · WI — window (square stays free) · WO — wooden chair (square stays free)

The testimony

What each person said. One of these 8 is the killer's accomplice and every word they said is false — but not which one, not yet.

Julian was in the same row as the chest. if true, leaves 5 of 54
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Julian: 5 of 54.
Julian was somewhere west of Kaspar.
Julian was somewhere north of the Butler.
Julian was in the same column as the armchair. if true, leaves 1 of 54
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Julian: 1 of 54.
Wren was in the same column as the chest. if true, leaves 6 of 54
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Wren: 6 of 54.
Wren was in the same room as the Gardener.
Percy was in the same column as the piano. if true, leaves 7 of 54
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Percy: 7 of 54.
Kaspar was touching the outer wall. if true, leaves 30 of 54
Kaspar was in the same row as the sofa.
Ines was somewhere south of Kaspar.
Sofia was in the same room as Alma.
Sofia was in the same row as a window. if true, leaves 14 of 54
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Sofia: 14 of 54.
Sofia was somewhere west of the Heiress.
Alma was somewhere north of the Butler.

Show the squares Wren had left

The squares still open to Wren once their own statements are taken into account — 6 of 54.

Unmasking the liar

One of these 8 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 Julian were the one lying, no arrangement satisfies the rest. Not them.
If Wren were the one lying, no arrangement satisfies the rest. Not them.
If Percy were the one lying, no arrangement satisfies the rest. Not them.
If Ines were the one lying, no arrangement satisfies the rest. Not them.

Another 3 candidates collapse the same way.

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

Read backwards, Kaspar actually told you:

Kaspar was NOT touching the outer wall.
Kaspar was NOT in the same row as the sofa.

What the testimony settles on its own

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

Wren can only be in Foyer (row 4, column 2) — down from 6 possible squares.
Percy can only be in Conservatory (row 8, column 5) — down from 7 possible squares.
Kaspar can only be in Foyer (row 2, column 7) — down from 30 possible squares.
Ines can only be in Ballroom (row 5, column 8) — down from 54 possible squares.
Greta can only be in Library (row 6, column 1) — down from 54 possible squares.
Sofia can only be in Lounge (row 3, column 3) — down from 14 possible squares.
Alma can only be in Lounge (row 1, column 6) — down from 54 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.

Alma's motive would have been inheritance.
Sofia's motive would have been debts.
Ines's motive would have been jealousy.
Percy's motive would have been ambition.
Whoever did it was not driven by blackmail.
Whoever did it was not driven by revenge.

The answer

That leaves one arrangement, and one person who could have done it: Julian, in Library (row 7, column 4). Kaspar lied throughout and was never charged.

The only motive left standing for Julian is buried secrets.

Show the solved board

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

Hard · time attack — Blackbriar Manor

A 9×8 grid across 6 rooms: Study, Kitchen, Foyer, Library, Cellar, Conservatory. Eleven statements, eighteen 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 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. A — armchair (square stays free) · BK — bookshelf · BO — bonsai · CA — carpet (square stays free) · CH — chest · F — floor lamp · G — grandfather clock · M — mirror (square stays free) · PI — piano · PO — potted plant · R — round table · SO — sofa (square stays free) · ST — statue · SV — stove · 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 exactly 2 columns west of Yolanda.
Margot was exactly 3 rows south of the Colonel.
Dora was in the same column as the armchair. leaves 8 of 60 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Dora: 8 of 60.
Gaspar was in the same room as the Colonel.
Percy was somewhere west of the Chauffeur.
Jonas was in the same room as the Butler.
Yolanda was exactly 5 columns west of the Magician.
Yolanda was exactly 4 rows north of the Chauffeur.
Hugo was somewhere south of Dora.
Hugo was in the same row as the stove. leaves 6 of 60 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Hugo: 6 of 60.
Nobody was in the study.

Show the squares Hugo had left

The squares still open to Hugo once their own statements are taken into account — 6 of 60.

What the testimony settles on its own

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

Dora can only be in Library (row 1, column 4) — down from 8 possible squares.
Yolanda can only be in Cellar (row 3, column 3) — down from 60 possible squares.

The squares that had to be tested

The rest does not fall out on its own. It takes 44 eliminations of the same move: put someone on a square, follow the consequences, and watch the board contradict itself.

Had Tesa stood in Cellar (row 2, column 5), Hugo would have had nowhere left to stand. So not there.
Put Margot in Conservatory (row 5, column 1) and the testimony cannot be satisfied at all. So not there.
Had Gaspar stood in Foyer (row 2, column 8), Hugo would have had nowhere left to stand. So not there.
Put Percy in Cellar (row 2, column 5) and the testimony cannot be satisfied at all. So not there.

Show what goes wrong

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

Another 40 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.

Hugo's motive would have been obsession.
Gaspar's motive would have been blackmail.
Jonas's motive would have been debts.
Margot's motive would have been inheritance.
Whoever did it was not driven by revenge.
Whoever did it was not driven by ambition.

The answer

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

The only motive left standing for Yolanda is buried secrets.

Show the solved board

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

Expert — Blackbriar Manor

A 9×9 grid across 7 rooms: Ballroom, Kitchen, Library, Foyer, Cellar, Conservatory, Gallery. Eighteen statements, eighteen squares nobody could stand on, 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 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. A — armchair (square stays free) · BK — bookshelf · BO — bonsai · C — chest · F — floor lamp · G — grandfather clock · H — harp · PI — piano · PO — potted plant · R — round table · SO — sofa (square stays free) · ST — stove · W — window (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.

Sofia was somewhere north of Pablo.
Pablo was in the ballroom or in the gallery. if true, leaves 56 of 66
Pablo was in the same row as the potted plant. if true, leaves 51 of 66
Lorenzo was in column 5. if true, leaves 6 of 66
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Lorenzo: 6 of 66.
Ximena was somewhere east of Sofia.
Irene was somewhere north of the Chef.
Irene was in the same row as the round table. if true, leaves 8 of 66
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Irene: 8 of 66.
Hilda was somewhere north of the Chauffeur.
Hilda was somewhere north of the Journalist.
Hilda was somewhere south of the Colonel.
Hilda was somewhere north of the Curator.
Hilda was in the same column as the harp. if true, leaves 6 of 66
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Hilda: 6 of 66.
Nestor was in the same column as the armchair. if true, leaves 9 of 66
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Nestor: 9 of 66.
Nestor was in row 5. if true, leaves 1 of 66
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Nestor: 1 of 66.
Flora was in the same column as the floor lamp. if true, leaves 7 of 66
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Flora: 7 of 66.
Flora was somewhere west of the Diva.
Exactly 4 people were in the library.
Exactly 2 people were in the foyer.

Show the squares Lorenzo had left

The squares still open to Lorenzo 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 Sofia were the one lying, no arrangement satisfies the rest. Not them.
If Lorenzo were the one lying, no arrangement satisfies the rest. Not them.
If Cesar were the one lying, no arrangement satisfies the rest. Not them.
If Ximena were the one lying, no arrangement satisfies the rest. Not them.

Another 4 candidates collapse the same way.

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

Read backwards, Pablo actually told you:

Pablo was in neither the ballroom nor the gallery.
Pablo was NOT in the same row as the potted plant.

What the testimony settles on its own

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

Hilda can only be in Foyer (row 3, column 1) — down from 6 possible squares.

The squares that had to be tested

The rest does not fall out on its own. It takes 59 eliminations of the same move: put someone on a square, follow the consequences, and watch the board contradict itself.

Had Sofia stood in Kitchen (row 1, column 5), Lorenzo would have had nowhere left to stand. So not there.
Had Pablo stood in Kitchen (row 2, column 4), Flora would have had nowhere left to stand. So not there.
Had Lorenzo stood in Library (row 6, column 5), Irene would have had nowhere left to stand. So not there.
Had Cesar stood in Gallery (row 1, column 2), Sofia would have had nowhere left to stand. So not there.

Show what goes wrong

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

Another 55 squares fell the same way.

Sofia can only be in Ballroom (row 1, column 8) — down from 2 possible squares.
Pablo can only be in Kitchen (row 2, column 7) — down from 2 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.

Sofia's motive would have been buried secrets.
Flora's motive would have been debts.
Nestor's motive would have been blackmail.
Lorenzo's motive would have been revenge.
Irene's motive would have been ambition.
Whoever did it was not driven by jealousy.
Whoever did it was not driven by obsession.

The answer

That leaves one arrangement, and one person who could have done it: Hilda, in Foyer (row 3, column 1). Pablo lied throughout and was never charged.

The only motive left standing for Hilda is inheritance.

Show the solved board

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

Expert · time attack — Blackbriar Manor

A 10×9 grid across 7 rooms: Study, Foyer, Gallery, Lounge, Cellar, Conservatory, Ballroom. Fourteen statements, nineteen 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 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. BK — bookshelf · BO — bonsai · CA — carpet (square stays free) · CH — chest · F — floor lamp · G — grandfather clock · H — harp · PA — painting (square stays free) · PO — potted plant · R — round table · SO — sofa (square stays free) · ST — statue · SV — stove · 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 exactly 3 rows north of the Professor.
Estela was somewhere west of the Colonel.
Helena was somewhere north of the Colonel.
Helena was exactly 5 columns east of Yago.
Sofia was all alone in a room.
Vera was somewhere south of the Gardener.
Vera was somewhere east of the Diva.
Vera and Octavio were alone together in one room.
Quentin was exactly 2 rows north of the Heiress.
Quentin was in the same column as the sofa. leaves 9 of 77 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Quentin: 9 of 77.
Octavio was in the same column as a window. leaves 23 of 77 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Octavio: 23 of 77.
Julian was exactly 2 rows south of the Butler.
Julian was exactly 2 columns west of Sofia.
Exactly 3 people were in the ballroom.

Show the squares Quentin had left

The squares still open to Quentin once their own statements are taken into account — 9 of 77.

What the testimony settles on its own

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

Octavio can only be in Lounge (row 8, column 4) — down from 23 possible squares.

The squares that had to be tested

The rest does not fall out on its own. It takes 120 eliminations of the same move: put someone on a square, follow the consequences, and watch the board contradict itself.

Had Yago stood in Conservatory (row 1, column 2), Helena would have had nowhere left to stand. So not there.
Put Estela in Conservatory (row 3, column 1) and the testimony cannot be satisfied at all. So not there.
Put Helena in Ballroom (row 1, column 6) and the testimony cannot be satisfied at all. So not there.
Had Sofia stood in Ballroom (row 4, column 5), Helena would have had nowhere left to stand. So not there.

Show what goes wrong

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

Another 116 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. 8 motives are in play, and these statements narrow them.

Vera's motive would have been revenge.
Sofia's motive would have been blackmail.
Julian's motive would have been inheritance.
Octavio's motive would have been jealousy.
Helena's motive would have been buried secrets.
Whoever did it was not driven by obsession.
Whoever did it was not driven by ambition.

The answer

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

The only motive left standing for Yago is debts.

Show the solved board

The only arrangement the testimony allows. Yago 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

What the Tide Keeps — The accomplice at Blackbriar Manor is charged: 4 independent detectives put the same name to the same lie.

The day belonged entirely to Blackbriar Manor, which provided the scene for all ten investigations. In the standard untimed inquiries, the smaller rooms yielded quickly enough: the 5x5 beginner case saw 14 solutions from 17 attempts, while the 6x6 easy and 7x7 medium boards saw 10 and 11 solvers clear the floor. Things turned murky as liars and motives entered the ledger. The 8x8 hard case, sporting seven rooms alongside a liar and motive requirement, permitted just four successes from eight plays. The 9x9 expert case proved even more unforgiving, turning away half its four entrants. Chentian claimed the swiftest record across the entire standard slate, clocking eight seconds on beginner, ten on easy, 15 on medium, two minutes and 23 seconds on hard, and six minutes and 28 seconds on expert.

Against the clock, investigators faced different layouts across the same estate. The 5x5 beginner and 6x6 easy boards drew few attempts, though all finished, led by chentian in eight and 42 seconds respectively. David broke the pattern on the 8x7 medium board, securing the fastest time of 27 seconds. Motives resurfaced without any liars on the larger timed layouts: chentian dispatched the 9x8 hard board in one minute and nine seconds, and later closed the lone, painstaking attempt at the 10x9 expert board in 14 minutes and 22 seconds.

Fastest detectives of the day

Beginner: chentian — 0m 08s · Easy: chentian — 0m 10s · Medium: chentian — 0m 15s · Hard: chentian — 2m 23s · Expert: chentian — 6m 28s · Beginner · time attack: chentian — 0m 08s · Easy · time attack: chentian — 0m 42s · Medium · time attack: david — 0m 27s · Hard · time attack: chentian — 1m 09s · Expert · time attack: chentian — 14m 22s

The solutions

The solved boards — spoilers for every case of 28 September 2026

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

Beginner — Blackbriar Manor

14 detectives put Gilda (journalist) away before the day was out.

Easy — Blackbriar Manor

Wren (heiress) is in custody — the case was closed by 10 detectives.

Medium — Blackbriar Manor

Ruben (magician) ended the day behind bars — convicted by 11 detectives.

Hard — Blackbriar Manor

Julian (colonel) was named and charged; 4 detectives closed this one. The motive — buried secrets — was proved along with the name. Kaspar lied for them and was never charged.

Expert — Blackbriar Manor

The cell door shut on Hilda (heiress), on the evidence of 2 detectives. The motive — inheritance — was proved along with the name. Pablo lied for them and was never charged.

Beginner · time attack — Blackbriar Manor

3 detectives put Ada (chef) away before the day was out.

Easy · time attack — Blackbriar Manor

Rita (doctor) is in custody — the case was closed by 2 detectives.

Medium · time attack — Blackbriar Manor

Wanda (doctor) ended the day behind bars — convicted by 2 detectives.

Hard · time attack — Blackbriar Manor

Yolanda (heiress) was named and charged; 2 detectives closed this one. The motive — buried secrets — was proved along with the name.

Expert · time attack — Blackbriar Manor

The cell door shut on Yago (butler), on the evidence of one detective. The motive — debts — was proved along with the name.

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Every day's cases — the calendar · ← the cases for 27 September

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