Murder mystery sudoku — the daily cases for 7 October 2026

Every detective in the world got these same crime scenes on 2026-10-07 — 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 Steamship Aurora

A 5×5 grid across 3 rooms: Cabin, Hold, Dining. Seven statements, six squares nobody could stand on, and enough testimony that the surplus is what pins the last two down.

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) · D — desk · F — floor lamp · G — grandfather clock · S — sofa (square stays free) · W — window (square stays free)

The testimony

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

Conrad was beside the sofa. leaves 5 of 22 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Conrad: 5 of 22.
Rita was in column 4. leaves 4 of 22 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Rita: 4 of 22.
Rita was seated on the sofa. leaves 1 of 22 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Rita: 1 of 22.
Olivia was in the leftmost column. leaves 5 of 22 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Olivia: 5 of 22.
Olivia was in row 4. leaves 1 of 22 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Olivia: 1 of 22.
Quentin was in the rightmost column. leaves 3 of 22 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Quentin: 3 of 22.
Quentin was in the dining room. leaves 1 of 22 squares

Show the squares Conrad had left

The squares still open to Conrad once their own statements are taken into account — 5 of 22.

What the testimony settles on its own

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

Conrad can only be in Dining (row 3, column 3) — down from 5 possible squares.
Selma can only be in Hold (row 5, column 2) — down from 22 possible squares.

The answer

That leaves one arrangement, and one person who could have done it: Olivia, in Hold (row 4, column 1).

Show the solved board

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

Beginner · time attack — The Steamship Aurora

A 5×5 grid across 4 rooms: Galley, Cabin, Dining, Hold. Seven statements, six squares nobody could stand on, 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.

The testimony

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

Jonas was in column 3. leaves 5 of 24 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Jonas: 5 of 24.
Jonas was in row 4. leaves 1 of 24 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Jonas: 1 of 24.
Flora was seated on the armchair. leaves 1 of 24 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Flora: 1 of 24.
Vera was in the leftmost column. leaves 5 of 24 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Vera: 5 of 24.
Vera was in the cabin. leaves 2 of 24 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Vera: 2 of 24.
Conrad was in the rightmost column. leaves 5 of 24 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Conrad: 5 of 24.
Conrad was in the dining room. leaves 2 of 24 squares

Show the squares Vera had left

The squares still open to Vera once their own statements are taken into account — 2 of 24.

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 Hold (row 5, column 4) — down from 24 possible squares.
Vera can only be in Cabin (row 1, column 1) — down from 2 possible squares.
Conrad can only be in Dining (row 2, column 5) — down from 2 possible squares.

The answer

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

Show the solved board

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

Easy — The Steamship Aurora

A 6×6 grid across 4 rooms: Saloon, Engine, Deck, Cabin. Six 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) · CA — carpet (square stays free) · CH — chest · CR — crate · D — desk · F — floor lamp · SO — sofa (square stays free) · ST — 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.

Nora was in the deck. leaves 6 of 31 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Nora: 6 of 31.
Ada was in the engine room. leaves 5 of 31 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Ada: 5 of 31.
Beatrix was beside the crate. leaves 2 of 31 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Beatrix: 2 of 31.
Vasco was beside the armchair. leaves 2 of 31 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Vasco: 2 of 31.
Fabio was beside the sofa. leaves 3 of 31 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Fabio: 3 of 31.
Fabio was beside the chest. leaves 1 of 31 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Fabio: 1 of 31.

Show the squares Beatrix had left

The squares still open to Beatrix once their own statements are taken into account — 2 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:

Enzo can only be in Saloon (row 2, column 1) — down from 31 possible squares.
Nora can only be in Deck (row 6, column 6) — down from 6 possible squares.
Ada can only be in Engine (row 4, column 4) — down from 5 possible squares.
Beatrix can only be in Engine (row 1, column 3) — down from 2 possible squares.
Vasco can only be in Cabin (row 3, column 5) — down from 2 possible squares.

The answer

That leaves one arrangement, and one person who could have done it: Fabio, in Saloon (row 5, column 2).

Show the solved board

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

Easy · time attack — The Steamship Aurora

A 6×6 grid across 4 rooms: Hold, Dining, Deck, Cabin. Seven statements, eleven 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. A — armchair (square stays free) · B — bed (square stays free) · CH — chest · CR — crate · F — floor lamp · G — grandfather clock · M — mirror (square stays free) · SO — sofa (square stays free) · ST — 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.

Zeno was in column 2. leaves 4 of 31 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Zeno: 4 of 31.
Zeno was in the deck. leaves 2 of 31 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Zeno: 2 of 31.
Percy was beside the chest. leaves 3 of 31 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Percy: 3 of 31.
Percy was beside the sofa. leaves 1 of 31 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Percy: 1 of 31.
Ulises was beside the sofa. leaves 4 of 31 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Ulises: 4 of 31.
Celeste was beside the stove. leaves 2 of 31 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Celeste: 2 of 31.
Rita was lying on the bed. leaves 2 of 31 squares

Show the squares Zeno had left

The squares still open to Zeno once their own statements are taken into account — 2 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:

Zeno can only be in Deck (row 1, column 2) — down from 2 possible squares.
Ulises can only be in Hold (row 5, column 3) — down from 4 possible squares.
Kira can only be in Deck (row 3, column 1) — down from 31 possible squares.
Celeste can only be in Hold (row 6, column 6) — down from 2 possible squares.
Rita can only be in Cabin (row 2, column 4) — down from 2 possible squares.

The answer

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

Show the solved board

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

Medium · time attack — The Steamship Aurora

A 7×7 grid across 5 rooms: Galley, Dining, Saloon, Engine, Cabin. Nine statements, fourteen 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. A — armchair (square stays free) · B — bed (square stays free) · CA — carpet (square stays free) · CH — chest · CL — clock · CR — crate · D — desk · F — floor lamp · SO — sofa (square stays free) · ST — stove · W — window (square stays free)

The testimony

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

Nadia was in the same column as the crate. leaves 5 of 40 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Nadia: 5 of 40.
Ruben was in the galley or in the dining room. leaves 18 of 40 squares
Conrad was somewhere south of the Curator.
Conrad was in the same room as the Gardener.
Bruno was in the same row as the window. leaves 6 of 40 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Bruno: 6 of 40.
Bruno was in the same column as the floor lamp. leaves 1 of 40 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Bruno: 1 of 40.
Alma was on the carpet. leaves 3 of 40 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Alma: 3 of 40.
Tristan was beside the sofa. leaves 2 of 40 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Tristan: 2 of 40.
Tristan was in the same column as the window. leaves 1 of 40 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Tristan: 1 of 40.

Show the squares Alma had left

The squares still open to Alma once their own statements are taken into account — 3 of 40.

What the testimony settles on its own

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

Nadia can only be in Saloon (row 4, column 1) — down from 5 possible squares.
Ruben can only be in Dining (row 2, column 5) — down from 18 possible squares.
Conrad can only be in Cabin (row 3, column 4) — down from 40 possible squares.
Alma can only be in Engine (row 5, column 7) — down from 3 possible squares.
Jimena can only be in Galley (row 7, column 3) — down from 40 possible squares.

The answer

That leaves one arrangement, and one person who could have done it: Tristan, in Galley (row 6, column 2).

Show the solved board

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

Medium — The Steamship Aurora

A 7×7 grid across 5 rooms: Engine, Hold, Deck, Galley, Bridge. Ten statements, thirteen 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. A — armchair (square stays free) · B — bed (square stays free) · CH — chest · CR — crate · D — desk · F — floor lamp · G — grandfather clock · M — mirror (square stays free) · S — sofa (square stays free) · W — window (square stays free)

The testimony

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

Sol was in the same column as the bed. leaves 6 of 41 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Sol: 6 of 41.
Sol was in the cargo hold or in the galley. leaves 5 of 41 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Sol: 5 of 41.
Greta was in the same room as the Curator.
Greta was in the same row as the mirror. leaves 7 of 41 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Greta: 7 of 41.
Enzo was beside the window. leaves 2 of 41 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Enzo: 2 of 41.
Paloma was in the same row as the armchair. leaves 5 of 41 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Paloma: 5 of 41.
Paloma was somewhere east of Greta.
Kurt was in the same row as the bed. leaves 11 of 41 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Kurt: 11 of 41.
Nadia was beside the sofa. leaves 3 of 41 squares
Nadia was in row 4. leaves 1 of 41 squares

Show the squares Enzo had left

The squares still open to Enzo once their own statements are taken into account — 2 of 41.

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 Galley (row 1, column 4) — down from 5 possible squares.
Greta can only be in Hold (row 5, column 5) — down from 7 possible squares.
Enzo can only be in Hold (row 6, column 6) — down from 2 possible squares.
Paloma can only be in Engine (row 2, column 7) — down from 5 possible squares.
Kurt can only be in Deck (row 7, column 1) — down from 11 possible squares.
Rufus can only be in Bridge (row 3, column 3) — down from 41 possible squares.

The answer

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

Show the solved board

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

Hard — The Steamship Aurora

A 10×8 grid across 7 rooms: Engine, Deck, Bridge, Saloon, Dining, Lounge, Cabin. Ten 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.

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 — bed (square stays free) · CA — carpet (square stays free) · CH — chest · CL — clock · CR — crate · D — desk · F — floor lamp · SO — sofa (square stays free) · ST — 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.

Alistair was in the same room as Jonas.
Alistair was in the same column as the carpet. leaves 14 of 70 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Alistair: 14 of 70.
Queralt was all alone in a room.
Nestor was seated on the sofa. leaves 2 of 70 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Nestor: 2 of 70.
Ximena was in the same column as the window. leaves 6 of 70 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Ximena: 6 of 70.
Tamara was exactly 1 row north of Ximena.
Jonas was beside the desk. leaves 3 of 70 squares
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Jonas: 3 of 70.
Dora was exactly 3 columns east of the Curator.
Dora was exactly 3 rows north of Tamara.
Nobody was in the engine room.

Show the squares Nestor had left

The squares still open to Nestor once their own statements are taken into account — 2 of 70.

The squares that had to be tested

The rest does not fall out on its own. It takes 105 eliminations of the same move: put someone on a square, follow the consequences, and watch the board contradict itself.

Had Alistair stood in Cabin (row 7, column 3), Tamara would have had nowhere left to stand. So not there.
Had Queralt stood in Lounge (row 2, column 1), Dora would have had nowhere left to stand. So not there.
Had Nestor stood in Deck (row 1, column 2), Tamara would have had nowhere left to stand. So not there.
Put Ximena in Cabin (row 8, column 10) and the testimony cannot be satisfied at all. So not there.

Show what goes wrong

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

Another 101 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.

Dora's motive would have been ambition.
Ximena's motive would have been jealousy.
Jonas's motive would have been inheritance.
Queralt's motive would have been debts.
Whoever did it was not driven by buried secrets.
Whoever did it was not driven by obsession.

The answer

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

The only motive left standing for Nestor is revenge.

Show the solved board

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

Hard · time attack — The Steamship Aurora

An 8×8 grid across 7 rooms: Cabin, Saloon, Deck, Hold, Galley, Dining, Engine. Seventeen 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 — and one of the eight was lying throughout.

The twist: one suspect is an accomplice — every statement they make is false.

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. A — armchair (square stays free) · B — bed (square stays free) · CA — carpet (square stays free) · CH — chest · CR — crate · D — desk · F — floor lamp · G — grandfather clock · P — painting (square stays free) · SO — sofa (square stays free) · ST — stove · 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.

Hugo was somewhere west of Vasco.
Hugo was in the same column as a window. if true, leaves 13 of 56
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Hugo: 13 of 56.
Hugo was somewhere west of the Chef.
Hugo was in row 3. if true, leaves 2 of 56
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Hugo: 2 of 56.
Marina was in the same row as the painting. if true, leaves 8 of 56
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Marina: 8 of 56.
Marina was in the same column as the chest. if true, leaves 1 of 56
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Marina: 1 of 56.
Julia was in the same room as the Gardener.
Julia was in the same column as the carpet. if true, leaves 40 of 56
Vasco was in the cabin or in the engine room. if true, leaves 15 of 56
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Vasco: 15 of 56.
Rita was in the same row as the carpet. if true, leaves 13 of 56
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Rita: 13 of 56.
Rita was in the same column as a window. if true, leaves 3 of 56
Rita was somewhere north of Vasco.
Rita was somewhere south of the Gardener.
Tristan was somewhere north of Rita.
Tristan was somewhere east of Julia.
Lorenzo was somewhere west of the Professor.
Lorenzo was somewhere north of Vasco.

Show the squares Hugo had left

The squares still open to Hugo once their own statements are taken into account — 2 of 56.

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 Hugo were the one lying, no arrangement satisfies the rest. Not them.
If Selma were the one lying, no arrangement satisfies the rest. Not them.
If Marina were the one lying, no arrangement satisfies the rest. Not them.
If Vasco were the one lying, no arrangement satisfies the rest. Not them.

Another 3 candidates collapse the same way.

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

Read backwards, Julia actually told you:

Julia was NOT in the same room as the Gardener.
Julia was NOT in the same column as the carpet.

What the testimony settles on its own

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

Hugo can only be in Galley (row 3, column 2) — down from 2 possible squares.
Selma can only be in Galley (row 5, column 4) — down from 56 possible squares.
Julia can only be in Deck (row 7, column 6) — down from 40 possible squares.
Vasco can only be in Cabin (row 6, column 3) — down from 15 possible squares.
Rita can only be in Deck (row 4, column 5) — down from 3 possible squares.
Tristan can only be in Saloon (row 1, column 7) — down from 56 possible squares.
Lorenzo can only be in Engine (row 2, column 1) — down from 56 possible squares.

The answer

That leaves one arrangement, and one person who could have done it: Hugo, in Galley (row 3, column 2). Julia lied throughout and was never charged.

Show the solved board

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

Expert — The Steamship Aurora

A 9×9 grid across 8 rooms: Deck, Cabin, Bridge, Dining, Hold, Engine, Lounge, Saloon. 23 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 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.

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 — bed (square stays free) · CA — carpet (square stays free) · CH — chest · CL — clock · CR — crate · D — desk · F — floor lamp · SO — sofa (square stays free) · ST — stove · 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.

Alistair was somewhere south of Ximena.
Alistair was in the same row as the window. if true, leaves 15 of 73
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Alistair: 15 of 73.
Alistair was somewhere east of Hugo.
Alistair was somewhere north of Yolanda.
Alistair was in the same column as the carpet. if true, leaves 3 of 73
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Alistair: 3 of 73.
Irene was somewhere west of Ximena.
Irene was in the same row as the floor lamp. if true, leaves 8 of 73
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Irene: 8 of 73.
Yolanda was in the same column as the crate. if true, leaves 7 of 73
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Yolanda: 7 of 73.
Yolanda was somewhere east of the Doctor.
Wren and the Diva were in different rooms.
Wren was in the same column as the desk. if true, leaves 8 of 73
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Wren: 8 of 73.
Ruben was in the same room as the Colonel.
Ruben was not seated on anything. if true, leaves 5 of 73
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Ruben: 5 of 73.
Lorenzo was somewhere south of Hugo.
Lorenzo was somewhere south of Wren.
Lorenzo was in the same column as the chest. if true, leaves 7 of 73
Ximena was not beside the desk. if true, leaves 70 of 73
Ximena was in the same row as the window. if true, leaves 13 of 73
Hugo was in the same column as the floor lamp. if true, leaves 8 of 73
Hugo was somewhere west of Wren.
Hugo was somewhere west of the Heiress.
Exactly 2 people were in the lounge.
Exactly 2 people were in the cargo hold.

Show the squares Alistair had left

The squares still open to Alistair once their own statements are taken into account — 3 of 73.

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 Alistair were the one lying, no arrangement satisfies the rest. Not them.
If Irene were the one lying, no arrangement satisfies the rest. Not them.
If Yolanda were the one lying, no arrangement satisfies the rest. Not them.
If Wren were the one lying, no arrangement satisfies the rest. Not them.

Another 3 candidates collapse the same way.

Ruben is the accomplice. Placement alone leaves 2 readings standing here, so it is the accusation itself that settles which — but everything Ruben said is read backwards from now on.

Read backwards, Ruben actually told you:

Ruben was NOT in the same room as the Colonel.
Ruben WAS seated on something.

What the testimony settles on its own

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

Alistair can only be in Deck (row 4, column 5) — down from 3 possible squares.
Irene can only be in Hold (row 9, column 1) — down from 8 possible squares.

The squares that had to be tested

The rest does not fall out on its own. It takes 63 eliminations of the same move: put someone on a square, follow the consequences, and watch the board contradict itself.

Put Yolanda in Cabin (row 5, column 3) and the testimony cannot be satisfied at all. So not there.
Had Wren stood in Dining (row 2, column 9), Hugo would have had nowhere left to stand. So not there.
Had Ruben stood in Lounge (row 6, column 4), Lorenzo would have had nowhere left to stand. So not there.
Put Lorenzo in Deck (row 2, column 6) and the testimony cannot be satisfied at all. So not there.

Show what goes wrong

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

Another 59 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.

Alistair's motive would have been ambition.
Yolanda's motive would have been buried secrets.
Hugo's motive would have been jealousy.
Ximena's motive would have been inheritance.
Irene's motive would have been blackmail.
Whoever did it was not driven by obsession.
Whoever did it was not driven by debts.

The answer

That leaves one arrangement, and one person who could have done it: Lorenzo, in Lounge (row 7, column 6). Ruben lied throughout and was never charged.

The only motive left standing for Lorenzo is revenge.

Show the solved board

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

Expert · time attack — The Steamship Aurora

A 9×9 grid across 8 rooms: Lounge, Saloon, Bridge, Engine, Galley, Cabin, Hold, Deck. Seventeen 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 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. A — armchair (square stays free) · B — bed (square stays free) · CA — carpet (square stays free) · CH — chest · CL — clock · CR — crate · D — desk · F — floor lamp · SO — sofa (square stays free) · ST — stove · 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.

Tamara was in the same column as the sofa. if true, leaves 8 of 72
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Tamara: 8 of 72.
Tamara was somewhere south of the Gardener.
Walter was in the same row as the chest. if true, leaves 8 of 72
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Walter: 8 of 72.
Zeno was in the same row as the stove. if true, leaves 6 of 72
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Zeno: 6 of 72.
Nora was in the same column as the bed. if true, leaves 17 of 72
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Nora: 17 of 72.
Julia was in the same column as the floor lamp. if true, leaves 6 of 72
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Julia: 6 of 72.
Julia was in the same row as the window. if true, leaves 1 of 72
Show it on the board
The squares this one statement leaves Julia: 1 of 72.
Olivia was somewhere north of Nora.
Olivia was somewhere west of Alistair.
Olivia was somewhere east of the Gardener.
Olivia was somewhere north of the Heiress.
Olivia was in the same column as the carpet. if true, leaves 9 of 72
Alistair was in the same column as the armchair. if true, leaves 63 of 72
Alistair was not in the engine room. if true, leaves 7 of 72
Gilda was in the same row as the bed. if true, leaves 8 of 72
Gilda was somewhere east of Walter.
Exactly 2 people were in the cabin.

Show the squares Zeno had left

The squares still open to Zeno once their own statements are taken into account — 6 of 72.

Unmasking the liar

If Tamara were the one lying, no arrangement satisfies the rest. Not them.
If Walter were the one lying, no arrangement satisfies the rest. Not them.
If Milo were the one lying, no arrangement satisfies the rest. Not them.
If Zeno were the one lying, no arrangement satisfies the rest. Not them.

Another 4 candidates collapse the same way.

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

Read backwards, Alistair actually told you:

Alistair was NOT in the same column as the armchair.
Alistair WAS in the engine room.

The squares that had to be tested

The rest does not fall out on its own. It takes 89 eliminations of the same move: put someone on a square, follow the consequences, and watch the board contradict itself.

Had Tamara stood in Hold (row 8, column 2), Walter would have had nowhere left to stand. So not there.
Had Walter stood in Hold (row 8, column 1), Nora would have had nowhere left to stand. So not there.
Had Milo stood in Lounge (row 2, column 1), Gilda would have had nowhere left to stand. So not there.
Had Zeno stood in Hold (row 7, column 3), Nora would have had nowhere left to stand. So not there.

Show what goes wrong

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

Another 85 squares fell the same way.

Walter can only be in Bridge (row 8, column 6) — 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.

Zeno's motive would have been ambition.
Nora's motive would have been jealousy.
Gilda's motive would have been buried secrets.
Tamara's motive would have been debts.
Alistair's motive would have been revenge.
Whoever did it was not driven by obsession.
Whoever did it was not driven by blackmail.

The answer

That leaves one arrangement, and one person who could have done it: Olivia, in Cabin (row 4, column 4). Alistair lied throughout and was never charged.

The only motive left standing for Olivia is inheritance.

Show the solved board

The only arrangement the testimony allows. Olivia 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 Hollow Order — An accomplice sat in the case at The Steamship Aurora and only 4 detectives opened it. A charge needs 3 to agree — the lie is still there, unread.

The Steamship Aurora hosted all ten investigations today, offering five standard cases alongside five urgent time attacks. The routine matters proceeded without deception: untimed beginner saw nine solutions from thirteen attempts, led by chentian in 0m 08s, while an untimed easy grid of 6x6 rooms saw nine successes in nine attempts, led by a guest detective in 0m 23s. That same anonymous investigator posted top times across the rest of the untimed docket, solving the 7x7 medium board in 0m 44s, closing the 10x8 hard case—which demanded a confirmed motive—in 1m 04s, and navigating both a liar and a motive requirement on the 9x9 expert floor plan in 4m 03s.

Against the clock, the field remained exceptionally quiet, leaving the corridors largely to chentian, who claimed every fastest record. The early timed runs were swift, wrapping up beginner in 0m 07s, easy in 0m 11s, and medium in 0m 20s. Complexity soon mounted on the higher tiers, where a liar emerged on the 8x8 hard grid, solved solo by chentian in 4m 24s. The timed expert board brought together both an untruthful witness and a motive requirement across eight rooms, where a single attempt yielded the lone success: chentian, once more, finishing in 4m 54s.

Fastest detectives of the day

Beginner: chentian — 0m 08s · Easy: a guest detective — 0m 23s · Medium: a guest detective — 0m 44s · Hard: a guest detective — 1m 04s · Expert: a guest detective — 4m 03s · Beginner · time attack: chentian — 0m 07s · Easy · time attack: chentian — 0m 11s · Medium · time attack: chentian — 0m 20s · Hard · time attack: chentian — 4m 24s · Expert · time attack: chentian — 4m 54s

The solutions

The solved boards — spoilers for every case of 7 October 2026

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

Beginner — The Steamship Aurora

Olivia (professor) was named and charged; 9 detectives closed this one.

Easy — The Steamship Aurora

The cell door shut on Fabio (gardener), on the evidence of 9 detectives.

Medium — The Steamship Aurora

7 detectives put Nadia (professor) away before the day was out.

Hard — The Steamship Aurora

Nestor (curator) is in custody — the case was closed by 6 detectives. The motive — revenge — was proved along with the name.

Expert — The Steamship Aurora

Lorenzo (colonel) ended the day behind bars — convicted by 3 detectives. The motive — revenge — was proved along with the name. Ruben lied for them and was never charged.

Beginner · time attack — The Steamship Aurora

Jonas (curator) was named and charged; 2 detectives closed this one.

Easy · time attack — The Steamship Aurora

The cell door shut on Zeno (chauffeur), on the evidence of 2 detectives.

Medium · time attack — The Steamship Aurora

one detective put Tristan (butler) away before the day was out.

Hard · time attack — The Steamship Aurora

Hugo (magician) is in custody — the case was closed by one detective. Julia lied for them and was never charged.

Expert · time attack — The Steamship Aurora

Olivia (doctor) ended the day behind bars — convicted by one detective. The motive — inheritance — was proved along with the name. Alistair lied for them and was never charged.

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Every day's cases — the calendar · ← the cases for 6 October

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