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The Rules in Eight Steps
One per Row and Column
Just like sudoku: one suspect per row and per column. Nobody on the shaded squares.
On the map, no two people can share a row or a column, just like in sudoku. And nobody can be on a square taken up by furniture: those squares are shaded and out of play.
Each Card Says Where They Were
“Next to” means right beside (above, below, left or right) and in the same area, with no wall in between.
Every suspect signs a card saying where they were: in an area, next to an object, in a row, or with someone else. What they say is true, except in cases with a liar, which are flagged at the top. “Next to” means on the neighboring square and in the same area: a wall between two squares keeps them apart, even though they touch.
North, south, east, west
“I was north of Bruno”: anywhere on the map north of Bruno. The same goes for south, east and west.
“I was north of Bruno” means anywhere on the map north of Bruno: anywhere higher up and in any column, not just directly above. The same goes for south, east and west.
With and alone
“I was with Bruno”: in the same area as Bruno. “I was alone”: nobody else was in their area.
“I was with Bruno” means in the same area as Bruno, on any square of that area. “I was alone” means nobody else was in their area.
In a corner
“I was in a corner of the Living Room”: in any corner of that area.
“I was in a corner of the Living Room” means in any corner of that area: a square with walls on two sides that meet.
Alone with the Victim
Place everyone. Whoever shares an area with the victim is the murderer.
Place everyone, the victim included. When the map is full, look at the victim's area: whoever is in there with them is the murderer. There is always one, and only one.
Tap to Mark, Hold to Place
Card first, then a square. One tap marks; press and hold to place.
Tap a card and then a square to note their letter there; press and hold to place the token. Submit tells you how many tokens are wrong, but not which ones; Hint works out the next safe step.
The Empty Square
One tap: an ✕. Two taps: a green circle. Three taps: clear.
With no card selected, each tap changes the square: one tap leaves an ✕, two a green circle, and three clear it. The ✕ means “nobody here”; the green circle, “someone is here, I just don't know who yet.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to know how to play sudoku?
No. Only one rule comes from sudoku: one person per row and one per column. The rest is deduction from what the cards say.
What does “next to” mean?
On the neighboring square (above, below, left or right, never diagonally) and in the same area. Two squares that touch but are separated by a wall are not next to each other.
What if I get it wrong?
Nothing is lost. Submit tells you how many people are in the wrong place, but not who. If you want to know who, ask for a hint: it will tell you.
Is it free? Do I need an account?
It is free: no account, no downloads, no ads. Your game is saved in your browser, so you can close it and pick up where you left off on the same device.
How many cases are there?
Forty cases are open at any one time; every Monday three new ones arrive and the three oldest leave. The book has ninety more, with step-by-step solutions.