What is Murdle?
Murdle is a murder mystery in miniature. Each day there is a small cast of suspects, a handful of possible weapons and a few locations, plus a list of clues and statements. Using a logic grid, you work out who was where with what, until only one combination is left and you can name the killer. The puzzles are full of playful, slightly absurd characters and settings, so it reads like a tiny whodunnit rather than a dry exercise. Harder puzzles add twists, such as statements you can't simply take at face value. Murdle was created by G. T. Karber, and its popularity grew into a series of best-selling puzzle books. The daily puzzle on the website is a great way to try it out. It is perfect for fans of detective stories, board games like Cluedo or classic logic grid puzzles from puzzle magazines.
How to play
- Read the clues and mark the grid to show which suspect, weapon and location go together.
- Rule out impossible combinations until only one remains for each suspect.
- Accuse the murderer once you're sure.
Quick facts
- Typical time
- 5–15 min
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Price
- Free.
- Account
- None. There is nothing to sign up for.
- On a phone
- Works in your phone's browser. Nothing to install.
Tips to get better
- Mark the grid as you read. Go through the clues one at a time and put in every 'yes' and 'no' straight away. Don't try to hold it in your head.
- One yes makes many nos. When you confirm that a suspect was in a room, cross out every other room for that suspect and every other suspect for that room.
- Chain the facts. If the knife was in the kitchen and a suspect was in the kitchen, that suspect had the knife. Check every new 'yes' against the other categories. Most solves come from this.
- Go back over the clues. A clue that told you nothing on the first read often becomes decisive once a few more squares are filled.
- Test the statements. Some puzzles add statements from the suspects, and the culprit's can't be trusted. Assume each suspect is the liar in turn and see which version doesn't contradict your grid.
Who it's for
Anyone who enjoys a whodunnit and doesn't mind a bit of bookkeeping will get on with Murdle. The logic is the classic puzzle-magazine kind, but the writing is funny, and that makes all the difference. It takes longer than most daily games, and you need to read carefully in English. It's one for a quiet ten minutes, not for a queue.
