DETECTIVE SCHOOL
How to solve Case 03
Mislabeled
One step at a time. Stop whenever you like and finish it yourself. xoxo, Mae
Step 1 of 7Book: step 1
Read the reasons first. Can you see who goes where?
Rosa → E1
○ placed✕ ruled out (for whom: the letter)▢ look here⊙ still possible
- Cristina's clue links Cristina and Rosa: “She or Rosa was on the Moss Lawn, but not both.” Rosa is not placed yet, but she can still be at B1, E1 or A2. So check Cristina's squares: a square only stays if at least one of Rosa's squares fits with it (in another row and column). Only A3, A4, B5 or B6 pass: Cristina can only be there.
- Look at columns A and B. Cristina and Usha can only stand in those two columns (Cristina: A3, A4, B5 or B6; Usha: A3, A4 or B6). Two people, two columns: one of them goes in each, so both columns are full. Nobody else can stand there: Albie loses A3; Rosa loses B1 or A2; Vernon loses 7 squares.
- Rosa said: “She was in the Entrance, at the edge of the floor plan.” That fits B1, E1 and A2. B1 and A2 were ruled out above. One square is left: E1. So Rosa stood there.
Step 2 of 7Book: step 1
Read the reasons first. Can you see who goes where?
Albie → C3
○ placed✕ ruled out (for whom: the letter)▢ look here⊙ still possible
- Albie said: “He was in row 3.” That fits A3, C3 and E3. E3 is in column E, where Rosa already stands. A3 was ruled out in step 1. One square is left: C3. So Albie stood there.
Step 3 of 7Book: step 2
Read the reasons first. Can you see who goes where?
Vernon → D2
○ placed✕ ruled out (for whom: the letter)▢ look here⊙ still possible
- Look at row 2. Every row holds exactly one person, and only Vernon can still stand in row 2 (D2 or F2). So Vernon must be in row 2, even though his clue allows other squares. Vernon can't be at D4, D5, F5, D6 or F6 any more.
- Rule 3: the victim's room holds exactly two people, the victim and the murderer. So Vernon needs a square where exactly one other person can join him. At F2, nobody could join him: nobody else can still stand in the Orchard. So Vernon can't be at F2.
- Vernon is the victim: his card gives no square, only Rule 3. Rows 1 and 3 and columns C and E already have their person, so those squares are crossed out. A2, B2, A4, B5 and B6 were ruled out in step 1. F2, D4, D5, F5, D6 and F6 were ruled out above. One square is left: D2. So Vernon stood there.
Step 4 of 7Book: step 3
Read the reasons first. Can you see who goes where?
Kit → F6
○ placed✕ ruled out (for whom: the letter)▢ look here⊙ still possible
- Kit said: “She was alone in the Rose Garden.” That fits C4, C5, D5, C6, D6, E6 and F6. C4, C5 and C6 are in column C, where Albie already stands. D5 and D6 are in column D, where Vernon already stands. E6 is in column E, where Rosa already stands. One square is left: F6. So Kit stood there.
Step 5 of 7Book: step 4
Read the reasons first. Can you see who goes where?
Usha → A4
○ placed✕ ruled out (for whom: the letter)▢ look here⊙ still possible
- Usha said: “She was on the Moss Lawn, at the edge of the floor plan.” That fits A3, A4 and B6. A3 is in row 3, where Albie already stands. B6 is in row 6, where Kit already stands. One square is left: A4. So Usha stood there.
Step 6 of 7Book: step 5
Read the reasons first. Can you see who goes where?
Cristina → B5
○ placed✕ ruled out (for whom: the letter)▢ look here⊙ still possible
- Cristina said: “She or Rosa was on the Moss Lawn, but not both.” With Rosa at E1, the clue leaves A3, A4, B5 and B6. A3 is in row 3, where Albie already stands. A4 is in row 4, where Usha already stands. B6 is in row 6, where Kit already stands. One square is left: B5. So Cristina stood there.
Step 7 of 7
Case closed!
Everyone is placed. Rule 3: the victim's room holds exactly two people, the victim and the murderer. Who shares the Potting Shed with Vernon? Only Albie.
Albie did itGUILTY
Lesson 5 · The victim's room: one visitor© Mae Wonder · maewonder.com