Murdle: Volume 1

I played Murdle online and enjoyed it immensely, but I wanted something more analog so I had some time aside from my job and other hobbies where I wasn't looking at screens. Finding the books was a godsend. The overarching plots, charming scenarios, puzzles of various difficulties, secrets, optional hints, and the book's paper that erases easily so you can correct mistakes... wonderful! If you're looking for a puzzle book that will keep you occupied for hours - cannot recommend this one enough! If you are unfamiliar with the puzzle format, each volume has an introduction case that walks you through the basics step by step. To solve each puzzle you will need to (somewhat) carefully read the descriptions of each suspect, weapon, and location and then then clues themselves - sometimes the clues are very cryptic. Ex. "Suspect A had a weapon that could kill with a glance" and the options are A Bazooka, A Horseshoe, and A Puppy Photo... you can only determine the weapon after reading every description. The Puppy Photo is "So cute a glance could kill you... literally" so that would be the correct choice. Some clues are coded via one of a handful of detective codes or world scramble. Follow the clues, fill out the grid, solve the murder. The 100 (base) puzzles are separated into 4 chunks that escalated in difficulty. The first chunk is the most straightforward, there are plenty of clues (to the point where I occasionally didn't need all of them) and the grids are compact. They give you the murder weapon or the location of the murder, so find who it was (and fill in whatever information you don't have) and you've caught your killer! The second is a bit more complicated. Instead of being provide a murder weapon or location, you are given fewer clues at the start; instead you are given statements from the suspects. The innocent people will always tell the truth and the killer will always lie. Fill in what is known and experiment - you'll find you killer in time! The third is like the first but more difficult - the grid is bigger and the clues themselves are trickier or require you to use a bit more logic - find the person and correctly deduce all four variables to ace the puzzle! Finally, the fourth chunk is the most difficult. The clues are more difficult, the grid and suspect pool are bigger, and we bring back the suspect statements. These can legitimately be tricky, but they were a lot of fun. Generally I'd say the puzzles are simple enough as long as you read carefully, but if you're struggling, there are hints in the back of the book by the puzzle solutions (though I had a laugh reading through them and seeing how they occasionally spoiled some of the conclusions). The conclusions in the back include a story blurb and a key to see if you were 100% correct) so the flow of the book should be to attempt the puzzle, carefully flip to the near back if you need an extra clue, flip back, solve it, head to the back for a conclusion, and go back to the front for your next puzzle. My advice is to keep some notecards/tabs to mark areas you will often flip back to and paper/notecards to write out codes to save yourself some space. Overall, this is a great start to a series I now love and recommend.

Murdle: Volume 1 is such a clever and addictive collection of puzzles. It feels like solving a mystery, a logic grid, and a game of Clue all at the same time, and I love that I get to play detective instead of just reading about one. The puzzles start out approachable and then gradually get trickier, which makes it easy to warm up and then really sink your teeth into the harder cases. The tone is light and playful, with quirky characters and fun little details that keep each mystery from feeling the same as the last. I especially appreciate that I can pick it up for a quick puzzle or spend longer working through a tougher one, so it fits into whatever kind of day I’m having. If you enjoy logic puzzles, brain teasers, or classic whodunits, this is a fantastic and satisfying way to keep your brain busy. I’m already planning to grab the next volume.

This was originally suggested as a study aid for my elementary school child to help prepare for standardized testing. (The jury is still out on that one.) He was resistant at first, but now he’ll actually pick it up and work through puzzles on his on, and sometimes just for fun. The “murders” are lighthearted and a bit cheeky, which definitely keeps kids engaged (mine gets a kick out of them). More importantly, the book does a great job teaching logic, organization of information, and deductive reasoning through process of elimination. One thing to note- some of the scenarios can spark interesting (and slightly unexpected) questions from kids, like how a cactus can be used as a murder weapon. So be prepared for a few creative conversations along the way. Also, a few puzzles use terminology more common in the UK or Canada (e.g., “vicar,” titles like “earl”), which may require a quick explanation for younger readers. The puzzles progress in difficulty, so it grows with the child and stays challenging. There are even more difficult problems that adults can enjoy, but they’re structured in a way that kids can eventually work their way up to them. Overall, it’s a clever way to build critical thinking skills without it feeling like work—for kids and adults alike.

Fun mystery puzzle book. We put it in our puzzle lover's Christmas stocking and he loved it. Sometimes it is difficult to get him to put it down and come join us but I guess that just means it is fun and engaging.

I’ve spent hours on this book already and have really been enjoying it. I like that I’m able to follow an actual story while also using my brain to solve the mysteries, so it feels more engaging than just doing random puzzles. I wouldn’t say the mysteries are very difficult, at least not so far, but that actually makes it more fun and relaxing for me. I’m still on the first part and it’s been a good way to ease back into reading and focus without feeling overwhelmed. Overall, it’s entertaining, clever, and easy to get into.

I saw Murdle Puzzles on TikTok and was intrigued. I am NOT a puzzle person, but this seem very interesting. I LOVE it! It is a lot of fun and makes you think! You want to just keep going! If you get stuck, you can google the puzzle book and # on TikTok or Youtube and chances are there is a video on how it was solved. This really helps as you are learning. I am halfway through the book and can't wait to get volume 2. It is a LOT of fun. I taught my dad (in his 80's) and at first he thought it was too hard, but he really liked it and ordered a book too. He is doing great solving and getting the hang of it.

I love this book/ game/ activity. I keep this in my purse or work bag, so that if I am bored or traveling, I can use it. If you like true crime then this is for you. It helps keep your mind sharp. The challenges get harder as you keep going. I am almost done with V. 1 and its been about 3 months.

TLDR: Yes, but they're gay. My review: This is a very fun and well-designed logic puzzle book. The mysteries are clever, the clues are satisfying, and the format makes it easy to jump in and out. From a pure puzzle standpoint, it’s excellent and genuinely enjoyable. However, parents should be aware that the book includes explicit character relationship cues (two men) that are NOT relevant to the puzzles. This was unexpected in a logic-only puzzle book and not something I would have chosen without advance notice. This content does not impact the puzzles themselves, but it does appear repeatedly. Families looking for a neutral puzzle book for kids or teens should know this before purchasing. Great puzzles. Just not the surprise I was expecting, sadly.

I’m a puzzle addict. I can’t go a day without solving something, and Murdle Volume 1 hits that sweet spot like nothing else. It’s not just a puzzle book—it’s a full-blown mystery experience. Each challenge is multidimensional, asking you to figure out who, what, and where—like playing Clue, but on steroids. The logic puzzles are brilliantly constructed, and the format is so thoughtfully designed that it feels like you're stepping into a detective’s notebook. What I especially love is how it doesn’t throw you into the deep end right away. It builds your detective muscles gradually—starting with puzzles that are approachable, then ramping up to hard, super hard, and finally, nearly impossible. It’s a workout for your brain, and the progression makes the victories feel earned. Murdle is essentially a set of murder mysteries, each one a compact case waiting to be cracked. The storytelling is sharp, the clues are layered, and the satisfaction of solving each one is unmatched. You’ll need quiet time to focus, because these puzzles demand your full attention. And once you start? Forget stopping at just one. It’s pure brain candy—addictive, satisfying, and endlessly clever. If you love deduction, storytelling, and the thrill of cracking a case, Murdle isn’t just a book—it’s your new obsession.

Im not a Book - person and it’s hard to me to stay focused and interested. Usually I start something and then keep getting distracted by my phone or tv. But this book kept me occupied for hours! Love it

Love the book. It's really nice quality and every case is really interesting. Will definitely buy 2nd one when I finish this one

Superleuk puzzelboek, love it!

Good puzzles with a twist of murder.