Murdle: the mystery book that has won over readers around the world
If you have ever noticed someone absorbed in a black-covered book, pencil in hand, crossing off squares in a small grid, chances are they were solving a Murdle. The series created by G. T. Karber turned the classic “whodunit” into a pure logic pastime, and the Portuguese edition, published by Editorial Presença, brought the phenomenon to bookstores in Portugal and to the Murdle collection at Loja dos Puzzles.
The name itself is a clue: in Portuguese, Murdle stands for “Mistérios Únicos para Resolver com Diversão, Lógica e Entusiasmo”, meaning unique mysteries to solve with fun, logic and enthusiasm. That promise is kept from the very first case. There is no long narrative and no chapters to read for hours. There is a crime, a few suspects, a few weapons, a few locations and a set of clues. The rest is up to you.
How a Murdle case works
Each mystery takes up just a few pages and always follows the same structure, which makes the book easy to pick up at any moment. It starts by introducing the elements of the case: the suspects, the possible weapons and the places where the crime may have happened. Then come the clues, written with the author's trademark humor, and sometimes statements from the suspects themselves, who do not always tell the truth.
The deduction grid
The heart of every case is the deduction grid. It is a table that cross-references suspects, weapons and locations. As you read the clues, you mark impossible combinations with a cross and confirmed ones with a check mark. Once every clue has been applied, only one consistent answer remains: who committed the crime, with which weapon and where. This process of elimination, typical of logic puzzles, is what makes Murdle so addictive.
Instructions, hints and solutions
Each volume includes clear instructions, the clues for every case, hints for when you get stuck and full solutions. Nobody gets stranded halfway through the book. If you want to understand the basics in detail, Murdle #1 explains the rules step by step before the first mystery.
A worldwide phenomenon with a Portuguese edition
Murdle is published in more than 20 countries and has become one of the most talked-about puzzle books of recent years. Richard Osman, the British crime novelist and TV presenter, described it as “An absolute phenomenon”. The Mail on Sunday called it “Mega fun” and The Guardian summed it up like this: “An incredible idea that already has millions of readers!”.
The reason for its success is simple. Murdle combines two things many people love: the pleasure of a good detective mystery and the satisfaction of solving a logic puzzle without help. Each case is short and takes minutes to solve or, at the higher levels, a good half hour, and the feeling of completing the grid with the right answer is hard to beat.
Difficulty levels: from elementary to “impossible”
The mysteries are arranged in order of increasing difficulty. The first cases are elementary and help you master the grid mechanics. Then come cases with more suspects, more locations and clues that require you to combine several pieces of information at once. At the end of each volume, the cases rated “impossible” are waiting, designed for those who have already solved dozens of mysteries and are looking for a real challenge.
This progression makes Murdle suitable for beginners and seasoned logic puzzle fans alike. The numbered volumes are recommended for ages 12 and up, and the Murdle Júnior series adapts the concept for readers ages 8 and up.
Which books are available in Portuguese
The Portuguese collection currently includes four volumes for adults and young readers: Murdle #1, #2 and #3, each with 100 mysteries across roughly 400 pages, and the more compact Murdle #4, with 50 new mysteries. They are joined by three Murdle Júnior titles. The cases are self-contained, so any volume can be a starting point, although the first one is the natural choice if you have never solved a deduction grid before.
If you enjoy the genre, Loja dos Puzzles also carries a sister series, Murdoku, by Manuel Garand, with visual placement puzzles inspired by sudoku. You can find all the details about the series on our dedicated Murdle page.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to read the books in order?
No. Each case is self-contained and each volume has its own instructions. Murdle #1 is the best place to start because it explains the rules in more detail, but nothing stops you from starting with #2, #3 or #4.
How long does it take to solve a case?
Elementary cases can be solved in a few minutes. Difficult and “impossible” cases may take considerably longer and several attempts. Each book includes hints and solutions in case you get stuck.
Do I need any special materials?
Just a pencil and, ideally, an eraser. The deduction grid is printed in every case, ready to fill in.
If you love riddles, crime fiction or logic puzzles, Murdle is a safe bet. Discover the Portuguese editions available in the Murdle collection at Loja dos Puzzles and pick your first case.
