A gift that fills the mind, not the shelf
Giving a puzzle book has a rare advantage: it is a gift that actually gets used. It does not sit in a drawer, it does not break, and it gives the person who receives it hours of entertainment. Among the options available, Murdoku stands out by combining three things that rarely appear in the same book: the logic of sudoku, full-color illustrated crime scenes and a culprit to unmask at the end of every page. This guide will help you figure out who to give it to and how to get it right.
Who to give Murdoku to
The sudoku fan
This is the most obvious recipient. Anyone who fills in sudoku grids every day will recognize the reasoning instantly and enjoy the novelty of a board that is actually a scene with rooms, furniture, plants and animals. Volume 1, which progresses from easy to expert, offers cases at the level they are used to.
The crime fiction reader
For those who devour mystery novels, Murdoku offers 80 cases in which the reader is the detective. There is no narrator solving it for them: the suspects, the scene and the rules are all there, and the murderer is only revealed once the deduction is complete.
The visual puzzle lover
Anyone who enjoys spotting details in illustrations, observation games or picture puzzles will find a format here in which looking carefully is part of the solution.
Teens ages 12 and up
The series is recommended for ages 12 and up, which makes it a great gift for teenagers who have outgrown children's games but still enjoy a challenge with a story. For younger siblings, ages 8 and up, the alternative is Murdle Júnior, from the Murdle collection.
Travelers and anyone with long breaks
A puzzle book is the perfect companion on a train, a plane or in a waiting room. All you need is a pencil. It is also a great option for anyone who wants to cut down on screen time without giving up a stimulating hobby.
How to make the right choice
Volume 1 for beginners
If the person has never played Murdoku, the first book is the safe choice. The progression from easy to expert lets them learn the method and grow with it. The contemporary settings, from a bakery to a casino, from a chess tournament to an opera, are instantly recognizable.
Volume 2 for those who already have the first one
If you know the person already owns volume 1, or if they particularly enjoy history and adventure, volume 2, Regresso ao Passado (Back to the Past), with medieval settings, pirates, the Wild West and Ancient Egypt, is the right follow-up.
The pack when you want to impress
For a more substantial gift, such as a milestone birthday or Christmas, the two-book pack delivers 160 crimes for €32.80, instead of €17.07 for each volume. It is the most complete option and the best value per puzzle.
When you do not know the person's tastes well
You do not always know whether the recipient prefers numbers, pictures or stories. In those cases, Murdoku has the advantage of appealing to all three profiles at once: the logic pleases sudoku fans, the illustrations please those who love to observe, and the murderer to unmask pleases crime fiction fans. It is a low-risk gift with a broad age range that requires no previous experience.
Ideas to go with the gift
A good-quality pencil and a decent eraser turn a book into a kit. A bookmark is handy for those who solve the puzzles in order. And for those who like variety, adding a volume of Murdle creates a small set of detective puzzles with two different deduction methods. Our selection of Christmas gifts 2026 has more ideas to combine.
Frequently asked questions
Is Murdoku a good gift for someone who has never solved a sudoku?
Yes. The first puzzles in volume 1 are easy and the rules are explained in every case. No previous experience is needed.
Is it a suitable gift for couples or families?
Yes. The puzzles work well for two or three people, with each person testing theories about the same scene. It makes a great evening activity.
Can I give volume 2 without the first one?
Yes. The volumes are independent and each puzzle explains its own rules.
Getting the gift right is easy when the gift delivers hours of play. Browse the Murdoku collection (Portuguese edition) and choose between volume 1, volume 2 or the complete pack.
