{"format":"murdoku-puzzle/1","id":"xmaseve","version":1,"difficulty":"easy","level":3,"size":{"rows":6,"cols":6},"languages":["en","hu","de","fr","es","it","nl","pl","pt","ro","ca","cs","fi","vi","tr","el","ru","uk","ar","ko","ja","zh-Hans","zh-Hant"],"defaultLanguage":"en","title":"Christmas Eve","tagline":"A snowed-in cottage in the Giant Mountains · Christmas Eve · the presents were still unopened","author":"mathace","concept":"Murdoku – Manuel Garand (murdoku.com); unofficial fan-made case","created":"2026-09-29","story":"A wooden cottage high in the Giant Mountains, Christmas Eve, and the snow had been falling since noon. The children had been told to stay beside the Christmas tree in the living room – no peeking at the presents – while the grown-ups came and went between the kitchen, the hall and the woodshed. Grandfather Vaclav, who owned the cottage and had just announced who would inherit it, went out to finish the snowman he had begun with the children. He never came back: he was found in the snowy garden, beside the snowman. Everyone in the cottage made a short statement – find the one who was alone with him.","rules":{"standard":["Every <b>row</b> and every <b>column</b> holds exactly <b>one person</b>. As soon as you place someone, cross out their whole row and column.","<b>“Beside”</b> = directly left, right, above or below, and <b>in the same area</b>. Squares with objects (the fir trees, the snowman, the fireplace, the oven, the Christmas tree, the table, the boots and the woodpile) cannot be occupied; the sleds, the chairs, the armchair and the doormat can.","The murderer was <b>alone with the victim</b>: nobody else was in that area."],"special":["<b>Every child was beside the Christmas tree.</b>"]},"roleNames":{"child":"child","adult":"adult","victim":"victim"},"personGroups":[{"id":"children","name":"The children","persons":["A","B"]},{"id":"adults","name":"The grown-ups","persons":["C","D","E","V"]}],"map":{"groups":[],"gaps":[],"areas":[{"id":"Snowy Garden","cells":[[1,1],[1,2],[1,3],[1,4],[1,5],[1,6],[2,1],[2,6],[3,1],[4,1],[4,2],[5,2],[5,3],[6,3],[6,4],[6,5],[6,6]],"fill":"#f1f5f9","pattern":"snow","labelAt":[4,2],"name":"Snowy Garden"},{"id":"Living Room","cells":[[2,2],[2,3],[3,2],[3,3],[3,4],[4,3],[4,4]],"fill":"#efdcc8","pattern":"carpet","labelAt":[2,3],"name":"Living Room"},{"id":"Kitchen","cells":[[2,4],[2,5],[3,5],[3,6],[4,6],[5,6]],"fill":"#f0e6d4","pattern":"tiles","labelAt":[3,5],"name":"Kitchen"},{"id":"Hall","cells":[[4,5],[5,4],[5,5]],"fill":"#e6dccd","pattern":"planks","labelAt":[4,5],"name":"Hall"},{"id":"Woodshed","cells":[[5,1],[6,1],[6,2]],"fill":"#dccbb0","pattern":"boards","labelAt":[6,1],"name":"Woodshed"}],"objectTypes":{"armchair":{"occupiable":true,"name":"armchair","icon":"<rect x=\"6\" y=\"14\" width=\"34\" height=\"24\" rx=\"6\" fill=\"#b3252f\" stroke=\"#6b1218\" stroke-width=\"1.5\"/><rect x=\"11\" y=\"8\" width=\"24\" height=\"14\" rx=\"5\" fill=\"#d0333f\" stroke=\"#6b1218\" stroke-width=\"1.5\"/><rect x=\"6\" y=\"20\" width=\"7\" height=\"14\" rx=\"3\" fill=\"#8a1a22\"/><rect x=\"33\" y=\"20\" width=\"7\" height=\"14\" rx=\"3\" fill=\"#8a1a22\"/>"},"chair":{"occupiable":true,"name":"chair","icon":"<rect x=\"9\" y=\"7\" width=\"28\" height=\"32\" rx=\"6\" fill=\"#fbfaf6\" stroke=\"#8c8a82\" stroke-width=\"1.5\"/><rect x=\"9\" y=\"7\" width=\"28\" height=\"9\" rx=\"4\" fill=\"#d9d5cc\" stroke=\"#8c8a82\" stroke-width=\"1.5\"/>"},"doormat":{"occupiable":true,"name":"doormat","icon":"<rect x=\"5\" y=\"14\" width=\"36\" height=\"18\" rx=\"2\" fill=\"#a5834f\" stroke=\"#5e4127\" stroke-width=\"1.5\"/><g stroke=\"#7a5a2a\" stroke-width=\"1.2\"><line x1=\"9\" y1=\"18\" x2=\"37\" y2=\"18\"/><line x1=\"9\" y1=\"23\" x2=\"37\" y2=\"23\"/><line x1=\"9\" y1=\"28\" x2=\"37\" y2=\"28\"/></g>"},"sled":{"occupiable":true,"name":"sled","icon":"<path d=\"M6 34 q0 5 5 5 h28 q4 0 4 -4\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"#8a8f96\" stroke-width=\"2.5\"/><rect x=\"8\" y=\"20\" width=\"30\" height=\"5\" rx=\"2\" fill=\"#b98a5a\" stroke=\"#6e4d2c\" stroke-width=\"1.2\"/><rect x=\"8\" y=\"27\" width=\"30\" height=\"5\" rx=\"2\" fill=\"#b98a5a\" stroke=\"#6e4d2c\" stroke-width=\"1.2\"/><line x1=\"13\" y1=\"25\" x2=\"13\" y2=\"34\" stroke=\"#6e4d2c\" stroke-width=\"2\"/><line x1=\"33\" y1=\"25\" x2=\"33\" y2=\"34\" stroke=\"#6e4d2c\" stroke-width=\"2\"/>"},"boots":{"occupiable":false,"name":"boots","icon":"<path d=\"M6 31 v-15 h8 v8 h7 v7 z\" fill=\"#8b5a2b\" stroke=\"#4a2f14\" stroke-width=\"1.5\"/><path d=\"M25 31 v-15 h8 v8 h7 v7 z\" fill=\"#8b5a2b\" stroke=\"#4a2f14\" stroke-width=\"1.5\"/><rect x=\"6\" y=\"31\" width=\"15\" height=\"5\" rx=\"1\" fill=\"#2f2a26\"/><rect x=\"25\" y=\"31\" width=\"15\" height=\"5\" rx=\"1\" fill=\"#2f2a26\"/><path d=\"M8 19 h4 M8 22 h4 M27 19 h4 M27 22 h4\" stroke=\"#e0c9a6\" stroke-width=\"1\"/>"},"fir":{"occupiable":false,"name":"fir tree","icon":"<rect x=\"21\" y=\"34\" width=\"4\" height=\"8\" fill=\"#6b4a2b\"/><path d=\"M23 4 L34 20 L28 20 L38 34 L8 34 L18 20 L12 20 Z\" fill=\"#2f6b3a\"/><path d=\"M23 4 L29 13 Q26 14 23 12 Q20 14 17 13 Z\" fill=\"#eef6f8\"/><path d=\"M14 27 Q23 25 32 27 L30 22 Q23 24 16 22 Z\" fill=\"#eef6f8\" opacity=\".9\"/>"},"fireplace":{"occupiable":false,"name":"fireplace","icon":"<rect x=\"5\" y=\"6\" width=\"36\" height=\"34\" fill=\"#b9b6ae\" stroke=\"#5b5852\" stroke-width=\"1.5\"/><rect x=\"12\" y=\"14\" width=\"22\" height=\"26\" fill=\"#2b2b2b\"/><path d=\"M23 38 q-8 -8 -3 -14 q1 6 5 6 q3 -6 0 -12 q9 8 4 20 z\" fill=\"#f2a53a\"/><path d=\"M23 38 q-4 -5 -1 -9 q2 4 4 3 q1 -4 0 -6 q5 6 1 12 z\" fill=\"#f2d24a\"/><rect x=\"5\" y=\"6\" width=\"36\" height=\"5\" fill=\"#8f8c84\"/>"},"firewood":{"occupiable":false,"name":"woodpile","icon":"<g stroke=\"#5a3a1c\" stroke-width=\"1.2\"><circle cx=\"14\" cy=\"32\" r=\"6\" fill=\"#a5733f\"/><circle cx=\"26\" cy=\"32\" r=\"6\" fill=\"#a5733f\"/><circle cx=\"38\" cy=\"32\" r=\"6\" fill=\"#a5733f\"/><circle cx=\"20\" cy=\"22\" r=\"6\" fill=\"#b98455\"/><circle cx=\"32\" cy=\"22\" r=\"6\" fill=\"#b98455\"/><circle cx=\"26\" cy=\"12\" r=\"6\" fill=\"#a5733f\"/></g><g fill=\"#e0c9a6\"><circle cx=\"14\" cy=\"32\" r=\"2.4\"/><circle cx=\"26\" cy=\"32\" r=\"2.4\"/><circle cx=\"38\" cy=\"32\" r=\"2.4\"/><circle cx=\"20\" cy=\"22\" r=\"2.4\"/><circle cx=\"32\" cy=\"22\" r=\"2.4\"/><circle cx=\"26\" cy=\"12\" r=\"2.4\"/></g>"},"oven":{"occupiable":false,"name":"oven","icon":"<rect x=\"19\" y=\"2\" width=\"8\" height=\"7\" fill=\"#7a7f86\" stroke=\"#3b3f44\" stroke-width=\"1\"/><rect x=\"6\" y=\"8\" width=\"34\" height=\"34\" rx=\"3\" fill=\"#efe4cc\" stroke=\"#6b5a45\" stroke-width=\"1.5\"/><rect x=\"15\" y=\"10.6\" width=\"16\" height=\"1.8\" rx=\".9\" fill=\"#b08a4a\"/><rect x=\"10\" y=\"13\" width=\"26\" height=\"11\" rx=\"1.5\" fill=\"#3a2a22\" stroke=\"#6b5a45\" stroke-width=\"1.2\"/><rect x=\"15\" y=\"24.8\" width=\"16\" height=\"1.8\" rx=\".9\" fill=\"#b08a4a\"/><rect x=\"10\" y=\"27.4\" width=\"26\" height=\"11\" rx=\"1.5\" fill=\"#3a2a22\" stroke=\"#6b5a45\" stroke-width=\"1.2\"/><path d=\"M13 22 q10 -6 20 0 M13 36.4 q10 -6 20 0\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"#ff9a3c\" stroke-width=\"2.2\"/><rect x=\"6\" y=\"40\" width=\"34\" height=\"3\" rx=\"1\" fill=\"#6b5a45\"/>"},"snowman":{"occupiable":false,"name":"snowman","icon":"<circle cx=\"23\" cy=\"32\" r=\"11\" fill=\"#fbfbfb\" stroke=\"#b9c3cc\" stroke-width=\"1.2\"/><circle cx=\"23\" cy=\"16\" r=\"8\" fill=\"#fbfbfb\" stroke=\"#b9c3cc\" stroke-width=\"1.2\"/><rect x=\"16\" y=\"5\" width=\"14\" height=\"3\" fill=\"#2b2b2b\"/><rect x=\"18.5\" y=\"0.5\" width=\"9\" height=\"5\" fill=\"#2b2b2b\"/><circle cx=\"20\" cy=\"14\" r=\"1.2\" fill=\"#2b2b2b\"/><circle cx=\"26\" cy=\"14\" r=\"1.2\" fill=\"#2b2b2b\"/><path d=\"M23 16 l7 2 l-7 2 z\" fill=\"#e67e22\"/><path d=\"M15 22 q8 4 16 0 l1 3 q-9 4 -18 0 z\" fill=\"#c0392b\"/><circle cx=\"23\" cy=\"29\" r=\"1.3\" fill=\"#2b2b2b\"/><circle cx=\"23\" cy=\"34\" r=\"1.3\" fill=\"#2b2b2b\"/>"},"table":{"occupiable":false,"name":"table","icon":"<rect x=\"7\" y=\"7\" width=\"32\" height=\"32\" rx=\"5\" fill=\"#b98a5a\" stroke=\"#6e4d2c\" stroke-width=\"1.5\"/><rect x=\"12\" y=\"12\" width=\"22\" height=\"22\" rx=\"3\" fill=\"#d1a675\"/>"},"xmastree":{"occupiable":false,"name":"Christmas tree","icon":"<rect x=\"20\" y=\"36\" width=\"6\" height=\"6\" fill=\"#6b4a2b\"/><path d=\"M23 4 L33 17 L28 17 L37 29 L31 29 L40 38 L6 38 L15 29 L9 29 L18 17 L13 17 Z\" fill=\"#2f7a3a\"/><path d=\"M23 0.5 l1.8 3.6 l4 .5 l-2.9 2.8 l.7 4 l-3.6 -1.9 l-3.6 1.9 l.7 -4 l-2.9 -2.8 l4 -.5 z\" fill=\"#f1c40f\"/><circle cx=\"20\" cy=\"18\" r=\"2\" fill=\"#e74c3c\"/><circle cx=\"28\" cy=\"24\" r=\"2\" fill=\"#3498db\"/><circle cx=\"16\" cy=\"30\" r=\"2\" fill=\"#f1c40f\"/><circle cx=\"31\" cy=\"34\" r=\"2\" fill=\"#e74c3c\"/><circle cx=\"23\" cy=\"30\" r=\"2\" fill=\"#ecf0f1\"/>"}},"wallTypes":{},"objects":[{"cell":[1,1],"type":"fir"},{"cell":[1,4],"type":"snowman"},{"cell":[1,6],"type":"fir"},{"cell":[2,2],"type":"fireplace"},{"cell":[2,5],"type":"oven"},{"cell":[3,1],"type":"sled"},{"cell":[3,3],"type":"xmastree"},{"cell":[3,6],"type":"chair"},{"cell":[4,4],"type":"armchair"},{"cell":[4,6],"type":"table"},{"cell":[5,3],"type":"sled"},{"cell":[5,4],"type":"boots"},{"cell":[5,5],"type":"doormat"},{"cell":[5,6],"type":"chair"},{"cell":[6,1],"type":"firewood"},{"cell":[6,6],"type":"fir"}],"wallFeatures":[],"extras":[],"cellSize":46},"persons":[{"id":"A","name":"Avril","gender":"F","role":"child","color":"#c62828","avatar":{"bg":"#c62828","skin":"#f6d8c0","hair":"#d9b464","style":"ponytail","shirt":"#2e7d32","headband":"#c62828"},"clue":"She was <b>not</b> beside the <b>fireplace</b>.","job":"the granddaughter, nine years old","avatarSvg":"<svg viewBox=\"0 0 80 80\" xmlns=\"http://www.w3.org/2000/svg\" role=\"img\" aria-label=\"Avril\"><rect width=\"80\" height=\"80\" fill=\"#c62828\"/><path d=\"M50 30 Q64 34 60 62 L54 62 Q56 40 48 36 Z\" fill=\"#d9b464\"/><path d=\"M10 80 Q12 56 40 54 Q68 56 70 80 Z\" fill=\"#2e7d32\"/><rect x=\"34\" y=\"44\" width=\"12\" height=\"13\" fill=\"#f6d8c0\"/><ellipse cx=\"40\" cy=\"34\" rx=\"14\" ry=\"16\" fill=\"#f6d8c0\"/><path d=\"M26 33 Q26 16 40 16 Q54 16 54 33 Q50 24 40 24 Q30 24 26 33 Z\" fill=\"#d9b464\"/><circle cx=\"34\" cy=\"35\" r=\"1.6\" fill=\"#2b2b2b\"/><circle cx=\"46\" cy=\"35\" r=\"1.6\" fill=\"#2b2b2b\"/><path d=\"M36 43 Q40 46 44 43\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"#a5735a\" stroke-width=\"1.4\"/><rect x=\"26\" y=\"23\" width=\"28\" height=\"5\" rx=\"2\" fill=\"#c62828\"/></svg>","solverRole":"child","constraints":[{"type":"not_beside","obj":"fireplace"},{"type":"beside","obj":"xmastree","rule":true}]},{"id":"B","name":"Byron","gender":"M","role":"child","color":"#2e7d32","avatar":{"bg":"#2e7d32","skin":"#f1c8a5","hair":"#7a4a2a","style":"short","shirt":"#c62828","cap":true},"clue":"He was the <b>easternmost person in his area</b>.","job":"the grandson, seven years old","avatarSvg":"<svg viewBox=\"0 0 80 80\" xmlns=\"http://www.w3.org/2000/svg\" role=\"img\" aria-label=\"Byron\"><rect width=\"80\" height=\"80\" fill=\"#2e7d32\"/><path d=\"M10 80 Q12 56 40 54 Q68 56 70 80 Z\" fill=\"#c62828\"/><rect x=\"34\" y=\"44\" width=\"12\" height=\"13\" fill=\"#f1c8a5\"/><ellipse cx=\"40\" cy=\"34\" rx=\"14\" ry=\"16\" fill=\"#f1c8a5\"/><path d=\"M26 32 Q26 15 40 15 Q54 15 54 32 Q50 24 40 24 Q30 24 26 32 Z\" fill=\"#7a4a2a\"/><circle cx=\"34\" cy=\"35\" r=\"1.6\" fill=\"#2b2b2b\"/><circle cx=\"46\" cy=\"35\" r=\"1.6\" fill=\"#2b2b2b\"/><path d=\"M36 43 Q40 46 44 43\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"#a5735a\" stroke-width=\"1.4\"/><path d=\"M24 24 Q24 11 40 11 Q56 11 56 24 Z\" fill=\"#22406f\"/><rect x=\"22\" y=\"22\" width=\"36\" height=\"5\" rx=\"2\" fill=\"#12213a\"/><circle cx=\"40\" cy=\"18\" r=\"2.6\" fill=\"#f0b429\"/></svg>","solverRole":"child","constraints":[{"type":"extreme_in_area","dir":"E"},{"type":"beside","obj":"xmastree","rule":true}]},{"id":"C","name":"Colette","gender":"F","role":"adult","color":"#1565c0","avatar":{"bg":"#6a1b9a","skin":"#f0cdb0","hair":"#7a4a2a","style":"long","shirt":"#b83a5a","earrings":true},"clue":"There was <b>no other woman</b> in her area.","job":"the children's mother","avatarSvg":"<svg viewBox=\"0 0 80 80\" xmlns=\"http://www.w3.org/2000/svg\" role=\"img\" aria-label=\"Colette\"><rect width=\"80\" height=\"80\" fill=\"#6a1b9a\"/><path d=\"M22 42 Q20 14 40 14 Q60 14 58 42 L62 72 L18 72 Z\" fill=\"#7a4a2a\"/><path d=\"M10 80 Q12 56 40 54 Q68 56 70 80 Z\" fill=\"#b83a5a\"/><rect x=\"34\" y=\"44\" width=\"12\" height=\"13\" fill=\"#f0cdb0\"/><ellipse cx=\"40\" cy=\"34\" rx=\"14\" ry=\"16\" fill=\"#f0cdb0\"/><path d=\"M26 36 Q26 16 40 16 Q54 16 54 36 Q52 24 40 24 Q28 24 26 36 Z\" fill=\"#7a4a2a\"/><circle cx=\"34\" cy=\"35\" r=\"1.6\" fill=\"#2b2b2b\"/><circle cx=\"46\" cy=\"35\" r=\"1.6\" fill=\"#2b2b2b\"/><path d=\"M36 43 Q40 46 44 43\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"#a5735a\" stroke-width=\"1.4\"/><circle cx=\"26\" cy=\"41\" r=\"1.8\" fill=\"#f0c95a\"/><circle cx=\"54\" cy=\"41\" r=\"1.8\" fill=\"#f0c95a\"/></svg>","solverRole":"adult","constraints":[{"type":"no_gender_in_area","gender":"F"}]},{"id":"D","name":"Dermot","gender":"M","role":"adult","color":"#6a1b9a","avatar":{"bg":"#1565c0","skin":"#f1c8a5","hair":"#b7482c","style":"short","shirt":"#264653","beard":true},"clue":"He was in a <b>corner of his area</b>. A <b>fir tree</b> was somewhere in his <b>column</b>.","job":"the children's father","avatarSvg":"<svg viewBox=\"0 0 80 80\" xmlns=\"http://www.w3.org/2000/svg\" role=\"img\" aria-label=\"Dermot\"><rect width=\"80\" height=\"80\" fill=\"#1565c0\"/><path d=\"M10 80 Q12 56 40 54 Q68 56 70 80 Z\" fill=\"#264653\"/><rect x=\"34\" y=\"44\" width=\"12\" height=\"13\" fill=\"#f1c8a5\"/><ellipse cx=\"40\" cy=\"34\" rx=\"14\" ry=\"16\" fill=\"#f1c8a5\"/><path d=\"M26 32 Q26 15 40 15 Q54 15 54 32 Q50 24 40 24 Q30 24 26 32 Z\" fill=\"#b7482c\"/><circle cx=\"34\" cy=\"35\" r=\"1.6\" fill=\"#2b2b2b\"/><circle cx=\"46\" cy=\"35\" r=\"1.6\" fill=\"#2b2b2b\"/><path d=\"M36 43 Q40 46 44 43\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"#a5735a\" stroke-width=\"1.4\"/><path d=\"M27 38 Q30 52 40 53 Q50 52 53 38 Q50 47 40 48 Q30 47 27 38 Z\" fill=\"#b7482c\"/></svg>","solverRole":"adult","constraints":[{"type":"corner_of_area"},{"type":"col_has","obj":"fir"}]},{"id":"E","name":"Edna","gender":"F","role":"adult","color":"#e65100","avatar":{"bg":"#3d2a5a","skin":"#f6d8c0","hair":"#d9d4cc","style":"bun","shirt":"#5b2c6f","glasses":true,"necklace":true},"clue":"A <b>chair</b> was somewhere in her <b>column</b>.","job":"Vaclav's younger sister","avatarSvg":"<svg viewBox=\"0 0 80 80\" xmlns=\"http://www.w3.org/2000/svg\" role=\"img\" aria-label=\"Edna\"><rect width=\"80\" height=\"80\" fill=\"#3d2a5a\"/><path d=\"M10 80 Q12 56 40 54 Q68 56 70 80 Z\" fill=\"#5b2c6f\"/><path d=\"M31 58 Q40 66 49 58\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"#f3e2b3\" stroke-width=\"2\" stroke-dasharray=\"2 2\"/><rect x=\"34\" y=\"44\" width=\"12\" height=\"13\" fill=\"#f6d8c0\"/><ellipse cx=\"40\" cy=\"34\" rx=\"14\" ry=\"16\" fill=\"#f6d8c0\"/><circle cx=\"40\" cy=\"15\" r=\"7\" fill=\"#d9d4cc\"/><path d=\"M26 32 Q26 16 40 16 Q54 16 54 32 Q50 24 40 24 Q30 24 26 32 Z\" fill=\"#d9d4cc\"/><circle cx=\"34\" cy=\"35\" r=\"1.6\" fill=\"#2b2b2b\"/><circle cx=\"46\" cy=\"35\" r=\"1.6\" fill=\"#2b2b2b\"/><path d=\"M36 43 Q40 46 44 43\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"#a5735a\" stroke-width=\"1.4\"/><circle cx=\"34\" cy=\"35\" r=\"5\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"#2b2b2b\" stroke-width=\"1.4\"/><circle cx=\"46\" cy=\"35\" r=\"5\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"#2b2b2b\" stroke-width=\"1.4\"/><line x1=\"39\" y1=\"35\" x2=\"41\" y2=\"35\" stroke=\"#2b2b2b\" stroke-width=\"1.4\"/></svg>","solverRole":"adult","constraints":[{"type":"col_has","obj":"chair"}]},{"id":"V","name":"Vaclav","gender":"M","role":"victim","color":"#1b1b1b","avatar":{"bg":"#5a2a2a","skin":"#e4b998","hair":"#e8e4dc","style":"bald","shirt":"#c62828","beard":true,"scarf":"#2e7d32"},"clue":"<b>The victim.</b> He was found in the <b>Snowy Garden</b>, beside the <b>snowman</b> – alone with the murderer.","job":"the grandfather, owner of the cottage","avatarSvg":"<svg viewBox=\"0 0 80 80\" xmlns=\"http://www.w3.org/2000/svg\" role=\"img\" aria-label=\"Vaclav\"><rect width=\"80\" height=\"80\" fill=\"#5a2a2a\"/><path d=\"M10 80 Q12 56 40 54 Q68 56 70 80 Z\" fill=\"#c62828\"/><rect x=\"34\" y=\"44\" width=\"12\" height=\"13\" fill=\"#e4b998\"/><ellipse cx=\"40\" cy=\"34\" rx=\"14\" ry=\"16\" fill=\"#e4b998\"/><path d=\"M26 30 Q26 22 30 20 L30 34 Q26 34 26 30 Z\" fill=\"#e8e4dc\"/><path d=\"M54 30 Q54 22 50 20 L50 34 Q54 34 54 30 Z\" fill=\"#e8e4dc\"/><circle cx=\"34\" cy=\"35\" r=\"1.6\" fill=\"#2b2b2b\"/><circle cx=\"46\" cy=\"35\" r=\"1.6\" fill=\"#2b2b2b\"/><path d=\"M36 43 Q40 46 44 43\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"#a5735a\" stroke-width=\"1.4\"/><path d=\"M27 38 Q30 52 40 53 Q50 52 53 38 Q50 47 40 48 Q30 47 27 38 Z\" fill=\"#e8e4dc\"/><path d=\"M30 58 Q40 70 50 58 L48 66 Q40 76 32 66 Z\" fill=\"#2e7d32\"/><path d=\"M12 12 L68 68 M68 12 L12 68\" stroke=\"#e0362e\" stroke-width=\"5\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" opacity=\".9\"/></svg>","solverRole":"adult","constraints":[{"type":"area","areas":["Snowy Garden"]},{"type":"beside","obj":"snowman"}]}],"victim":"V","murderer":"E","solution":{"V":[1,5],"E":[2,6],"B":[3,4],"A":[4,3],"D":[5,1],"C":[6,2]},"walkthrough":[{"place":["A","B"],"cand":{"C":[[1,2],[1,5],[2,1],[2,6],[5,1],[5,2],[5,5],[5,6],[6,2],[6,5]],"D":[[2,6],[5,1],[5,6]],"E":[[2,6],[5,6]]},"text":"The special rule puts both children beside the Christmas tree (R3C3), in the Living Room: at R2C3, R3C2, R3C4 or R4C3. Avril was not beside the fireplace (R2C2), which rules out R2C3 and R3C2: she is at R3C4 or R4C3. Byron was the easternmost person in the Living Room, so Avril cannot be east of him. If Avril were at R3C4, Byron would be left with R2C3 or R3C2 – both west of her. So <b>Avril is at R4C3</b>, and Byron, who must not be west of her and cannot use her column, <b>is at R3C4</b>."},{"place":["D","E"],"cand":{"C":[[1,2],[1,5],[6,2],[6,5]]},"text":"Edna had a chair somewhere in her column: the chairs are at R3C6 and R5C6, so she is in column 6 – at R2C6 or R5C6 (R3C6 is in Byron's row). Dermot was in a corner of his area with a fir tree in his column: the fir trees are in columns 1 and 6, and the corner squares there that are still free are R5C1 (in the Woodshed), R2C6 and R5C6. Column 6 is the only column Edna can have, so <b>Dermot is at R5C1</b>, row 5 is his, and <b>Edna is at R2C6</b>."},{"place":["C"],"cand":{"V":[[1,5]]},"text":"Colette and the victim are left with rows 1 and 6 and columns 2 and 5: R1C2, R1C5, R6C2 or R6C5. There was no other woman in Colette's area. Edna is in the Snowy Garden (R2C6), and R1C2, R1C5 and R6C5 all belong to the Snowy Garden – so <b>Colette is at R6C2</b>, in the Woodshed with Dermot."},{"final":true,"text":"Case closed: the last free square, R1C5, is the victim's – in the Snowy Garden, beside the snowman, just as his card says. Grandfather Vaclav was alone there with his younger sister. <b>Edna is the murderer!</b>"}],"solver":{"rules":[],"occupiable":["armchair","chair","doormat","sled"]},"verification":{"tool":"tools/murdoku_solver.py","unique":true,"guessFree":true,"checked":"2026-09-29"}}