Guide · Inkhollow Mysteries
How to solve a murder mystery word search
A murder mystery word search is a whodunit you solve on paper. Each case gives you a short story, a few suspects and one or two pieces of evidence, plus a word search. When you've found every word, the letters left over in the grid spell a hidden message, and that message is the last clue you need. Here's how it works, step by step.
1. Read the case file
The case file tells you what happened, where and when, and who was there. Each suspect comes with a few plain facts: whether they're left- or right-handed, wear spectacles, smoke a pipe or cigarettes, and whether they're tall or short. Read it once for the story, then again for the details.
2. Weigh the exhibits
An exhibit is a fact about the culprit: a match struck right-handed, ash on a step, a lock reached only by someone tall. Every exhibit is true of the culprit, so cross out any suspect it doesn't fit. Usually the exhibits narrow the field but don't finish it: you'll have two suspects left, not one.
3. Search the scene
Now find every word in the grid. Words can run across, down or diagonally, and in harder cases backwards too. Tick each word off as you go. Take your time: this part is meant to be relaxing.
4. Read the secret
When every word is found, read the letters you haven't used, from left to right and top to bottom. They spell a short sentence, usually a witness's secret or an alibi, and it clears one more suspect. Whoever is left is your culprit.
A tiny example
This one is made up for this page, so it won't spoil any real case. A cake vanishes from a village fête. The suspects are A, a tall baker; B, the vicar's tall sister; and C, a short postman. The exhibit says the cake was taken from a high shelf and the stepladder wasn't moved, so the thief is tall. That rules out C, but leaves two suspects. Then you find every word in the grid, and the leftover letters spell "THE BAKER WAS AT THE OVENS". That clears A, and only B is left: the vicar's sister did it.
Tips
- Make a quick table of the suspects and their traits before you start crossing out.
- Don't guess from the story. In a fair case the clues alone give one answer.
- Solve with someone. One reads the case aloud, everyone searches the grid, and you vote before reading the secret.
- Print at "Actual size". The grids are easier to work on paper than on a screen.
Try a real case free
Day One of Christmas at Inkhollow, our murder mystery Advent calendar, is a complete case you can print tonight, with the answer explained at the back.
Get the free Christmas mystery →
A new short case is posted every week on Instagram and YouTube: comment your answer, and the solution comes the next day.
This guide was written with AI assistance. The Inkhollow illustrations are AI-generated.