Clues & Culprits › Hints › Oct 15, 2026 Easy
Spoiler-Free Hints for Oct 15, 2026
Stuck on the Easy case, “The Clock That Kept Wrong Time”? Open one nudge at a time. Nothing below reveals a verdict unless you click a box marked spoiler.
Back to the case Rules refresher
About this case
The Ashcombe Museum's 1690 astronomical clock went to the conservation studio for its first service in a century. It came back ticking beautifully. On Sunday it predicted an eclipse that won't happen for another four hundred years.
This Easy case seats 16 suspects on a 4×4 grid. 14 of them carry a clue; the other 2 only have something to say about themselves. Every step can be proven from a single clue plus what you already know.
Nudge 1 — where to start
The case opens with Nico the restorer (B4) already proven. Their statement is enough on its own to prove one more suspect straight away — read it word by word, especially the counting words (exactly, neighbors, between).
Both of the couriers in Column D are innocent.— Nico, restorer (B4)
Spoiler: who can I prove first?
Leo (D3) is innocent, proven by Nico’s statement.
Nudge 2 — the opening
Four suspects get proven in this stretch, across rows 2, 3 and 4, most of them in row 3. The statements doing the work are paired verdicts and role counts. Tip: with paired verdicts, chain the pairs: a link of “same” and “different” statements often runs across the board.
Spoiler: whose statement to read
Nico’s statement.
Spoiler: which suspect does that settle?
Leo (D3) — innocent.
Nudge 3 — after about 4 proven suspects
Four suspects get proven in this stretch, in rows 1 and 2. The statements doing the work are “between” clues, row and column counts and role counts. Tip: with “between” clues, only the cards strictly between the two named suspects count.
Spoiler: whose statement to read
Juno’s statement.
Spoiler: which suspect does that settle?
Freya (B2) — innocent.
Nudge 4 — after about 8 proven suspects
Three suspects get proven in this stretch, in row 1. The statements doing the work are neighbor counts and direction clues. Tip: with neighbor counts, a corner has three neighbors, an edge five, the middle eight — compare the count with what is left.
Spoiler: whose statement to read
Dina’s statement.
Spoiler: which suspect does that settle?
Cora (C1) — innocent.
Nudge 5 — the endgame
Four suspects get proven in this stretch, in rows 3 and 4. The statements doing the work are neighbor counts, “between” clues and role counts. Tip: with role counts, find every suspect with that role (the nameplate badge helps) and count the proven ones.
Spoiler: whose statement to read
Arlo’s statement.
Spoiler: which suspect does that settle?
Ivan (A3) — a criminal.
Clue types in this case
“between” clues ×3, direction clues ×1, neighbor counts ×4, paired verdicts ×3, row and column counts ×1 and role counts ×2.
Questions
How many clues does this case have?
14 of the 16 suspects carry a clue. The rest only talk about themselves — you can hide those asides in Settings.
Where is the full solution?
The step-by-step walkthrough proves every verdict in order.