Are you a fan of murder mysteries and escape rooms? How about jigsaw puzzles? What if you could combine the two for a unique and challenging experience? That’s where murder mystery jigsaw puzzles come in. These puzzles feature intricate, often beautiful pieces that combine to form a picture that contains clues about a mystery. They’re a great way to challenge yourself and experience the mystery genre in a whole new way.
Murder mystery jigsaw puzzles aren’t new, but the growing popularity of this unique game-like puzzle experience that combines the thrill of solving a murder mystery with the satisfaction of piecing together a jigsaw puzzle has led to a surge in their availability.
These puzzles give mystery fans the opportunity to think just like the detectives. The puzzles provide clues that lead to the solution of a murder. It’s up to you to figure out the story behind the picture, piece together the evidence, and ultimately catch the killer. And if you’re trying to introduce a new at-home sleuth to mystery games, a puzzle can be a great way to ease in people who might be skeptical or nervous about their crime-solving skills.
You can find murder mystery jigsaw puzzles in a variety of stores, from discount retailers to specialty puzzle shops, but I’ve provided a bunch that anyone can pick up on Amazon. And some manufacturers produce many puzzles designed to test your sleuthing skills. So if you find one you like, look for more from the same company.
These puzzles can indeed be challenging, as players must not only assemble the puzzle but also solve the mystery. However, they are also very rewarding, as players get the satisfaction of solving a challenging puzzle and putting together a compelling story.
What makes a mystery puzzle?
So how do these puzzles work? While the components and process for solving the murder mystery or escaping the room varies by each puzzle manufacturer, mystery puzzles tend to have several common characteristics.
Common elements
No reference picture
You’ll be on your own figuring out the picture as you assemble the puzzle. After all, if the box image showed the final picture, why would you need to solve the puzzle? Boxes often show an atmospheric image to set the tone, a snapshot of the scene before the crime took place, or a version with the clues removed. But while you may get hints about the composition of the scene, if you’re a puzzle-solver who leans heavily on the reference image, get ready for a challenge!
Story scenario
Murder mystery jigsaw puzzles often come with a story or scenario that players must follow as they assemble the puzzle. This adds to the immersive experience and can make players feel like they’re part of a real-life murder investigation. The story may involve a murder that has occurred, with a list of suspects and clues that players must use to solve the case.
Hidden clues
The puzzle itself will often contain hidden clues and images that players must uncover as they assemble it. The types of clues depends heavily on the type of mystery. If you’re solving a murder, hidden clues in the image might help you identify a murder weapon, confirm or debunk alibis from the written scenario, or create a progression of events leading to the crime. If you’re escaping a room, you’ll find and solve puzzles, many of which will unlock additional clues to find and solve more puzzles until you’ve found the “exit”.
Solution booklet
Think you’ve cracked the case? Once you’ve found every clue, picked apart every witness statement, ruled out every false suspect, you’ll be ready to check the solution booklet to see how you did. Don’t worry if you got some of the details wrong, missed a clue, or even if the killer eluded you this time. You can always hone your tabletop detective skills on another mystery jigsaw puzzle.
Puzzle-specific elements
Multiple puzzles
Sometimes, mystery puzzles actually contain 2 or more puzzles, adding to the assembly challenge. They may be packaged together or separately. One may depict an overall scene, while the other shows a close-up of key pieces of evidence. Especially if you find table space at a premium, you might appreciate having smaller separate puzzles.
Supplemental game components
In addition to the puzzle itself, many murder mystery jigsaw puzzles also come with additional materials such as a map of the crime scene, suspect cards, and other clues. These materials can add to the overall experience and make the puzzle even more immersive.
False pieces
One unique element of Hunt A Killer’s WhoDonut? is the inclusion of false—or rather, placeholder—pieces. The puzzle contains several white pieces obscuring key clues. The introductory scenario provides 4 options for each key question, which you need to complete the puzzle to figure out how to answer. When you choose an answer, you’ll replace the white puzzle pieces with the corresponding pieces from the hidden cache. If you answer all questions correctly, the complete picture will reveal the accurate murder suspect.
Tips for solving mystery puzzles
For actually solving a murder mystery jigsaw puzzle, here are a few tips that can help.
Track the details
First, read through the story or scenario carefully and note any clues or details that stand out. Make sure everyone has a notebook (physical or digital—it’s up to you!) to keep details organized. I personally like Steno-sized spiral notepads. You’ll need logic, deduction, and reasoning to piece together tiny clues and identify the killer. Also, keep a magnifying glass on-hand to evaluate tiny details. My example here also doubles as a convenient tool for moving segments of the puzzle into their proper locations.
Sort your pieces
Next, sort the puzzle pieces by color or pattern to make it easier to find the pieces you need, since you don’t have the usual picture to guide you. As you assemble the puzzle, keep an eye out for hidden clues or images that may be important to the mystery. We use puzzle sorter trays to keep various patterns together, or to get large swaths of color out of the way while we work on easier patterns at the beginning.
Take a break
Mystery puzzles can be especially challenging and time-consuming, considering the tiny details and lack of reference picture. Take breaks to refresh your brain, let your subconscious find connections between clues, and consider multiple scenarios. Or you might simply need to do important things like go to work or make dinner! If you have small children or pets, leaving an unfinished puzzle in the open can spell disaster. We don’t have kids, but our favorite pet-proofing method is an amazing puzzle keeper that Velcros closed to protect our work-in-progress. I cannot recommend it highly enough.
Examples of mystery puzzles
Solve a crime
The puzzles pose a mystery, usually murder, where your goal is to analyze the scene, find evidence, catch witnesses and suspects in their lies, confirm alibis, and solve the case.
I’ve listed a roundup of the prominent mystery jigsaw puzzle makers, plus a sampling of specific mystery jigsaw puzzles sure to challenge and delight you.
Hunt a Killer
WhoDonut?
Who killed the donut store owner, and why?
TDC Games Alphabet Mystery Jigsaw Puzzles
A Is For Arson
Who burned down the restaurant?
B Is For Birthday
Why was the dog show judge’s 60th birthday his last?
White Mountain Puzzle Company
Curse of Blackwood Hall
Two dead at Blackwood Hall, but is the curse really responsible?
Murder in Little Piddling
Who disrupted the sleepy town of Little Piddling, and why?
Bits & Pieces
Murder at Bedford Manor
Which of the manor guests weren’t minding their manners?
Death in The Desert
Was the death in the desert an accident, or something more sinister?
3-in-1 1000-piece Mystery Puzzle Set
Grab this 3-pack of Bits & Pieces mystery puzzles, available in 1000-piece or 500-piece. Choose the easier puzzle to focus on the crime.
Bepuzzled Mystery Jigsaw Puzzles
Grounds for Murder
What are the Spills the Beans Coffee Shop’s gumshoe regulars hiding?
Alfred Hitchcock
How did a twisted obsession with Alfred Hitchcock lead to murder?
Escape the room
These puzzles drop you into a scene, and you need to use the surrounding items to solve codes and ciphers, locate the exit, disarm traps, and unlock any obstacles trapping you in the room.
Ravensburger Escape Puzzles
Submarine
You’re trapped in a submarine as it uncontrollably sinks to the seabed. Can you find a way to return to the surface to escape?
Forbidden Basement
A note from a distant relative has led you to their estate where you must discover your fortune. Can you solve the mysteries to find your inheritance?
Amusement Park Plight (Kid-friendly)
Solve the “Amusement Park Plight” to repair the train track and escape this creepy carnival!
Exit: The Game, with Jigsaw Puzzles
The Deserted Lighthouse
A ship is headed straight towards the rocky cliffs. Can you solve the riddles in time to enter the lighthouse and turn the light beam on?
The Sacred Temple
Crooked treasure hunters have found the map to the sacred temple. Can you solve the riddles and catch the thieves before they steal the ancient treasures?
Nightfall Manor
Uncover the mystery of Nightfall Manor as you embark on a quest to find your missing friend!
Guess what’s next
These are puzzles where the only mystery is “what happens next?” Instead of solving a crime, you’re looking for clues about how what’s happening in the “before” reference picture will turn out. The finished puzzle acts as the (often hilarious and chaotic) “after”. If you’re looking for a lightweight, lighthearted form of “mystery”, these might fit the bill. If you’re looking for a mystery day challenge, save these for another time.
Wasgij Mystery Jigsaw Puzzles
Mountain Mayhem
A quiet day in the mountains ends up being anything but…
Theme Park
Just how different does the action-packed amusement park of today really look?
Odd Pieces Mystery Jigsaw Puzzles
Turbo 3000
Just a normal day in the city, until disaster strikes…
Snack Attack
What brings this bustling school’s day grinding to a halt?
These are just some of the great murder mystery jigsaw puzzles that are available. With so many different puzzles to choose from, you’re sure to find one that’s perfect for your sleuthing skills.
Overall, murder mystery jigsaw puzzles are a fun and unique twist on traditional jigsaw puzzles. They offer a challenging and rewarding experience that combines the thrill of a murder mystery or an at-home escape room with the satisfaction of piecing together a jigsaw puzzle.
Whether you’re a fan of puzzles or murder mysteries, these puzzles are sure to provide a fun and engaging experience. So gather your friends or family members, put your detective skills to the test, and see if you can solve the mystery before it’s too late!
For even more options, bookmark my growing list of mystery jigsaw puzzles for Tabletop Detectives
