Solve interesting puzzles that make you dive into Sudoku and murder mysteries

In its second volume, Manuel Garand’s Sudoku-driven mysteries tap into historical elements

The thrill of murder mystery merges with the logic of Sudoku in Manuel Garand's second volume of the Murdoku series, Back in Time (Penguin Random House). Like the first edition, Garand develops 80 new puzzles for his readers to solve. The principles of the Japanese Nikoli puzzle, Sudoku, apply to these, beginning with simple grids and progressing to difficult ones.

No two suspects can be in the same row and column. While the scenery changes over the books, some things remain constant. First, the puzzles seek to challenge those who thrive on strategies and logic. Second, it gives a chance to murder mystery readers to solve multiple mysteries in one sitting.

In the second volume, the author introduces a third aspect and reaches out to history lovers. The puzzles take place through five eras: The Middle Ages, the Wild West, the Golden Age of Piracy, the Stone Age, and Ancient Egypt. Garand familiarises readers with details that transport us back in time.

Manuel Garand

For instance, the ranks in the Middle Ages are incorporated by establishing noble areas within the settings, like the royal study, royal cells, Lord's Manor, an armoury, and so on, where only nobles and knights can enter. It is fascinating to note the outfits, like the bandanas and Monmouth caps on the pirates to depict the Golden Age of Piracy.

Illustrations courtesy/Manuel Garand; Penguin Random house

Additionally, the crime scenes often consist of interesting facts. For example, in Ancient Egypt, the scribes' workshop indicates history's first desk job and first paper cuts, or in the Stone Age, gatherers pick berries and fishers catch fish, as the sabre-toothed tiger makes an entrance. The occupations and tools have been selected with thought and research. These are worlds when technology did not exist. Therefore, to introduce barrels and chests, wolf tamers and toolmakers to readers of all ages through well-crafted games that sharpen one's memory is an excellent choice.

Available: Leading bookstores and e-stores
Cost: Rs 599