7. The Log Cabin

1. Step 1

   1. Daphne was in the top row, so nobody else is in row 1.
   2. Bernard was on something blue, and the blue things outside row 1 are in rows 2 to 4.
   3. Elsie was in the Kids' Room, so she is in row 2 or row 3.
   4. Gillian was in the Kitchen, so she is in rows 2 to 4.
   5. So these three take rows 2, 3 and 4.
   6. So, Bernard, Elsie and Gillian fill rows 2, 3 and 4, with nobody else.

2. Step 2

   1. Exactly three people were on blue things.
   2. Four blue things are in rows 2 to 4, where only Bernard, Elsie and Gillian can be.
   3. Gillian is in the Kitchen, which has nothing blue.
   4. The last blue thing is the cushion on C1, in Daphne's row.
   5. That makes only three people who could be on something blue, and exactly three were.
   6. So it is Bernard, Elsie and Daphne, and Daphne is on C1.
   7. So, Daphne is on C1, and Elsie is on something blue.

3. Step 3

   1. Elsie is on something blue in the Kids' Room, and Daphne is blocking C3.
   2. So, Elsie is on B2.

4. Step 4

   1. Column A needs someone.
   2. Daphne, Bernard, Elsie and Gillian take rows 1 to 4.
   3. A5 and A6 hold the woodpile and the snowblower.
   4. So it is a Garage square in rows 7 to 9.
   5. The rest of the Garage is in columns B and C.
   6. Elsie and Daphne are blocking those.
   7. So nobody else could share the Garage.
   8. Felicity and Vivienne each shared their room with one person, so they can't be there.
   9. Ada and Cindy were beside things in other rooms.
   10. So it is Hugh, and A9 is the only corner there.
   11. So, Hugh is on A9.

5. Step 5

   1. Ada was beside the sofa, and Hugh is blocking F9 and H9.
   2. So, Ada is on F8.

6. Step 6

   1. Exactly one person was on something red.
   2. Daphne is on C1, so nobody is on the red bed in row 1.
   3. Ada and Hugh are blocking the red sofa on G8 and G9.
   4. That leaves the red armchair on E6.
   5. So someone is on E6, in row 6, and Cindy can't be on I6.
   6. So, Cindy is on H7.

7. Step 7

   1. Column G needs someone.
   2. The person on E6 is blocking G6, so G3 is the only free square left.
   3. Row 3 belongs to Bernard, Elsie or Gillian.
   4. Elsie is on B2, and Bernard is on something blue.
   5. So it is Gillian.
   6. So, Gillian is on G3.

8. Step 8

   1. Bernard was on something blue.
   2. Elsie and Daphne are blocking B2, C1 and C3, and Gillian is blocking D3.
   3. So, Bernard is on D4.

9. Step 9

   1. Felicity and Vivienne are left, on either E6 and I5, or E5 and I6.
   2. Someone is on E6, so it is E6 and I5.
   3. E6 is in the Den with Bernard, a man.
   4. Felicity was alone with a woman, so she can't be on E6.
   5. So she is on I5, with Cindy in the Mud Room.
   6. That leaves E6, the red armchair, for Vivienne.
   7. So, Felicity is on I5.

10. The answer

    1. Vivienne was on E6, alone in the Den with Bernard.
    2. Bernard is the murderer!

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