39. The Christmas Village

1. Step 1

   1. Hortense was beside the red chair, so she is either on F2, E3 or F4.
   2. Each of these is in row 3 or column F, like the chair itself.
   3. So nobody else can sit on the red chair.
   4. Giles was beside the yellow chair, so he is either on D8 or E9.
   5. Both are in row 8 or column E, like that chair.
   6. So nobody sits on it either.
   7. So, nobody sits on the red chair or the yellow chair.

2. Step 2

   1. Someone else in Forrest's area was sitting on a chair.
   2. The only chairs left are the blue ones.
   3. One is on B4 in Cabin 1, and one is on I5 in Shop 2.
   4. So Forrest is in one of those areas.
   5. Dennis was in the same area as Forrest, so he is there too.
   6. So, Forrest and Dennis are either in Cabin 1 or Shop 2.

3. Step 3

   1. Ambrose was in Shop 1, so he is either on H7, G8 or H8.
   2. Each of these is in row 8 or column H.
   3. So, nobody but Ambrose can be on H8.

4. Step 4

   1. Let's assume they are in Cabin 1, and test it.
   2. It has only columns A and B, so they would fill both.
   3. Evelyn was beside a fireplace.
   4. Away from columns A and B, that means D7 or E8.
   5. Nobody is on the yellow chair, so Evelyn would be on D7.
   6. Beatrice was beside a rug.
   7. Away from columns A and B, that means E2, F3 or H8.
   8. Nobody is on the red chair.
   9. Only Ambrose can be on H8.
   10. So Beatrice would be on E2.
   11. Then Giles would have no square: Evelyn is blocking D8, and Beatrice is blocking E9.
   12. So they are not in Cabin 1.
   13. They are in Shop 2.
   14. So, Forrest and Dennis are in Shop 2.

5. Step 5

   1. The only chair in Shop 2 is on I5, and someone other than Forrest sits on it.
   2. The shop has only columns H and I, and Forrest and Dennis fill both.
   3. So the person on the chair has to be Dennis.
   4. So, Dennis is on I5, and Forrest is in column H.

6. Step 6

   1. Ambrose was in Shop 1, and Forrest is blocking column H.
   2. So, Ambrose is on G8.

7. Step 7

   1. Giles was beside the yellow chair, and Ambrose is blocking D8.
   2. So, Giles is on E9.

8. Step 8

   1. Beatrice was beside a rug.
   2. Nobody sits on the red chair on F3, and Ambrose is blocking H8.
   3. So she is either on E2, B4, B6 or A7.
   4. Giles is blocking E2.
   5. Exactly one person was sitting on a chair, and Dennis is on one.
   6. So nobody is on the chair on B4.
   7. Evelyn was beside a fireplace, so she is either on A4, A6 or D7.
   8. Dennis is blocking B5, and Ambrose is blocking E8.
   9. Each of her squares is in column A or row 7, so nobody else can be on A7.
   10. So, Beatrice is on B6.

9. Step 9

   1. Giles is blocking E3, so Hortense is either on F2 or F4.
   2. Exactly two people were on rugs, and Ambrose is on one.
   3. Dennis is blocking the rug on B5, and Beatrice is blocking the rug on A6.
   4. So someone is on the rug on F2.
   5. Both of Hortense's squares are in column F, so nobody else can be there.
   6. So it is Hortense.
   7. So, Hortense is on F2.

10. Step 10

    1. Exactly one column to the right of Caroline was a man.
    2. Only columns A, C and D are left, for Caroline, Evelyn and Virginia.
    3. In column A, Beatrice would be to her right, and Beatrice is a woman.
    4. In column C, Evelyn or Virginia would be to her right, and both are women.
    5. In column D, Giles is to her right in column E.
    6. So, Caroline is in column D.

11. Step 11

    1. Evelyn is either on A4, A6 or D7.
    2. Caroline is blocking D7, and Beatrice is blocking A6.
    3. So, Evelyn is on A4.

12. Step 12

    1. Forrest is in column H of Shop 2.
    2. Dennis is blocking H5, and Evelyn is blocking H4.
    3. So, Forrest is on H3.

13. Step 13

    1. Exactly one person was sitting on a sled.
    2. Nobody placed so far is on one.
    3. The sleds on G3, C4 and F8 are in rows already taken.
    4. Only Caroline and Virginia are left, in rows 1 and 7.
    5. Virginia is in column C, so she is either on C1 or C7, and neither has a sled.
    6. So Caroline is the one on a sled, on D1.
    7. That leaves C7 for Virginia.
    8. So, Caroline is on D1.

14. The answer

    1. Virginia was on C7, alone in the Town Square with Caroline.
    2. Caroline is the murderer!

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