Autumnal Games

Puzzle No. 2: The Poisoned Pumpkin

By Jim Markus · First appeared July 8, 2026

Solve it in your head or work the clues on paper. Everyone had a motive. Only one had the means. When you’ve named the poisoner, check your answer below.

It's harvest season, and the whole town turned out for the event in the square. It went well, until people started falling ill the moment the soup was served. Someone poisoned the pumpkin stew. We've narrowed it to four suspects, each with a motive, but only one could have done it. Who poisoned the pumpkin?

The clues

  1. Someone poisoned the pumpkin stew, so the culprit had access to both the poison and the soup.
  2. The crime team confirmed the poison wasn't the kind used to kill rodents.
  3. Only the mayor didn't have access to poison of some kind.
  4. Only the town council member didn't have access to the soup before it was served.
  5. Dale is the soup chef.
  6. The soup chef had access to rat poison from the basement.
  7. The party planner wasn't paid for the most recent event.
  8. Viktor hired Beth to plan the party.
  9. Beth had access to poison from a science lab.
  10. Aubrey was an invited guest.
  11. Only one person wasn't invited to the event.

Your accusation