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A scream pierces the night air, penetrating every room of Ghastley Manor. The maid has discovered something rather chilling on the dining room floor, the crumpled (i.e. dead) body of Sir Stuart Wynne. Was it just an accident or suicide? Well, not unless he battered himself to death and hid the weapon afterwards! It's just as well there's a supersleuth such as yourself on hand to investigate - Scotland Yard won't arrive for another two hours.

First thing to do is question a few of the many people staying at the mansion. You can ask about any of the other occupants, the many rooms and various household objects (including five types of pistol and four knives!). In addition you can ask more specific questions about the relationship between two people (murder motives include inheritance, blackmail and lust) or about a particular person in a particular place with a particular object etc. Of course the person may not know anything, or even lie. Any useful answers can be entered in your notebook by clicking on an icon. The notebook is divided into four sections: people, places, clues and motives.

The maid tells you she saw a certain Lord score near the scene of the crime just before it happened and also that he stood to inherit the editorship of a popular magazine from Sir Stuart. You decide to explore the Manor's four floors in search of more clues. Movement is achieved by clicking the cursor over an exit. A map screen comes in useful for navigation - and knowledge of the house layout is also essential for working out if a suspect could have reached the scene of crime in time.

In many rooms, household objects will have been left lying around. These can be examined for fingerprints which can be stored and compared. Aha, what's this on the drawing room mantelpiece?: a candlestick - some very strange prints on this, almost alien... hmmmm.

Ah, here comes Lord Score. Now if only you can get his fingerprints. A pity he's not carrying anything at the moment. The best thing for you to do is grab an innocuous item - this bottle of Vim'll do - wipe it clean and wait for him to pick it up and drop it again. There, that didn't take long. Now let's examine those grubby prints... well, well they perfectly match those on the candlestick. Now all that's left to do is to pick up the candlestick for evidence and arrest Lord Score... whoops.

Anyone who's ever enjoyed Cluedo will love this. It's a truly interactive whodunnit with plenty of witnesses and suspects to be questioned. I wouldn't say it was that realistic, what with dangerous weapons left lying all over the house, but the game certainly has a marvellously tense atmosphere.

The monochromatic graphics may look a bit dull at first sight but, on both machines, they are beautifully detailed with an enormous variety of art deco furniture and period-dressed characters who move around at will, picking up objects and even lighting cigarettes.

Interrogating characters is a fascinating process, often with humorous results: in one game two characters were having a secret affair which everyone else seemed to know about! Even funnier (and sicker), the victim's body is left sprawled on the floor for the other character to walk over!

Quirks apart though, Murder is a seriously brilliant concept, perfectly implemented.

Murder doesn't look all that hot at first glance and the idea of taking your time analysing evidence, cross-questioning suspects and wandering around many a similar mansion isn't one to set the gaming world alight.

Amazingly though, the game is incredibly addictive, the piecing together of information becoming an engrossing task (akin to the best of puzzle games). What is really clever is the way the skill levels expand the game challenge immensely.

Choose a higher skill level and suspects know more information (be it relevant or merely red herrings), more events happen to disguise the crucial time of the murder and suspected murder weapons tend to get moved around more. On novice level it's a nice and gentle trail to follow but come the likes of a average/experienced skill level and beyond and you've really got to be on the ball (even Sherlock Holmes may have detective difficulties at Supersleuth level!). Addictive and highly original, Murder is a great game to while away the hours with.

Presentation 90%
Impressive loading screen, plenty of locations, four skill levels, one load and automatic note-taking.

Graphics 74%
The restrained, realistic settings don't work as well on the Amiga. But they're effective enough and there's plenty of variety.

Sound 72%
Most of the excellent, superbly atmospheric Amiga FX have been duplicated.

Hookability 85%
The icons aren't quite as clear, but you soon get the hang of things and crime-solving has never been more addictive.

Lastability 96%
Over three million murders on your C64! An immense amount of playability to keep you occupied for ages.

Overall 93%
An absolutely fascinating and compulsive detective game.

Presentation 88%
Good range of locations, easy-to-use icon system, four skill levels, automatic note-taking and change your sleuth's appearance option.

Graphics 85%
Monochromatic but atmospheric and well defeated, with everything from toilets to four-posted beds and armour (and including the kitchen sink!)

Sound 72%
No music, but some nice FX such as whispering when people talk, owl hoots outdoors and some squeaking floorboards.

Hookability 89%
It takes a little getting used to, but the icons make complex ideas easy to understand and master.

Lastability 95%
Over three million different murders to solve, plus four skill levels. Surprisingly compulsive, as soon as one murderer is caught you want to nab another.

Overall 92%
Clever, innovative and addictive - the ultimate whodunnit!