There's a killer on the loose on the streets of San Francisco. A cryptic message leads Detective Lindsey Boxer to a deserted alley, and the body of a young woman. But, when it appears the murder is more than just a random killing, she decides that it's time to involve a very special group of friends.
In Women's Murder Club: Twice in a Blue Moon, you play all four members of the titular group of friends from the books of acclaimed crime novelist James Patterson. Lindsey Boxer is a detective with the San Francisco police force, Claire Washburn is a medical examiner, Cindy Thomas is a reporter on the crime beat, and Jill Bernhadt is the District Attorney. Each of these characters' skill-sets will come in handy as you make your way through this series of bizarre murders.
Twice in a Blue Moon is primarily a hidden object game. You'll start out most of the investigations in the office of either Lindsey Boxer or Cindy Thomas gathering items in order to proceed with the investigation. Some of the items make sense, like getting your badge, or an envelope that has a clue to the killer's where-abouts. The purpose of other items is not so clear, like why you would need multiple baseball bats, or a bunch of stars. But, in general, the hidden object sections are relevant enough to keep you involved in the game. Some even involve additional puzzles, like collecting all of the CDs to a collection, and then having to place them in the CD holder correctly, or using the letters on tokens you've collected to solve a bar game.
There are other ways in which you will interact with the game, as well. A number of times throughout the game you will have to plug words and names into computer databases in order to lookup information relevant to the case on which you are working. This has become easier than the previous games in the series, in that the words or names that you need to lookup are written on a post-it note at the bottom of the computer monitor, instead of having to search for them. The information is generally easy to find in the database, as well. You either get the information you are looking for, or you get nothing. No red herrings or false information to have to sift through.
As you progress through the game, you will also come upon other types of puzzles besides the standard hidden object fare. In one, you'll have to follow an archivist through the correct series of doors in order to make it down to the San Francisco public archives in the basement of the library. In another, you'll have to place wooden pieces into the correct holes in a puzzle box in order to open it. And during the finale of the game, you'll have to travel blindly through a basement maze in order to capture the killer.
Analysis: I played the first game in this series, Death in Scarlet, over a year ago, and it was one of those rare games that has stuck with me this whole time. The second game in the series, A Darker Shade of Grey, was a no-brainer for me to pick up when it came out, and I was not disappointed. So I come to Twice in a Blue Moon with high expectations.
The story, penned by Patterson himself, is well written, if a bit cliche. But, this is crime drama we're talking about here, so there are just some things that you're not going to be able to get away from. We've seen the copycat Jack the Ripper or Boston Strangler done before, but the way that Patterson weaves the cliches into the story is nicely done, and the ending is not completely telegraphed to you in the first chapter. Exposition is done with the use of comic panes in-between investigations. While I would have loved to see more of the voice acting and animation seen in the intro to the game, the comics are well-drawn and understandable.
As I mentioned earlier, the hidden object sections do a good job of staying on-task and not asking you to find an excessive amount of completely random items, although they do stretch the definition of "relevant" quite a bit. The best are probably the ones where you are cleaning up a room, either prior to investigating it, or in order to compete a task at one of the offices, because the objects can be more random and still fit with the story. You will run into the odd butterfly and lizard, but it doesn't get too crazy. A good tip to keep in mind: be sure to look for objects in the pictures on the walls of the rooms. Often the object you are looking for is actually depicted in the picture, as opposed to being a physical object in the room. Also be aware of patterns on rugs and on walls. These are often hiding places for simple objects like stars and letters.
One problem that I have had, and continue to have with this series is that the sections involving Claire Washburn's medical examiner's lab seem tacked on to the rest of the story. The quick stops to the lab to arrange bottles and discover the chemical makeup of a particular substance seems like something that could have just as easily been handled in text as opposed to such a brief game section. I would love to see it expanded in future installments to make it seem like a fuller part of the game.
This is really turning out to be an excellent series of mystery hidden-object games, right up there with the classics like Mystery Case Files. If murder by moonlight is your thing, then check out Women's Murder Club: Twice in a Blue Moon, as see if you have what it takes to catch a killer.
Windows:
Download the demo
Get the full version
Mac OS X:
Not available.
Try Boot Camp or Parallels or CrossOver Games.
Women's Murder Club 3 is available to download from these affiliates:
Walkthrough Guide
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Women's Murder Club - Twice in a Blue Moon - Walkthrough
General
There is no time-limit.
There are five hints per investigations - there is no way to earn additional hints.
The hints do not help during mini games.
All mini games can be skipped.
Skipping a mini game will not change anything and is will not be punished in any matter.
You need very good English knowledge for this game because much is based upon ascertainments and information, that you must read about
A part of the objects on the search list are random, but on the screenshots, you will at least always find the ones, which are equal for all players.
Investigation 1 - Who am I
Lindsay's office
Look of all object from your list.
Screenshot
Now click the shimmering part low left - a mini game opens.
You will have to find the street, the killer is pointing on in the riddle above.
Click the streets, you are sure, the crime cannot take place according to the riddle. They will be marked.
If you make a mistake, just click the street again to unmark it.
Don't click a crossing, as then the game does not not, which street you want to mark.
Jack Kerouac Alley is the street, the killer is pointing on (the "o" is in the second part of the name, no "t" and the "y" is at the end of the third part of the name).
Screenshot
Crime scene with Lindsay
First you will need to repair the lantern, but you can't reach it.
Place first the little footstool in front of the lantern.
When click it, it will stick to your cursor, click it again at the part of the scene you want to place it.
Now place the big crate (right side) on the footstool.
Now the little crate (left side) on the big one.
Finally the ladder, leaning at the house wall left, on the little crate.
Click the lantern to get a closer view.
Click the light bulb till the light isn't flickering anymore
Screenshot
Now look for all the items from your search list.
Screenshot
After finding all, you will the that the cat, sitting right next to the dumpster, runs away.
Click the legs, you now see.
It is a dead woman.
Crime scene with Claire
Get the uv-lamp out of the inventory and move over the body.
When seeing something interesting, click and you will be shown, if there is something or not.
You will have to find 6 clues.
Screenshot
Investigation 2 - Don't fear the Ripper
Office with Cindy
Find all objects from your search list.
Screenshot
Now click the shimmering point at the right side of the desk.
You will get a near by view for a mini game.
Get the cds out of the inventory and place them in the right spot right side.
Right click turns the cd.
When it is in the correct position, the cd will lock.
When all cds are in the right position, it will show a graffiti-picture.
Screenshot
Click the screen left side of the desk and then the disc to start it up.
To search insert empty spot top left "Mary", top right "Nichols".
Press the "Search"-button.
Screenshot
Looks like the murder imitates Jack the Ripper.
Office with Lindsay
Get the sticky note from the screen - there is another envelope found in the lobby.
Get the fax out of the fax machine left to the screen.
This are the informations, Cindy sent to Lindsay.
Screenshot
You will be brought to the lobby automatically.
Lobby with Lindsay
Find all items from your list.
Screenshot
Office with Lindsay
Click the map on the desk, a mini game opens.
You will have to do the same as first time, but this time you will have to look for a street crossing
The solution is: MacAllister Street/Octavia Street
Screenshot
Crime scene with Lindsay
The room is filled with gas, you can hardly see .... and breath.
You have to be quick, as Lindsay other wise will die.
If this happens, you start the level over.
Click in the middle of the scene, till a little round table sticks to your cursor.
Click the window with the table - it breaks and Lindsay can breath and see.
Click the four shimmering clues in the scene.
Find the items from your search list.
Screenshot
Crime scene with Claire
Click the dead bodies to get a near by view.
Get the uv-lamp out of your inventory and look for clues.
You will have to find four.
Screenshot
Lab with Claire
Click the shimmering screen on the table in the back.
You will have to arrange the bottle in the order according to the hints on the bottles.
By clicking 2 bottles, they will swap places.
The solution is: N F B Q C
Screenshot
As soon as you have the right solution, the lab will send the results.
Read it and click the blinking buttons to end this investigation
Investigation 3 - Dead End
Office with Cindy
Click the screen and enter the key words, standing on the sticky note at the pc
Screenshot
Look for the golden cd's and the other items on your list.
Screenshot
Click the shimmering cd album to activate the mini game.
As before, place the cds from your inventory in the correct empty spots.
Screenshot
Click the screen again and put the cd in.
It looks like the killer is not coying Jack the Ripper, but generally serial killers.
In the motel with Lindsay
Click the ledger on the reception desk and then the shimmering name.
Ned Edda had the room right before the dead couple.
Screenshot
Look for the objects from your search list.
Screenshot
Click the brochures right side.
You will have to find out if the order of the flyers do have a meaning.
By clicking one of the letters, it will appear on the top.
Each flyer has one letter, which will, seeing all together, giving you a complete sentence.
Click the first letter from each flyer:
The letters will make the sentence: "PLEASE MAKE HIM STOP S"
Screenshot
Click the bell on the reception desk and read, what the motel manager has to say about Ned Edda.
Weapon shop with Lindsay
Look for the weapons according to the silhouettes at the bottom of the scene.
Screenshot
Read, what the shop owner has to say.
Office with Lindsay
You will need to arrange the letters to find a hint.
Clicking two letters will make them swap places.
In the correct order, the letters say: Dead End.
Investigation 4 - Addicted to Murder
Library with Lindsay
All you have to do is, clicking the door, the archivist went through.
Lindsay will follow him, as soon as you click.
When you clicked the wrong door, you will have to start over.
When you reached the archive, click the shimmering area.
On three shelfs, objects will pass by.
Click all books which are related to H.H. Holmes and murder in the Victorian era.
Also click all objects you need for the items from your search list.
It doesn't matter, when you miss one, it will always come back.
Second-hand book shop with Lindsay
Talk to the archivist.
You will be brought into the celler automatically.
Its your goal to turn the valves and levers in such positions, the the goo can go through the gully.
It starts in the upper left and ends in the low right.
Click valves so that the green point shows in the direction the goo has to go.
Click the levers, till they show a green bar. Then the pipe is open to let the goo through.
Last, open the lever on the top left, when you think, you opened everything in the right way.
Click "Reset", when you see, that something is not working out.
As far as I know, there is only one possible solution.
Screenshot
You can also first choose the apartment of Herbert Smythe. It does not make a difference.
Lemon Boyd's Victorian
First you need to find out, which is the house Lemond Boyd is living.
All stairs are fresh painted, so you will have to find rags and thinner to rub away the new paint.
Click each house and you will get a near by view.
Look for the items on your list.
You might also have items, you can see on the street or at the big house top right.
After finding all items, click one house and rub with the rag from your inventory over the stairs.
Do so with pressed left mouse button.
You can see that the color is slightly changing, after a while at one of the steps a number will appear.
You are looking for the number 2761.
You do not have to clean wrong numbers completely. But when you find the right one, you will have to clean since Lindsay tells you, that she finally found the right house.
Im not sure, if the numbers and specially the number 2761 random in where to find them.
I found it on house Number 3 - seen from left to right
I numbered the houses from left to right from 1-t
Screenshot House 1
Screenshot House 2
Screenshot House 3
Screenshot House 4
Screenshot House 5
Screenshot House 6
If you haven't been there yet, choose now on the map Apartment Herbert Smythe
Apartment Herbert Smythe
Find all items from your list.
Screenshot
After you found all, click the shimmering box on the table.
You will have to put the tiles on the bottom in there right shape.
Each column represent a country.
The top row shows the picture of someone remarkable (in good or bad manner) from this country.
The middle row shows a symbol, that is knows in combination with the person in the top row
The bottom row shows the name of the country.
All parts of one country does have the same shape.
Click a tile at the bottom and click again at the place, where you think it does belong.
Screenshot
Investigation 5 - Tied with a Bow
Theater with Lindsay
First look for the items of your list.
The costume parts you have to find will stick at your cursor.
You will have to dress the doll right side, but you have to do it in a more less specific order.
You can start in any order with: Shirt, wig and pants.
Followed by: Jacket, socks, hat.
Followed by weapon belt, scabbard, shoes.
Followed by cloak.
Followed by necklace and collar of shirt.
On the screenshot the clothes are marked in the right order.
Screenshot
Screenshot - doll after
Office with Cindy
Look for the items from your list.
Click the letter on the left table.
The killer has a new puzzle for us.
Read the text and find out, how to read the secret message in the text.
You will need to click several letters. Each letter will appear on the line at the bottom.
You are looking for search words.
When you made a mistake, click the letter again and it will be neutral.
You will have to click every 7th letter.
1964useasternseaboard
When you did it right, you will be brought to the search scene of the computer.
Type the words, you now also see on the sticky note underneath the screen.
Screenshot
Office with Lindsay
Cindy sent a few names, she found in the database.
Click the screen and type the names, you see at the left in the search bar and click "Search" after.
It does not matter, which order you use.
There is only one name giving a result.
Mary Sullivan
Screenshot
Crime scene with Lindsay
First click the four shimmering parts of the scene.
The victim's head, at the feet, the calendar on the desk and the desk's drawer.
The drawer is locked. You will need some to open it.
Use the nail file, laying on the desk, with the lock of the drawer
Screenshot
When it's open, get the library card out.
Look for the other items of your list.
Screenshot
Crime scene with Claire
Examine the body with the uv-lamp from your inventory.
When you see something unusual, click.
You look for four clues.
A new years card at the feet.
At her right femoral you will find DNA - use the cotton swap from your inventory to get an example
At the neck.
At her left wrist.
Screenshot
Lab with Claire
I'm not sure, if this is a bug or on purpose, but you will get exactly the same puzzle with the same hints and the same solution as the first time.
So please have a look at the first
"Lab with Clare" in Investigation 2
Investigation 6 - Down in the Depth
Office with Lindsay
Get the note from the screen, then click it.
Choose "Profiling Software"
You will need to click the right answers in each column .
You can have a look at the investigation cards, when you are not sure.
Look at the lab result and the testimonies of the witnesses.
Seen from left to right, the correct answers are:
Choose
Column 1: 1 and 3
Column 2: 2, 1, 1
Column 3: 4, 3
Column 4: 4, 4
When you think, everything is ok, click the "Submit" - button.
When you are wrong, Lindsay will give you a tip about what you might should change.
Screenshot
You will get a profile of the killer.
Crime scene with Lindsay
Find all items from your list.
Screenshot
Library with Lindsay
After the conversation with the woman, click the computer screen.
Look for the items from your list.
After finding all, click the left screen.
Choose one of the found notes to try if it is the password.
When you are right, you will get access to the library reader database.
If not try again.
Choose SANFRANCISCO as password
Now search for the name of the suspects.
Look in your investigation cards, when you are not sure about the names.
Rick Davies is the only one, having a library card at least earlier times.
Now you need to find the way to the archive.
Look for all hand written notes on the desk.
Screenshot
There is one clue.
From top left clockwise.
Under it, you see a lot of numbers.
This means, that you will ALWAYS count on top left and then enter the door, you counted to.
When Lindsay is standing in front of the first door top left, then you have to count this as first door. Count clockwise.
When Lindsay is standing somewhere else, the first door you have to count is still the first door top left.
When there is no door top left, you look clockwise and the first door after top left is the first door to count.
Investigation 7 - What the Agent knew
Coffee shop with Cindy
Find all items from your list.
Screenshot
After finding all click the machine at the left.
You are trying to pick letters that will fill in the words so that you can guess the common phrase.
Drag a token from inventory to the slot on the right, then choose a letter.
If you get a Token Bonus, there will be an extra token next to the coin slot that you can use.
The goal is to guess the common phrase at the bottom.
When you think you know it, click on the GUESS button.
It seems to be random, I had the phrases: "Feeling Fruity", "Daily Greens" and "Pooch Parade".
Journalist's office with Cindy
Find the items from your search list.
Screenshot
Apartment Lemond Boyd with Lindsay
Find the items from your list.
Screenshot
The wrapped books you will get in an extra window.
Click the paper to see, what kind of books these are.
West Actor Café with Lindsay
You will have to catch the moths, flying and crawling.
Click them and they will disappear.
Easiest way is to wait, till they sit somewhere.
Find also the 12 cakes.
Screenshot
Investigation 8 - Secrets & Lies
Office with Jill
Find all items from your list.
In your inventory you will find a list with all suspects.
Drag the list to the fax - machine low right corner.
Screenshot
Archive with Jill
Your goal is it, to find the shelf with the files from 1972 and 1987
Move your figure (Jill is standing low left corner) with the arrow keys on your keyboard.
Coming along a shelf will show you the year.
Take care, that you do not come in the way of the interns. If you have an "accident", you will have to start over.
The shelf are ordered as following:
On row is a complete year. The year starts at the left and ends at the right side.
A column always represents one year-number as 1960, 1970, 1980.
The archive starts top left with 1960 and ends bottom right with 2009.
1972 (T.C. Browning) You find therefore on the left side, second row from above, second shelf from above.
You find 1887 (Emmet DaKree) on the right side, third row of below, third shelf of below.
Office and Library with Lindsay
Get the fax out of the fax-machine from the desk low left corner.
In the Library, talk with the two suspects.
Both agree to do a lie detector test.
Police station Lobby with Lindsay / Lie detector test
Find the items from your search list.
Screenshot
To find out if the suspect is lying, you have to ask question and look at the detector.
To see the different reactions, you will first ask two questions, where you know, that the suspect says the truth/lies.
Read the answers and click the "True" or "Lie" button.
All answers will come back till you clicked for each the right button.
This are all the questions, answers and the correct button.
You may choose any order you like to ask the questions.
Please answer yes to this--Do you work at the Zoo? Yes. Lie.
Do you know a man name Richard who frequents the library? No. True.
Are you the Copycat Killer? No. True.
Do you have a brother? No. True.
Do you work at the SF Library? Yes. True.
Do you know the Copycat Killer? No. True.
Did you grow up in Kansas City? Yes. True.
Are you a resident of SF? Yes. True.
Do you work at the Zoo? No. True.
Is your name Emmet Dakree? Yes. True.
Please answer yes: Do you drive a Porsche? Yes. Lie.
Have you ever killed a person? No. True.
Were you ever in trouble with the law? No. Lie.
Have you ever killed an animal? No. Lie.
Are you a resident of San Francisco? Yes. True.
Do you know the Copycat Killer? No. True.
Are you the Copycat Killer? No. True.
Were you arrested as a teenager? No. Lie.
Do you drive a Porsche? No. True.
Office with Cindy
Click the letter, schimmering lower left.
Find the 21 paper scraps.
Screenshot
After click the scraps, shimmering on the desk at the window.
You have to reassemble the letter.
Drag the scraps from the inventory on the table.
With right click you can turn them around.
A piece at the correct place will be locked and can't be moved anymore.
Pieces you can't use in this moment, you can place on the table or take it back into the inventory.
Screenshot
Again you have to find out witch letters will make sense.
Click the letters and you will see them at the bottom of the screen.
Choose every 5th letter.
Thenextonediesat11pmonoct24
Screenshot
Investigation 9 - The Mirror Cracked
Duddley's Day Care with Lindsay
Click first the arrow of stones on the ground in front of the clown.
Now click the tree shimmering behind the clown.
The scene is dark, you will need to use your flashlight.
Screenshot 1 shows you a picture, where you can see all items in the scene without darkness.
Screenshot 2 shows you the marked items.
Screenshot 1
Screenshot 2
Office with Cindy
Click the blinking screen and type Dr Katzen in the two top search fields.
Deadline Café with Cindy
Find all items from your list.
Click the machine at the left and play the word game.
Screenshot
House
Dr. Katzen with Lindsay
Click the 13 rose bushes to find your way.
Click the fireflies to make them disappear.
Click the door.
Give Dr. Katzen Sally's note from your inventory.
Now she will talk to you.
Office T.C. Brownings with Lindsay
Click the cracked mirror left side, a safe appears.
The password seems to be random, I had 2x RICHARD and 1x HOLMES
Click the computer screen and enter STEPHANIE THOMAS in the search field.
Labyrinth with Lindsay
You need to come to the top right to activate the fire alarm
Take care about the rats and the suddenly appearing steam.
If one of you hits you, you will have to start from the beginning.
When you stay to long at one place, the killer will come and kill you.
You will have to start over.
When you see the red button, just click it.
Screenshot
CONGRATULATIONS! YOU SOLVED THE CASE!
Thanks Kayleigh, for yet ANOTHER awesome walkthrough :D!!!
Posted by: Kero
|
September 19, 2009 7:47 PM