How to solve The Killer Isn't Alice without losing your mind

Most people who abandon this book do it in the first hour, and almost always for the same reason: they start at clue one and work straight down the list. Here's how to not do that.

Do the clues in any order you like

They don't have to be solved in sequence, and the easy ones are the most valuable. A clue like 'the killer's name doesn't start with an S' can be worth hundreds of crossed-out names before you've broken a sweat. Start with whichever clue wipes out the most people, then work down to the fiddly ones.

Crossing a name out doesn't delete it

This is the rule that catches everybody. If you cross out a George because his name is six letters long, that George still counts as a Beatle for a later clue, and still counts towards a total. A crossed-out name is a note to yourself, not an erasure.

Names must match exactly

Zachary is not Zack. Khloe is not Khloé. Paula does not count as Paul. If a clue points at a name, it has to appear exactly as written — same letters, same accents, on its own.

A page means one numbered page

Page 1 and page 2 are two pages even though they're printed on opposite sides of the same sheet. And only names in the body of the page count — the running title at the top and the names in chapter headings are not fair game.

Keep a notebook, and only tip once

Write down which clues you've already applied, because with eighteen of them you will lose track. When you're down to one name, don't submit a tip until you've checked that name against every single clue. The constabulary only tells you yes or no — make it count.