Art of Murder: The Secret Files
Game Details: Mystery, 2010
Links: Moby Games, Steam
Walkthrough Updated: 5/21/2024
Suggested Listening: Wild Hearts Meet (Ash 25)
Chapter 1
Gas Station
Approach the gas station. Talk to the police officer, then to the gas station worker. Using the information provided, create a composite sketch of the kidnapper with these features:
Talk to the gas station worker once more, then examine the scrap metal pile behind the building. Play the hidden object minigame, which ends with finding a bullet. Search near the gas pump to find a knife. Dust this with fingerprint powder, then use the fingerprint brush and quickly use the fingerprint lifting tape to get a fingerprint. Also pick up the knife.
Examine the ground to the right of the police officer to find a shoeprint. Enter the gas station and play another hidden object minigame, which ends with finding a cigarette butt. Talk to the police officer again.
Chapter 2
Forensics Lab
Talk to the medical examiner. Examine the lab table for a hidden object minigame, which involves finding 20 test tubes. Now you need to match pairs of samples to eventually find an unmatched sample - you will keep this test tube. Next search the drawer for another hidden object minigame, which ends with finding a key. Use this to open the cupboard. Match the evidence from the crime scene with the injuries on the victim:
- Neck: Shot wound
- Chest: Bruise
- Arm: Incised wound
- Hand: Traces of gunpowder
Talk to the police officer, who says you still don't have enough evidence.
Chapter 3
Outskirts of Town
Enter the store and talk to the shopkeeper. Return to the square, then go over to the professor's apartment. Use your key to unlock the door and head inside. Take the shoeprint from the floor. Search the bathroom for a hidden object minigame.
Return to the living room and examine the painting on the right. Back out and examine the professor's desk for a hidden object minigame, which involves finding 10 coins. Examine the painting again and insert the coins into the recesses. Now move the painting to reveal a hidden safe.
Back out to the living room again. Retrieve paper strips from the paper shredder, then go to the professor's desk for another hidden object minigame. Once the drawer is open, take out a stencil. Rearrange the pieces of paper, then use the stencil on them to reveal the safe combination (1987). Enter this combination into the safe. Examine the map and drag the place names onto matching places on the map. Also take the "A block" from the safe, which is wrapped in a cocktail recipe.
Leave the apartment by going out to the scaffolding. After another hidden object minigame, take the piece of fabric. You will automatically continue with another hidden object minigame, which ends with getting a glove and a screwdriver.
Return to the store and talk to the shopkeeper again, then examine the electric power distribution box. Try to open this, but it is locked. Talk to the shopkeeper again and make a deal with him. Open the box and take the cables. Use the screwdriver and cables on the connections, connecting the cables to the top and bottom terminals with matching numbers:
After all the cables are connected, use the red switch on the right to confirm the lights are coming on in the correct order. Talk to the shopkeeper once more, then update the composite sketch of the kidnapper with these features:
Chapter 4
Nexapo
Go to the bar and talk to the bartender, then play a hidden object minigame, which involves finding 12 green bottles. Talk to the bartender again, then look at the counter to the left of the bartender. Add your block to the word puzzle then rearrange the blocks:
Talk to the bartender again, then add the final features to the composite sketch of the kidnapper:
Leave the bar and go towards the hotel, then enter the reception. Look at the counter for a hidden object minigame, then examine the guest book. Match the receipt on the right with the name Roberto Alvarez, which is 2 pages back from where you first open the book. Talk to the hotel owner, showing him the composite sketch and the signature - you will receive a key to room 6. Use this to open the hotel room door.
Play a hidden object minigame when you enter the room. Examine the bathroom for another hidden object minigame, which ends with finding some garden shears and a pencil. Also take the cigarette butt from the window sill. Back out from the bathroom and examine the notebook on the table. Use your pencil to reveal a message.
Return to the hotel owner and talk to him again.
Chapter 5
Hacienda del Norte
Approach the hole in the wall. Use the garden shears to cut the branches, then go through into a courtyard. Head up to the room on the right. Approach the desk for a hidden object minigame. Examine the house plans. Return to the courtyard, then approach the well. Back out and examine the gears. Back out to the courtyard, then examine each of the 3 areas here for a hidden object minigame, each ending with findings some gears.
Examine the gears on the well again. Attach the crank handle on the bottom gear and turn it to see this gear turn. Now gradually attach more gears and check they are turning - keep going until you successfully gear a gear turning on the very top spindle. Climb down the rope to reach the basement.
Play a hidden object minigame, then enter the basement cell to the left to find the professor. Play another hidden object minigame, which ends with finding a broken bottle. Approach the professor. Use the broken bottle to cut each layer of tape (starting from the outer one and working inwards) until his hands are free.