Small Town Murders Tips for Beginners: How to Crack Cases and Collect Keys Efficiently

Rovio’s popular puzzle crime game Small Town Murders has received a major update. The game now has almost 4,000 levels. Anyone who enjoys puzzles or detective stories will love this one.

In this guide, we’ll go through the best Small Town Murders tips to help you clear levels faster, solve every case, and enjoy the mystery without getting stuck.

It feels a lot like games such as Murder in the Alps or June’s Journey, but it stands out by mixing classic match-3 puzzles with mystery-solving gameplay. You play as an investigator who uses clever puzzle-solving skills to gather clues, interview witnesses, and uncover shocking secrets hiding beneath a calm town surface.

And yes, this game is made by the creators of Angry Birds.

Your First Steps in Small Town Murders: How to Play on Mobile

When you start the game, you’ll meet Nora Mistry, a crime writer who becomes your guide through the story. She introduces you to the basics, showing you how puzzles connect to the investigation.

The first case starts with a mystery at 32 Sycamore Street in Thornton Grove.
You begin by matching everyday objects like plates and cups. Each level gives you a limited number of moves.

The early stages are simple and fun. Clear a level, and you earn coins and extra points if you finish using fewer moves. You also have five lives in total, which is common in match-3 games like Homescapes or Cookie Jam.

The game looks bright and colorful. The puzzles are easy at first but grow tricky fast.

Collect Keys in Small Town Murders

Keys are important because they unlock progress in the story. Without keys, Nora can’t enter new rooms or continue her investigation.

At one point, she even needs a key just to enter her rented writing room. These small tasks keep the story grounded and fun.

The first case ends at level 78. When you reach level 79, the second case begins.

• Case 3 starts at level 159

• Case 4 starts at level 275

• Case 5 starts at level 402

There are currently eight full cases, and Rovio confirmed that more are on the way.

Small Town Murders Tips you must know

1. Medallions can only be broken with power-ups or explosions. Normal matches won’t work.

2. Walnuts are hard to clear and block explosions from passing through.

3. Envelopes hide clues under dust. Remove every layer to collect them.

4. Rockets fly in the direction you swipe. Think before you move.

5. Mystery boxes often contain lives or boosters. Open them as soon as possible.

Simple but powerful advice. These tips make your progress smoother and help you survive the harder levels.

The Light Bulb is a Collector’s Item

Light bulbs are collectible items. You’ll find them locked in containers such as boxes or bubble wrap at the start of a level.
Free them to collect.

That little popping sound when you break the container is oddly satisfying.
Android players will reach this part early on in the game.

Power-Ups and How to Use Them

Power-ups make difficult levels easier, especially when combined.
Here’s what happens when you mix them:

• Rocket + Rocket: Clears one row and one column in a cross shape.

• Rocket + Bomb: Clears three rows and columns in a cross shape.

• Rocket + Paper Airplane: The rocket launches from the spot where the airplane lands.

• Rocket + Paint Bomb: Replaces targeted tiles with rockets that shoot off in random directions.

• Bomb + Paper Airplane: The bomb explodes where the airplane lands.

• Bomb + Bomb: Creates a much bigger explosion than one bomb alone.

• Bomb + Paint Bomb: Replaces targeted tiles with bombs and detonates them.

• Paper Layer + Paper Layer: Activates three paper layers at once.

• Paper Airplane + Paint Bomb: Changes target pieces into paper airplanes that launch right away.

• Two Color Bombs: Every tile on the board explodes.

Combining power-ups at the right time can completely turn a game around.

The Game’s Secret Cases

Secret Cases is a special event that unlocks after you finish all the regular levels.

You collect puzzle pieces arranged in a grid. Once you have enough, you can compete in the weekly Secret Cases League.
Every level you win gives you one point. Players are ranked based on their total points.

The top players at the end of each week receive rewards such as boosters, coins, and lives.

This mode also lets you replay different puzzles and compete globally. It’s one of the reasons players keep coming back after finishing the main story.

What is Donut Dash

Donut Dash is a limited-time event filled with sweet rewards.
You earn donuts by completing levels while the event runs. The type of donut you get depends on how fast you finish:

• First attempt: Gold Donut

• Second attempt: Silver Donut

• Third attempt: Bronze Donut

Each donut increases your event score. The higher you climb on the leaderboard, the better your final prize.

When the event ends, you receive rewards such as boosters, lives, or exclusive items based on your rank.
It’s a fun and fast-paced way to earn extra bonuses while keeping things competitive.

If you enjoy solving puzzles and planning every move, you’ll love these Goods Sort Tips for mastering levels faster.

Boosters in Small Town Murders

Boosters give you a clear advantage in hard levels. There are two kinds:

• Pre-level boosters: Choose them before starting a level.

• In-level boosters: Use them anytime while playing.

It’s smart to save boosters for difficult puzzles or story missions. They can save lives, time, and progress.
Both Android and iOS players have access to the same boosters.

Game Features

Here’s what makes Small Town Murders special:

• Beautiful, colorful graphics

• Relaxing sound effects

• Easy touch and swipe controls

• Tricky puzzles that get harder over time

• Eight full cases with more to come

• Many power-ups and boosters

• Fun events and missions

• Optional in-app purchases

The balance between story and puzzles keeps the game interesting for hours.

Wrapping it up

Small Town Murders is one of the best puzzle crime games you can play right now.
With its combination of mystery, clever puzzles, and regular updates, it never feels boring.

Every match brings you closer to the truth, every clue builds the story, and every level gives you something new to figure out.

If you love detective games or just enjoy relaxing puzzle sessions with purpose, you’ll get your money’s worth here.
Well done, Rovio.