Explore Today’s NYT Strands puzzle comes with a thrilling theme “Whodunit?” If you’ve ever been hooked by a detective novel or glued to a mystery film, this puzzle will feel like stepping straight into a crime story. From shadowy suspects to clever investigators, each word adds intrigue to the grid. Whether you’re a crime fiction fan or just love a puzzle that keeps you guessing, here’s your complete guide with hints, Spangram direction, and all the answers.
Today’s Strands Theme:
The theme for today’s NYT Strands on August 22, 2025, is Whodunit?
NYT Strands Hint for Today:
The Spangram clue: A movie genre that focuses on solving a crime, where the identity of the criminal isn’t revealed until the end.
Not sure where to begin? Here are a few hints to get you started:
- Hint #1: Someone who inherits the property or rank of another on the latter’s death.
- Hint #2: A member of law enforcement who’s tasked with investigating and solving crimes.
Strands Spangram Position: Is It Vertical or Horizontal?
The Spangram for today’s puzzle is mostly VERTICAL in direction.
- First letters: IT
- Spangram Answer: ItsAMystery
Today’s Strands Spangram Answer:
The Spangram for Strands #389 on August 22, 2025, is: ItsAMystery
Today’s Strands Answers:
Here are all the theme words featured in today’s puzzle:
- LOVER
- RIVAL
- HEIR
- SPOUSE
- STRANGER
- DETECTIVE

Reflections on Today’s Puzzle:
Today’s puzzle was like piecing together a classic detective story. The early discovery of HEIR and SPOUSE hinted at family ties, while STRANGER and RIVAL brought in the tension of outsiders and conflict. The final reveal with DETECTIVE tied the theme perfectly into a whodunit narrative, capped by the clever Spangram ItsAMystery. Solving this puzzle felt like being part of an Agatha Christie plot, where every word pointed toward unraveling the truth.
Conclusion:
The Strands puzzle on August 22, 2025, was a gripping nod to the world of mysteries and crime-solving tales. If you quickly spotted DETECTIVE or HEIR, you likely had an easier path. But even if you struggled with RIVAL or STRANGER, the final payoff with ItsAMystery was worth it. Each day’s puzzle is a fresh adventure, and today’s was one that kept solvers hooked until the very end. Share how you fared in the comments and come back tomorrow for another round of brain-teasing fun!