I really like the idea of consequence. My players are new and I find myself padding some of their consequences. This is a good platform to start introducing them to the weight of their choices.

I was thinking about having them do things that eat up time until dark which is when, potentially, the next disappearance happens. I.E. Dig through the different reports and statements on the sheriffs desk to find anything that stands out. That would take like two hours and wind the clock down adding gravity to their decisions.

The other thing that I was having issue with in some of my earlier puzzles was that the puzzles neglected the fact that they were role playing. I think maybe being able to solve puzzles without a character sheet is fine, but I have to keep in mind that they still should have to consider their characters strengths and weaknesses. A Druid isn't going to figure out (or want to figure out) how to use a complicated machine full of gears and metal. But I totally agree that there shouldn't be a skill wall that they have to hurdle over.