a short murder mystery story

One idea could be a murder in a small, seemingly idyllic town. The victim is a local shop owner. The detective discovers that the motive is related to a long - hidden family secret. Years ago, the shop owner's family had cheated another family out of a valuable piece of land, and the killer is seeking revenge for that injustice.

A murder occurs in a theater. The victim is an actor. The killer could be a jealous understudy who was constantly overshadowed by the victim. The understudy saw an opportunity when the actor was alone backstage and struck. The detective finds out by looking at the understudy's rehearsal schedule which shows they had ample opportunity to plan the murder.

Once upon a time in a small, gloomy town, a wealthy businessman was found dead in his locked study. The police suspected foul play. Detective Smith was called in. He noticed a half - empty glass of brandy on the desk and a strange symbol carved into the wooden floor. As he investigated, he discovered that the businessman had many enemies. His business partner had a motive as they had a recent argument over money. The partner's fingerprints were found on a letter opener near the body. In the end, the partner confessed to the murder, driven by greed.

This short story might be full of twists and turns. A murder would bring in elements of crime and suspense. The mystery could be related to finding out who the murderer is or the motives behind the murder. And the marriage could be either a part of the background, like a marriage that was in trouble before the murder, or it could be somehow connected to the mystery, for example, a marriage that was a cover - up for something illegal.

There was a man found dead in his locked study. The only key was in his pocket. There were no signs of forced entry. The detective noticed a half - empty glass of wine on the table. After some investigation, it was discovered that the poison was in the ice cubes. As the ice melted, the poison was released into the wine. The killer was the man's business partner who knew he always took a while to drink his wine.

Well, you could begin by creating a mysterious setting and an unknown victim. Develop suspects with motives and alibis. Introduce clues gradually throughout the story. Make sure the ending is both surprising and logical.

A great murder mystery short story often has a cleverly crafted plot. For example, the story should have unexpected twists and turns. Just when you think you know who the killer is, new evidence or a new character's revelation changes everything. This keeps the reader on their toes.

In a murder mystery short story, there is often a setting that adds to the mood, like a spooky old mansion or a fog - covered alley. Characters with secrets are also common. They might be hiding something that is related to the murder. There's a build - up of tension throughout the story. As the investigation progresses, the reader gets more and more involved, trying to piece together the clues. And at the end, there's a sense of justice when the murderer is caught or punished, which gives a feeling of closure to the story.

Well, there's always the victim at the center. Then, there are often clues like strange objects at the scene, fingerprints or footprints. And the story usually builds up suspense as the detective tries to figure out who among the suspects is the killer. There could be red herrings too, things that mislead the detective and the reader. For example, a suspect who seems guilty at first but is actually innocent. Also, the setting can play a big role, like a spooky old house or a deserted alleyway that adds to the overall mystery.

Well, to write a good murder mystery short story, you need a complex plot. Have multiple suspects, each with a possible motive. Add some red herrings to throw readers off. And make sure the ending is both surprising and satisfying.