best mystery short story

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.

Characteristics include concise yet vivid descriptions. Since they are short, they need to paint a clear picture in just a few words. In 'The Speckled Band', Doyle describes the strange circumstances and the menacing presence effectively. Another characteristic is the ability to engage the reader quickly. They don't have a long build - up like some novels. 'The Cask of Amontillado' grabs you right from the start with its strange invitation. And they often leave a lasting impression. Even though they are short, stories like 'A Jury of Her Peers' stay with you long after you've read them because of their unique take on mystery and human nature.

The use of suspense is masterful. The slow build - up as the narrator plans the murder and then the increasing paranoia afterwards create a truly nerve - wracking reading experience. The story also has a very atmospheric setting which adds to the mystery. It's set in a rather dreary and claustrophobic place which enhances the feeling of dread and unease.

Well, 'The Yellow Wallpaper' by Charlotte Perkins Gilman can be considered a mystery short story in a sense. The narrator is locked in a room and slowly descends into madness as she becomes obsessed with the yellow wallpaper. There are elements of mystery as the reader tries to figure out what is real and what is in the narrator's mind. Is there something more sinister about the room? Or is it all just her deteriorating mental state? It's a story that makes you think deeply about the situation and the characters.

Another great one is 'The Adventure of the Speckled Band' by Arthur Conan Doyle. In this story, Sherlock Holmes uses his brilliant deductive skills to solve a strange and menacing mystery involving a young woman's life being in danger. Holmes carefully examines the clues, such as the strange whistling sound and the locked room, to figure out what's really going on.

For short mystery stories, Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine is a top choice. They have a long history of publishing mystery fiction. Another good place is Mystery Weekly Magazine. It focuses specifically on mystery stories and welcomes submissions from new writers. You might also consider the Mystery Writers of America anthologies. They are highly regarded in the mystery writing community.

Well, they typically have a mystery or a problem that needs to be solved. In 'The Adventure of the Speckled Band', there's the mystery of the strange whistling and the girl's endangerment. Atmosphere is important too. Stories like 'The Cask of Amontillado' create a very spooky and tense atmosphere that draws you in. And many of the best short mystery stories play with the reader's perception. They might mislead you a bit at first, like in 'The Lady, or the Tiger?' where you're not sure which outcome is the correct one.

Agatha Christie's 'The Adventure of the Speckled Band' is also great. It has Christie's signature plot twists and engaging characters that keep you guessing until the end. In this short story, Sherlock Holmes is on the case, solving a mystery full of danger and intrigue.

One great murder mystery short story is 'The Speckled Band' by Arthur Conan Doyle. It has a very tense atmosphere and a clever detective in Sherlock Holmes who solves the mystery of a woman's death in a locked room situation. Another good one is 'Lamb to the Slaughter' by Roald Dahl. In this story, the unexpected twist is really engaging as the wife uses a frozen leg of lamb to cover up her crime. And then there's 'The Cask of Amontillado' by Edgar Allan Poe. The dark and brooding setting, along with the narrator's revenge plot, makes it a classic murder mystery short story.

A mystery story can be considered the best when it has a unique premise. If it's something that hasn't been done before, it catches the reader's attention. The pacing is also crucial. It should be fast enough to keep the reader hooked but slow down at the right moments to build suspense. For instance, in 'The Big Sleep' by Raymond Chandler, the noir - style setting, the hard - boiled detective character, and the intricate web of mystery make it a top - notch mystery story. The use of red herrings to mislead the reader also adds to the allure of a great mystery story.