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CONTEST ENDED – Thank you for submitting your stories!

#12: Armchair Detectives

In much of the world, fall is in full swing. Leaves are a vibrant kaleidoscope of oranges, reds, and yellows. A chill is settling in. Days are shorter, and pumpkin spice is, well, everywhere. In other words, it's the kind of weather that simply begs for you to cozy up with a good read. And what kind of book could be cozier than a cozy mystery?

For those of us who enjoy getting spooked, but not terrified, in the lead-up to Halloween, the cozy mystery is a great genre. It provides suspense and mystery, but not horror. The crimes are depicted lightly, and typically take place in idyllic towns where things always ended up working out.

This week, our prompts are inspired by the cozy mystery genre. But that doesn't mean your story needs to involve a mystery! The great thing about fiction is how hallmarks of one genre can weave their way into stories of all kinds. (Want to learn more about the cozy mystery genre or check out some suggested reading? Check out this blog post!)

🥇 Winner

“Annual Reunion” by Dylan Roth

🏆 Winner of Contest #12

The last rays of the sun faded on the horizon, and darkness began to creep over the streets. “They’re late.” Diligence picked a speck of lint from the lapel of his immaculate, tailored suit. “They’re always late,” Kindness answered, fiddling with the radio. It crackled to life, playing soft, easy listening piano, and she turned around, beaming, in a bright rainbow tie dye t-shirt and jeans. “And they always come.” “Don’t be anxious,” Patience was sitting on the chaise, legs together and strung up in a complicated, periwinkle dress and corset...

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⭐️ Shortlisted

“The Tangled Town” by Deborah Mercer

⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #12

THE TANGLED TOWNThe first time I saw one of those pictures of a city (I think it was New York) in the early days of electricity, it was horrifying and fascinating at the same time. That mass of wires and cables draped and criss-crossed across the streets, between the houses, almost blacking out the sky, a labyrinth of tangled tendrils. But that tangle is still there, and not only in mega-cities like New York, but in the smallest of towns; the most peaceful and staid looking of market towns and sleepy suburbs,&nbsp...

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“What Did We Do?” by Joshua G. J. Insole

⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #12

1The dogs were the first to sense it. Without them, who knows how it would have all turned out? Maybe it would have all been over within a few hours.Abby froze in place, shoulders hunched up. She started growling. The noise was deep and rumbling. It made her sound like a much larger animal. If you couldn’t see her, you might’ve thought that it was a bear, or some other gigantic and aggressive predator.Nonetheless, the noise startled Mark. His mind had been wandering, as it often did when he walked Abby after work. He found these walks relaxi...

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“This must be the place” by Fran Tracey

⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #12

Cathy’s breath caused a fog on the window, she was standing that close. It was something she did as a child, intentionally back then. Breathe, write, rub, breathe, write, rub, much to her mother’s annoyance. Is it you, Cathy who cleans those windows? No it is not. Stop, please. Causing the fog wasn’t helping her see into the place, that was for sure. Cathy took a step back, then able to make out some shapes inside the erstwhile cafe – chairs, tables, maybe the counter there at the back no longer covered in a white cloth? Hope rose for ...

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“A Trucker's Long Night” by Steven Pittaro

⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #12

7PM-6AM. That’s the truckers shift. Assuming the driver doesn’t take any breaks, and tonight, he isn’t. Richie’s the one on the road. Carrying a double trailer on the back, this one weighs 120,000 pounds. Richie needs to make sure the back is secure on the truck before he sets out on the road. That takes about a half hour, after which, he is soaring. He starts driving at 7PM. The sun is just beginning to set. It’s the summer, so Richie isn’t enveloped in total darkness yet. He loves watching the sunset while he drives. The sky is a pale...

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“The Vacuum of Space” by Rose Brassard

⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #12

“T-minus fifty seconds.” I took a deep breath, my hands shaking as I reached for the armrests of my seat. The cabin was cramped, and I was sweating profusely under my suit. “T-minus forty-five seconds." I felt a quick wave of terrified panic wash over me, but I pushed it away and stared straight ahead. I could feel my heart beating in my chest. No, it was up in my throat. I focused on breathing evenly and slowly. “T-minus forty seconds." I hated the idea of going into space. I really did. But I’m the kind of person who procrastinates against...

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“Chasing the news” by Dominik Pavičić

⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #12

Tris jumped out of her bed. Realizing she overslept, she put her clothes on as fast as she could. She didn’t bother to take her time to put matching socks on and her hair was still ruffled.She looked at herself, decided that she enough clothes on her and dashed outside.“Tris,” her mom shouted for the door, “stop by your aunt’s place on your way home, she said she would send us some bread.”“Sure thing mom,” Tris answered not bothering to look if her mother heard her.Autumn mornings in Havonbourgh were cold compared to the rest of the kingdom....

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This week's prompts

Write a story that takes place in a small town where news travels fast.

High School – 50 stories

Write a story about a character with a sidekick.

Character – 20 stories

Write a story featuring a protagonist with a knack for getting to the bottom of things.

Mystery – 6 stories

Write a story that involves a mystery — it doesn't need to be crime-related, it should just include something that remains unexplained until the end.

Mystery – 79 stories

Write a story that features an ensemble cast of characters.

Character – 20 stories

Stories

“Annual Reunion” by Dylan Roth

🏆 Winner of Contest #12

The last rays of the sun faded on the horizon, and darkness began to creep over the streets. “They’re late.” Diligence picked a speck of lint from the lapel of his immaculate, tailored suit. “They’re always late,” Kindness answered, fiddling with the radio. It crackled to life, playing soft, easy listening piano, and she turned around, beaming, in a bright rainbow tie dye t-shirt and jeans. “And they always come.” “Don’t be anxious,” Patience was sitting on the chaise, legs together and strung up in a complicated, periwinkle dress and corset...

Read story

“The Woman with a Locket.” by Cam Croz

Submitted to Contest #12

The clock ticked and tocked into the skull of the chief of police's head. The man doubted that there was anybody who could not have a headache after listening to it for more than thirty seconds. Sometimes he could think of it as soothing (usually only on days when there was nothing that needed to be done). But that rarely was the case. There was always something or other going on at all times. All the man wanted was some peace and quiet. "Mr. Chief Sir?!" a squeaky high pitched voice called over the loudspeaker on his desk. "Sir? Your ...

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“Forever ” by Maybe Jupiter

Submitted to Contest #12

There was a splatter of bird poop on the car window again. Jenine studied it with interest. It was the color of frosting that was used for the local supermarket’s carrot cakes, with a few specks of inky-black and chocolate-brown. It stood there for a while, and they watched each other.Jenine sighed, and slowly unfolded the stained tea towel.She rubbed it against the window, and in a second, it was gone.Just like everything else in her life was.Dear Heri, I wonder how you are doing. Life is so different without you, and so strange at the same...

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“Grimville” by Stephanie Njoku

Submitted to Contest #12

In a small myopic town of Grimville, the road looked empty with dried up trees and leaves swirling away by the forceful wind; neighbors were indoors with locked houses; as if to mind their business; but not Me, I was outside at 8:45 am mowing my lawn.‘'good morning jay'' said my next-door neighbor who had a very pretentious attitude.‘'morning Nellie taking out your trash?'' I asked.‘'um, good to see you'' she replied as she relocated back in.I knew she wasn't taking out her trash, I was trying to be funny or maybe stupid; I always didn't kno...

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“The Missing Painting” by Crystal Lewis

Submitted to Contest #12

Detective Mareau studied the empty, beautifully panelled wall, trying to discern where its previous occupant had gone. “It was an original?” he asked. “Oh, yes. All the way from the city. An antique. I do so like collecting them,” replied the rotund woman behind him. “Yes. I’d quite gathered,” he remarked, glancing at the gleaming, varnished wooden tables on either side of the blank space, all covered with antique plates and vases of all different shades of colour and style. The whole thing looked rather garish.“And this was the only thing s...

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“A cold, dead night” by Thea Doumit

Submitted to Contest #12

Raymond gripped his coat tightly as wind violently blew his way. Wincing to shield his eyes from whatever bits and pieces flew at him, he yelled out, "Monica! Monica!", yet his voice was drowned out by the wind and rain’s incessant ruckus. He desperately called out her name, but there was no response, no sign of life in the dark streets of Porter.He drunkenly stumbled his way around, the wind blowing so strongly it almost sent him flying. He retrieved his pocket watch and tried making out the time. It read two thirty-four in the morning, and...

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“Judge me not” by Yoomi Ari

Submitted to Contest #12

Friday 19th January 2015, 3 in the morning.“Okay mum, yes I will be there on time...I know.” I mumbled angrily, trying to not channel across as annoyed. “I promise I will bring the flowers and...the rest.” Baffled I peered across at my luggage; it was more than a little and less than a lot. Surveying my dress, it was a light shade of crimson from the tip but then faded as the light vanished as I dismissed the call angrily, whilst mum shouted at Tony, her boyfriend.The sky dripped, it shed tears as the hues of blue and violet splashed above t...

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“The Tangled Town” by Deborah Mercer

⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #12

THE TANGLED TOWNThe first time I saw one of those pictures of a city (I think it was New York) in the early days of electricity, it was horrifying and fascinating at the same time. That mass of wires and cables draped and criss-crossed across the streets, between the houses, almost blacking out the sky, a labyrinth of tangled tendrils. But that tangle is still there, and not only in mega-cities like New York, but in the smallest of towns; the most peaceful and staid looking of market towns and sleepy suburbs,&nbsp...

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“Ronald Donald on the case” by Tim Law

Submitted to Contest #12

They call me Donald the Duck. Ronald’s my name and detecting’s my game. I’ve been keeping the streets clean of trouble in Maryville, dirtiest ditch in Southern California. Twelve years now I’ve had the tough task of finding lost dogs, lizards and husbands for birds of all shapes and sizes. Nothing has been too much and lately the dough was coming in painfully slow. At least that was before yesterday.Yesterday I was snooping in the alleyway of Seventh and Forester where I knew I’d find that final piece of the puzzle to the Morrison case.“Gotc...

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“Blueberries” by Adriana K. Maxwell

Submitted to Contest #12

Never talk to strangers on the internet. Never think that you are the one teenager who can solve the conspiracy. Never join a gang. Above all, beware of little girls in pigtails. It’s advice he would give his children, if he ever has some. If he ever gets a life beyond her.Perhaps, he could tell his nephews, one day, when he stops lying. But that will probably be when she’s dead.He wouldn’t take his own advice though. He’s forever finding Cherry-Sour lollipops in the couch and knives taped under chairs.&nbs...

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“What Did We Do?” by Joshua G. J. Insole

⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #12

1The dogs were the first to sense it. Without them, who knows how it would have all turned out? Maybe it would have all been over within a few hours.Abby froze in place, shoulders hunched up. She started growling. The noise was deep and rumbling. It made her sound like a much larger animal. If you couldn’t see her, you might’ve thought that it was a bear, or some other gigantic and aggressive predator.Nonetheless, the noise startled Mark. His mind had been wandering, as it often did when he walked Abby after work. He found these walks relaxi...

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“Family Dinner ” by Gayatri Varma

Submitted to Contest #12

Tania cooked the potatoes, heavily greased. She used peanut oil, an article in the health column of a local newspaper was about the benefits of peanut oils. She had cut them out and pasted it on the wall of her bedroom. Her bedroom walls are filled with newspaper and magazines cuttings, with both relevant and bogus information. It was her mother’s birthday and the only thing her mother cared about was potatoes. Aarav sat in his room, drowsy and bored. The clock ticked, the sound as if caught on a loop, echoing through his ear. He had to...

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“A deal with the devil” by Marte Van Der Linden

Submitted to Contest #12

I met the devil at the crossroads of my life. He offered me my heart’s desire in exchange for my soul, and fool that I was I took him up on it. In my defence, I thought he was joking. I didn’t know he was the devil. He didn’t have a pitchfork or horns or anything. He was just some guy.We met in a dingy basement bar. I was six whiskies deep and hoping the seventh would bring oblivion when he plonked himself down on the stool next to me and said I looked like I could use some help. I snorted.“No, seriously,” he said. “I can help.”“Oh yeah?”“Yo...

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“Martha Didn’t Show” by John K Adams

Submitted to Contest #12

“Where’s Martha, Ben? You lose her?” That was Tim talking.“Naw. She didn’t show.” Ben tapped his steering wheel. He won the game tonight, but looked anxious.“I thought I saw her.”“You’re joking.”“I saw her get into someone’s car. Maybe with Simmy…?”“Oh, man… What’s she doing with that ass?”“Guess you’d have to ask him or her about that…”It was the traditional Friday night gridlock, down Bentfork’s three block Main Street. After the game, anyone with a car would meet here. Three blocks up, and three blocks back. Repeat. Horns honking. Engines...

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“The New Girl” by Laurentz Baker

Submitted to Contest #12

Jade and Caron could see the heat rising off the concrete in front of them. They were heading nowhere in particular just racing. Simply something to do on a blistering summer day. It hadn’t rained for a minute. Grandpa and grandma were worried at the fact. Drought is the worst. Besides killing the crops and making the prices rise on fruit and vegetables, the trees fall over when the storms come. They heard them chatting in the kitchen. “I don’t want to spend another one thousand dollars to take down that tree, but we gotta do it,” grandpa sp...

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$50

Prize money

175

Contest entries

0

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Oct 25, 2019 EST

Won by Dylan Roth 🏆

Title: Annual Reunion

Submissions must be between 1,000 - 3,000 words and will be approved and published on Reedsy Prompts within 7 days of the contest closing.

Read the full terms & conditions or check out the FAQ if you have any questions!

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