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CONTEST ENDED – Thank you for submitting your stories!

#27: Agatha Christie

It's no secret why one of the most-repeated writing tips is: to read. You can learn endless craft wisdoms by reading the works of literary greats — and also lesser-known authors, too. Reading, in general, is simply a valuable way to improve your skills as a writer.

This week, we're pulling inspiration from the author behind two of crime fiction's most beloved sleuths: Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple. Yes, each of the below prompts relate in some way to themes, symbols, or other common elements in the writings of Agatha Christie.

Want to learn more about the Grand Dame of crime fiction? Check out our Agatha Christie reading guide!

This week's prompts

Write a short story that takes place on a train.

High School – 128 stories

Write a short story about a jury of people tasked with making a decision. (It doesn't necessarily need to be a court jury.)

Adults – 29 stories

Write a short story in which a specialist is called upon to carry out a job.

High School – 36 stories

Write a short story that ends with a twist.

Mystery – 155 stories

Write a short story that takes place in a quaint, idyllic, English village.

Fiction – 31 stories

Stories

“Freedom” by Paige Weber

Submitted to Contest #27

After twelve years of imprisonment, Kelvin is now free. Holding his bag, he went straight trait to a house. The house that gave him the most unfortunate memory of his life. The cold breeze gave Kelvin shivers, but the pain and anger make him more tremble. Mixed and unexplained emotions are what Kelvin felt as he walks inside their old abandoned house for almost twelve years, tears were falling through his eyes as he stands at the doorway.The whole house was covered with dust and putrid smell as Kelvin crouch and wipe the side ...

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“The Girl in The Mirror” by Govinda Chaddha

Submitted to Contest #27

Mabel woke to the sound of ‘brownie’, her 3-month-old pup, licking her face and wagging his short tail. She carried him and got out of bed. After stretching her stiffened body, she performed her morning exercise. After the exercise, she opened her window and watched as the flakes of snow fell from the skies. It was a sight to behold, with the tall trees, covered in snow and the surroundings all covered in snow; winter had come early.Mabel patted brownie on the head and went to the bathroom. In a few, she was ready to go to work, getting her ...

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“Aaron Tuttle” by Eddie Lay

Submitted to Contest #27

Seventeen-year-old Aaron Tuttle straitens his tie and attempts to smooth the wrinkles from his tuxedo jacket. Removing one sweaty hand from the corsage box, he wipes it on his trouser leg and rings the doorbell. The door opens, and his date’s father invites him in. A faint smell of Cinnamon Apple from the Yankee Candle on the small table beside him fills his senses until Jackie enters from the living room. Her poufy blue off-the-shoulder gown almost touches the floor. Light brown hair cascades down to her shoulders in waves where a small gol...

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“You are not supposed to be here” by Tigmanshu Joshi

Submitted to Contest #27

You are not supposed to be hereThe world is too cosy when you don’t leave your house for about a week and spending your time by playing videogames and watching reality shows all day. My parents were out and they will not return until next weekend. I ordered food almost daily. Pizzas, hot dogs, tacos started to make me chubby. So I decided to make salad. A healthy food that will make fit my tuxedo, otherwise I have to go in Hoodies at the prom. It looks like an easy food. Or I suppose it to be easy as it not appears to be delicious. For makin...

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“Timothy Brown's Perfect Fertilizer” by Kyla Jernigan

Submitted to Contest #27

Five years. The two kingdoms of Sharlona and Krron had spent five years at war. Despite all those years of bloodshed and gore, the two kingdoms kept at it. Every time the fighting settled down, one of the young, immature kings would insult the other's behind and the fighting would start all over again. Liam had been fighting for the kingdom of Krron for three of those years. During that time he had fought on the front lines -- driving back trolls, taking down dragons, and doing his best to stay alive and well. He had managed to go unsc...

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“-When We Were Younger- by Jenna Holland” by Jenna Holland

Submitted to Contest #27

I have to admit I was very surprised when I received the letter in my mail, that raw winter morning. It wasn’t any ordinary letter. It was sent to Mabel Harr, in California. Of course, that wasn’t the surprising part… after all, I am Mabel Harr, and I do live in California. No, the surprising thing was who sent the letter. Walter Selden. I whispered his name aloud as I grasped the crisp white envelope. I haven't heard from Walter in years. Thirty years to be exact.Old memories flooded my mind as I held that letter… memories of times gon...

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“The Color of Memory ” by Kathryn Hamlet

Submitted to Contest #27

I hear her voice in my mind; she is telling me to remember. She tells me to find the memory, hold it tight, and give it a color. The time I fell and scraped my knee when I was six, I am crying on the sidewalk but then she scooped me up and made it better. At first it is sad and blue, but then turns to a warm, ocean color. Or there was the time she took me to the carnival, and we laughed so hard on the tilt-a-whirl, my favorite ride, that my stomach hurt; that one is the color of sunshine. But then I ...

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“Following the Lady in the Red Hat” by Diana Washburn

Submitted to Contest #27

“Stan, turn at the next drive! Right there! Turn! Turn! Good grief Stan you drive like an old lady.” “OK Jules. I need new shocks. If I drive any faster I’m going to bottom out. You know that.” “Stan would you move! I’m out of the car and you are still trying to get the key out of the ignition.” “I’m coming Jules.” ...

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“The Beggar Prince” by Jordan Parrott

Submitted to Contest #27

“…the beast slammed into my chest, at which point, pay mind, I was incapacitated by a paralyzing hex cast by that devilish witch. But just as the cursed thing was about to sink its teeth into my throat, a great elk leapt from the bushes and charged into the fray. A confused mass — claw and fang, horn and hoof, hair and yours truly — sailed over the cliff into the water below.” The bearded man sitting across from Yaan, tipped back his mug and slammed it down. His face, full of wrinkles, satisfied at the last gulp of his drink. “I’d have to be...

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“Scales of Life” by Jason Burchfield

Submitted to Contest #27

We sat in a circle of chairs so everyone was exposed to one another. I could feel their eyes staring a hole into the top of my head as I focused on the floor tiles. There’s always imperfections in their alignment, focusing on the flaws allows my mind to lose track of time. These meetings seem to get longer each time; I’m not sure why I still show up.“John would you like to share today,” she asked from across the group.The circle is supposed to signify there wasn’t a leader, but the world is filled with lies. Janet was in ...

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“In a village . . . ” by Lisa Weissel

Submitted to Contest #27

Nothing ever takes place in a village. Or so many would think. This was the phrase that came to mind most readily when Miss Eugenia Sprout thought fondly of her home, in a small village in the English countryside. Miss Sprout was getting on in years, almost seventy four if you could believe it, and enjoyed pottering in her garden, weather permitting. This allowed her untold opportunities for observing her neighbours and the comings and goings at the Vicarage, which sat opposite her home on the lane at the Nort...

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“Murdering Abroad” by Robyn Welborne

Submitted to Contest #27

Here, nestled in the Westmeiser Valley, sat the quaint little village of Dorchester, England. A shy and cozy little place with an average population. It was a fair day with a bright blue sky with scattered clouds. The sun took its place over the horizon. It was the beginning of a new dawn and a joyful start to their annual village fete. The village roared to life as the people hopped out of their beds to get the day under way. The Baker, as usual, stirring up the coals inside the brick stove to warm up the racks of freshly kneaded dough. The...

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“The Jewelry Shop” by Kelsey Hooper

Submitted to Contest #27

The warm sun washes over my skin as I step out of my house. The clear sky is a welcome sight compared to the storms that have plagued the village for a few days now. In other words, it's the perfect weather to go shopping. I skip to the marketplace, hopping over puddles as I go. As I approach, the air becomes sweeter, and I salivate at the smell of cotton candy. My skip turns into a sprint. Out of breath, I arrived at the marketplace. I turn around, devouring all of the sights and smells. It ma...

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“The 10:10 to New York ” by Albert Zygier

Submitted to Contest #27

I saw her enter the train and walk towards the empty seat across from me. She had an overnight bag that she was trying to put on the top shelf without success. Naturally being a gentleman I stood up and helped her for which I received a thankful smile that warmed my heart. You see, I recognized her as soon as she stepped inside, but was too timid to say anything. As the train started to move, I sort of stole peeks at her hoping that perhaps she would recognize me, but after more than fifty years I doubted that she would. I was short a...

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“Fae class” by Thomas Richards

Submitted to Contest #27

It was gloomy, out. Typical English weather. I sighed. That’s the problem with trains. Sure, you get to kick back – by which I mean sit as straight as a board – in an inadequately cushioned chair that you paid half a limb for, instead of being stuck in a chain of glares – by which I mean you and several dozen other people in your cars – waiting for that red light to turn green so that you can do it all over again twenty seconds later. The downside is that you have to walk to and from the station. On a sunny day, awesome; on a gloomy day with...

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$50

Prize money

379

Contest entries

0

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Feb 07, 2020 EST

Won by Natalie Frank 🏆

Title: Seaglass

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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