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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

“The mysterious train” by Peter Bell

Submitted to Contest #27

It was nearly time. That time when John Blakeney would either revisit the eeriest and the most exhilarating experience, he, or come to think of it anyone in the history of mankind has experienced.Exactly a year ago to the day, October 25th, 2020, John boarded the EN 476 Metropol from Prague to Dresden. He had decided to visit Europe’s great cities. Something he’d always wanted to do in his youth but had never got around to it. Mainly due to a combination of work commitments and his long-term relationship with Sarah. They had now parted after...

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“Painting a Picture” by Wendi Zhou

⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #27

Jill stared out the window, gazing at the drab scenery passing her by. Or rather, that she was passing by, as the scenery was not strictly moving. The train she was on was speeding smoothly. It was a mopey kind of day, and Jill couldn’t bring herself to do anything but listen to the pitter patter of raindrops and take in the grayness of the landscape. She sighed. This trip was supposed to be a scenic getaway, taking the long-haul train across Canada from Toronto on her way to visit her cousin in Saskatoon. Instead, less than halfway int...

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“KALYANI” by SHYAMALA BHUVANACHANDRAN

Submitted to Contest #27

Sindhu was travelling from Chennai to Mumbai for attending an official conference. The office had arranged for her train ticket and stay arrangements. Since she thought that she would overstay at Mumbai after her office work was done, she had requested that she might be permitted to get her return journey ticket as per her convenience and it was agreed also. But in her daily chores and other preoccupations, she totally forgot about her return journey rail ticket reservation. Only on boarding for Mumbai, she remembered that she was yet to arr...

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“A Train Story” by Valerie Larouche

Submitted to Contest #27

The first step was always the hardest. The problem did not lie in the step itself: it was a large enough step for one to place their foot comfortably upon it. It was also the proper height; not so high as to make you trip when you'd try to reach it, and not so low as to make your heart skip a beat when you thought for a second that you were falling through the floor. Ergo, the problem did not lie in the step itself. The problem did not lie in the doorway either. It was a fine, regular-looking doorway: the sas-like entrance to any mode of tra...

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“A Brief Encounter On The 97” by G. Miller

Submitted to Contest #27

It never fails, after half an hour or so sitting in coach, I reach the point where I can't handle the chatter going on around me. So, I grab my bag and head for the club car. My usual table is open. I drop my gear, set up my computer, get on the Internet and head for the bar. I order the usual, double Bloody Mary, spicy. I hadn't noticed the woman seated across from me, on the other side of the aisle, until she got up and set down directly across from me at my table. Very attractive, maybe in her late 50s or early 60s, with very expressive e...

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“It happen on a train” by Vicki Ellison

Submitted to Contest #27

It was extremely cold night I was taking the Aces train to Las Angeles California from New York, for a week long vacation of rest and relaxation. I could have caught the plane to LA, but I like sightseeing so I took the train. I brought puzzle books, national geographic magazines and games on my phone to keep me busy while I was on my journey,at on of the stops the train made which is many on a long trip as this is,a tall handsome middle age man,very masculine hot body boarded the train. Looking straight at me caught my eye,he walked up and ...

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“Train Mystery” by Fabiana Castillo

Submitted to Contest #27

Shoot, I'm going to be late I told myself even though I knew it wasn't going to help. Grabbing my keys off the side of the cabinet and running out the door. It slammed behind me, and as I went to run down the steps, I remembered I left my phone in my bedroom. As I tried sliding the key to that small keyhole the apartment held, I realized I took the wrong key. You have to be kidding, of any day bad luck chooses to strike this day. Wha...

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“The Journalist” by Abbee Black

Submitted to Contest #27

The door opens and you step onto the train--shake the snowflakes out of your golden hair. It’s warm in here, you shiver slightly at the change in temperature. There’s an open seat next to me, but it doesn’t belong to you. You walk past me without meeting my gaze. You stop by the row in front of me. “I think that’s my seat,” you say with a smile. Crinkles appear at the sides of your chocolate eyes. The man stands to allow you to pass. He holds out his hand. “George Baker.” You’re taller than him in your heels. You take...

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“The Chase” by Shannon Henry

Submitted to Contest #27

The chase was on. Last time I looked, I counted four men in blue running behind me. We’re on a train. How many more could there possibly be? They’re gonna try to corner me. It’s the only way to catch me. Unless I’m stupid enough to jump off this moving bullet, that is. I glanced over my shoulder again. The fat one stopped briefly to lean against a seat, heaving as he worked to catch his breath. The man with the handlebar mustache pulled out his truncheon, tapping each and every chair by the aisle as he walked by, looking first left the...

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“Jefferson's trial in the spirit realm” by Unknown User

Submitted to Contest #27

Jefferson laid comfortably in his bed. As he stretched and looked towards his cable box the bright red lights showed 11:59 p.m. Jefferson has four hours to sleep before he would have to wake up for work,Jefferson fell asleep quickly and deeply. Jefferson is unaware of his subconscious awareness to to leave his body, Jefferson has no idea that he has had 6 out of body experiences within the past month. Jefferson's waking consciousness is innocent of this, but his inner being is not. Jefferson has a Spirit that is free and daring. Jefferson's ...

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“Small Shoulders with Big Responsibilities” by K B

Submitted to Contest #27

It was a late afternoon and Mini was very busy. She had a very important meeting to prepare for. She rushed to get all her files sorted. But, just then, she got a phone call. This was a call to inform her that her little sister, Suzi, had got in a big fight with their neighbour’s child, Mason (aka Monti). Mini left everything, made a quick call and ran to her sister. As she got to her home, she was surrounded by a big crowd. In that crowd, she noticed Monti’s parents and Monti. Monti had bleeding knee and his hands were scraped as well....

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“The Little Village” by Karen Piagesti

Submitted to Contest #27

They gathered together, these people of the dawn. The ones that rose with the Sun, and set with it too. Farming was a hard labour for little reward, but it was a necessity of life. Without it, they would have no purpose to their lives, and they would likely starve not only themselves, but some of the general population too. Neighbouring towns relied on their crops, without wheat there would be no bread. And the crops would not tend to themselves. And so there was no kindness or gentleness of life to these hardy people, just the reality of a ...

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“Wednesdays Were the Hardest” by Sage Henry

Submitted to Contest #27

Thirty-seven people were taken last week but history won't remember a single one. History won’t remember those who were taken in their sleep. No one will know if they tried to fight or if they had submitted the instant they entered the room. Their names will be forgotten, dust in the wind, never passing through the mouth of another person. I’ll remember them, as many of them as I can until my name joins theirs in the memories of dwindling survivors. Wednesdays were the hardest days. No one was around on Wednesdays, we remained indoors, fearf...

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“The Audacity of Comfort” by Debbie Rae

Submitted to Contest #27

‘Right.’ Zeinab drops her yellow tote on the table, then lowers her rear into the swivel chair. One hand sweeps thick brown tresses from off her face to a vague point behind her ear. Elbows on the table, she links her fingers and props her chin on them, then emits the longsuffering sigh of a busy person confronted with a full diaper. ‘From where I stand—’ ‘You’re sitting,’ Martha says, two wrinkled fingers flipping the page of her weighty hardcover. ‘Well, metaphorically,’ Zeinab says in utmost calm, quelling the words that originally thr...

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“The Chosen Blood” by Jason Ross

Submitted to Contest #27

“47 minutes. 47 minutes left to bring him to us and summon the forgotten ones we shall.” Yelled Samuel Clark from beyond the cabin. “Nay! Rot within the Nether below! He stays with us damn it!” Alistair Wilson spat back. Others barricaded within the cabin’s confines were realizing alternative motives, seeing as their live plunged more in danger. “Maybe it’s best.” Squeaked forth a minuscule man, pathetic in nature. Alistair hastily looked over his shoulder, “Piss off Sparks!” he spit; Sparks nervously jumping back proceeding to cower as was ...

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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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