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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 – 154 stories

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

Fiction – 31 stories

Stories

“Mary and Martha” by Soraya Raza

Submitted to Contest #27

Mary and Martha had long been friends, the best of friends and some even said sister. Mary could not see it herself. She had always been quiet, plain, mousy and shy. Martha had been taller, even when they were kids, blonder and more popular. They met on day 1 of school, at the canteen in fact when they had both reached for the last muffin. Mary remembers touching Martha's hand by accident. 'Mine' Martha affirmed, trying to grab the muffin from the cabinet, ' Finders, Keepers' said Mary, lowering her gaze as if she were not worthy of looking...

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“From the Top” by Billy Cola

Submitted to Contest #27

“Again, please.”“She sells she- she sells sea sells- she shellsUGGGH.”The speaker threw the book containing the tongue twister at the wall, fuming as he muttered swears under his breath.His instructor lit a cigarette as he sat back in the small chair he had brought into the rehearsal room.“Ah, venting your frustrations like a real man, eh Claude?”Claude glared at the smirking, smartly dressed man.“More than a fairy like you would ever know, Oscar.”Oscar shrugged.“Perhaps. But this fairy is the only thing keeping you employed as a heart throb...

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“House Call” by Nichole Sibbeston

Submitted to Contest #27

It was a quaint house, by every definition of the word — small, cute, charming... and unusual. The cool-grey siding, bleached red shutters, bright red front door, and black shingle roof all seemed fine. It was the little touches that threw Martha off as she walked up the sidewalk to the front porch. A venus flytrap in a potted plant by the step. The skull of a deer with an impressive set of antlers mounted by the front door. The antique saw with a painting of a cave and the family name displayed on the railing. "Bell," Martha muttered a...

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“I'll Walk You Home” by Janie Cruz

Submitted to Contest #27

"Hello?" I answered my phone. "We sent you your next target. You've got until the end of the week." I hung up and checked my texts. I packed my bags and went down to the hotel lobby. "Hi, how can I help you?" the clerk asked."Hi. I'm checking out." "Ok. Name or room number?" "Room 302." She typed a few things on her computer. "Ok. You are all set." "Thanks." I smiled and left. I got to my truck, threw my bag in and drove off for the airport.******"Hello. Where are you off to today?" "Ashby, Australia. I have a prepaid ticket on my phone." "O...

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“The Doctor” by Liza Tibbetts

Submitted to Contest #27

It was a quiet, subtle morning when I awoke. In my small bedroom, it didn't take long for the brisk wind of the night to lay its head on my floor. I slipped my frozen feet into my slippers, and slowly walked to the fireplace across from my bed. I sheepishly looked over at my desk, the mountains of my reports and files threatening to collapse. I started the fire without a huge amount of complications, and eventually made it over to my desk to start filling out files. The reports and files of my patients were very important to keep in order an...

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“Killing a Marzalot” by Benjamin Kocher

Submitted to Contest #27

Edmund pulled his head out of the attic door just before it would have been removed from his person. With a dab of his white handkerchief, he removed a droplet of sweat from his brow. “It is most certainly a creature not native to these parts,” Edmund told Mr. Thatcher, the owner of the pristine estate. Four stories tall and covering more than an acre of land, the mansion was the nicest Edmund had ever visited. Unfortunate that the creatures seemed to flock to these places. Mr. Thatcher straightened his overcoat. “Well? Can you deduce where ...

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“The Strength to Give Up” by Carrie W.

Submitted to Contest #27

I should close my eyes for a moment, but I can never follow my own sage advice. Instead, I stare out the large, picture window. The county side flies by, indistinguishable from most of the other hunts I have been called to.I attempt to take a sip of tea, but with the combination of the swaying train and my shaking hands, the cup manages to fly from my grasp. It crashes on the floor, spilling in every direction.The sound wakes my son, asleep across from me. Flying to attention, eyes wide, breathing heavy, he eventually identifies the commotio...

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“The Death of Osama bin Laden” by Jeff Brown

Submitted to Contest #27

I had been in the NAVY Seal’s program for quite a while now. It was a depressing day in April, and I was sitting on my bed listening to the sound of rain on the roof, it’s relentless rhythm. I had just finished my 7-hour training for the day and I wanted to relax. Then, out of the sudden, I was called down to a meeting. You can imagine my utter annoyance, but I had no choice. I went to the meeting. There I saw my supervisor and I few other officials I have heard off, but never talked to. I sat next to 22 other SEALS, looking as tired as I wa...

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“Chuck's Place” by Hannah Trico

Submitted to Contest #27

I took a risk, going to Arkansas. The marriage was over and so was my job. The union with Jeff dissolved years before we finally broke it off. We ultimately agreed to file as non-contested. I went ahead and began the paperwork, since I didn’t trust him to follow through. On the upside, we were finally splitting up. In a seemingly amicable fashion after the shouting matches and slammed doors of a worn-out marriage. It was a time of endings. My job as a lead agricultural scientist...

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“Cliffside” by Gabrielle Aben

Submitted to Contest #27

It was half passed midnight and the moon hung low over the cobblestone streets, shadows of buildings cast darkness where the moonlight couldn't reach. Each house nestled in a patch of green trailing off towards the Cliffside where only one lone building resided, not nearly as modern as the others it stands out against the stark background, a void of darkness where the sea meets the earth. The village smelled of salt and during the day was bustling with life, all manners of peop...

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“Song of the Birds” by Uta L.

Submitted to Contest #27

It was a beautiful autumn day as I was walking down my home village's main road enclosed by colourful quaint houses. The birds were singing my favourite song, the sun was gently caressing my skin and leaves in all imaginable colors were crunshing beneath my comfy leather boots. I dare say it was the most peaceful scene you could possibly think of. Like if someone had taken one of those awfully idyllic landscape paintings and turned it into a living, breathing scene. Okay, maybe not living. If we're being quite honest for a moment here, it wa...

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“Juniper” by Dannie Aasted

Submitted to Contest #27

This village, Devon Shropshire, has been my home since I was a wee little one, when my mother and I came from Ireland to join her sister. After my father's death, mother hadn't known what to do, so we came here.The town was okay when I was small; playing cricket in the field, soccer on cobblestone streets, yelling "car" when one appeared to interrupt our game and lots of giggling sleep overs at my friend Bridgett's.As a teenager though, its the most boring place ever. Mum thinks that school stuff should be enough. Play a sport, join a team. ...

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“Time & Tides” by Laura Clift

Submitted to Contest #27

July, 1923 The sea was churning and so was Mabel’s thoughts. Maybe the sun would set and the tides would change and everything would go on as it always had but she couldn’t yet see how she could go along with it. There was something else, a feeling, like she had to go somewhere. Had to get out. Had to run.The coffee she’d made this morning had been bitter and still lingered on the top of her mouth. She toed the edge of the cliff, kicked a few stones into the rolling waves. Let the silver locket dangle a little further from her hand and ...

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“The Bookstore on High Street” by Pam Groff

Submitted to Contest #27

It was 6:58 in the morning. The low sun was in an ombre of light pink, orange, and yellow, and soft mist was rising from the fields. Miriam locked her front door behind her as she quietly walked to her car. A small brown rabbit scuttled out from underneath her light blue Volkswagen Beetle. The ride to work was a quick one, as always. Miriam owned a bookstore complete with rows and rows of new, old, and rare books. She had, a few years prior, added a small coffee shop in lieu of the Comedy of Manners section. Too large of a section devoted t...

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“Memories Hidden, Moments Unspoken” by Lauren Herring

Submitted to Contest #27

Maliyha cannot focus. The late August humidity is fogging up her thoughts. The only things she can think about are how her aircon doesn’t work in her dodgy car and how hard her breaths are coming out, her tank-top sweat-soaked and sticking to her chest uncomfortably. She wishes that she had not called Addie in the dead of night. She wishes she could be sweat-soaking her bed sheets rather than the worn, cracked faux leather of her car seat, but here she is. The quiet is unnerving, yet she feels like she can hear the heat m...

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$50

Prize money

378

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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