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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

“A babysitting job involving a boy and a ghost” by Chenchen Du

Submitted to Contest #27

“Hey, John. Want to talk about the ghost you saw?”Dammit. That was a wrong conversation starter. As the words slipped out of her mouth, Ting immediately felt the urge to bite her own tongue off. You probably do not know this, but it’s portrayed as a common way of committing suicide in Chinese drama. Yep, that’s another random fact that is inappropriate to sprinkle in the conversation with a 7-year-old kid. She’s not good with kids. Not good with people, in general. Whenever the situation presents itself in the form of talking to a livin...

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“The Small Murder” by Matt Strempel

Submitted to Contest #27

“My client wishes to enter a plea of not guilty, Your Honor,” said Brian Henry, the court-appointed attorney for Gavin Small. The lawyer unbuttoned his ill-fitting suit and sat down beside his client.“Are you sure?” replied Judge Milton.Unperturbed, Henry stood, buttoned his jacket, and said, “We are, Your Honour.” He unbuttoned his jacket and took his seat once more.The judge raised his considerable eyebrows, sighed, and announced that the state’s number one prosecutor, Carlton Lancaster may proceed.“Thank you, Your Honor,” the dashing lawy...

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“the trip” by Sandra Claros

Submitted to Contest #27

1.933.It was summer and a vast swamp could be seen through the window of that lousy train, running under the vapor of the heat in sublimation that only showed a few and wobbly profiles of trees and bushes lost among crocodiles and birds flying in the distant horizon, as infinite as it would be.Take it! – an old-witched woman, wearing a large hat.I took the branch and put it in my luggage In the passengers vehicle, there was a young reddish haired lady in a brown dress and shoes, sitting by the dusty window wit...

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“The Tree that Knows My Name” by Asher Littlefield

Submitted to Contest #27

This tree knows my name. She has waited for me to reach her for almost a year. I have cut down her sisters and brothers, one by one, for months now. She is waiting for me. I and my axe are here. My boots are firmly planted in the snow, one forward and one back. I raise the axe and take a deep breath. This will take me some time. I have not eaten in almost two days. “Caroliiiiine!” The tree hears my name one last time. I lower my axe and turn back to the cabin far behind me. My sisters are calling me back. This tree has been granted a stay of...

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“A surprise party” by John Steckley

Submitted to Contest #27

A Surprise Party Kelly’s relationship to her boyfriend James was going fairly well. They went out on a date at least once every week, sometimes twice. There had been no fights, no real arguments. They even agreed on what their favourite Shakespearean play was: the Scottish play – Macbeth. The only difference there was that he didn’t like the Weird Sisters, the witches, said that they sounded unrealistic to him. But she liked them. They reminded her of people she had grown up with.. She had even played the p...

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“In A Mirror Darkly” by Deborah Landers

Submitted to Contest #27

Abel let out a long sigh. It kicked up the dust in his hiding place. Curled up as small as he could be, he had found the furthest corner of the large manor house and stuffed himself into the most unassuming cupboard he could find. Flirting with Death™ was a sort of open concept house of horrors that catered to thrill seekers looking for a real rush of adrenaline. Between remote neural links and specialized cloning technology, it was simple enough to place people within their own horror movie without the threat of death. At least, that's what...

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“Royal Orleans” by Mike Garrigan

⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #27

. . . the clack-clack of a moving train. I pulled my left cheek from the worn wooden floor. The planks smelled of tar, dirt, and hay. The open boxcar door rattled as the green countryside zoomed by.I winced as a splinter pierced my palm. I shook my hand up and down to abate the pain. Bales of straw lined the front and back of the box car. In the distance, I heard a soft twittering sound. It reminded me of music producer Brian Eno’s synth line in the opening measures of “Once in a Lifetime” by the Talking Heads. How did I get here? I tho...

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“The Ride Home” by Deanna West

Submitted to Contest #27

The Ride HomeI like to have the window seat, its peaceful looking out beyond the world at God's beautiful creations: the birds, the buildings, the landscape etc.; he's definitely a man of many talents. I know this trainroute by heart and could probably take it with my eyes closed... Well actuallysometimes I do. I just sit back and envision myself being on a nice beachsomewhere or just anywhere tropical and before I know it I'm at my destination. In case you'rewondering where I'm heading, I'm going back to school... Well back to college.I g...

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“The Girl” by Alana Carpenter`

Submitted to Contest #27

She was born prettier than anything. Serena's mother brushed her hair every day to soft silky hair. Serena's hair was much like her mother's only golden to the touch. She also had a kind and loving personality such as a dolphin, and much like her mother when she was younger. Serena also had her own beliefs, when she grows up, she would be the most perfect, kind, and caring Queen in all of the lands.Serena loved to play in the Royal Garden, she would climb up on the hedges, swing upon the vines, and even play with other Royal children. Until....

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“Talking on trains” by Marte Van Der Linden

Submitted to Contest #27

I had come to the decision that it was time to do something reckless. People have different definitions of reckless. Some climb tall buildings without any ropes. Others drink themselves into an early grave. A few wrestle crocodiles. Me, I got on the 15:37 InterCity to Vienna with the intention of speaking to someone.It was the perfect train for my reckless endeavour. The journey would take more than four hours and the train was just busy enough. Plenty of people, but not to the extent that it was standing room only. I would have to sit down ...

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“The Devil's Train” by Royalty Beans

Submitted to Contest #27

“Where are we going?” I wasn’t on a train when I shut my eyes, so why now when I opened them? I caressed my forearm with gentle fingertips, feeling the tingle of my nerves run up and down with my hand’s movements. This couldn’t have been a dream, right? It felt real, yet surreal all the while. I pinched a flab of my pale, fragile skin between two chewed-up fingernails, feeling the sting. Not a soul answered my question. However, every head turned to eye my frightened figure. One of them, even, resembling an owl: widened eyes, somehow unbroke...

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“The Specialist” by Steve Cripwell

Submitted to Contest #27

It’s not my normal job but it has become a specialism of sorts. Don’t get me wrong, my full-time job can be pretty exciting. It gets the adrenaline rushing through my body every day. This task, however, is mind-blowing for someone like me. A dream come true. My day to day job, you ask. My business card reads Consultant which can mean something specific, of course, but it really gives me carte-blanche to do anything I want. So that’s what I do, hire myself out to the highest bidder and I have an unusual skill set. Skills that are highly prize...

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“Buzz Kill” by Kelly Gerber

Submitted to Contest #27

There are few places as pungent as a high school gym, especially during a boys’ varsity basketball game. The Jordan High boys were a talented bunch of players. Think more “hard work and tears,” less High School Musical. As team mom, I got to sit on the bench behind the team, organize the team volunteers, and keep my mouth shut. I love my kids and would do anything for them. Being team mom was one of the many little ways that I could demonstrate that small truth. So I sat in the bleachers, listened to the squeaky sneakers and the basketball’s...

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“Enid on the Case” by Lenore Butcher

Submitted to Contest #27

That Thursday morning, Enid was running late. Enid hated running late, but today she had a headache and the weather was foul – it was impossible to get a cab and she ended up having to walk through puddles, dodging careless umbrellas and ill-timed bicycle wheels until she managed to slog through the door of the tea room where she met her circle every Thursday for lunch. The hostess turned away as Enid passed by and she didn’t blame...

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“Fear the Siren” by Kendra Dantes

Submitted to Contest #27

Fear the Siren By Kendra Dantes There was something so pleasant about a human’s scream. The way their bodies reacted with an instinct so deep that they lost control. The way their eyes widened at the sight of the siren with claws for nails. The siren with teeth like needles who was more beautiful than the devil. That dark power that was so incredibly irresistible that people died at the sight of her. Ivy frowned. It was so utterly inconvenient when the humans died before they c...

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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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