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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 Dance Teacher” by Priy Singha

Submitted to Contest #27

Allegra isn’t there when Nadal comes to meet her. Earlier this morning, Nadal said goodbye to her father before he went down to the harbor with their dog Harley. She wished them a good day out on the water with the other fishers. Then she wished the same to her mother who supervised the village farms where they grew herbs and vegetables and cared for animals. After they had left, Nadal walked next door to the mint green house where Allegra - the dance teacher in the village - lives with her brother. Every morning, Allegra waits in front of ...

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“The Necklace” by Tom Campbell

Submitted to Contest #27

The old woman always felt better when she wore the necklace; happier, healthier. It was not the sort of necklace conducive to a good night's sleep so every evening it was carefully removed and every morning she asked her cheerful little girl to fetch it to her bedside where it was once more lovingly garlanded around her sickly neck. The woman was always fond of saying she wanted to look pretty if and when she died. It was a simple unassuming necklace but one with great pretensions. Rhinestones set with a triangular pattern with insets o...

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“The Gate” by Felicity Edwards

Submitted to Contest #27

She hobbled along, clinging to her stick, intent on seeing where she placed each step. To a casual observer, this grey-haired old lady was a harmless old biddy stopping to chat with anyone who crossed her path. A dog walker on the opposite side of the road called out, “Hello Miss Curtis, what are you doing out in this awful weather?”“Same as you, out for a walk.”“But I have to take Milo for his constitution come rain or sun, you don’t have any reason to brave this wind and rain you?”By now the dog and his companion had crossed the road and w...

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“Bon Viveur” by Joan Maguire

Submitted to Contest #27

Bon Viveur (1806 words)I knock back the neat whiskey. The liquid gold both sears and comforts my parched throat. I catch a glimpse of myself in the full-length mirror of my bedroom. I’m completely shocked by my unkempt appearance standing there in my chef’s whites from service the night before. Bloody hell! I have to be in the studio in three hours’ time. Can I pull it off again? I’m expected to present myself in Montrose and do an interview and food demonstration on the Late, Late show. Why had I agreed to this? I mean it’s not as if ...

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“It's been a little too fast” by Efrat Rosen

Submitted to Contest #27

He woke up, in the middle of the street. He felt like he slept for hours. He didn't know what happened, and didn't even bother to think. Adam just stood up, and started to go home. After few minutes of walking he heard steps rushing to his direction. He looked back and saw 5 men wearing weird clothes. He didn't know how, but Adam knew they ran after him. Maybe because he was the only one there.He ran as fast as he could, while hearing the steps behind him. But suddenly, they've stopped, and instead, a loud voice was heard: "Get out of here! ...

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“The Treasure” by Randi W

Submitted to Contest #27

She slid the door as quietly as possible before ducking down below the windows; she heard the pounding of feet scurry past the cabin door. Sadie released a breath of relief, leaning her head against the wooden door panels. ‘As long as I can stay hidden for the next two hours, I will be okay.’ thought Sadie Her heart began to pound faster once again when she heard someone clearing his throat. Sadie slowly pi...

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“The Attendant” by Zosia Appleton

Submitted to Contest #27

It was my first time on a train. It was my first time on anything like it, never before had I been on a bus, tram, plane or metro. It would not have been allowed, even if we had the money. My dad said there were too many people on trains. He did not trust their wandering eyes and creaky jackets and their briefcases and bags that could hold anything and be held by anyone. He didn't trust the attendants’ chipped nails and ever-calm, blank faces. He wanted to see when they worried, wanted to see if something was wrong. I do not trust...

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“Basham's Theory” by Jay Seate

Submitted to Contest #27

Basham’s TheoryBy Troy Seate Some men look toward retirement like a capsized sailor might look at a spit of land on the horizon, but Edgar Basham hadn’t been one of them. He missed the intrigue of the pursuit. He had cultivated a slight paunch, but retained the eyes of a cunning investigator above his salt-more-than-pepper mustache. He maintained his theory that, although God remained an unsubstantiated hypothesis, good and evil most definitely existed. He believed all individuals fell, to a greater or lesser degree, on a continuum. On one e...

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“Wrongful Death” by Helen VanTol

Submitted to Contest #27

The ancestral home loomed up, impassive against the darkening sky. Inside, Sir Frederick was in the library near a crackling fire, busy at his desk. It had been his father's, and was made of gleaming mahogany with cubbyholes and secret drawers. Frederick remembered his father sitting at this very desk with his pots of glue and ink restoring tattered old books. Something he could never understand. He picked up a glue pot filled with white powder and sniffed it. The shelves above him were filled with books and documents that his ance...

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“The Two Kingdoms” by Shelby Schwartz

Submitted to Contest #27

Ice crystals began to form along the pine trees that surround the gated kingdom. The one with the walls so high, you can’t see in or out. With the towers made of stain glass. They tell a story of the past. A harsh, painful one that brought the kingdom to its glory. One of respect and dignity. In that kingdom lies a prince. Young, full of grace and loyal to his people. He wears a coat of blues and reds. A crown of silver, with rows of ruby’s lining the prestige that resides upon his black locks. It was said for century’s he would be the one t...

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“Casey's Time” by Matthew Turner

Submitted to Contest #27

His heart was on fire. A burning beating mass inside his body that was loud enough that he could hear it and wondered if someone else was sitting in the car would they hear it too. His mind raced over every detail of what was about to happen. He tried playing it forward in his mind. Taking every opportunity to overthink and imagine the worst possibly outcome, weaving a spiders web of nightmare scenarios. All the outcomes, best to the worst, were then set aside. His mind was made. He was going to rob the corner store. Just a year ago Casey wo...

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“When All Grows Dark” by Chantel Chamonix

Submitted to Contest #27

“Home isn’t where you’re from, it’s where you find light when all grows dark.” – Pierce Brown “Welcome. The destination of this train is Providence, Rhode Island.” Providence. The irony is marked. There’s no protection in Providence for me, no divine shelter. "Please have your tickets or passes ready to present to the conductors as they walk through the train. Additionally, please be aware that our complimentary wifi will not be available on this train, we apologize for the inconvenience.” As the automated recording came to a fi...

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“Meet Kiesha” by Jeneal Woodard

Submitted to Contest #27

Deidre was growing frustrated and scared. Marj was gone. She paced back and forth across the room. “Okay, okay, okay,” she said smacking herself on the side of the head. What do I need to do?. What haven’t I thought of? Where else do I need to look? Earlier:Something felt off when she woke up that morning. There was a strange quiet in her bedroom. She had overslept; which was unusual. It was 8:30. Marj always woke her up for her frosted cereal around 7 every morning. The seven year old was like ...

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“One More Step” by Ay Jay

Submitted to Contest #27

The wind howled over the lonely, rainswept sands, the ocean joining its song. The chorus of frigid and stormy noise on the beach accompanied the single being that walked on two legs amongst the birds and the sand fleas. It was a young girl, soaked as the sands that sank under her bare feet, hair stringy as the grasses that danced in waves behind her. There was a reason she walked alone, her hands stuffed into the pockets of her raincoat, chin tucked into her sweatshirt collar. It was great, and it was frightening. The girl-- whose name is Ol...

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“IRL” by Gareth Clegg

Submitted to Contest #27

May 2022It was November 2021 when I became notorious as public enemy number one, hunted by the organisation known as FreeMind.FreeMind, as I’m certain everyone is aware, seemed to be a cult of asshats moaning about Armageddon, the end of the world, you know? All the usual cultish crap you see on TV. They were evangelical and recruited fiercely. Their numbers growing like humping rabbits locked in a Viagra factory.I’m not really sure how I got myself into this, but I need to write it down so someone can hear the truth in case they get to me. ...

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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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