920+ Short Crime Stories to read

Submitted by writers on Reedsy Prompts to our weekly writing contest. Feed your fascination with the latest crime short stories. From thrilling accounts of lovable burglars to chilling tales of stone-cold murderers, these bite-sized pieces are so addictive, they should be illegal.

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“We’ll Always Have Paris” by Nicole Lam

“So you want me to believe that even though you were standing over the body holding a gun, you didn’t kill her.”  “If you don’t want to believe me, that’s your prerogative. Just know that you will regret not finding the true murderer, Officer.”  “The true murderer is sitting across from me. All I need is a motive.”  “...Have you ever been to Paris, Officer?” 

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“We Could Get Away With It ” by Michael Spades

The moment Mitch Connor came into the room and saw Della's face, he knew something was wrong. " Hey, what's the problem? You don’t look so hot. " He said, dropping the food supplies in his hands to the floor. " Nothing! Nothing at all, " Della said in a small voice. She was tall and broad-shouldered with blue piercing eyes, blonde hair, big breasts, solid hips, and long straight legs. She was very beautiful and was aware of what her beauty could do to men. He regard...

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“Fall Of the Stars” by Mr. Brohirwani

The heavens glittered with stars as the man silently drove over dirt and gravel, the thousand twinkling eyes mocking his desperation.  Muttering a curse under his breath, he slowed down at the rusty security gate at the entrance of the abandoned mines. To an ordinary person it would be a half-broken gate with just a couple of night guards sleeping their shift away. But then again, the average person would...

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“Thieves at Heart” by Drew Young

        “Don’t move. If you so much as look at me funny, I’m putting a bullet through your head,” he said. “How are things coming over there, honey?” “Fine. I just cut the security cameras. Phone lines are down, too. Moving on to the vault now,” she replied. “Need any help?” he asked. “No, I should be fine. Keep your eye on those hostages,” she said. “Okay, just make it quick. Cops have t...

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“Your Emergency” by Daniel K

"I made some coffee, honey. I know you need the lift," "Thanks, handsome, I hope I'll have a good shift." *** “911, what’s your emergency?” “There must be a burglary, I need help urgently. This might be the last you heard from me.” “Calm down, sir. We’ll send help right away.” “Brand-new security system, supposed to work night and day. It’s not even wor...

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“I should have said all that” by Rupali Hirayath

She stood there, frozen to the ground, in shock. Her hands were red, drenched in blood. Her clothes too. There was some in her hair and she could taste it in her mouth too. She stared at her hands, at the blood dripping from them. She tries frantically to wipe them off, smearing more blood on her white gown. She looks around and sees the body lying on the ground in front on her. "Oh god! Jeff!" She cried ...

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“We’ll Always Have Paris” by Nicole Lam

“So you want me to believe that even though you were standing over the body holding a gun, you didn’t kill her.”  “If you don’t want to believe me, that’s your prerogative. Just know that you will regret not finding the true murderer, Officer.”  “The true murderer is sitting across from me. All I need is a motive.”  “...Have you ever been to Paris, Officer?” 

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“Coffee And Karma” by Dan Willmot

Whinstons coffee shop had seen a great many schemes hatched under its roof. Quaint and unsuspecting, the single-floor building had provided the perfect place to talk over delicate matters without suspicion. In the faint glow of the shop's retro lighting, everything from arson to assassination had been discussed, planned, and dealt with under the guise of a friendly chat over a cuppa. Sitting tensely in the high-...

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“Chatroom To Hanging” by Marian Reiley

Deez_guns21: What up party people?! Lolz14: Yeet! Lets get this New Year started off right! Marzipan_F13nd: Woot! FoxyLuv18: Only one way to celebrate! I wanna get some hot lip action and maybe something else! If you know what I mean! ; ) Deez_guns21: Aww yeah! Wait, I'm only into chicks. FoxyLuv18, you a chick? FoxyLuv18: Hellz yeah! ...

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“It's a secret” by Q Maxwell

"I've got a secret to tell you.""Okay, tell me.""You’ve got to promise not to repeat this.""You have my word, I won’t spill."“Oh, I can't now.”“Come on, tell me.”“It's something that happened.”“Happened when?”“Yesterday afternoon.”“Okay, I'm all ears.”“You have to really promise, you'll keep this to yourself?”“Oh, my days, I promise.”“Nooo, I can't now.”“Yes, you can, tell me. What's this secret?”“It’s something I did.”“Did what exactl...

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“Your call is important to us” by Craig Major

“Good morning, Bridgeway Savings and Loan. You’re speaking with Rachel.” “Hi Rachel, this is Zach. I don’t have a customer number, but I’d like to talk about my financial management needs.” “Absolutely. I can help you with that.” “Great, now that we’ve that out of the way, I actually need your help with -- oh shit, they’re here!” “Sir?” “No - no, please! I don’t have access to any of --...

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“The Whistle” by Sona Sethi

The Whistle “There is not another car in sight on this deserted highway. I should have talked you out of taking us on a short cut through the hills and we should’ve left that miserable party hours ago.” said Lara angrily to Mike. “But no, you were glued to the bar and now it’s 2 a.m. on this stormy night. What is wrong with you?” “I was enjoying myself, unl...

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“Midnight Diner” by Aimee Gaudio

"Coffee, hon?""Please.""Looks like you’re having a rough night.""You could say that again, sweetheart.""How ‘bout I get you some pancakes and you tell me about it.""With bacon.""You got it hon. Now, tell me, who’s the dame?""What?""Well a guy like you, comes in here alone, chin to chest, ragged expression such as yours. Gotta be a dame.""Sorry toots, you're the only dame I've talked to all day.""Well, I can't be the problem. So, what is it? Tough day at the office? Big,...

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“The Case of the Black Bag.” by Peter Hood

“My Lady, I was just minding my own business when Bam! Out of nowhere, he appeared.”         “What do you mean? Bam! Out of nowhere, he appeared. Who appeared?”         “That’s what I’m trying to tell you. He was there, just like that. One minute I was walking down the street, on my own, mind you. Then the next, Bam! He was beside me, lugging that big, black bag. Like magic, he appeared.”       ...

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“Mad Love” by وداد أكرم

Trigger warning: rape, sexual assault Mad Love     Chapitre 1   "  Is it reasonable to leave her on the wedding platform and in front of the priest without any justification " Mary .   "  That degenerate, I'll find him and kill him. he made my family a laughing stock among the people in the c...

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“Please Understand” by Lemon Louise 🍋

By the time work lets out, dusk has already descended on the city. The hazy shadows slip between narrow alleyways and under the awnings of buildings. Flooding the streets with dusty darkness.I speed up my pace as I hurry to catch my bus home on time. It is seven in the evening by now, definitely later than I expected to stay at the office. I always found the streets unnerving in the dark, like any number of things could pop out in front of me as I turn a street corner. I pick up my phone and dial E...

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“Game” by Esther Salami

David watched as Hannah settled down quietly on the hard wooden chair just across him. She had grown thinner. Why wouldn’t she? She wore a calm demeanour but he was well aware she was rattled inside. For a second, she’d looked as though she were somewhere else.  “You know... Orange kinda looks good on your skin.”  “You doofus.” Hannah said, her face bearing no special smile. “I'm surprised you made...

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“Those Who Stand on Dark Street Corners” by Zilla Babbitt

Hey. That you, God?What? No, it’s me. Oh, Ely.No. Eliot.Oh. Oh, well, good then. You’ve got it?Not so loud!“TONY! You get any sleep last night?”What in hell's name was that?Homeless...

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