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Looking for a steady supply of crime short stories? Every week thousands of writers submit stories to our writing contest.

4770+ Crime Short 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.

Crime Short Stories – Page 313 of 318

Underground Year

Submitted to Contest #63

By the time I stepped outside, the leaves were on fire. Breathtaking views of crimson waves rolled in front of me and crisp air filled my lungs with a deep inhale. The sky was dim and the sun was melting over the trees and in that moment everything stopped. I slowly turned behind me and faced the bunker I had just pulled myself out of. How long had I been here? The scene surrounding me didn’t match the snow covered hills I saw before...before...before what? What happened to me? Had I spent an entire year out here, or more? I peered inside th...

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Autumn of '81

Submitted to Contest #63

“By the time I stepped outside, the leaves were on fire”, she began narrating her story to her children. It was her story. Her story from that indelible autumn of ’81 that turned her life around. That autumn when the leaves seemed to be ablaze in wild and bold colors of heroic orange and raging red. The sky was awash in hues of angry autumnal brick shades. The violent gusts of wind seemed seething and she was fuming too. She had had enough.-------She frowned woefully. It shone back at her as the portent sun dove into the faraway horizon and ...

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One Last Trip South

Submitted to Contest #63

It is always pleasant to watch as I pass by the trees. Orchards are especially pleasant as there was a rhythmic pattern to their passing in and out of my perspective. They look like a geometric illusion, and it feels like walking past infinite hallways… one after another, after another, and so on. Something about that just helps to calm the nerves of travel. Sadly, there is no orchard going past at this moment. But the random assortment and fluctuation of trees can still be relaxing in its own way. Occasionally a tree will pass by much clos...

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Mayfield Manor

Submitted to Contest #63

By the time I stepped outside, the leaves were on fire. The flames lit up the lawn below. I ran.   I ran as hard and fast as I possibly could, the crackling and popping from behind me propelled me forward. In the distance I could hear the approaching sirens.  Ducking into the woods that ran alongside the drive, I was careful to stay out of sight. Minutes later, I came across a main road. I darted across quickly to the waiting woods on the other side. Another mile and I should be at the cabin and safe there for the night.&n...

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Where there is Smoke

Submitted to Contest #63

“Where there is Smoke.”             “By the time I stepped outside, the leaves were on fire.” The colors are so vivid that a person can almost imagine the leaves on fire as smoke rises from the campfire.  Ally, my older sister, pokes the wood, creating more smoke than fire. As I approach Ally, I can hear her tiny, quiet intake of breath. I could quickly think of offering my help, but I thought it would be best to wait. After all, she was the one who ini...

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What if an Actor Murdered His Mom—and Got Away with It?

Submitted to Contest #63

-       “By the time I stepped outside, the leaves were on fire. How many times do you want me to repeat that?”-       “But one of the neighbors believes that they saw you running away before the fire was out. Do you have anything to tell us about that?”-       “They must’ve been mistaken, officer. I was running away to ask for help because the fire was too close to the porch, and my mom was lying on the floor unconscious.”-  &n...

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Mother nature's attic of Fall

Submitted to Contest #63

'Mamma, is the Maple tree diseased ?'asked Max to his mother'No, my boy , but why do you ask so?' replied Mrs Downs , mother of Max.'But mom , its losing its leaves and the leaves are turning golden' said MaxMrs Downs replied - " Its just because the Fall arrived ""Mom , what do you mean by Fall ?" Curiously Asked Max.Mrs Downs satirically explained " Its the time when nature hides its beauty in Mother Nature's attic and turns bare"'Does mother nature have an Attic too ?' Rini asked , who is Max's sister .'Yes! And it is filled with creative...

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Fowl Play

Submitted to Contest #63

They sped along in V formation, kings of the aerial highway. Any jaywalker plucky enough to cross them was flattened. Dale was riding near the front, when the leader honked loudly. "There's a nice hole-in-the-wall up ahead. We're stopping for drinks." They’d been traveling since sunup so the gang honked back their overwhelming approval. The smooth surface was icy on Dale's underside as he settled into the water. He shivered. Then, after a moment, began to guzzle lake water. He'd been needing a drink for hours.His gullet full, Dale start...

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Home Fires

Submitted to Contest #63

“By the time I stepped outside, the leaves were on fire, and the wind had picked up,” Annie Arthur said. “Catherine and Blake Bevins lived in that house you know. They moved in here in November, nineteen eighty-seven…no, eighty-eight.  It was raining the day the Bevins family moved into our little community. I baked them a welcome cake as soon as I saw the moving van pull into the drive. It was one of my famous chocolate cakes, with buttercream icing. I have never met anyone who didn’t enjoy one of my homem...

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Oh, How Low People Can Go

Submitted to Contest #63

Author’s Note: I don’t know if anyone has noticed, but normally I don’t use dialogue tags. In this story, I am trying to use them every once in a while. Please let me know if it worked or not! Thanks!Joy Freeman put her silver Grand Cherokee in park, pulled the key out of ignition. After grabbing her purse, she opened the car door and stepped out. The cold breeze immediately hit her face--she pulled her jacket tighter around her. With a blank look on her face, Joy walked to the entrance doors of the cafe in front of her. An older man came si...

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Wrongful Conviction

Submitted to Contest #63

"The line's out the door, boss!" Someone yells from the kitchen. My hands are scrambling to make an espresso faster than they ever have.Trina's mopping up a spill on the floor.Hames is helping Col figure out how to make one of the new drinks.The soft bustle of the morning floats in the air. Multiple yawns are passed around the room. People waiting for work. People waiting for coffee. People waiting for pumpkin spice lattes. Not very patiently, but that's what's special about it.Every year around this time, it can be felt in the air. The stil...

48 likes 56 comments 56
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Natural reality show

Submitted to Contest #63

By the time I stepped outside, the leaves were on fire. It was totally engulfed in flame like the type we witness in California and Australia each year. The only noticeable difference between the California, Australia and Achara fire is that: the formers were well known places but the later is not. Again, the Australian and Californian fires were shown in televisions world wide but Achara fire is known only in Achara and environ. There is record of durability, continuity,followership and stability to deal with too.But I guess ...

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Fallen leaves

Submitted to Contest #63

By the time I stepped outside, the leaves were on fire with the death of Avinash. The blood was still sprinkling from his neck. He was under that old cherry tree. Winter leaves were falling from the tree. People were already gathered around him in the early morning. I never thought it would end like this. He was a neighbour of mine, a very dear one. It started with his longing for money. He had been too greedy. He never thought where he was heading. A vicious circle of friends had acquired him by preaching the overnight rich method but ...

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Point of View Part Two: In her Eyes

Submitted to Contest #63

Trigger warning: rape, domestic violence   The kids and I are currently picking apples in the market. It was all red and looks tasty making us get excited over Halloween. We are also picking some materials to make their Halloween costumes for tomorrow. "Ms. Maria!!" The kids screamed as they run towards me with their apples and costumes for tomorrow's Halloween. "Getting excited aren't we?" I said and smile at them. "Yes, Ms. Maria. We are very excited for tomorrow's Halloween." Rafael said. "Yes, Ms. Maria! We hope we'll have more cand...

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Point of View: In his Eyes

Submitted to Contest #63

Trigger warning: domestic violence   By the time I stepped outside, the leaves were on fire creating a warm feeling inside my chest contrasting the cold blowing wind. "Welcome Autumn!" I exclaimed and extended my arms as if I am a bird ready to fly. I start to walk as I notice the neighboring kids preparing for Halloween. Their laughs and the scent of the autumn leaves flowing on the air as the winds blow fills my heart. Does that sound corny? Well...that's me...and my reason why girls don't like me. Laughs. I am Jimmy Walker...32 years...

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RBE | Illustrated Short Stories | 2024-06

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