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Discover weekly, the best short stories

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

8840+ Mystery Short Stories to read

Submitted by writers on Reedsy Prompts to our weekly writing contest. No need to go out hunting for clues — you’ve solved the puzzle of where to find the newest mystery short stories just by landing on this page.

Mystery Short Stories – Page 564 of 590

In A Mirror Darkly

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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Leela

Submitted to Contest #27

Since the time of the Bhansalis, India has strived for perfection. A judgement without flaw.Something they never accomplished, credited to the never-ending civil wars and the unforgettable strife. At one point it got so bad, people got together and reminisced times of Karan Singh and old rulers, an era where the wretched East India Company didn’t exist yet.The time of Leela Bhansali, limitless beauty. The ultimate crime of Rajput.___________"Leela, the emperor has ordered for your presence!" One of the chambermaids rushed in to inform her, h...

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Meet Kiesha

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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The Adventures of Malachi Norton: The Mystery of the Missing Memory

Submitted to Contest #27

My dear friend Malachi Norton and I received letters and callers at our London apartments seeking our detective services on a nearly daily basis, but even so, my friend refused to interest himself in any of the cases, claming they lacked novelty. Average, run-of-the-mill crime had always bored him; he craved a challenge worthy of his outstanding mental capabilities. The nearly catatonic appearance of my friend, sitting motionless in his armchair, remained unchanged for the major portion of the day. He was seated thus in perfect silence, his ...

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Aaron Tuttle

Submitted to Contest #27

Seventeen-year-old Aaron Tuttle straitens his tie and attempts to smooth the wrinkles from his tuxedo jacket. Removing one sweaty hand from the corsage box, he wipes it on his trouser leg and rings the doorbell. The door opens, and his date’s father invites him in. A faint smell of Cinnamon Apple from the Yankee Candle on the small table beside him fills his senses until Jackie enters from the living room. Her poufy blue off-the-shoulder gown almost touches the floor. Light brown hair cascades down to her shoulders in waves where a small gol...

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Enid on the Case

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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Buzz Kill

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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My day volunteering

Submitted to Contest #27

The wind howled through the quiet hall of the school as the setting sun reflected light from below. The scent of metal billowed throughout the foyer as I dragged some wet garbage across the slippery floor and threw it into the trash can.  My name is Aleko Reyes. I’m 13 years old and I repainted the school. Though it was hard to get enough paint all on my own since everyone else was too lazy to help me, I managed to succeed all on my own! I gathered enough paint to completely coat the walls in my favourite colour.  Red. You’d think ...

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Lizzie's Date

Submitted to Contest #27

Lizzie was sitting at her dining room table with her family, playing a game, eating a sweet salad. It was her birthday. (Or so she thought) She was playing a game with her family, yes, but it wasn’t her real family. She was adopted. Her father left as soon as he found out Lizzie’s mother was pregnant with Lizzie, and then once Lizzie was born, Her mother left her in front of her best friends house. She never found out who her mother was, but she did know one thing. When she was left on the front step, her mother left a note. It said: Dearest...

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Bon Viveur

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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Spirit Ledge

Submitted to Contest #27

“What are you doing out here Niamh?”, the grey wolf asked. “Same as you; just watching the stars,” Niamh replied. “Yeah… spirit ledge sure is special,” He concurred. The grey wolves sat together, peering up at the dimly lit night sky. The moon gave off a fluorescent glow. Allowing the features of the land and mountains in the distance to be seen. The moon was corralled by stars. The occasional asteroid or space station seemed to narrowly miss its grey figure. The wolves sat looking into the night sky, as if waiting expectantly...

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The Dance Teacher

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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Circling

Submitted to Contest #27

1 I look at my face in the mirror and trace a finger along the dark bags under my eyes. My fingers reach towards the pot of lotion, but I pause, hand wavering slightly in the air, barely brushing against the lid. I sigh, the air cold in my lungs, and pull my hand back to my face to run my hands through my hair. Dry. Brittle. The dark roots have grown out, pushing away the now dull blonde. It brushes my shoulders now, far longer than it’s been in years. I twist the ends between my fingers, letting what breaks off fall onto the messy surface o...

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Soulmates

Submitted to Contest #27

Kim had met her soulmate, Karl through her husband. It was long before their marriage issues had surfaced. He had been an acquaintance, someone her husband had known from high school. But when she had met him, and every time their paths would happen to cross after that, instinctively she would get the feeling that he was one of the good guys. Looking back now, she knew she had taken notice because he had exemplified, so effortlessly, many of the traits she had longed for in her husband at the time. He was laid back, easy to talk to and alway...

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The Girl in The Mirror

Submitted to Contest #27

Mabel woke to the sound of ‘brownie’, her 3-month-old pup, licking her face and wagging his short tail. She carried him and got out of bed. After stretching her stiffened body, she performed her morning exercise. After the exercise, she opened her window and watched as the flakes of snow fell from the skies. It was a sight to behold, with the tall trees, covered in snow and the surroundings all covered in snow; winter had come early.Mabel patted brownie on the head and went to the bathroom. In a few, she was ready to go to work, getting her ...

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RBE | Illustrated Short Stories | 2024-06

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