Writing the Mystery Short Story
Recipe for Creating a Mystery with Clues, Twists, and Red Herrings
Apr 11, 2007
Short stories contain all the elements of a novel but the events are condensed, distilled into a smaller segment of space and time. While a novel may span years, a short story usually focuses on a shorter period of time and a single key event. To create a good short mystery:
Start with a crime
For example, the neighbor goes next door to find Mrs. Potter dead, an opened jar of blueberry preserves on the table. It is discovered that she has died of poisoning.
Add an Investigator
The investigator can be either a professional or an amateur sleuth.
Throw in Two or Three Suspects
A husband
Mrs. Potter is suspected of having a lover
A neighbor named Sally.
Add Two or Three Clues
There is a mysterious envelope lying on the table. It is empty and has no return address and no fingerprints
Two coffee cups (washed-no prints)
Mrs. Potter was see arguing with Sally.
Toss in Two or Three Red Herrings
The husband was observed returning to the house shortly after he left for work, his car was seen in the neighborhood
Mrs. Potter recently took out a large life insurance poilcy; her husband is the beneficiary.
Mrs. Potter was seen with a much younger man
Add a Twist or Surprise
The jelly jar contained no poisonous substance. So how was Mrs. Potter poisoned?
The investigator now looks over the evidence and draws conclusions. The husband-too obvious. Same with the lover.
But why were Mrs. Potter and Sally having words? What if the neighbor was the one having an affair and the couple were afraid Mrs. Potter would tell? The young man Mrs. Potter was seen with was Sally's lover, paying Mrs. Potter blackmail. Sally introduced poison, but not in the form of the jelly jar. The poison was given in the coffee, then Sally washed the cups to hide the evidence. The love letter, which mistakenly came to Mrs. Potter's box, was taken by Sally.
A Happy or Satisfying Ending
Make sure to tie up the loose end and give reasonable explanation for the "red herrings".. Why did the husband come back to the house? Maybe he simply forgot his briefcase. Who was the young man Mrs. Potter was seen with? The neighbor, pleading his case. Who came over for coffee? Sally.
Usually a good mystery will end with the solving of a case. Take this simple example and, using your vivid imagination, make up one of your own. This checklist will ensure all the elements for a well-balanced story are included:
Ingredients for One Good Mystery Short Story
1.Start with a crime
2. Add an investigator
3. Throw in two or three suspects
4.Add two or three clues
5. Toss in or two or three red herrings
6. Add a twist or surprise
7. Tie up with a happy, or at least satisfying ending
