best mystery short stories

Characteristics include concise yet vivid descriptions. Since they are short, they need to paint a clear picture in just a few words. In 'The Speckled Band', Doyle describes the strange circumstances and the menacing presence effectively. Another characteristic is the ability to engage the reader quickly. They don't have a long build - up like some novels. 'The Cask of Amontillado' grabs you right from the start with its strange invitation. And they often leave a lasting impression. Even though they are short, stories like 'A Jury of Her Peers' stay with you long after you've read them because of their unique take on mystery and human nature.

The use of suspense is masterful. The slow build - up as the narrator plans the murder and then the increasing paranoia afterwards create a truly nerve - wracking reading experience. The story also has a very atmospheric setting which adds to the mystery. It's set in a rather dreary and claustrophobic place which enhances the feeling of dread and unease.

Another great one is 'The Adventure of the Speckled Band' by Arthur Conan Doyle. In this story, Sherlock Holmes uses his brilliant deductive skills to solve a strange and menacing mystery involving a young woman's life being in danger. Holmes carefully examines the clues, such as the strange whistling sound and the locked room, to figure out what's really going on.

For short mystery stories, Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine is a top choice. They have a long history of publishing mystery fiction. Another good place is Mystery Weekly Magazine. It focuses specifically on mystery stories and welcomes submissions from new writers. You might also consider the Mystery Writers of America anthologies. They are highly regarded in the mystery writing community.

Well, they typically have a mystery or a problem that needs to be solved. In 'The Adventure of the Speckled Band', there's the mystery of the strange whistling and the girl's endangerment. Atmosphere is important too. Stories like 'The Cask of Amontillado' create a very spooky and tense atmosphere that draws you in. And many of the best short mystery stories play with the reader's perception. They might mislead you a bit at first, like in 'The Lady, or the Tiger?' where you're not sure which outcome is the correct one.

One great murder mystery short story is 'The Speckled Band' by Arthur Conan Doyle. It has a very tense atmosphere and a clever detective in Sherlock Holmes who solves the mystery of a woman's death in a locked room situation. Another good one is 'Lamb to the Slaughter' by Roald Dahl. In this story, the unexpected twist is really engaging as the wife uses a frozen leg of lamb to cover up her crime. And then there's 'The Cask of Amontillado' by Edgar Allan Poe. The dark and brooding setting, along with the narrator's revenge plot, makes it a classic murder mystery short story.

Some good mystery English short stories include 'The Yellow Wallpaper' by Charlotte Perkins Gilman. It's a story full of mystery as the narrator's mental state deteriorates while she is confined to a room with strange wallpaper. 'The Lady, or the Tiger?' by Frank R. Stockton is also interesting. The ending is left ambiguous, leaving the reader to wonder whether the lady or the tiger came out of the door. Also, 'The Cask of Amontillado' by Edgar Allan Poe, where a man exacts a very devious revenge in a catacomb, filled with mystery and suspense.

One of the best is 'The Speckled Band' by Arthur Conan Doyle. It has a great build - up of suspense with a mysterious death and Sherlock Holmes' brilliant deductions.

Agatha Christie's short mystery works can be good for beginners. Her story 'The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle' is a great example. It has a simple yet interesting mystery that Christie solves in her characteristic style. Christie is known for her clever plots and engaging characters, and her short stories can give new readers a taste of what the mystery genre has to offer.

One of the best is 'The Murders in the Rue Morgue' by Edgar Allan Poe. It's often considered a pioneer in the detective story genre. The story features Dupin, an intelligent detective who solves a seemingly impossible murder.