best very short mystery stories

Often, they play with the reader's perception. The authors use misdirection to make the reader think one thing while the truth is something else entirely. This keeps the reader guessing until the very end, which is what makes these short mystery stories so engaging.

One could be 'The Necklace' by Guy de Maupassant. It has an unexpected twist at the end which is a hallmark of a good mystery short story. The story follows a woman who borrows a necklace and then loses it, leading to a series of events that change her life.

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.

The best markets for very very short stories include ezines such as 'Daily Science Fiction'. They are always on the lookout for short and engaging stories. Social media platforms can also be considered. For example, Twitter has a growing community of 'Twitterature' where people write and share very short stories. You can also look into self - publishing on platforms like Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing. You have full control over your very short story's publication and can potentially reach a global audience.

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.

They're interesting because they can quickly grab your attention. In just a few sentences, they create suspense. For example, in a short mystery, there might be a strange object found. You immediately start to wonder how it got there and what it means.