The Retirement Heist
A seasoned detective nearing retirement is assigned to train a young, overeager rookie. Their first case together involves a sophisticated art heist that appears to be linked to a series of burglaries throughout the city. As they follow the clues, the rookie's unconventional methods prove unsettling, yet surprisingly effective.
Suggested length: A short story: 1,500 to 5,000 words, or flash fiction under 1,000
Start the clock
Pick a sprint, press start and keep going until it stops. Momentum beats polish on a first draft.
Make it yours
Three ways to take this prompt somewhere nobody else will.
- Give the victim a secret the reader learns before the detective does.
- Start with the confession, and make the story about why it's false.
- Make the detective wrong at the midpoint, for a good reason.
Writing mystery books
Who did it? You get every clue and a fair shot at the answer.
A mystery opens with a puzzle, usually a death, and closes with the solution. In between, a detective (professional or not) gathers clues and suspects while the reader tries to get there first. A mystery looks backward, at a crime that has already happened.
What readers expect
- A crime or puzzle early on
- Clues, suspects and red herrings
- A detective the reader follows
- A solution that is surprising but fair
A tip before you start
Play fair. Every clue your detective uses should appear on the page first, ideally hidden in plain sight.
More Police Procedural prompts
- The Equation at the Theft SceneAn experienced police officer known for his adherence to the rules is forced to work with a new partner who has a reputation for bending them. Their…
- The Regatta TrophyThe police force in a coastal town famous for its annual regatta is on high alert when the prized trophy disappears a week before the event. Suspicion…
- The Poker Game WarningDuring a high-stakes poker game, an off-duty detective overhears a hint about an impending crime that is set to take place in the heart of the city.…
- Cybercrime in the StreetsIn a bustling city, a police officer who used to be a tech expert is drawn into an investigation of a series of cybercrimes that have started to…
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