Tracks to the Cabin
During a severe winter storm, the power is cut off in a small mountain town. The local police station receives an anonymous tip about a potential crime at an old, isolated cabin. As two officers make their way to the location, they discover tracks in the snow that lead to unexpected revelations about the town's past crimes.
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.
- Start with the confession, and make the story about why it's false.
- Make the detective wrong at the midpoint, for a good reason.
- End with the solution in a single line of dialogue.
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 Retirement HeistA seasoned detective nearing retirement is assigned to train a young, overeager rookie. Their first case together involves a sophisticated art heist…
- 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.…
Fifteen minutes in? Keep going.
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