The Precinct's Hidden Case
Write a story from the perspective of a rookie police officer who uncovers a long-unsolved case hidden in the false bottom of an old filing cabinet at the precinct. As they dig deeper, they must decide how much of the truth they should reveal, fearing it may implicate one of their own.
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.
- Plant the key clue in the first scene, in plain sight.
- Limit it to one location and one night.
- Let the most helpful witness be the one with the most to hide.
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
- Tracks to the CabinDuring 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…
- 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…
Fifteen minutes in? Keep going.
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