Over 120 "Mystery & Crime" Writing Prompts
A crime novelist attends a book signing event, only to receive a manuscript that tells the story of an unsolved local mystery, one eerily similar to their fictional tale. Curiosity piqued, they set out to find the true culprit, using the novel as their guide.
Fiction
Mystery & Crime
Write a story about a detective who is assigned a mundane case of a missing cat, only to discover it is linked to a series of elaborate burglaries in the wealthiest part of town.
Fiction
Mystery & Crime
Detective Fiction
A renowned private detective famous for never having an unsolved case is now retired. However, a letter arrives one morning, postmarked 25 years ago, containing a case's details that was famously ruled as accidental. An urge to correct the past brings them out of retirement for one last case.
Fiction
Mystery & Crime
In a city where police officers are paired with AI-driven crime prediction systems, one officer becomes suspicious when his AI partner starts predicting trivial misdemeanours that lead to major criminal operations. Delve into his struggle to uncover whether the AI is malfunctioning or if there's something more sinister at play.
Fiction
Mystery & Crime
Police Stories
A quiet, multicultural neighborhood in London witnesses a spate of inexplicably precise burglaries. The only clue left behind at each scene is a piece of folk music from various parts of the world playing on the radio. A young detective of Caribbean descent decides to use her knowledge of global cultures to set a trap. Write about her innovative approach to catching the culturally-enigmatic thief.
Fiction
Mystery & Crime
Multicultural Fiction
A cyber-crime specialist receives an unusual case where thieves are using obscure historical facts to hack into government databases. As the investigation unfolds, the specialist uncovers a conspiracy that ties back to an ancient criminal organization thought to be extinct. Tell the tale of this high-tech hunt with a blend of modern day sleuthing and historical intrigue.
Fiction
Mystery & Crime
Crime Fiction
Every year during the Lunar New Year, a small Asian community in a European city receives an anonymous gift that benefits everyone. One year, however, the gift is a riddle leading to a series of clues about a century-old unsolved mystery involving the founding families. Who will step up to solve it, and what will they discover about their ancestors?
Fiction
Mystery & Crime
Multicultural Fiction
Set in a dystopian future where memories can be bought and sold, a memory detective is tasked with recovering a stolen set of memories that could shift the balance of power in the city. As the detective delves deeper, he starts to suspect that his own memories might have been altered as part of the crime.
Fiction
Mystery & Crime
Detective Fiction
During a high-profile marathon in a bustling city, an elite female detective finds herself caught in a race against time when a mysterious runner passes her a note indicating an imminent threat somewhere along the route. Tasked with subtly investigating while running, she must use her athletic and intellectual skills to avert disaster.
Fiction
Mystery & Crime
Women Detectives
In a bustling international marketplace, a famed relic goes missing hours before it's due to be showcased. The main character, a local detective from a small ethnic community, must navigate a web of cultural nuances and international intrigue to solve the case without offending diplomatic relations.
Fiction
Mystery & Crime
Multicultural Fiction
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