Mystery stories had a great start in short fiction. Just look at Edgar Allan Poe’s works, which established the detective story.
Each story is a bite-sized piece of suspense that races you towards an explosive, often twisty conclusion. They’re the perfect stories to read for short bursts of adrenaline and enjoyment.
Best Mystery Short Stories
The best mystery short stories keep you guessing and make your heart race. Many on this list are detective stories, while others explore the mystery genre in other ways.
1. In My Hands by Sarah Cortez
Elizabeth and Winston have just divorced. The narrator receives a call from Elizabeth saying if she ever gets killed, Winston is the culprit. She disappears not long after, leaving only a shattered wedding picture.
2. The Holloway Flat Tragedy by Ernest Bramah
Max Carrados, the blind detective known for his observational skills, is called to investigate the tragic death of one Mr. Carlyle at Holloway Flat. The apartment is secure yet he is found dead under suspicious circumstances. To solve the mystery, Max must connect seemingly unrelated clues to unravel the mystery behind Mr. Carlyle’s death.
3. An Alpine Divorce by Robert Barr
An unhappy couple takes a vacation in the Alpine mountains. The man plans to kill his wife by pushing her to her death. Things take a strange turn when she begins asking him questions only he can answer right before the crime.
4. The Case of Oscar Brodski By R. Austin Freeman
An inverted detective story, this tale is presented in two parts. In the first, the reader is given an account of the crime, including the killer, the method, and their motivation.
The second follows Dr. John Thorndyke, a criminal pathologist as he uses physical evidence, interrogation, and deduction to piece clues together and solve the case.
5. The Blue Cross by G.K. Chesterton
Flambeau, the world’s most famous criminal, has vanished in London. Hot on his trail is Aristide Valentin, Paris’ suave and swell-headed detective. Things get complicated when the seemingly bumbling Father Brown enters the scene, carrying an object of great value.
6. The Hanging Stranger by Philip K. Dick
Store owner Ed Loyce is horrified to see a stranger hanging from a lamppost. He is further disturbed when other people see it as unremarkable. He finds evidence of a sinister plot, following it to surprising ends.
7. Murders in the Rue Morgue by Edgar Allan Poe
Madame L’Espanaye and her daughter are found dead in a locked room in their fourth-floor apartment. The police are baffled, both by the lack of motive and the mysterious means of murder.
C. Auguste Dupin, an amateur but brilliant detective, is intrigued by the case. He takes it upon himself to solve it through keen observation and logical reasoning.
8. Duel by Richard Matheson
A businessman is driving through the California desert when he encounters a semi-truck on the road. It initiates a series of aggressive maneuvers, turning the journey into a deadly game of cat-and-mouse.
9. The Man Who Knew How by Dorothy L. Sayers
Two strangers—Pender and Smith—meet on the train, with the latter claiming to know how to pull off the perfect murder. There’s been a series of odd deaths lately, and Pender can’t help but think whether Smith is telling the truth.
10. The Red-Headed League by Arthur Conan Doyle
A red-headed pawnbroker takes on a peculiar, but high-paying job for the so-called Red-Headed League. However, the organization disappears soon after, leaving nothing behind. Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson are asked to solve the mystery.
11. They Never Get Caught By Margery Allingham
Harold Brownrigg is a man with money problems and a wandering eye. He starts an affair with a woman half his age, who shortly dumps him for a younger man with a flashy car.
It leaves him thinking: maybe life would be so much better if his dull and stupid wife was gone and he inherited all her money?
12. Kiss Me Again, Stranger by Daphne du Maurier
A nameless young man becomes infatuated with a beautiful usherette. He rides with her on the bus and even rests her head on his shoulders. As the bus goes on, secrets are revealed and her true nature becomes apparent.
13. The Specialty of the House by Stanley Ellin
Sbirro’s is an exclusive restaurant where patrons eagerly anticipate a culinary experience like no other. There is no music, no electricity, no menu.
All it has is the specialty of the house—a dish made from a beast so rare only Sbirro can offer it. But when its secrets are slowly teased out, the diners may find it no longer to their taste.
What other mystery short stories do you like? Share them in the comments below!
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Cole is a blog writer and aspiring novelist. He has a degree in Communications and is an advocate of media and information literacy and responsible media practices. Aside from his interest in technology, crafts, and food, he’s also your typical science fiction and fantasy junkie, spending most of his free time reading through an ever-growing to-be-read list. It’s either that or procrastinating over actually writing his book. Wish him luck!
