By Alisa Neeza
Are you hesitant with starting a reading habit because you simply do not have the time to spare to read a full-length novel? Or are you simply looking out for a new binge-worthy genre for your library because you’ve had enough of chick lits and dystopian novels? Fear no more! We are giving you the top 10 Mystery short stories for you to enjoy!
Mystery stories enable us to face danger, fear, and suspense all from the comfort of our chairs. It is absolutely perfect for those who want to add a little bit of 💫spice💫 without having to actually endanger themselves. From solving a murder investigation🕵🏻 to uncovering truths in the realm of paranormal and science fiction👾, we got it all just for you. Prepare yourself for a ride into the unknown that could possibly build you up, or break you down. ⚰️
Mystery Short Stories #1: An Alpine Divorce by Robert Barr
“Marriage at best is but a compromise, and if two people happen to be united who are of an uncompromising nature, there is trouble.” – Robert Barr
In this story, we see that an unhappy couple decided to take a vacation in Alpines mountain. Unbeknownst to the wife, her husband, Mr. Bodman had planned to kill her by pushing her off to her death. However, things take a turn when his wife started to ask him strange questions that only he can answer, right before he was going to commit the crime.
Goodreads rating: 4.25/5
Goodreads review:
A great story around marital hate, with a strangely satisfying ending that illustrates how deep hate and resentment can grow.
-Steph
I love the short stories of revenge. I think we have all been there at one time or another. I love how this author captures my attention in each story.
-Lynn Shemeley
You can get this book at Book Depository: Here
Mystery Short Stories #2: A Jury of Her Peers by Susan Glaspell
This short story revolves around the investigation of a murder of a man named John Wright. We are taken along the investigation with the sheriff and the county attorney. While it is a norm for us to see men solving cases like these, the story took a different turn in showing how the women, Mrs. Hale and Mrs. Peters solve the case and discovered a shocking clue that could lead to the arrest of the murderer.
Goodreads rating: 4/5
Goodreads review:
A powerful short story from 1917! An investigation of a rural murder where the victim’s wife is the presumed murderer. While clearly of its time,(I would hope that most men these days have moved on from the attitudes of the men here!) it still strongly resonated with me particularly as domestic violence is so prevalent in today’s society.
-Janelle
A Jury of Her Peers was a very interesting and well constructed short story, but it was the undertones of social commentary on the position and sisterhood between women that made it a worthwhile read. It takes a while to get to the good stuff, but the level of skill it takes to make something like this work is evident in the writing. For what the plot is when you boil it down, two women in a home that happens to be a crime scene, it is surprisingly suspenseful.
I can understand why this is used in classrooms. It’s an incredible example of what a short story can achieve.
-Jessica-Robyn
You can get this book from Book Depository: Here
Mystery Short Stories #3: The Red-Headed League by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
This is the story of how a man, Wilson came to Holmes’s aid after finding out his workplace had suddenly disappeared and his employer’s vanished into thin air. Is there something a lot more sinister going on? As usual, we can see Holmes’ adventure in solving this case with his sidekick, Watson alongside him.
Goodreads rating: 3.96/5
Goodreads review:
I loved Holmes’ explanation to Watson of his motivations for sleuthing:
It saved me from ennui,’ he answered, yawning. ‘Alas! I already feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort to escape the commonplaces of existence. These little problems help me to do so.”
Perhaps that explains his cocaine habit as well!
– Jamie
“My life is spent in one long effort to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little problems help me to do so.”
Probably one of my favorite Sherlock Holes short stories and the perfect cosy read for a Sunday afternoon.
(Not to mention, I needed something short to boost my reading challenge cough)
-maryliz
You can get this book from Book Depository: Here
Mystery Short Stories #4: The Hanging Stranger by Philip K. Dick
When you mix science fiction and mystery together, you know the story is going to be good. In this story, Ed is horrified to see a man dangling by the lamp post, but what is more sinister is that the townspeople have no reaction whatsoever to the event! Desperate to uncover the mystery behind the lynched man and the townspeople, he reach out to people he thought could help. Unbeknownst to him, however, his actions brought more harm than good.
Goodreads rating: 3.92/5
Goodreads review:
Okay, first of all, what the heck happened-
Second, HOW the heck happened-
And third, WHAT AND HOW AND WHY THE HECK THAT HAPPENED.
-Booktastically Amazing
Tonight was definitely time for another PKD story, and this one was perfect.
Ed Loyce was supposed to be at work. Instead, he was working in his basement. So when he heads across town to his store, he spots a man hanging from a lamppost…
And so begins a paranoid adventure that sends Ed everywhere, but ultimately leads nowhere.
He’s convinced that the town has been replaced with alien insects, and everyone is under their control. It’s why no one else thinks anything of the hanging man, and why they decide to chase him.
I really enjoyed this atmospheric tale because the descriptions were creepy, the hidden message very apparent, and the paranoia embedded in Ed’s every action so disorienting. It felt like an episode of The Twilight Zone or The Outer Limits.
Love how well he wrote weird and surreal in a way that makes you wonder if the character’s real problem is madness.
-Yolanda Sfetsos
Ed Loyce has been working in his basement – he decides to take a break from the subterranean work and walks to town and checks in with his repair shop. On his way there, he sees a horrific scene: a dead body hanging from a light post in the town center. He is confused, scared, and angry – why is this here? How did this happen? Why do people walk by with no care?
Ed soon realizes that this dead body in the plaza is the least of his concerns…
Great short story – like a Twilight Zone episode – originally published in 1953 in Science Fiction Adventures, and reproduced in many of the PKD compendiums.
It was great! Solid 4.5 stars
-Lauren
You can get this book at Book Depository: Here
Mystery Short Stories #5: Murders in the Rue Morgue by Edgar Allan Poe
After a gruesome murder of Madame L’Espanaye and her daughter, Mademoiselle Camille, Dupin channeled his brilliant power of analysis in finding out who murdered these two ladies. The fact that the murder happened in a locked room in their apartment proves the impossibility of the crime to be committed, or is it? Who could the murderer be? Give this short story a shot and you will uncover the secret to the murders in the Rue Morgue.
Goodreads rating: 3.86/5
Goodreads review:
There are very few people with any knowledge of literature who have not heard of the character Sherlock Holmes. Beloved by readers for over a century, Conan Doyle crafted a pompous and overly confident detective that always seems to be on the trail of even the cleverest criminals. But this review is not about Sherlock Holmes. It is about the man who is responsible for influencing the creator of this character. His name is Auguste Dupin, a Frenchman. This detective created by Edgar Allan Poe appears in only three short stories but these stories really pack a punch and offer a very satisfying introduction to the detective fiction genre.
Poe’s writing here is complex. Although these stories appear short they should be read slowly and require a little more concentration as usual because these stories (Murders in the Rue Morgue, Mystery of Marie Roget, and the Purloined Letter) feature very little action and are more of a discussion of the science of deductive reasoning. Although this is not for everybody, I believe Poe really shows off his literary genius here and can take credit for creating the entire mystery genre.
-Sean
An outstanding work by Poe…I can proudly say that Poe is the best crime fiction writer that I have ever read. And this detective installment was the proof of it.
-Rao Javed
You can get this book from Book Depository: Here
Mystery Short Stories #6: The Monkey’s Paw by W. W. Jacobs
What would you wish for if you are given three wishes? Brought by a friend who once served in the army, Mr. White is now in possession of a cursed object that could grant his wishes. But a warning is accompanied: there will be dire consequences once you decided to tamper with faith. Will Mr. White cower from using the item, or brave himself to follow through with his desire at the price of his loved ones?
Goodreads rating: 3.85/5
Goodreads review:
Classic horror tale. A family and their son Herbert are visited by an old soldier named Morris. He tells them about his time in India and shows them a mysterious talisman, the monkey’s paw. According to him, the owner of the paw has three wishes. Since he already had three he throw the object into the fire. Herbert’s father is getting the talisman out of the fire and from here the horror starts. If you want to know how the family got the wish for 200 pounds you should take a peek now.
The story is set up in three chapters and is very creepy. Stephen King certainly had this story in mind when writing Pet Cemetery… Can you guess what the father’s final wish was? It is a classic and absolutely recommended.
-Peter
“Be careful what you wish for, you may receive it.”
There couldn’t be any better epigraph for this story.
Monkey’s Paw is one of the most amazing short stories I have ever read. The writing is so terrifyingly enjoyable. The atmosphere is one of the darkest ones I have ever read! I loved the atmosphere, loved the plot, loved the writing, and loved everything.
OVERVIEW
Mr. and Mrs. White get a talisman which is a mummified monkey’s paw from the friend of Mr. White. This Monkey’s Paw can fulfill three wishes of yours. But for a very heavy price that you will regret your wish…
This story shows that if you interfere with the working of Fate, you will regret it.
The ending is a little vague. Not that confusingly vague. But vague in a good manner. I liked this thing, particularly in the story.
I will highly recommend this to everyone.
-Ahmed Ejaz
I remember reading this story (or a slightly modernized version of it) as a child, and I’m happy to tell you after reading the original version of the story it is still as impressive and outstanding as I’ve remembered.
It’s a peerless piece of short story, the elements of horror and suspense are used masterfully by the author, it’s nearly impossible to add more words into the text nor take words away from it without damaging the story—The Monkey’s Paw is perfect as it is. No wonder it’s a classic.
Mizuki, Goodreads.
You can get this book at Book Depository: Here
Mystery Short Stories #7: The Wind in the Rose-Bush by Mary E. Wilkins Freeman
In this paranormal story. a spinster called Rebecca, went to a town called Ford Village to visit her niece, Agnes, and asked her to follow her back to Michigan, where she is staying after leaving her teaching job. When Agnes’ stepmother gave excuses as to why Agnes is not home, Rebecca started to feel that something is wrong. Things then took a turn when she realized that a paranormal entity is trying to communicate with her. Will the truth finally be unveiled?
Goodreads rating: 3.84/5
Goodreads rating:
This is a creepy, fun story about an aunt who comes to retrieve her niece after her father has died. She is met by the father’s second wife who is less than helpful. There is a rose bush that is moved by a nonexistent wind. This is available in Weird Women: Classic Supernatural Fiction by Groundbreaking Female Writers, 1852-1923.
-Liz
A ghost story full of sorrow and regret
-Madah J
You can get this book from Book Depository: Here
Mystery Short Stories #8: Locked Doors by Mary Roberts Rinehart
In this thrilling tale of mystery, we follow Miss Hilda Adams in her adventure of being a nurse for an eerie family while assuming the role of a detective to uncover the secret of the locked doors during nighttime in the family’s mansion. They don’t have a servant, their phone doesn’t function, and their children aren’t permitted to leave their room at night. What goes on in the mansion at night, and what is the secret of this eerie family? Read more to find out!
Goodreads rating: 3.81/5
Goodreads review:
This is the second story in the Nurse Hilda Adams mysteries (the first is The Buckled Bag) and although they do not need to be read in order, I enjoyed seeing the changing dynamic and mild hint of growing affection between the nurse detective and the police detective. This story was creepier than the first but still not creepy enough to hurt my very tender heart, it’s good for those who like mysteries with no murder or “murder-lite”.
I thoroughly enjoyed this short book even though there were a few things that didn’t quite fit and the author threw in a few eye-rolling moments where the normally sensible Nurse Adams became a quivering, silly mess. I’m a fairly novice mystery reader and yet I presumed to think I had figured out part of the mystery. Well … I was sort of in the ballpark … but not really! The mystery “reveal” was unique to anything I’ve ever read. I’m looking forward to reading the third installment, Miss Pinkerton.
-Jane
Woo hoo. I love getting lost in a doorstopper, but it takes a skilled writer to squeeze the right emotions out in a shorter work. Roberts Rinehart got mad skills. And a truly modern feel. Hard to believe this was first published more than 100 years ago.
We get a quick and dirty setup: Miss Adams is a trained nurse who investigates for the cops from the inside. She packs her gun and a suitcase and is on the scene in a big family home trying to find out what the family is hiding, what happened to the nanny, and what freaked out the last nurse so badly.
I am delighted to say I never predicted that solution. Happily, there are plenty of stories available in the public domain. Collect them all.
Personal copy from Gutenberg
-Kaethe
You can get this book from Book Depository: Here
Mystery Short Stories #9: August Heat by W. F. Harvey
An artist in the tale named James Clarence Withencroft experiences a flash of inspiration and paints a sketch of a criminal that was sentenced in court earlier that day. Later, he runs into a monumental mason who looks eerily similar to the perpetrator in his sketch. When the mason shows him the inscription he has etched on the headstone he had been carving, his fear grows, as what was inscribed is his date of death which coincidentally, falls on that very day. What do the two men have in common, and what will become of Withencroft?
Goodreads rating: 3.73
Goodreads review:
A short story set in the early 1900s. In the beginning, it’s like a normal story but as we read ahead it does give you a creepy feeling.
As a reader, you wait for things to go wrong because there is this heavy feeling in the air you know somehow that it may not be a happy ending.
The day starts like every other day but you never know the turn of events that a normal day can take.
The most horrifying bit of this story is it can happen to anyone at any time because destined it may be but for the folks who are living it, it can be as unpredictable as it can get.
In the end, it also makes you think if there is anything in your hands in this world or the course of your life is already charted and at the most, you can do is go with the flow…
-Poonam
A wonderful thriller about future happenings with an unexpected open ending. ‘August heat’ is considered to be one of the best short stories of all time. This tiny tale is a self-narration of the main protagonist about the most unusual day of his life. The storytelling resembles that of a horror one even though there is nothing but unexpected circumstances.
-Simon Saha
You can get this at Amazon: Here
Mystery Short Stories #10: The Prophetic Pictures by Nathaniel Hawthorne
On the night of their wedding, Walter Ludlow and young Elinor decide to purchase a picture from a famous painter whose works are so exquisite that they appear to be alive on the painting. There’s even talk that they’re more real than the actual subjects and that the painter is capable of capturing the true soul of the people he depicts. Though this may seem like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, the couple will learn that obtaining the painting may not be such a good idea.
Goodreads rating: 3.28/5
Goodreads review:
First published in The Token and Atlantic Souvenir of 1837, this tale expresses eloquently and with keen insight what it means to be an artist–one like Hawthorne–who explores the spiritual heights and depths of our human nature. Although he cannot claim to be a clairvoyant or a fortune-teller, yet he may “prophesy” the eventual state of his subject’s soul by observing closely and meditatively the man who appears before him.
Walter–the young man who wishes to hire the prophetic painter for a pair of bridal portraits–describes the artist’s gift to his fiancee Elinor:
“They say that he paints not merely a man’s features, but his mind and heart. He catches the secret sentiments and passions, and throws them upon the canvas, like sunshine–or perhaps, in the portraits of dark-souled men, like a gleam of infernal fire. It is an awful gift…I shall be almost afraid to sit to him.”
It turns out, of course, that Walter and Elinor should have been afraid.
The beginning of this tale–as good as “Rappacini” or “Major Molineux”–is so fateful and atmospheric, the descriptions of the artist’s mission so apt, that at first, I was sure I had discovered a neglected Hawthorne masterpiece. Alas! The ending is rushed and melodramatic, and “The Prophetic Pictures” betrays its promise. No masterpiece here.
Still, half a great Hawthorne story is better than none. Much better.
-Bill Kerwin
You can get this book from Book Depository: Here
Don’t forget to also visit our other book recommendation post, ‘5 Classic Halloween Books that you must absolutely read once in your lifetime to get in the spooky mood!
Link: 5 Classic Halloween Books that you must absolutely read once in your lifetime
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