Write a Mystery

Even if you have no idea how!

Lesson written by Shannon Powell, adapted from one by Penny Lou Lew

1. You are finally out of work/school after a long, busy week. You are just about to do your favorite, relaxing activity. Describe what the activity is, what you’re doing, and what is going through your mind at the time.

2. Your cell phone rings, but you don’t want to answer it. Describe what goes through your mind during the ringing, and what you do, although you don’t answer it and you don’t shut it off completely.

3. After a few quiet moments, the phone rings again, and you decide you need to answer it. On the other end is someone who needs your help. They have witnessed a crime, and are frantically trying to explain it to you. Explain who the person is and how or why they have your number.

4. You decide you must help. Arrange with the person on the phone to arrive at the crime scene. Head there.

5. At the crime scene, there are people milling about. Someone comes up and talks to you to tell you what’s going on. What is the conversation like? (Use dialogue)

6. As everyone else goes about their business, you set to work examining the crime scene. What does it look like? What are some of the interesting things that you notice? Use plenty of detail.

7. While you are examining the scene, you come up with a couple of questions that should help you solve the case. What are the questions?

8. Someone tells you that there are three witnesses/suspects nearby, waiting to be questioned. Who do you see when you get there? Describe the three witnesses/suspects and their responses to your questions.

9. Toward the end of the interrogation, you notice something extremely suspicious, either on one of the suspects, near him/her, or in something he/she said. What is it?

10. As the interrogation draws to a close, you notice another clue. What is it, and what does it make you think or do?

11. Everyone leaves, giving you an opportunity to more closely examine the evidence you discovered. It clearly points to one of the suspects. What information does it give you, and what do you decide to do about it?

12. You decide to confront the suspect, but then you see all three witnesses leaving, and the criminal is about to make his/her escape. You act quickly. Describe what happens.

13. After a struggle, the suspect confesses. He/she confirms what you thought, and even gives a motive for the crime. Explain in detail how this scene plays out.

14. Somehow, conclude this story.