Friday Flash Fiction
  • Home
    • About Friday Flash Fiction
  • 100-Word Stories
  • Longer Stories
  • Poetry
  • Authors
    • A-C
    • D-F
    • G-I
    • J-L
    • M-O
    • P-R
    • S-V
    • W-Z
  • Contest Entries
    • 100-Word Submissions
    • How to complete the Entry Form
    • Writing Good Flash Fiction
    • Appeals/Feedback Request
    • Competition Contact
    • Technical Stuff >
      • Terms & Conditions
      • GDPR Compliance
      • Duotrope

Murder, by Sandra James

28/8/2020

 
“It’s murder!” said Detective Sergeant Smithers.

“But the clues don’t add up.” Constable Andrews shook his head.

“Go back to your desk and look at them again, son. I’ve been at this a lot longer than you and I think you’ll find I’m right.”

Fifteen minutes later a contrite Constable Andrews knocked on his Sergeant’s door. “You were right, Sarg! I had the answer for three down all wrong. ‘Murder’ fits in perfectly now.”

Detective Sergeant Smithers grinned. “Cryptic crosswords are tricky, lad, but you’ll get the hang of it.”
Gordon Lawrie
28/8/2020 04:08:47 pm

Hahaha! There's just something about this that makes me laugh out loud, Sandra. Well done.

Sandra James
30/8/2020 12:11:25 am

Thanks Gordon! One of my high school teachers showed me the basics of cryptic crosswords many moons ago. He's probably not with us now but I'm sure he's 'up there' somewhere having a laugh, too :)

Mary Wallace
28/8/2020 04:14:20 pm

Good one Sandra. You had me from the first line.

Sandra James
30/8/2020 12:12:31 am

Thanks Mary, the story came out better than most of the cryptic crosswords I attempt!

Jim link
28/8/2020 04:32:55 pm

A morning smile! Nice one Sandra!
Jim

Sandra James
30/8/2020 12:13:21 am

Thanks Jim! We need a good smile to start the day, especially at the moment :)

Marjan sierhuis
28/8/2020 04:36:01 pm

Delightful, Sandra.

Sandra James
30/8/2020 12:14:01 am

Thanks Marjan :) I'm glad you enjoyed it. I had fun writing it!

Pamela Kennedy
28/8/2020 05:26:12 pm

Made me giggle...a fun read, Sandra.

Sandra James
30/8/2020 12:15:05 am

Thanks Pamela - our giggles have been a bit suppressed since Covid so glad I could share one :)

Doug
28/8/2020 07:19:20 pm

Great job Sandra. You got me good. Thanks for the laugh.

Sandra James
30/8/2020 12:18:00 am

Thanks Doug! Glad it's given so many a smile or a laugh. I know I'll think of it every time I get stuck on a crossword clue :)

Sue Clayton
29/8/2020 03:58:02 am

Loved it, Sandra. Very clever twist.

Sandra James
30/8/2020 12:18:54 am

Thanks Sue - I love an unexpected twist :)

Al Watt
29/8/2020 12:30:22 pm

you led me down a path to an unexpected place well done.

Sandra James
30/8/2020 12:21:12 am

Thanks Al - glad you enjoyed a nice little stroll :)

Tina E Anton
30/8/2020 08:12:21 pm

That made me genuinely smile. Been a hard week for smiles. I've needed to drudge them up with a trawler, but this story made it easy. 🤗❤️

Sandra James
31/8/2020 02:26:28 am

Yes Tina, a tough time for smiles, I fear they're in danger of becoming extinct and not just because we're all masked up 😷 I do love that expression 'drudge them up with a trawler' though! I feel very honoured to have delivered a few smiles and chuckles this week.
Thanks a lot for your feedback 💛🌼

Collin McFadyen
31/8/2020 09:56:49 pm

Ha Ha! What a perfect moment for a laugh! I'd just set aside the New York Times crossword for a little reading break and there was your story. Here's to both great writing and good timing!

Sandra James
1/9/2020 01:40:44 am

Thank you, Colin! It's so good to know you and others across the other side of the world (I'm in Victoria, Australia) had a much needed laugh at my little story! It inspires me to work on some more laughs for next week - we certainly need them :) Thanks again!

Jane Reid
2/9/2020 09:48:08 pm

So glad to see some stories wit ha lighter touch this week.For a while there, the overall tone had grown depressingly solemn. No one is going to solve the problems of the world in 100 words -- might as well have fun here.

Sandra James
2/9/2020 10:19:01 pm

Thanks Jane! And, I agree...we do need to look for the lighter side and some positives to help us through. Being gloomy and complaining only makes it seem worse and drag on longer :) Thanks again!


Comments are closed.

    "Classic"
    100-Word
    Stories

    Since Friday Flash Fiction began in September 2013, 100-word stories have remained its 'beating heart'.

    Normally, 100-word stories are scheduled for 07.00 BST (GMT in the winter) on the following Friday. However, where a large number of stories (more than 25) are due to be published on the same day, we publish a second batch around 10.30am.

    Each week we pick a story or (occasionally) a poem as 'Editor's Choice'.
    It's a personal favourite, no more. Do you agree?
    Editor's Choice
    Picture

    For those looking for the latest story (or poem) from our Ukrainian contributor Malvina Perova
    – just to check she's safe & well –click the button below.
    Malvina in Ukraine

    NEW: we have a FACEBOOK PAGE where regular contributors can share ideas and discuss stories. Why not join in?

    We occasionally send out little newsletters running competitions – and subscribers are also our voting panel. If you'd like to join us, please click the Subscribe to newsletter button below.
    Subscribe to Newsletter
    No spam, we promise!

    Friday Flash Fiction
    Rules
    Kinda obvious, really...
    • Fiction only
    • Stories of 75-100 words only
    • Don't be nasty or cheat
    • Include your name and a story title

    Archives

    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    December 2012


Picture
Website by Platform 36

Photos used under Creative Commons from YLegrand, Tony Webster