Crime Writing Prompts

It’s the middle of November and I'm trudging through three feet of snow because, much to my dismay, bodies don't just bury themselves.

Write a story starting with this sentence.

Your character looks into the two-way mirror and says, “I know you’re watching me.”

What happens next?

“James Burnham was shot and killed yesterday,” the reporter on the TV says as James pours himself coffee, smirking...

The only answer is arson.

Show how a character slowly comes to this conclusion throughout the course of the story.

Write a dialogue scene which starts with a confession of love and ends with a confession of a crime.

Write a confession from a police officer who planted evidence to convict someone they believed was guilty.

Would they feel bad, or stick to their original convictions?

The Perfect Murder

Write a story that could have this as its title.

He narrowed his eyes at her, laughing nervously. “What do you mean you’ve killed someone?“

“I’m dead serious, babe. We need to get moving. Pack your bags. “

Her hands trembled as she read the note on her windshield: 'I know your secret.' Nervously, she scanned the parking lot filled with regular people. Who could possibly know?

A firefighter saves a life but later learns that the person they saved is a depraved criminal.

Write from this character's perspective as they struggle with mixed emotions.

"So, who’s going to die today?"

Write a story that begins with this question.

Your protagonist walks into a room with crimson walls and red lights. Rose petals are strewn on the perfectly fitted bed. A woman lays on the fluffed pillows, facedown, blood trickling down her flesh...