You can either use one of the following prompts, or come up with your own idea:
Rewrite or add a scene to your chosen text using mystery or crime — you might change the events of the scene to feature a mysterious incident.
Write a discursive piece about a mystery presented in your text — the mystery does not need to be a crime or sinister in nature.
Write an atmospheric poem that draws on the mood of your text by evoking feelings of suspense or intrigue.
Write a prose piece that places a character from your text in the position of detective.
Note: Your chosen text does not need to belong to the mystery and crime genres — the choice is yours!
In the dimly lit streets of Victorian London, Sherlock Holmes stepped out of his quaint Baker Street residence. The fog hung heavy in the air, lending an eerie atmosphere to the gloomy city that had become his playground for solving mysteries. As he walked towards the bustling market, a scene unfolded before his eyes that set his detective instincts ablaze.
A crowd had gathered near a lavish carriage, and Holmes noticed the commotion coming from the group of onlookers. Pushing his way through, he found himself face to face with the bewildered coachman, who seemed to be in a state of panic.
"What has happened here?" Holmes inquired, his eyes scanning the surroundings for any trace of evidence.
The coachman stuttered, "It's the Lady Adelaide! She was in the carriage, and suddenly vanished into thin air. I swear, Mr. Holmes, I don't know how it happened!"
Holmes' eyes narrowed as he studied the perplexed coachman. "Tell me everything you remember about the moments leading up to her disappearance," he commanded.
The coachman recounted the events in a shaky voice. "We were driving through this very street when the carriage suddenly lurched. I thought it was just a pothole in the road, but when I turned to check on her ladyship, she was gone. The carriage door was still closed, and there was not a sign of struggle or forced entry."
Holmes examined the carriage meticulously, his keen gaze sweeping over every detail. He noticed a faint smell of almonds lingering in the air, an unusual scent for a carriage. His mind raced, connecting dots that were yet invisible to others. He turned his attention back to the crowd, observing their reactions, searching for any possible witnesses or suspects.
As if on cue, a small boy stepped forward timidly. "I saw something, sir," he whispered, barely audible in the clamor of the crowd.
Holmes crouched down to be at eye level with the boy. "Pray, tell me everything," he encouraged.
The boy, in a hushed tone, revealed, "I saw a man with a black hat and coat, standing near the carriage just before it started shaking. It was as if he had vanished too, disappearing into thin air."
Holmes' eyes widened with excitement. He had stumbled upon a clue that could crack this perplexing case. Determined, he set off in pursuit of the mysterious man, weaving through the labyrinthine streets of the city.
Unbeknownst to Holmes, a mysterious secret society lay behind the disappearance of Lady Adelaide. Their ultimate motive eluded him, but his relentless pursuit of justice would surely bring him closer to the truth. The game was afoot, and Sherlock Holmes, the master detective, was ready to unravel the enigma and restore order in the dark underbelly of London.
I will write a prose piece that places a character from the text "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" by Lewis Carroll in the position of a detective.
Title: Alice's Curious Case
Step 1: Introduction
Alice was finding herself bored once again in the strange and whimsical Wonderland. As she daydreamed by the Mad Hatter's tea party, a sudden commotion interrupted her thoughts. The Queen of Hearts stormed in, accusing the Cheshire Cat of stealing her precious tarts. Intrigued by the mysterious incident, Alice decided to take matters into her own hands and embark on a curious investigation.
Step 2: Analyzing the Crime Scene
Alice made her way to the Queen's kitchen where the stolen tarts had been kept. Observing the scene, she noticed crumbs scattered across the floor and an open window, suggesting a possible point of entry. Alice's keen eye also spotted a small white cat hair stuck to the countertop, which she carefully collected as evidence.
Step 3: Interviewing the Witnesses
Alice sought out the key witnesses to gather information. First, she spoke with the March Hare, who had been present during the theft. He bumbled his way through the account, mentioning seeing a mischievous grin and a flickering tail. Intriguingly, the Hare mentioned a strange disappearing act, which he couldn't quite explain.
Next, Alice approached the Door Mouse, who seemed drowsy but agreed to provide a statement. Although his words were slurred, he mentioned seeing a floating grin in connection to the theft. Alice noted down the details, recognizing this recurring clue.
Step 4: Unraveling Clues
Alice carefully examined the white cat hair she had collected from the crime scene. Realizing it belonged to the Cheshire Cat, she confronted him. Initially evasive, the cat couldn't resist leaving subtle hints, grinning and disappearing intermittently as Alice questioned him. She realized the cat held the key to solving the mystery.
Step 5: Confronting the Culprit
Following her instincts, Alice pursued the Cheshire Cat deeper into the forest, where she stumbled upon an abandoned tree trunk. Peering inside, she discovered an elaborate hiding place with stacks of stolen tarts hidden inside.
Just as Alice triumphantly revealed her discovery, the mischievous Cheshire Cat appeared once again, grinning from ear to ear. Confessing his actions, he admitted to stealing the tarts as a playful prank, fueled by his love for mischief and riddles.
Step 6: Resolution
Alice returned to the Queen of Hearts with the stolen tarts in hand, exonerating the innocent Cheshire Cat. To everyone's surprise, the Queen even managed a smile of gratitude. Alice's detective skills had not only solved the mystery but also restored peace among the peculiar characters of Wonderland.
In the end, Alice reflected on her adventure, realizing that even in the curious world she found herself in, she possessed the wit and intelligence to solve the most enigmatic of cases. From that moment on, Alice's daydreams of boredom became meaningful investigations, forever fueling her curiosity and love for solving mysteries.
Thank you for the prompts! I will go with the option to write a prose piece that places a character from a text in the position of a detective. Here we go:
Prose Piece - Placing a Character in the Position of a Detective
In the fantastical world of J.R.R. Tolkien's "The Lord of the Rings," where a great war is being waged, I will place the wise and skillful elf, Legolas, in the position of a detective. Legolas, renowned for his keen senses and ability to track, will be tasked with unraveling a mysterious incident that has taken place in the elven realm, Lothlórien.
It was a serene morning when Legolas received a distressing report from Galadriel, the Lady of the Wood. One of the sacred jewels from the Heart of Lothlórien, the Celebrian, had gone missing. Its mysterious disappearance had cast a shadow of uncertainty and paranoia among the elves.
Legolas, equipped with his trusted bow, keen eyes, and his ability to move swiftly and silently through the trees, began his investigation. As he roamed the enchanted woods, he listened to the whispers of nature, seeking any hints of the culprit.
The first clue came in the form of disturbed footprints near the sacred pool of Nimrodel. The footprints appeared to be those of a small creature, likely a hobbit. Curious, Legolas followed the trail, careful not to disturb the delicate harmony of the forest.
The trail led him to a hidden grove, where Legolas encountered a hobbit named Frodo, accompanied by his loyal friend, Samwise Gamgee. Legolas sensed sincerity in their voices as they denied any involvement in the theft. However, Frodo's nervous glances towards a hidden pocket in his cloak raised suspicion.
Determined to uncover the truth, Legolas pressed on. He ventured deeper into the woods, coming across a group of mischievous woodland creatures known as the Brownies. Suspicion shifted onto these mischievous beings, renowned for their thieving habits. But there was no evidence linking them to the crime, merely whispers and rumors.
Days turned into nights as Legolas tirelessly pursued every lead. His investigation took him to the heart of the forest, where he discovered a hidden cave filled with forbidden treasures that sparkled in the soft moonlight. Among the treasures, he found the missing Celebrian.
The mystery began to unravel. Legolas realized that the theft, supposedly committed by the hobbit or the Brownies, was a ruse to distract from the true culprits. A cunning group of dwarves, motivated by personal gain, had manipulated the situation to cast suspicion on innocent beings.
With the evidence in hand, Legolas confronted the dwarves, ensuring justice would be served. The elves of Lothlórien, grateful for his diligent efforts, hailed him as a hero. The stolen Celebrian was restored to its rightful place, bringing back the harmony and trust that had briefly faltered in the elven realm.
In this tale, Legolas, the elven archer, became not only a warrior but also a detective, driven by his commitment to justice. Through his keen senses and relentless pursuit of the truth, he uncovered a mystery that threatened the very heart of Lothlórien, proving that even in the midst of war, justice and balance can prevail.