A priceless sapphire was stolen from a locked display case. The curator claims she was dusting the high shelves when the glass was smashed from the outside. Detective Vance noted the pristine layer of dust on top of the display case and immediately arrested her. Why?
The curator
If the curator had been dusting the high shelves recently, the top of the display case would not have a pristine layer of dust. Her alibi was contradicted by the physical evidence.
About this riddle
Detective riddles are tiny mysteries. Look for the detail in the story that does not fit; it is usually the clue that solves the case.
Difficulty: Medium. More like this: Detective riddles with answers or try Truth & Lie Island for a different kind of puzzle.
More detective riddles
A priceless diamond was stolen from a glass display case. The guard swore nobody entered the room, yet the heavy velvet curtains swayed, the window was wide open, and there was a puddle of water directly beneath the sill. It hadn't rained all week. How did the thief get it without walking in?
A wealthy art collector was found dead in his gallery, clutching a paintbrush in his stiff hand. On the canvas before him, he had painted a detailed portrait of a stormy ocean. Detective Cross took one look at the painting and arrested the gallery manager for murder. How did the painting prove the manager's guilt?
Detective Miller walked into the study and found the wealthy landowner dead on the carpet. On the notepad beside him, someone had hastily written: 'July 1, August 3, October 4, November 5.' Three suspects were questioned: the butler July, the gardener August, and the chef October. Who killed the landowner?
Five guests sign the hotel log one by one, and the manager remembers only these facts. Opal signed before Pavel. Kira signed before Opal. Carmen signed before Kira. Elena signed before Carmen. Who signed fourth?
A jeweler reported that a tray of sapphire rings was stolen from his shop during a midnight robbery. The glass front window was smashed inward, and sparkling glass pieces littered the hardwood floor. When Detective Moss arrived, she noticed that all the glass shards were piled in a neat, sweeping mound right next to the entrance door inside the shop. Moss immediately suspected an inside job. Why?
An antique dealer claimed a burglar broke through his shop's skylight, lowered himself by a rope, and stole a golden statue. Detective Ross inspected the scene: the skylight was bolted shut from the inside with thick dust caked over the latches, and the floor directly beneath it was covered in an undisturbed layer of fine soot. Ross arrested the dealer for insurance fraud. What proved the dealer lied?