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Detective riddle

An explorer was found frozen to death inside a sealed research station in Antarctica. The heater was fully functional, and there was plenty of firewood and food. The door was bolted from the inside. How did he freeze?

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

Detective Miller stared at the freezing winter crime scene inside the locked walk-in freezer. The victim was seated at a table with a half-melted ice cream cone resting beside his hand. Miller immediately arrested the store manager, knowing the ice cream proved the victim had not been locked inside overnight as the manager claimed. Why did the ice cream give the manager away?

In a dimly lit study, a wealthy banker was shot. His business partner claimed he was outside smoking a cigar when he heard the shot. Detective Cross picked up the partner's unlit cigar, felt it, and placed him under arrest. What betrayed the partner?

A security guard at a pharmaceutical lab reported that a vial of experimental serum was stolen during his night shift. He claimed a masked intruder threw a smoke grenade through the small, high ventilation grate, rendered him unconscious, and fled. Detective Cruz inspected the guard's uniform and immediately knew the story was fabricated. What did Cruz notice?

A jeweler reported a heist. The front window was smashed inward, and diamonds were missing from the velvet tray. The security footage showed a masked figure throwing a heavy cobblestone through the glass at midnight. However, the lead detective noticed all the broken glass shards were lying neatly outside on the pedestrian sidewalk. What does this prove?

A suspect told Detective Miller he spent the entire stormy night driving along the coastal highway with his headlights on to guide his way. Miller checked the car and arrested him on the spot. What was wrong with his story?

The stolen painting was hidden in one of three identical packing crates in a warehouse. Crates A, B, and C each had a warning painted on them by the thief. Box A read: 'The painting is not in Box B.' Box B read: 'The painting is in this box.' Box C read: 'The painting is not in Box A.' If only one statement is true, where is the painting?