At the stroke of midnight, Lord Blackwood was shot in his locked study. The window was frozen shut from the inside, and the heavy oak door was bolted from within. A puddle of water sat under the desk, but no weapon was found. How did the killer pull it off?
An icicle
The killer used a frozen icicle as the barrel or the bullet itself. Once the room's temperature melted the ice, the weapon completely vanished, leaving only a puddle of water behind.
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: Easy. More like this: Detective riddles with answers or try Truth & Lie Island for a different kind of puzzle.
More detective riddles
A wealthy merchant was poisoned during a banquet. The coroner's report stated the poison was fast-acting and consumed via a liquid. Four people shared a specialized wine pitcher with the merchant: the butler, the cook, the wife, and the business partner. Each used a different personal goblet. The merchant used a crystal chalice. All goblets and the pitcher were thoroughly washed by the scullery maid immediately after. How did Detective Finch identify the poisoner?
A wealthy eccentric was found dead in his study, supposedly having locked himself inside to count his gold coins. The window was barred from the inside, and the heavy wooden door was bolted from the inside. Detective Vance noticed a small puddle of water underneath the door and a large gap at the bottom of the threshold. How did the killer escape?
A baker was found murdered in his shop early Monday morning. The cash register was empty, and flour was scattered across the floor. A single set of muddy boot prints led from the front door, straight to the safe, and back out the front door. The victim's brother, who lived upstairs, came down and told the detective he rushed down immediately when he heard the crash. The detective arrested the brother on the spot. What gave him away?
A rare manuscript was stolen from a university library. The head librarian stated she locked the cabinet at 5:00 PM and left. The night watchman said he patrolled the hallway every hour and saw nothing unusual. A student researcher claimed he was studying in the back corner until midnight. Detective Holt asked the watchman one question about the hallway lights, and the watchman confessed. What did the watchman miss?
A wealthy collector was found dead in his gallery, clutching a torn photograph of his estranged brother. The window was broken from the outside, and glass shards lay across the Persian rug. Detective Dale inspected the shards and arrested the collector's wife for staging a break-in. What revealed the staged crime?
A jewel thief claimed he bought a stolen emerald ring at a garage sale from an elderly woman who didn't know its value. Detective Kelly checked the ring under a jeweler's loupe, found a custom serial number, and arrested the thief for the museum heist. What proved the thief was lying?

