Detective Marlowe found a cipher written on a mirror in lipstick: '5-15-1-19-20.' He immediately identified the victim's jealous roommate as the culprit without needing a decoder ring. How did Marlowe read the message?
Alphabet numbers
Each number corresponds to its position in the alphabet (5=E, 15=O, 1=A, 19=S, 20=T), spelling out the word 'BOAST' or 'COAST'—wait: 5=E, 15=O, 1=A, 19=S, 20=T spells 'EAST'. Or it spells a name.
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
Five guests sign the hotel log one by one, and the manager remembers only these facts. Felix signed before Dmitri. Aria signed before Felix. Gwen signed before Aria. Boris signed before Gwen. Who signed second?
A rare manuscript was stolen from a glass display case. The thief left behind a muddy footprint, a dropped glove, and a half-eaten apple. Forensic analysis proved the mud came from a local park, the glove belonged to a left-handed janitor, and the apple bite contained human DNA matching the curator. Yet, Detective Soto arrested the janitor. Why?
Detective Reed found a coded diary next to a poisoned diplomat. The killer had torn out every page except for the ones containing the months July, June, and May. Reed smiled and checked flight logs for a specific tropical island. Why?
An explorer was found dead in a sealed pyramid chamber. The cause of death was dehydration, yet the room contained several jugs of fresh water. Detective Ramirez noted that the jugs were all securely sealed with heavy wax plugs and no tools were present in the tomb. How did the explorer die of thirst?
Detective Quinn questions five witnesses about the order they reached the museum door. Elena reached the door before Iris. Dmitri reached the door before Aria. Iris reached the door before Gwen. Gwen reached the door before Dmitri. Who reached the door first?
Three kids race to build the tallest pumpkin tower. Omar finished before Leo. Leo finished before Max. Who finished last?