Detective Vance found the victim slumped over a desk with a punctured chest and a half-eaten sandwich. There were no weapons in the room, but the thermostat was set to 90 degrees and ice water was dripping from the ceiling vent. How did the killer strike?
An icicle
The killer used a large icicle as a weapon. Because the room was heated to 90 degrees, the icicle melted completely, leaving no murder weapon behind and causing water to drip from the ceiling vent.
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
The rabbit is bigger than the carrot, and the carrot is bigger than the basket. Which one is the smallest?
A rare manuscript was stolen from the university library. Security cameras showed three students entering the archive room, but none leaving with a bag or bulky coat. Student A carried an empty guitar case. Student B carried a stack of heavy textbooks. Student C carried a rolled-up yoga mat. Detective Reed arrested Student C. How did Student C smuggle the manuscript?
A master thief stole a rare manuscript from a museum display case. The guard swore the thief wore thick lead-soled boots that echoed heavily through the stone hallways. Yet, the forensic team found only delicate, soft footprints leading out the back door. How did the detective solve this contradiction?
Detective Hale questions five witnesses about the order they reached the museum door. Hugo reached the door before Carmen. Felix reached the door before Hugo. Elena reached the door before Felix. Boris reached the door before Elena. Who reached the door second?
The luxury yacht was cruising in the middle of the Pacific Ocean when the captain was found stabbed in his cabin. The first mate, the engineer, and the chef all swore they were on deck stargazing at 2:00 AM. Detective Vance asked each of them which constellation they were looking at. The first mate said the Southern Cross. The engineer said the Big Dipper. The chef said Orion. Vance immediately arrested the engineer. Why?
A rare manuscript was stolen from a glass case in the archives. Four researchers had access that day. Researcher A was wearing heavy winter boots. Researcher B was wearing running shoes. Researcher C was wearing formal dress shoes. Researcher D was wearing sandals. The floor around the shattered case was covered in tiny, fine grains of desert sand. Who was the thief?

