In a locked-room murder mystery, the victim was stabbed in the back while sitting in a swivel chair. The room had only one door, bolted from the inside, and a high, barred window overlooking a sheer cliff. The floor was covered in undisturbed fresh sawdust. No weapons were found in the room. How was the crime committed?
The weapon was an icicle.
An ice dagger would melt completely into a puddle of water, leaving no weapon behind and explaining how the killer struck in a sealed room.
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
An antique pocket watch was stolen from a locked display case during a museum gala. Three guests claimed they never approached the case: Lord Blackwood, Lady Ashton, and Professor Grey. Lady Ashton wore a thick winter fur coat. Lord Blackwood wore a tuxedo with tight, buttoned cuffs. Professor Grey wore a loose sweater with large, deep pockets. Detective Chen searched Professor Grey and found the watch. What gave the professor away?
A famous novelist was found dead at his writing desk, a suicide note typed on his vintage manual typewriter. Detective Sterling read the note: 'I can no longer bear the silence of this empty house.' Sterling looked at the mechanical typewriter, pressed the '1' key, and immediately arrested the victim's roommate for murder. Why?
A high-stakes poker player was shot dead at a private club table. Four players were at the table. Player A claimed he was dealing the cards. Player B claimed he was shuffling the deck. Player C claimed he was counting his chips. Player D claimed he was cutting the cards. Detective Thorne arrested Player C. Why?
A priceless porcelain vase was shattered into a hundred pieces. The maid said she accidentally knocked it off the pedestal while dusting. The son said the family cat jumped up and batted it down. The daughter said a strong gust of wind blew it over. Detective Finch inspected the room and arrested the daughter. What gave her away?
A wealthy merchant reported his diamond necklace stolen from a velvet display box. The night watchman stated he patrolled the hallway every twenty minutes and saw the necklace sparkling in the moonlight through the glass window the entire night. Detective Ray arrested the watchman immediately. Why?
Detective Drake inspected a museum break-in. The thief had bypassed an advanced retinal scanner by holding a high-definition photograph of the curator's eye up to the lens. Drake shook his head and told the museum director that an inside job was impossible, but the photograph itself proved the thief was an amateur. Why?