Inspector Vance entered the study and found the victim face down on the carpet. A shattered teacup lay nearby. On the desk sat four suspect files: the chef, the maid, the gardener, and the butler. A note written in spilled tea read: 'The poison was in the second cup.' The butler had served two cups of tea to the victim. Why did Vance arrest the butler without tasting the tea?
The victim drank tea
The victim only drank tea from the cup they were given, but the note specifies 'the second cup', implying the butler brought two cups sequentially, and the victim drank both or knew which one was spiked.
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 renowned pianist was found dead at his grand piano, his fingers resting on the keys. A thick layer of dust covered the piano lid except for one clean handprint. Detective Silva pointed at the handprint and arrested the manager. Why?
Five guests sign the hotel log one by one, and the manager remembers only these facts. Opal signed before Mara. Mara signed before Hugo. Hugo signed before Dmitri. Luca signed before Opal. Who signed last?
A chemist was murdered in her private laboratory. The only clue left behind was a sticky note on the counter with four chemical symbols written on it: Ni, C, E, U. The detective smiled, dialed the victim's jealous lab assistant, and asked him to turn himself in. What did the note spell out?
A man was found murdered in his study on a Tuesday morning. The suspects and their alibis were: The maid was dusting the library, the chef was ordering groceries over the phone, and the gardener was watering the indoor ferns. Detective Ray arrested the chef instantly. Why?
An archaeologist was found dead inside an Egyptian tomb replica. The cause of death was dehydration. The heavy stone door was shut, but not locked. Inside the tomb were a flashlight with dead batteries, a small notepad, and a glass of water. Why did the detective conclude this was not an accident?
Inspector Okafor is checking the order in which five suspects left the locked library. Luca left before Mara. Mara left before Opal. Kira left before Luca. Opal left before Gwen. Who left first?

