The famous pianist was found dead in his soundproof studio with a gunshot wound to the chest. A revolver lay beside his right hand. The door was locked from the inside, and the heavy drapes were drawn. Detective Cole noticed the grand piano's lid was propped open, and immediately declared it a homicide. What did Cole notice?
Soundproof studio
If the studio was truly soundproof, a gunshot would not be heard, but more importantly, a pianist would notice a single missing key or tuned string, but the real clue: a soundproof room requires closed ventilation, yet a draft moved something? No—the pianist was found with a gunshot, but a gunshot in a soundproof room wouldn't echo, yet the piano strings would vibrate sympathetically to the loud bang, showing physical stress on the strings.
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: Hard. More like this: Detective riddles with answers or try Truth & Lie Island for a different kind of puzzle.
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