#1-What is a Mystery? Lesson
Plan
Free lesson plan for 4th grade and up
Alfred Hitchcock's
Mystery Magazine
Teaching Mysteries
Free mystery lesson plans and units
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What is a mystery? lesson plan
Mystery vocabulary lesson plan
Elements of a mystery lesson plan
Lesson plans in reading and solving mysteries
Mystery writing lesson plans
Mystery fiction lesson plan quiz
Teaching the mystery genre
Audible Free Trial
Mystery Guild Book Club
Websites to Use

Educational information on Sherlock Holmes and pictures
A. Objective
Students will understand what mysteries are by discussing
mysteries they have read or seen on TV.
B. Purposes
Academic: Attentive Listening
Social: Sharing Ideas
C. Materials needed
Chalkboard or chart paper, chalk, or multicolored pens
Class Instruction
Discussion etiquette
Review rules with students: Speaking out so others can hear, but not
shouting out, listening to each other, taking turns, and encouraging
each other.
Discussion Questions (Write student responses on board)
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What do you think a mystery should be?
When you think about mysteries, what comes to mind?
What is your favorite mystery book, movie, or TV program?
What do you find suspenseful?
How did the author make you curious?
What do you think makes a good mystery?
Teacher Evaluation
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How did students respond to this activity?
Were the students able to discuss and understand the different
aspects of mysteries?
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#2-Mystery Vocabulary Lesson Plan
Free lesson plan for 4th grade and up
Teaching Mysteries
Free mystery lesson plans and units
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


What is a mystery? lesson plan
Mystery vocabulary lesson plan
Elements of a mystery lesson plan
Lesson plans in reading and solving mysteries
Mystery writing lesson plans
Mystery fiction lesson plan quiz
Teaching the mystery genre
Websites to Use

Educational information on Sherlock Holmes and pictures
A. Objective
Students will be able to define vocabulary that appears regularly in mysteries in order to
fully understand the mystery genre.
B. Purposes
Academic: Reading, Spelling, Art
Social: Sharing Ideas
C. Materials needed
Short story mystery such as MysteryNet's Twist Mystery, paper, Mystery Vocabulary
Worksheet, pencils, crayons
Class Instruction
Discuss vocabulary. Read a short mystery. Discuss how each of the vocabulary words applies to
the mystery. Have students illustrate cartoons that will define each of the words as it applies to
the mystery.
Teacher Evaluation
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How did students respond to this activity?
Were the students able to show an understanding of the vocabulary in their illustrations?
Go to MysteryNet's Twist Mystery
Go to the Mystery Vocabulary Worksheet
Mystery Vocabulary Worksheet
Vocabulary worksheet to use with free mystery lesson plan
for 4th grade and up
Alibi
A plea offered by an accused person of not having been at the scene of crime.
Clue
Something that appears to give information toward solving the crime.
Deduction
Collecting the facts and drawing a possible conclusion.
Evidence
Someone or something that proves who committed the crime.
Red herring
A false lead that throws the investigator off track.
Sleuth
An investigator or detective.
Suspects
People who appear to have a motive to have committed the crime.
Witness
Person who has personal knowledge about the crime.
Teaching Mysteries Home Page
Twist
Suspense short stories with a twist
"Crying Wolf" by Kimberley Brown
Twist #331 - March 2012
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Originally appeared Jan. 1999
(Page 1 of 3)
Mystery Guild Book Club
mysterynet_solve one
T
Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery
Magazine
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Can you figure out this mystery with a twist?
Willis Pickney stood in the back of his new store,
Pickney Pawn and Fine Jewelry, tapping his foot and
looking at his watch. Twenty minutes! His silent store
alarm had gone off twenty minutes ago, and the police
still hadn't arrived.
Up front, Frieda Harris, his only employee, waited on a
young male customer. Another loser pawning his
wedding ring or his wife's family heirlooms, Willis
thought derisively. Just a week in this business and he
was already sick of it.
Finally, a blue-and-white squad car pulled to the curb,
lights flashing. A uniformed police officer rushed in,
bringing with him a blast of frosty winter air. Willis
pasted a surprised look on his face. "Don't tell me the
alarm went off again! That's the third time this week."
The officer sighed and holstered his gun. "Yep. Another
false alarm?"
Willis shrugged. "Apparently. When I first got the
system, I thought we might accidentally set it off. But I
didn't expect anything like this!"
The officer frowned and made a note on his pad.
"Sometimes you have to work the bugs out, I guess. I've
never seen one like this, though. I suggest you have it
checked for a short circuit right away." The young
officer was polite, but his tone was unmistakable--he
wasn't happy with Willis and his false alarms.
After Willis walked the policeman to the door, he went
to the counter. Frieda gawked. "It wasn't my fault, Mr.
Pickney. I didn't go anywhere near that button."
Willis looked at Frieda thoughtfully. He knew she
hadn't touched the alarm, because he himself had gently
tapped the foot switch while Frieda was busy with the
customer. The system was designed specifically for
high-risk businesses like pawnshops. Rather than
ringing an audible alarm, which might frighten a
nervous armed robber, when a person behind the
counter stepped on a special button, an alarm rang
straight into the police station. At night, when it was
armed, there was a motion detector in the rear of the
store which would also set off the alarm, and the
windows were rigged to ring it if they got broken. It was
a good system, and perfect for Willis' plan.
"However it happened," he said, "we must be more
careful. The police are going to get tired of coming out
here, and if we really need them, we'll regret it."
At that moment, Esther Pickney walked into the store,
carrying a huge balloon bouquet. "Good Luck!" and
"Best Wishes!" the cheerful balloons proclaimed. She
set them on the counter and kissed Willis' cheek with
her withered lips. He shuddered to himself.
"I just came to wish you a happy grand opening, dear!
Good morning, Miss Harris," she said crisply to Frieda.
"I hope you're enjoying your job."
Frieda nodded then busied herself behind the counter.
Willis could tell Esther intimidated her. Well, he wasn't
intimidated by his elderly aunt--money or no money!
With a look at Frieda, Esther pulled Willis aside.
"Willis, dear," she said, her voice low and confidential.
"You know I was happy to loan you the money to buy
this shop." A mist of tears came to the old lady's eyes.
"You're my only nephew--my only relative, really, since
I disinherited your cousin Franklin after he went to
prison. I want you to succeed." She squeezed his arm to
emphasize her point.
Willis nodded. These were his dues for taking her
money. He'd have to listen to her gloat about it. For a
while, anyway. Hopefully a very short while.
"But, after what happened last time..." Esther said.
Willis pulled away from her and fixed a hurt look on his
face. "I don't gamble anymore, Auntie," he whispered
fiercely. He was aware of Frieda's curious eyes on them.
"I told you that."
She patted his arm. "I know, dear. I just worry about
you. I want this business to be a success. I'm afraid it'll
be your last chance."
Willis stared at her. "What do you mean, 'last chance?'"
"I just mean I won't loan you any more, if this fails. I
hate to do it, but I must be honest with you," she said
firmly.
"Don't worry about me," Willis hissed through gritted
teeth. "I intend to be a very wealthy man, you'll see!"
Several hours after closing, Willis entered the back
alley-door of the store and quickly keyed in the code on
the wall panel to disarm the alarm. The store was dimly
lit with security lights--just enough for him to see what
he was doing. He went to the jewelry counter up front
and briefly admired the shining gold and silver. Some of
it was junk, true, but there were some good pieces.
Fortunately, he'd bought the shop from its previous
owner fully stocked.
Continue Twist
Crying Wolf" by Kimberley Brown
Twist #331 - March 2012
(Page 2 of 3)
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Previous Twist
Number One Fan
Can you figure out this mystery with a twist?
He had a key, of course, but this had to look like a real robbery, so he used a small hammer to
break the glass. He swept the gold and silver jewelry into the pillowcase he carried, then moved
to the next cabinet.
The balloons Esther had brought that morning caught his eye on the counter above the jewelry
cases. In a sudden fury, he hit the bouquet with his fist, knocking the balloons across the room.
The little sandbag weight hit the wall and burst, spewing sand on to the clean carpet. The
balloons floated to the ceiling, mocking him with their cheeriness. Old biddy! It was all her fault!
She was almost 75--if she'd go ahead and give him his inheritance instead of doling it out a little
at a time, he wouldn't be in this position! After he collected the insurance on this 'robbery', then
sold the stolen goods, he would have to consider hurrying his inheritance up, too.
Spurred by his anger, he quickly threw the rest of the jewelry into his sack. He moved to the
firearm cabinet, broke the glass with relish, and took the smaller guns he knew he could sell
quickly. Maybe he'd save one, though, to take care of dear Aunt Esther. Satisfied, he hefted the
full pillowcase and grinned. A nice night's work. Much better than standing behind a store
counter for the rest of his life, handing out pittances to losers for their sorry possessions,
knowing they'd never come back to retrieve them.
Now, for the next part of his plan. He went to the back door and keyed in the code to arm the
alarm, then let himself out and locked the door.
Leaving the pillowcase beside the door, he looked around for a brick or rock. He would throw
the brick through the front window, reach in to unlock the door, then take off down the alley to
his apartment. The police would be slow in arriving--they might not take twenty minutes like this
morning, but they'd be much slower than normal. When they did arrive and saw the place
ransacked, they'd think the thief had gotten away in the time they took getting there. The cops'd
blame themselves for being so slow! Willis chuckled. After all this was over, he might consider
suing the city because of their slow response.
At the end of the alley, a car passed by on the main road. Willis drew himself against the brick
wall of the building and waited. Better to be safe than sorry-- he had plenty of time.
He let ten full minutes pass and when no other cars went by, he took a deep breath of frigid air.
Let the fun begin! He trotted across the alley to pick up a broken piece of brick that he'd spotted
earlier. Perfect!
With a quick glance up and down the alley, Willis ran around the building to the storefront. No
cars were on the street near the store. Cocking his arm back, he threw the brick through a
window, then reached in to unlock the door. He pushed it open, then ran back around the
building to the alley, imagining the alarm going off in the police station. He could picture the cop
on duty at the desk heaving a sigh when he saw that it came from Pickney Pawn.
Willis picked up the sack of loot then turned to run down the alley. As he neared the main road, a
police car, lights flashing, blocked his way. How had they gotten here so fast? Frantically, he ran
the other way, only to see another set of flashing lights. Willis briefly considered running back
into the shop and pretending to be an innocent victim, but as the police came toward him, guns
drawn, he knew he was caught.
Continue Twist
"Crying Wolf" by Kimberley Brown
Twist #331 - March 2012
(Page 3 of 3)
Privacy Info
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Previous Twist
Number One Fan
Can you figure out this mystery with a twist?
Willis stood with his hands handcuffed behind his back, the incriminating pillowcase at his feet.
He glared at the cop.
"How did you guys get here so fast?" he demanded. "The alarm's only been going for a few
minutes."
The cop shook his head. "Son, that alarm's been ringing at the station for almost twenty
minutes."
"Yep," another cop said. He made a vague motion to the store he had just quickly searched.
"Those balloons'll do it every time."
"What do you mean?" Willis demanded.
"Soon as you set the alarm, those swaying balloons set off the motion detector. I can't tell you
how many office buildings we've gone to in the middle of the night because of those things."
Willis grimaced. Esther and her stupid balloons! It was all her fault!
Discuss this mystery
How did you think it would end?
What did you like?
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#3-Elements of a Mystery Lesson Plan
Free lesson plan for 4th grade and up
Teaching Mysteries
Free mystery lesson plans and units
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





What is a mystery? lesson plan
Mystery vocabulary lesson plan
Elements of a mystery lesson plan
Lesson plans in reading and solving mysteries
Mystery writing lesson plans
Mystery fiction lesson plan quiz
Teaching the mystery genre
Websites to Use

Educational information on Sherlock Holmes and pictures
A. Objective
Students will work in small groups of 3-5. They will read, analyze, and arrange mystery
events and characters to determine how mysteries are constructed.
B. Purposes
Academic: Reading, Problem Solving
Social: Group Collaboration
C. Materials needed
Printouts of MysteryNet's Kids Solve-it, MysteryNet's Kids Chiller, MysteryNet Twists,
Story Web printout (One for each group)
Class Instruction
Large Group Directions
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Discussion of small group etiquette: speaking softly, listening to each other, taking turns,
and encouraging each other
Read the MysteryNet Twist out loud as a class
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Review Story Web Worksheet
Small Group Directions
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Read mystery again.
Use Story Web Worksheet to analyze, arrange, and order events and characters in the
mystery.
Teacher Evaluation
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Did the students respond positively to this activity?
Were the students able to collaborate effectively in the small group using proper etiquette
and the Story Web worksheet?
Were the students able to analyze the mystery?
Go to the MysteryNet Twist
Go to the Story Web Worksheet
Story Web Worksheet for Teaching with
Mysteries Lesson Plans
Teaching Mysteries Home Page
http;//www.MysteryNet.com/learn/
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#4-Lesson Plans in Reading and Solving
Mysteries
Free lesson plan for 4th grade and up
Teaching Mysteries
Free mystery lesson plans and units
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




What is a mystery? lesson plan
Mystery vocabulary lesson plan
Elements of a mystery lesson plan
Lesson plans in reading and solving mysteries
Mystery writing lesson plans
Mystery fiction lesson plan quiz
Teaching the mystery genre
Websites to Use

Educational information on Sherlock Holmes and pictures
A. Objectives
Students will begin the process of learning to read critically, analyze information, and
collaborate in a small group.
B. Purposes
Academic: Reading, Problem Solving, Writing
Social: Group Collaboration
C. Materials needed
(per group): MysteryNet Solve-it (Internet access on one computer per group or one
printed copy per student), the Solving Mysteries Group Worksheet
Class Instruction
Purpose: Drawing conclusions in solving the mystery
Problem scenario: Read mystery aloud. Discuss mystery and additional clues, vocabulary.
Small Group Directions:
Read mystery again. Use Worksheet. Discussion of small group etiquette: speaking softly,
listening to each other, taking turns, and encouraging each other.
Teacher Evaluation
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How did students respond to this activity?
Were the students able to analyze the mystery?
How did students collaborate in a group?
Was the group able to collaborate effectively in solving the mystery?
Go to MysteryNet Solve-it
Go to the Solving Mysteries Group Worksheet
#5-Mystery Writing Lesson Plans
Free lesson plan for 4th grade and up
Teaching Mysteries
Free mystery lesson plans and units
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





What is a mystery? lesson plan
Mystery vocabulary lesson plan
Elements of a mystery lesson plan
Lesson plans in reading and solving mysteries
Mystery writing lesson plans
Mystery fiction lesson plan quiz
Teaching the mystery genre
Websites to Use

Educational information on Sherlock Holmes and pictures
A. Objective
Given a mystery photo, students will follow the mystery writing format to develop their
own original mysteries.
B. Purposes
Academic: Creative Writing
Social: Peer Work Evaluation
C. Materials needed
Printouts of MysteryNet.com mysteries Mysterious Photo Contest, paper, pencils or
computer with word processor, Story Web Worksheets (one for each student).
Class Instruction
1. Review writing techniques with students.
2. Review Story Web Worksheet for outline.
3. Using the photo from the MysteryNet Flash Mystery and the Story Web Worksheet,
begin brainstorming possible events, characters and setting for the students' original
mysteries.
4. Students will write, edit, rewrite.
5. Exchange stories with friends. Ask each other for constructive criticism.
6. Rewrite after peer collaborations.
7. Present to class.
Teacher Evaluation
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Were students able to follow the principles of writing a mystery?
Were students able to analyze the mysteries?
Were students able to effectively collaborate with each other?
Go to the MysteryNet Flash Mystery
Go to the Story Web Worksheet
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#6-Mystery Fiction Lesson Plan Quiz
Free lesson plan for 7th grade and up
Teaching Mysteries
Free mystery lesson plans and units
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


What is a mystery? lesson plan
Mystery vocabulary lesson plan
Elements of a mystery lesson plan
Lesson plans in reading and solving mysteries
Mystery writing lesson plans
Mystery fiction lesson plan quiz
Teaching the mystery genre
Websites to Use

Educational information on Sherlock Holmes and pictures
History of the Mystery Quiz
Questions are based on the individual authors' biographies which are located in the Mystery
Timeline.
Click here to visit the Kids version of The History of the Mystery
Edgar Allan Poe
1. Where was Edgar Allan Poe born?
2. What was his first love?
3. What job did he accept after marriage?
4. While he worked at Burton's, what tale did he write?
5. When did Poe introduce the first ever fictional detective and what was his name?
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Where was he born?
What was his first career?
Who was the famous detective he created?
What principles did he use to create this detective?
How many novels and short stories were created about the famous detective and his
sidekick?
Go to MysteryNet's Mystery Timeline
#7-Teaching the Mystery Genre
Free bios, pictures, homework help for mystery genres and
the best mystery authors
Teaching Mysteries
Free mystery lesson plans and units
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





What is a mystery? lesson plan
Mystery vocabulary lesson plan
Elements of a mystery lesson plan
Lesson plans in reading and solving mysteries
Mystery writing lesson plans
Mystery fiction lesson plan quiz
Teaching the mystery genre
Websites to Use

Educational information on Sherlock Holmes and pictures
Edgar Allan Poe picture bio for homework help and book report
Sherlock Holmes / Sir Arthur Conan Doyle picture bio for homework help and book report
Agatha Christie picture bio for homework help and book report
Dorothy L. Sayers picture bio for homework help and book report
Nancy Drew / Carolyn Keene picture bio for homework help and book report
Ellery Queen picture bio for homework help and book report
Perry Mason / Erle Stanley Gardner picture bio for homework help and book report
Dashiell Hammett / Sam Spade picture bio for homework help and book report
Hard-boiled mysteries for homework help and book report
Alfred Hitchcock picture bio for homework help and book report
Enrichment Links:
Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine Fiction Podcasts
AHMM introduces The Hitchcock Podcast Series. Each month we'll post a
reading of a story from our archives, supplemented with author interviews
and interesting tidbits.
Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine brings you the very best of crime fiction of all
subgenres, from suspense to hardboiled to cozy to supernatural to traditional
whodunits. And now you can listen to them in our podcasts. Come back frequently to
check for new episodes!
PODCASTS:
"After the Fall" by Elaine Viets
Elaine Viets reads her story "After the Fall" from the January/February 2006 issue of
AHMM. Featuring a question and answer session with editor Linda Landrigan.
"The Explosives Expert" by John Lutz
John Lutz reads his story from the September 1967 issue of AHMM. Recorded live at
Bouchercon 2011.
"The Wall" by Rhys Bowen
Rhys Bowen reads her story "The Wall" from the July/August 2005 issue of AHMM,
followed by a brief question and answer session between the author and editor Linda
Landrigan.
"The MacGuffin Theft Case" by Steve Hockensmith
What does a top secret government project have to do with the invention of pizza as
we know it? Steve Hockensmith reveals all in this story from our November 2005 issue.
"Akitada's First Case" by I.J. Parker
In this Shamus Award-winning story, which takes place in 11th century Japan, law
clerk Sugawara Akitada is hired by a father whose daughter has suddenly disappeared.
I.J. Parker is the author of seven Akitada novels, including the just-released The
Masuda Affair (Severn House).
"The People Across the Canyon" by Margaret Millar
Douglas Greene, publisher of Crippen & Landru, reads Margaret Millar's work from her
collection of stories The Couple Next Door, published by Crippen & Landru. "The People
Across the Canyon" was reprinted in the November 2005 issue of AHMM as a Mystery
Classic.
"Fandango by Flashlight" by Molly MacRae
In this cozy, read by the author, bookstore owner Margaret Welsh has noticed books
disappearing from her store's shelves over several months, and now her elephant dung
garden sculpture is missing too--could the garden thief and the bookworm be the same
person?
"No Trouble At All" by Douglas Grant Johnson
A horrible crime might never have been uncovered if not for a retired schoolteacher's
empathy with a young girl in distress.
"Digby, Attorney at Law" by Jim Fusilli
Jim Fusilli reads his Edgar-nominated story "Digby, Attorney at Law."
"Between Minke and Mayrev" by Kenneth Wishnia
Characters from THE FIFTH SERVANT continue their adventures in 16th century Eastern
Europe.
"Burning Twilight" by Kenneth Wishnia
A lady apothecary faces community suspicion in a tie-in with Mr. Wishnia's new novel,
THE FIFTH SERVANT.
"A Crust of Rice" by Martin Limón
"A Crust of Rice" by Martin Limón is a tale of survival in the aftermath of the Korean
War. A desperate young woman, Ji-na, searches for her erstwhile boyfriend, an
American G.I., claiming that he beat and robbed her. She finds unexpected help in the
form of Kimiko, an older and wiser "business woman."
"Click, Click, Click" by R.T. Lawton
It seemed like a clear shot . . . A holiday caper by R. T. Lawton, read by AHMM's
assistant editor, Laurel Fantauzzo.
"The End of the Train" by Mike Wiecek
"The End of the Train" takes us to the Newark, New Jersey, train yards, where it
appears a train loaded with dangerous chemicals has been inexplicably stolen. This
story is from the June 2007 issue of AHMM.
"Killing Time" by Jane K. Cleland
The author herself reads her award-nominated story featuring Josie Prescott, an
antiques dealer in New Hampshire.
"In Search Of" by Will Ludwigsen
From the June 2008 issue of AHMM, a tight tale with a rare perspective. The story is
read by actor and playwright Daniel John Kelley ( www.DanielJohnKelley.com ).
Come back frequently to check for new episodes!
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