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Printed from https://writing.com/main/newsletters/action/archives/id/12139
Mystery: August 23, 2023 Issue [#12139]




 This week: Back to the scene
  Edited by: Arakun the twisted raccoon Author IconMail Icon
                             More Newsletters By This Editor  Open in new Window.

Table of Contents

1. About this Newsletter
2. A Word from our Sponsor
3. Letter from the Editor
4. Editor's Picks
5. A Word from Writing.Com
6. Ask & Answer
7. Removal instructions

About This Newsletter

Quote for the week:
"Mystery spread its cloak across the sky.
We lost our way.
Shadows fell from trees.
They knew why."
~From "House of Four Doors" by the Moody Blues


Word from our sponsor

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Letter from the editor

In a common trope seen in mystery stories, criminals often return to the scene of a crime, but do they?

According to several studies quoted by Brinks Home Security, burglars return to the scene of their crimes as often as 50% of the time. A thief might return to the scene of a previous crime because they already know the layout, and they know the location of expensive items that they did not have time to steal the first time. A thief might return because they were looking for something very specific that they did not find before.

Arsonists are one type of criminal that does return to the scene. Because they want to watch the flames, they are often present in the crowd watching the fire.

Murderers have been known to revisit the scenes of their crimes or the places where the bodies are buried or hidden. A serial killer might get a thrill from reliving the murder or might continue to interact with the body. Other killers might return to the scene because they are worried that they might have left evidence behind. Journalist Richard Shaw tells the story of a man who police believed had murdered his girlfriend but they had not found the body and did not have any evidence. The police put out a news release saying they were close to finding the body, and then they followed the suspect. He rode his motorcycle to a wooded area and came out a little while later carrying a small package. The police stopped him, and the package was found to contain his girlfriend's head. He had buried it in a shallow grave, and got worried that the police might find it, so he retrieved it intending to hide it in a better spot.

If a criminal in your story returns to the scene of their crime, make sure you give them a good reason for doing so. The reason should make sense to the criminal even if it might not to the average person.

Something to try: Write a mystery story in which a criminal returns to the scene of the crime.


Editor's Picks

This is a great activity that happens every September. Play the part of your favorite character, solve a mystery, and win prizes! Come and check it out!
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FORUM
Wdc 23rd Birthday Masquerade Party Open in new Window. (18+)
A role-playing party where you choose your identity and can win prizes for participating!
#2299240 by Brooke Author IconMail Icon


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STATIC
Revenge Open in new Window. (18+)
Detective Inspector Mallory takes on a mysterious case.
#2298199 by Beholden Author IconMail Icon

 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#1261888 by Not Available.

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BOOK
Dead Man Walking Open in new Window. (18+)
The third Rebecca Brookes novel.
#2259517 by Bookcase Author IconMail Icon

Malaco Malone Open in new Window. (18+)
A young girl is abducted, but then... - 2nd Place Distorted Minds Contest April 2017
#2116501 by Christopher Roy Denton Author IconMail Icon

 
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Word from Writing.Com

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Ask & Answer

Question for next time: What subjects would you like to see in future mystery newsletters?

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