Mystery Riddles for Detectives in Training

Inspector Lee found a note that read ‘6102 HCEP’. He headed straight to the city pier. Why?

A thief stole a painting and left a coded clue: ‘NNEESSWW’. How did the detective know to search the basement?

Three clocks sit on a mantle. One is fast, one slow, one correct. The suspect glances once and says, ‘It’s exactly noon.’ How did the detective know the suspect lives there?

At a crime scene, a broken glass lies near a puddle of water and a baseball. No windows are broken. What happened?

Detectives found muddy footprints leading to a locked room. Inside was a dry floor and a crime scene. How did the culprit avoid leaving prints inside?

A librarian reported a missing rare book. The detective asked three patrons what they were reading. One said science fiction, another sports history, the third 'I never read facts—only fiction.' Who did it?

A traveler booked a return flight but never left the airport. Yet detectives found his suitcase in another country. How?

A coded message read '12-5-1-4 20-8-5 19-9-7-14'. What did it reveal?

During an interview, a suspect said, ‘I was home from 7 to 9, then at the movies from 9 to 11.’ Why did the detective doubt the alibi?

A jewel heist had three suspects: the butler polishing silver, the chef prepping dessert, and the gardener watering plants at midnight. Who is lying?

A spy left a clue: ‘Blue + Yellow = ?’ Why did the detective rush to the greenhouse?

Detectives found a room with a fan, a puddle, and no sign of forced entry. What happened?

A suspect’s calendar showed circles on every Tuesday. Why did the detective check the train schedule?

A coded diary entry read 'I saw 7 stars before breakfast.' How did the detective guess the suspect worked the night shift?

Why did the detective examine every pair of shoes at the party?