Mystery writers are always searching for the perfect murder weapon. One that kills but will be untraceable by investigators. Here are a few weapons that will challenge any sleuth.
1. Polonium is a chemical that is poisonous when taken orally. It causes a radiation effect in the body and is time-consuming to detect.
2. A frozen pork loin roast or leg of lamb is a powerful weapon that will radically change its form when cooked and eaten.
3. Hypnosis can induce a victim to jump off a bridge or building. The perp doesn’t even have to touch him.
4. Liquid potassium injected into the body upsets the balance of the sodium-potassium pump by which the human heart works, causing heart failure. The great thing about potassium is it will equalize levels with the sodium in the body even after the victim has died thus hiding the weapon.
5. Poison from a puffer fish is a neurotoxin created by microbes that live in the puffer fish. It causes paralysis of the heart and lungs. It is difficult to detect, besides who would think of testing for it.
6. The proverbial Icicle will destroy itself after the dastardly deed is done. Use it quickly or it may melt before the murder.
7. Peanuts or fermented drinks or bee stings or other serious allergens are effective. Just be sure to connect the right allergen with the right person.
Add your ideas to this list.
Photo: MyWorld
I’m off to the pharmacy to pick up some polonium and liquid potassium. I may stop by the pet store. Do you know what puffer fish eat?
But I’m stumped on the frozen pork loin. The only way I can think of to kill someone with a loin of pork is to keep it frozen and to hit them over the head with it.
By: Art Carey on July 24, 2010
at 7:25 am
My mother used to tell a story about a woman who killed her husband by hitting him over the head with a frozen leg of lamb and then later served it to the detectives who arrived to investigate.
By: Leslie on February 14, 2012
at 11:43 am
Leslie, What a great way to hide a weapon. It reminds me of the novel, Fried Green Tomatoes where the murderers barbecue the body and feed it to the sheriff who really enjoys it. Very clever.
By: Nancy Curteman on February 14, 2012
at 3:18 pm
I believe there was a Roald Dahl short story of that plot line.
By: Qualia on December 18, 2012
at 3:31 pm
Puffer fish eat clams mussels and other shellfish. Are you thinking of raising them for profit? You’re right, the loin of pork would need to be frozen hard before the dastardly deed would succeed.
By: nancycurteman on July 24, 2010
at 11:20 am
Professor Mustard killed Scarlett in the library with . . . KINDNESS. : )
Excellent post, Nancy.
Especially like the speedy way that frozen pork can be used as a weapon, instead of waiting for its cholesterol to clog arteries. : )
By: nrhatch on July 24, 2010
at 12:38 pm
Hey, I guess we could use a fresh pork roast as a murder weapon via cholesterol. It would just be slower.
By: nancycurteman on July 24, 2010
at 5:23 pm
Well, Nancy, I have no weapons to add, but found your post not only fascinating but positively diabolical! ; )
My favorite is the potassium. Caught my eye because my potassium level has been low. Taking supplements. Pills, no injections!
Gretchen
By: GretchensPianos on July 25, 2010
at 11:49 am
Others seem to like potassium as a weapon. I may have to use it in one of my mysteries.
By: nancycurteman on July 25, 2010
at 6:49 pm
[...] on July 29, 2010 What is Theme in Literature? Posted by: nancycurteman on July 27, 2010 7 Murder Weapons That Will Challenge The Cleverest Sleuth Posted by: nancycurteman on July 23, 2010 7 Characteristics of Today’s Modern Mystery Novels [...]
By: 4 Do’s and Don’ts of “Show, Don’t Tell” « Global Mysteries on August 15, 2010
at 12:53 pm
[...] B&B PhotosFive Must-Read European Mystery Writers9 Ways to Create Tension in a Mystery Novel7 Murder Weapons That Will Challenge The Cleverest SleuthWhat is Literary Style?What is Theme in Literature?The Guillotine, A Humane Execution MachineHow to [...]
By: 9 Ways to Create Tension in a Mystery Novel « Global Mysteries on August 18, 2010
at 8:17 pm
[...] A Critical Element in the Mystery Novel What is Literary Style? What is Theme in Literature? 7 Murder Weapons That Will Challenge The Cleverest Sleuth 7 Characteristics of Today’s Modern Mystery Novels Developing Characters is No Mystery [...]
By: What is Story Structure? « Global Mysteries on August 21, 2010
at 3:03 pm
[...] A Critical Element in the Mystery Novel What is Literary Style? What is Theme in Literature? 7 Murder Weapons That Will Challenge The Cleverest Sleuth 7 Characteristics of Today’s Modern Mystery Novels Developing Characters is No Mystery [...]
By: How to Create Sympathetic Mystery Novel Character « Global Mysteries on August 23, 2010
at 8:22 pm
[...] A Critical Element in the Mystery Novel What is Literary Style? What is Theme in Literature? 7 Murder Weapons That Will Challenge The Cleverest Sleuth 7 Characteristics of Today’s Modern Mystery Novels Developing Characters is No Mystery [...]
By: How to Write Character Arc in a Mystery Novel? « Global Mysteries on August 26, 2010
at 9:08 pm
[...] A Critical Element in the Mystery Novel What is Literary Style? What is Theme in Literature? 7 Murder Weapons That Will Challenge The Cleverest Sleuth 7 Characteristics of Today’s Modern Mystery Novels Developing Characters is No Mystery [...]
By: How to Edit a Mystery Novel « Global Mysteries on August 31, 2010
at 11:43 am
[...] A Critical Element in the Mystery Novel What is Literary Style? What is Theme in Literature? 7 Murder Weapons That Will Challenge The Cleverest Sleuth 7 Characteristics of Today’s Modern Mystery Novels Developing Characters is No Mystery [...]
By: Global Mysteries on October 7, 2010
at 4:04 pm
[...] A Critical Element in the Mystery Novel What is Literary Style? What is Theme in Literature? 7 Murder Weapons That Will Challenge The Cleverest Sleuth 7 Characteristics of Today’s Modern Mystery Novels Developing Characters is No Mystery [...]
By: 6 Ways to Avoid “Information Dumps” in a Mystery Novel « Global Mysteries on October 11, 2010
at 7:57 pm
[...] A Critical Element in the Mystery Novel What is Literary Style? What is Theme in Literature? 7 Murder Weapons That Will Challenge The Cleverest Sleuth 7 Characteristics of Today’s Modern Mystery Novels Developing Characters is No Mystery [...]
By: How to Write a Mystery Novel Synopsis « Global Mysteries on October 28, 2010
at 4:23 pm
[...] 7 Murder Weapons That Will Challenge The Cleverest Sleuth How Do Conflict and Crisis Differ in a Mystery Novel? How Important is Conflict in a Mystery Story? Developing Characters is No Mystery [...]
By: Alibis and Motives Make or Break a Mystery Novel « Global Mysteries on December 16, 2010
at 4:23 pm
[...] A Critical Element in the Mystery Novel What is Literary Style? What is Theme in Literature? 7 Murder Weapons That Will Challenge The Cleverest Sleuth 7 Characteristics of Today’s Modern Mystery Novels Developing Characters is No Mystery [...]
By: 10 Tips For Writing Backstory in a Mystery Novel « Global Mysteries on January 9, 2011
at 9:29 pm
Hi Nancy,
Thanks for the informatic Articles I am in the process of finishing the murder mystery I am writing. You talked about the undetectable murder weapons but the question is how does one detect them later on
Aaradhana
By: Aaradhana Deb on June 1, 2011
at 2:42 am
Ah Hah! Great question. You have to select a murder weapon that you already know how you will detect it. For example: The blowfish. I’d decide that there was a source for collecting blowfish, purchase one, do the dastardly deed then have the detective happen to know a character who collects poisonous fish and move on from there.
By: Nancy Curteman on February 14, 2012
at 3:12 pm