Mystery in the Shadows: American Mystery and Suspense Anthology: 30 Gripping Short Stories of Crime, Thriller, and Dark Secrets

By Mohammed Malu

With "Mystery in the Shadows: American Mystery and Suspense Anthology," sink into the world of suspense. Thirty horror, thriller, and dark secret short stories set against the varied backdrop of America are collected in this anthology. Every tale—from unsettling murmurs in haunting mansions to relentless stalkers in peaceful suburban neighborhoods—is written to keep you on the edge of your seat.

This collection delves into the shadowiest facets of American life, whether through the terrifying chase of a ghostly stage performer, the mysterious clues of a time-traveling detective, or the dangerous exploits of those who discover secret truths. Every tale is a fascinating mystery with unexpected turns and nuanced characters.

For readers of thriller short tales, suspense anthologies, and American mystery novels, "Mystery in the Shadows" promises to transport you to a world where every whisper may reveal a suspenseful story and every shadow conceals a secret.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Mohammed Malu
• Release date: Jun 21, 2024
• ISBN: 9798328890861

Mohammed Malu

Hi, I'm Mohammed Malu, a 19-year-old writer who loves creating mystery, suspense, thriller, and horror stories. I'm currently studying for my Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) degree and was the top student in my school. My imagination led me to start writing, and I've published two books. Though I'm new to writing, my exciting stories are already gaining attention. In addition to writing, I enjoy reading, especially psychology books, which help me develop interesting characters and plots. You can follow me on Instagram at @mohammed.malu to stay updated on my work and connect with me.

Book preview

Mystery in the Shadows: American Mystery and Suspense Anthology: 30 Gripping Short Stories of Crime, Thriller, and Dark Secrets

Mohammed Malu

Published by Mohammed Malu, 2024.

This is a work of fiction. Similarities to real people, places, or events are entirely coincidental.

MYSTERY IN THE SHADOWS: AMERICAN MYSTERY AND SUSPENSE ANTHOLOGY: 30 GRIPPING SHORT STORIES OF CRIME, THRILLER, AND DARK SECRETS

First edition. June 21, 2024.

Copyright © 2024 Mohammed Malu.

ISBN: 979-8328890861

Written by Mohammed Malu.

Mystery in the Shadows: 30 Gripping American Suspense Stories

A Collection Of 30 Mind-Blowing Mystery Stories,

That Will Make You Question The Reality

Mohammed Malu

© Copyright Mohammed Malu – All Rights Reserved

The content contained within this book may not be reproduced, duplicated, or transmitted without direct written permission from the author or the publisher.

Under no circumstances will any blame or legal responsibility be held against the publisher, or author, for any damages, reparation, or monetary loss due to the information contained within this book. Either directly or indirectly.

Legal notice

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form by an electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without permission in writing from the publisher, except by a reviewer who may quote brief passages in a review.

Disclaimer

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

All rights reserved.

Or

The moral rights of the author have been asserted

Preface

Welcome to Mystery in the Shadows: 30 Gripping American Suspense Stories. Together, these exciting stories—each painstakingly created to envelop you in a world of mystery, peril, and the unexpected—bring together Against the varied backdrop of America, these tales examine the secret nooks of suburban communities, the haunting silence of abandoned sites, the mystery of past events, and the sinister secrets buried under the surface of daily life.

Every narrative in this book is a stand-alone adventure with original characters, surprising turns, and climax reveals sure to keep you on the tip of your seat. From the terrifying hunt of a relentless stalker to the mysterious whispers of a haunted house, these stories profoundly explore the core of human dread, curiosity, and the unrelenting search for truth.

Turning the pages will find you enigmatic comets, digital doppelgängers, disappearing heiresses, and covert agents—all intertwined into stories that promise to shock and enthrall. This book explores the shadows that each of us carries and the resiliency required to face them, not only a collection of tales.

Mystery in the Shadows presents a rich tapestry of intriguing narrative whether your taste in mystery and suspense is long-standing or new and you are anxious for a good thrill. Get ready to travel the unexpected, where each turn reveals still another layer of mystery.

I appreciate you setting out on this journey with me. Long after you have finished the last page, I hope these tales will linger with you.

Mohammed Malu

Table Of Contents

The Midnight Caller

The Silent Witness

The Disappearing Act

The Secret Room

The Vanishing Train

The Forgotten Diary

The Phantom Driver

The Lost Cabin

The Stolen Artifact

The Ghost Of Bluebell Inn

The Midnight Stalker

The Haunting At Hollow Creek

The Vanishing Neighbour

The Cursed Painting

The Secret Passage

The Disappearing Heiress

The Haunted Lighthouse

The Time Traveller’s Secret

The Illusionist’s Revenge

The Disappearing Village

The Silent Witness

The Lost Expedition

The Quantum Heist

The Inheritance Conundrum

The Subterranean Enigma

The Silent Auction

The Vanishing Comet

The Midnight Train

The Secret Garden

The Digital Doppelganger

Note To Readers

The Midnight Caller

Liam lounged in his recliner, the soothing background sounds coming from the television. Having retired from the Boston Police Department, he had plenty of leisure to indulge in vintage films and great books. He felt he had behind abandoned the thrills and danger of his investigative years. But the phone calling at midnight was going to alter all that.

He turned to check the clock. Twelve hundred AM. weird. Curiosity sparked, and he grabbed the receiver.

Hello? he asked.

Just the sound of breathing on the other side—no reply at all. Detective instincts of Liam started to play.

Demanding Who is this? he asked.

The line broke off.

Liam dismissed it as a joke and turned back to work on his novel. But the calls persisted every night at the same hour, with the same terrible quiet on the other side. The caller talked at last on the fifth night.

Watch your neighbors, the voice said softly. "They are not who they appear to be.

Once more the call went dead. Liam's head spun. Was this a practical joke, or was something darker perhaps at work? He chose to give the warning some thought. He began monitoring the area over the day, noting findings in a notebook.

He was drawn to his neighbor Olivia, a young woman living alone in the house next door. Always staring over her shoulder, she appeared tense and as though she anticipated something negative to happen. Liam thought he should introduce himself.

He said, Hi, I'm Liam, reaching out his hand.

She said, shaking his hand, Olivia. Pretty to meet you.

After some time of conversation, Liam discovered Olivia had moved in a few months previously. She kept to herself most of the time and welcomed a few guests. But something about her seemed out of line.

Liam kept getting the midnight calls for the next several days. Every time the voice sent cryptic warnings regarding his neighbors. He resolved to go up to Olivia.

One afternoon he remarked, Olivia, I have to ask you something. Have you noticed anything unusual in the neighborhood?

She froze. No, nothing out of the usual. why?

Liam told her about the calls. Her face went blank. I have been getting them too, she said. But I knew nothing about what to do.

They resolved to cooperate to identify the call source. They began by enquiring about other neighbors, but none of them had gotten any unexplained calls. On their alone were Liam and Olivia.

One evening Liam was going over his notes when the phone rang once more. The voice came across this time more urgently.

Check the vacant house at the end of the street, advised. Hurry.

Liam left with his coat and flashlight. Olivia argued she should be with