Hey, you writer types...
I'm trying to write a mystery-sci-fi story, and I need some help.
here's the situation:

Future-istic, newly settled world. The newly trained Investigator is comeing to judge his first cases, including one involving the seeming-murder of a settler. Allegedly, this settler, his brother, and a mutual nephew were all liveing together, in a house built with money from the nephew's inheritance. The inheritance was used legaly, by the boy's guardians, but ethically, they should have left it alone.
The older brother was inside one evening, waiting for the nephew to come back from the main settelment of Pavilion, when he heard a shout outside. He goes out, and finds his brother dead, and the nephew standing over him.

Now here's my questions:

What would be a good "murder" weopon? It has to be one that can fit the end solution of the mystery - it was actaully a suicide.

how can the evidence be read to implicate the nephew (who, incidentally, is a mute and nearly unable to defend himself)

And how can I solve the mystery?

I'd appreciate any ideas. Thanks!

Pay no attention to the bird behind the curtain!!
Trav is a SHE
http://www.musings-in-a-strange-land.blogspot.com/
I am a Wraith of Yore...fear me and my power of forgotten-thread blackmail

You told me about this idea once I think. Umm... I'm thinking

how about poison? maybe an overdose of something the nephew was taking as medicine or something.

Here's a possible suggestion, though I fear it may be cliche. You could have the younger brother either shoot or stab himself and then the nephew tried to save him but ended up with the weapon in his hands, which leads others to believe that he committed the crime.





A writer is somebody for whom writing is more difficult than it is for other people- Thomas Mann




My writing blog: [aspiringpen.blogspot.com]

What Faerie said, although also echoing the sentiment that it's kind of cliche.

Since it's sci-fi, why not take advantage of that? Perhaps the nephew has some sort of supernatural power, and the way in which the brother is killed resembles the way one might die by that power.

Ooh... I like that, Var.




A writer is somebody for whom writing is more difficult than it is for other people- Thomas Mann




My writing blog: [aspiringpen.blogspot.com]

im a fan of leaping out of a window and then haveing the nephew stand in the window so it looks like he was pushed.... but that would require a taller house

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That which does not feel pain is dead.

sorry, not my type, -futuristic, no, mines past ;)

Actually, Var and Faerie - that's what I had originally thought. Then I was trying to think of some way to make it...not cliche. lol
I like the powers idea, but I think it would take up more room than I'd like to give it - I'm trying to make this a short story or at the most a novella. The power could end up needing so much explanation...i dunno. Any suggestions on what kind of power? Like, telekinesis or something?

well...I was going to suggest, some kind of more futuristic weapon. Maybe something after the fashion of a cattle prod? And then this kid has some kind of power with electricity?

lol..idk. that sounds really stupid.:P