Official 5 Minute Mystery author

Barney Parmington

@bparmington
Writing for us since 2008

Just a middle aged guy who enjoys writing mysteries.

10mysteries published

66,722readers have tried them

46%of readers named the culprit

These numbers are about readers: other members solving Barney Parmington’s mysteries, counting each reader’s first try only.

Who Shot Mom?

As I look back on my youth, I fondly remember our family’s Saturday night ritual. Of course, over the years, most of these nights tend to run together – every Saturday was the same. Except for one particular night, that…

Published December 24, 2008 · 36,946 readers have tried it

Latest

The Punch with a Punch

I did my best to play it cool and not go over and talk with all of the kids I knew. Fortunately, many of them stopped over during the night to say a quick hello. Even RJ stopped by about an hour into the dance. He was s…

Published October 5, 2026 · 2,113 readers have tried it

The case files

Every mystery by Barney Parmington

Geography 1

Hard

The April Fool

“Barney, you may be wondering why you are in a boxcar on a moving train. This is a payback from everyone in your life on whom you have play…

2,561 readers · 29% solved it

Who Dun It? 9

Medium

Death in the Theatre

I muttered to myself as my beeper went off. My double shift was almost over and I was drinking my sixth cup of coffee at the all night coff…

7,414 readers · 39% solved it

Easy

Green Feet

Margie found herself sitting on a couch all alone in her darkened living room. She knew that she was a snooze hound who had a habit of fall…

2,617 readers · 59% solved it

Easy

Summer Camp

Diane had to hurry if she wanted to catch the sunrise before going to blow revelry over the loudspeakers to awaken the camp. Blasting every…

3,053 readers · 49% solved it

Hard

The Big Game

For years since returning to the NFL, the Browns had struggled against all teams. This year was different though as suddenly the Browns wer…

2,069 readers · 35% solved it

Hard

The Date

Boulder, Colorado has some of the most scenic vistas to be found anywhere in America. Mountaintops are everywhere and each one is a sight…

3,992 readers · 23% solved it

Easy

The Punch with a Punch

I did my best to play it cool and not go over and talk with all of the kids I knew. Fortunately, many of them stopped over during the night…

2,113 readers · 56% solved it

Easy

Uncle Buck Field Trip

I woke with a start. I had been calmly sleeping during my yearly Uncle Buck Memorial Day trip to the Baltimore aquarium with my nieces and…

2,646 readers · 57% solved it

Easy

Whole Stole the New Year’s Kiss

While the younger children were evenly split into four boys and four girls, the same was not the case with the older children. For the olde…

3,311 readers · 65% solved it

Easy

Who Shot Mom?

As I look back on my youth, I fondly remember our family’s Saturday night ritual. Of course, over the years, most of these nights tend to r…

36,946 readers · 47% solved it

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