Official 5 Minute Mystery author

Moe Zilla

@mzilla
Writing for us since 2008

I love mysteries - and I really enjoy writing them!

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Read the latest All authors

43mysteries published

93,868readers have tried them

48%of readers named the culprit

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

Most popular

The Secret of the Scarecrow's Mask

It was a small Scottish castle, miles away from the nearest town. Behind a large wooden door in the front, I discovered the whole first floor was a single, enormous room. Dark stone staircases led on either side to an o…

Published October 23, 2008 · 6,293 readers have tried it

Latest

The Potter Book Mystery

Cupcake, an orange cat, curled up in a dark corner of the dark musty bookstore. For years Uncle Ezra had been smiling as customers came into his store, helping them find books and ringing up their selections on his anci…

Published October 29, 2026 · 3,621 readers have tried it

The case files

Every mystery by Moe Zilla

Missing persons 1

The Mystery of the Talented Cat

"I can so!" "You can not! No one can train a cat to fetch." Muggles the cat was smart — and talented. But no one knew it, and his owner, fi…

2,178 readers · 46% solved it

Who Dun It? 42

A Bear, a Dog, and a Mystery

After dinner that night, Mark let Macca out into their back yard. "I wouldn't sell you for a million dollars," he told his dog -- and Macca…

2,197 readers · 48% solved it

A Thanksgiving Mystery Poem

For Thanksgiving, try this game. Find the guilty turkey's name in a mystery story rhyme telling of the strangest crime. Though in winter, s…

1,056 readers · 35% solved it

Bigfoot Mystery

The fire crackled and the campsite glowed. I stared at the strange orange light and its long, scary shadows as my older brother talked to h…

2,794 readers · 59% solved it

Dead Man's Island

Families can be strange. Grandpa hated the sunshine, and waited eagerly for dusk. “It's too hot,” he complained bitterly. And then he told…

2,949 readers · 34% solved it

Easter Rhyme

It's a fun day -- Easter Sunday. Mary loved to greet that one day! In the sunshine, she felt happy and her bright new shoes looked snappy…

1,672 readers · 60% solved it

Flying Saucer of New Mexico

Larry and Zach agreed about one thing that the military reported a gigantic hot-air balloon that crashed into the desert in 1947, filled wi…

1,631 readers · 51% solved it

Halloween 2008

In this mystery, tension climbs. All the clues are hid in rhymes! It's a holiday delight, telling of a spooky night. In that night, down da…

1,855 readers · 44% solved it

Map of the Traitor

“The British would split our army into two smaller pieces,” General Washington was saying. “But they can't! They can't travel up the river…

2,260 readers · 61% solved it

Mystery at Lyndley's Fort

"Abigail," he might say, "It's America's first day." Before fireworks could burst, one fourth of July came first. Newly-free men gave a che…

748 readers · 47% solved it

MYSTERY AT THE DETECTIVE’S OFFICE

“You’re the worst detective ever,” said my brother. “What does that make you?” I shot back. “You’re WORKING for the worst detective ever.”…

2,007 readers · 54% solved it

Mystery of the Bratty Kid

"This was the brattiest kid in the world -- literally," he said. "That's what everyone called him." He opened a drawer in his desk and pull…

1,988 readers · 35% solved it

Mystery of the White Hats

"I remember the white hats," said Grandpa. "And I remember the men who wore them." It had stayed with him all these decades, along with a s…

3,143 readers · 62% solved it

Our Quarterback is Missing

"Eddie's missing." "How is that even possible? He weighs 240 pounds!" The classroom laughed at Reggie's joke, but I was worried. Eddie Cava…

2,515 readers · 49% solved it

Rhyming President's Mystery

Somewhere in its 50 states, America celebrates. cherishing each fateful morn when its presidents were born. On one day it's customary -- th…

901 readers · 44% solved it

Riddle of the Confederate Spy

Cannons fired in Maryland, as 45,000 Confederate soldiers crossed the Potomac River, approaching Washington, D.C. But far away in Illinois…

2,229 readers · 60% solved it

Sugar Land’s Candy Crook

Here's a game for Christmas time. Solve a mystery that will rhyme! A fairy tale, it's true -- but some rhymes will hold a clue hidden in a…

1,282 readers · 35% solved it

The Chess Mystery

It was almost magic. All the chess pieces looked like little people. My father had owned this set for over 20 years. All our lives, my fath…

2,726 readers · 50% solved it

The Curse of the Unlucky Streak

The roar behind the pitcher told him what the crowd wanted: a strike. He could end this game now, in the bottom of the ninth inning, if he…

1,313 readers · 48% solved it

The Disappearing Dollhouse

Fiona Winston was famous, and Fiona Winston was beautiful. Now she was crying on my telephone. Through the tears, I gathered the details. S…

2,432 readers · 48% solved it

The Disappearing Turkey

Mashed potatoes. Stuffing. Gravy. Pumpkin pie. We had all of the ingredients for a perfect Thanksgiving. Except, we were missing the main c…

1,713 readers · 36% solved it

The Gypsy's Secret Numbers

There was a crime, and I was worried. And I was always worried about an acrobat named Lorenzo. He was my father, and he'd exercised every d…

1,823 readers · 37% solved it

The Hidden Messenger

“General Jackson saw them too,” Ezekiel whispered. “But we have a problem.” Zeb scanned the faces in the restaurant. The British had alread…

1,639 readers · 35% solved it

The House of Lies

“You'll like it here,” said Debra. “Everything is a mystery.” Before I could digest the mystique of the mansion in front of me, or the heig…

3,978 readers · 61% solved it

The Mysterious Chicken

The chicken dinner had disappeared. The roasted chicken had been left on the table in the dining room—covered with the glass dish that woul…

4,307 readers · 20% solved it

The Mysterious Gift

The engine roared on her pink Corvette, and Josie laughed insanely as its tires squealed up the highway ramp. “Catch us if you can!” she la…

2,397 readers · 42% solved it

The Mystery of the American Raid

American newspapers cheered the surprise victory of "Doolittle's Raiders". It was April 18, 1942, and the famous American aviator had assem…

1,214 readers · 56% solved it

The Mystery of the Frowning Clown

“He's the worst clown ever.” “He's got the worst luck.” “But he's a fantastic kisser!” Whispers buzzed backstage minutes before they starte…

1,717 readers · 36% solved it

The Mystery of the Leprechaun's Trophy

"I ain't no leprechaun!" snarled Randy. "I'm not even Irish!" He was three feet tall, he was dressed in a green suit, and he was beginning…

1,492 readers · 58% solved it

The Potter Book Mystery

Cupcake, an orange cat, curled up in a dark corner of the dark musty bookstore. For years Uncle Ezra had been smiling as customers came int…

3,621 readers · 19% solved it

The Railroad Mystery

Gabby woke later that afternoon, puzzled — his dog was barking again. He squinted to see if he could spot smoke rising over the edge of the…

1,928 readers · 57% solved it

The Rock Star Mystery

Gorg was a rock star. In the 1970s, he'd toured America, playing sold-out concerts in over 74 cities. Every high school student and college…

2,855 readers · 62% solved it

The Saxophone's Ghost

"Ghosts," said Dillon, sadly. "A thief!" I replied. "Why would you think it was ghosts who stole your saxophone?" "It started 30 years ago…

2,213 readers · 62% solved it

The Secret of the Scarecrow's Mask

It was a small Scottish castle, miles away from the nearest town. Behind a large wooden door in the front, I discovered the whole first flo…

6,293 readers · 72% solved it

The Silly Santa Mystery

"Welcome, kids, to Santa's store! … He's got toys and plenty more!" "I hate this job," Doug muttered. He was trying desperately to scratch…

1,446 readers · 53% solved it

The Sky Sleuths

He'd robbed a bank. But no one knew who he was. The Channel 2 news van pulled up in front of the bank. Rita Sanchez raced to the sidewalk…

1,434 readers · 37% solved it

The Strangest Sport of All

Everyone laughed when they first met Ernie. He grew up on a farm, and was very friendly. He wore thick, nerdy glasses. And there was some t…

1,572 readers · 39% solved it

The Waffle Man Mystery

He was the strangest person I'd ever met. It was already hot, even at 8 a.m., when we pulled into the restaurant in New Mexico. I don't rem…

2,358 readers · 40% solved it

WHO STOLE CURIOUS GEORGE

"I'm 75 years old," shouted Mr. Ferguson, "and I like Curious George!" Everyone in the library stared at Mr. Ferguson, and Mrs. Yee, the li…

2,871 readers · 46% solved it

Who Stole Storimon's Wallet

Mick was the smartest guy in my neighborhood. Sure he was homeless, but Mick took that as proof of how smart he was. Hebragged that he neve…

2,009 readers · 48% solved it

Who Stole Super Bowl Sunday

He'd invited me to watch his first widescreen Super Bowl — which was a relief. Eight years earlier, when I was seven years old, my parents…

2,035 readers · 51% solved it

Who Stole Super Tuesday

It was a chilly Tuesday in February, and Amy felt like everyone in America was watching her. She was voting proudly for a candidate to run…

1,219 readers · 35% solved it

Who Stole the Caveman's Dinner?

65 million years ago, Grog the caveman fell asleep under the sun. He snored, enjoying a long nap. He dreamed he was chasing a dinosaur, and…

1,858 readers · 37% solved it

Got a mystery of your own?

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