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Probability Zero
 
Probability Zero is a series of very short detective stories.
 
They are written under the following rules:
 
  1. The main section of the story must be complete in no more than 1000 words
  2. The stories should be light hearted in nature
  3. They should contain a puzzle that is soluble by the reader once the reader is familiar the nature of the solutions.
  4. The story should contain a challenge to the reader
  5. The entire story should fit on two sides of A4 in a 12pt font (you may change the margins) including The Challenge and solution
  6. The solutions must be consistent with the other solutions in the series (read a couple of stories and you'll know what I mean).
  7. The story should finish with one, some or all of the characters groaning
The name Probability Zero comes from a series of short stories (under 500 words) published in Astounding Stories magazine in an effort to promote new writers.  The originals were written by established writers in an attempt to launch the series, but the editor, the legendary John W. Campbell, was unhappy with the standard of the work submitted by his readers and the work of few new authors was published
 
Here are three Probability Zero Stories
 
Mrs. McGinty and the Missing Link
When a ceremonial nail is stolen, Colonel Pikeaway sends for Mrs. McGinty to find the missing item.
 
Holmes and Watson Meet Tom Jones
Sci-fi detectives Dr. John Holmes and Mr Sherlock Watson investigate the murder of a senate representative who is found dead with an old Tom Jones record in his hand.
 
Mrs. McGinty and the Stolen Specs
When the first set of spectacles ever made is stolen, Colonel Pikeaway is on the case, but can Mrs McGinty work out who help the criminals out of the country.