An Alibi by Ambrose Bierce (1892)
"An Alibi" is a short story by Ambrose Bierce, first published in 1892. The story follows a man named John Smith, who is accused of murdering his business partner. Smith claims to have an alibi for the time of the murder, but he struggles to prove it as the evidence against him mounts. As the investigation unfolds, Smith's alibi becomes increasingly tenuous, and he finds himself in a race against time to clear his name before it's too late. The story is known for its twist ending and its exploration of themes such as justice, morality, and the reliability of witness testimony.
By Ambrose Bierce · First published 1892 · Genre: Short Stories, Mystery, Suspense · 1,856 words
First lines
A famous journalist, who long Had told the great unheaded throng Whate'er they thought, by day or night.
Was true as Holy Writ, and right, Was caught in -- well, on second thought, It is enough that he was caught, And being thrown in jail became The fuel of a public flame.
What this Textopian page supports
An Alibi is listed on Textopian as a short story by Ambrose Bierce, dated 1892 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Ambrose Bierce
- Date: 1892 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Short Stories, Mystery, Suspense, Thriller, Horror
- Length: 1,856 words
- Structure: 1 section, 31 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
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Discussion starters
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Similar titles
- Discretion by Ambrose Bierce
- A Spade by Ambrose Bierce
- The Wrong Letter by Walter S. Masterman
- The Penitent Thief by Ambrose Bierce
- The Circular Clew by Ambrose Bierce
- The Bat by Stephen Vincent Benet
Genres
- Short Stories — Bierce is known for his succinct and powerful short stories.
- Mystery — An alibi is often a crucial aspect of mystery and detective stories.
- Suspense — The ambiguity of the alibi can create significant suspense in the narrative.
- Thriller — Bierce's narratives often possess thrilling elements that captivate the reader.
Tags
mystery · thriller · crime · detective · suspense · whodunit · plot twist · red herring · cliffhanger · tension · intrigue · suspenseful