My Favorite Murder by Ambrose Bierce
"My Favorite Murder" is a short story written by Ambrose Bierce in 1890. The story follows a man who recounts his favorite murder, which occurred many years prior, to an unnamed listener. The narrator describes the details of the murder, including the victim's identity and the circumstances surrounding the crime. However, he also reveals that he has a personal connection to the victim, which adds a layer of complexity to the story. Throughout the tale, Bierce explores themes of morality, justice, and the human condition.
By Ambrose Bierce · First published 1890 · Genre: Mystery, Crime, Thriller · 3,668 words
First lines
Having murdered my mother under circumstances of singular atrocity, I
was arrested and put upon my trial, which lasted seven years. In charging the jury, the judge of the Court of Acquittal remarked that it was one of the most ghastly crimes that he had ever been called upon to explain away.
What this Textopian page supports
My Favorite Murder is listed on Textopian as a short story by Ambrose Bierce, dated 1890 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: 1890 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Mystery, Crime, Thriller, Horror, Dark Humor
- Length: 3,668 words
- Structure: 1 section, 33 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for My Favorite Murder by Ambrose Bierce
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering My Favorite Murder?
- How does this short story by Ambrose Bierce fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Mystery first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
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- Detected by Ambrose Bierce
- Four Of A Kind by Ambrose Bierce
- A Mass Meeting by Ambrose Bierce
- A Black List by Ambrose Bierce
- The Circular Clew by Ambrose Bierce
Genres
- Mystery — Given the title, 'My Favorite Murder', it suggests the book revolves around a murder which is typically associated with the mystery genre.
- Crime — The theme of murder falls under the crime genre.
- Thriller — The act of murder often involves suspense and tension, characteristics of the thriller genre.
- Horror — Murder, which is a violent act, is often used in horror stories to instill fear and terror.
Tags
mystery · thriller · crime · detective · suspense · horror · gothic · supernatural · fiction · literature · classic · american