The Murder that Took Place in an All-Red Room

by Fred Aiken

Detective George Handell stood in the middle of an all-red room staring down at an unidentified man’s body wondering why anyone would kill anyone in an all-red room. Carpet, wallpaper, curtains, desk, couch, knick-knacks, lamp; someone went out of their way to decorate the room entirely in red. 

Have you ever seen anything like this? an officer asked Detective Handell.

No, he responded. No, I haven’t.

It’s quite amazing.

It certainly is. It’s as if someone designed the room specifically so they could murder someone in it.

What do you mean?

You can’t tell who died: him or the room.