Flash, Mini Story, Mystery

Dirk Malone, PI: The Snitch

Nancy's Notes 🖊️🎶

Written for Esther’s “Can You Tell A Story In” – #312,
exactly 77 words using these 7 prompt words:
wishy-washy’, ‘marshmallow’, ‘impound’,
‘eagle’, ‘violin’, ‘balcony’, and ‘roster’.
Here’s my flash in 77 words.

Image by Me & Copilot

Under the city’s grimy shadow, detective Dirk Malone tracked a wishy-washy informant to a dingy balcony overlooking the impound lot. The snitch, soft as marshmallow, spilled about a robbery roster – thieves planning to hit Eagle Eye Antiques. Malone, haunted by the sensual violin played by a provocative blonde from a past case, staked out the joint. Midnight struck; the crew arrived. Malone swooped in, hard as steel, busting the heist before their greedy hands touched the goods.

NAR©2025
77 Words

This is “Old Violin” by Johnny Paycheck

Can You Tell A Story In…

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26 thoughts on “Dirk Malone, PI: The Snitch”

  6. Good stuff, Nancy, very Mickey Spillane-ish. When my late aunt taught me to read at an early age, his books were some of my tutoring. I don’t think a six-year-old should have been reading his books, but I learned many good phrases and words from them. Keep this one up.

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    1. Thanks, Phil! The noir detective genre is a favorite of mine, whether Mickey Spillane books or the old B&W classics with Bogie, Cagney, George Raft, Edward G. etc. I’ve written a few, enjoying the clipped dialogue and tongue-in-cheek phrasing. This is just a little snippet and not a great example of true noir, having to use predetermined prompt words. I do hope to keep Dirk Malone, PI alive and well for some time to come.

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