A team of doctors had examined the bodies and had…
““A team of doctors had examined the bodies and had concluded that none of the Riddles had been poisoned, stabbed, shot, strangled, suffocated, or (as far as they could tell) harmed at all. In fact (the report continued, in a tone of unmistakable bewilderment), the Riddles all appeared to be in perfect health — apart from the fact that they were all dead. The doctors did note (as though determined to find something wrong with the bodies) that each of the Riddles had a look of terror upon his or her face — but as the frustrated police said, whoever heard of three people being frightened to death?””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
A mysterious death with no physical cause suggests that terror can be lethal, highlighting the power of fear over the body.
In simple terms: Extreme fear can cause death.
Recognize and manage intense fear.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- investigating crimes
- medical examinations
- psychological counseling
- stress management
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- What situations have you felt fear could be deadly?
- How can we protect against fear‑induced harm?
Fear may not always be the cause; other factors could be involved.