Casefic Exchange Letter 2026
Jan. 25th, 2026 09:41 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
nomadicwriterHello to any prospective ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
caseficexchange writers! This is one of my absolute favourite genres of fic and I'm very flexible about tone and content, so definitely don't worry about following these prompts too closely if you have your own ideas.
My AO3 name is Nomad (nomadicwriter), and I've requested fic as the medium in all of the fandoms below. Treats are enabled and always welcome, including ones based on older prompts from past exchange rounds.
General Likes
The fandoms I've chosen this year all have comedy aspects, but while I'm always here for light-hearted capers and canon-typical adventures, I'm also up for seeing the characters deal with potentially darker things like serial killers or organised crime if you want, or for cases that get a bit more action-packed and dangerous than the usual. I also like stories that use the wider ensemble cast, and am always happy for other characters and canon relationships to be involved as well as the ones that I've requested.
In terms of actual cases I'm really not that fussed about how complex the mysteries are or whether there are enough clues for the reader to solve them ahead of the characters; I like casefic mainly as a vehicle for character interactions and character studies and as a reason for the team to have to work together even when they have issues with each other or would rather retreat from the world. I like to see the investigators be smart and perceptive, see their values and ethics in action when it comes to the lines they might cross vs those they never would, and just in general spend time with them as they banter and argue and maybe even resolve some emotional issues along the way.
Some things I always reliably enjoy:
* Antagonistic characters being forced to work together
* Conflicts between characters where both sides have a fair point
* Humour, banter, sarcasm, squabbling and bickering
* Characters who've known each other a long time still learning new things about each other
* Small but meaningful gestures from characters who have trouble expressing their emotions openly
* Characters from mundane detective canons investigating supernatural events and trying to make rational sense of them
The Brokenwood Mysteries
I love the warmth and laid-back humour of this show, and am up for anything from light-hearted comedy capers to darker and more dramatic cases. I've picked a few favourite characters and relationships here, but in general I really like that the show has such a big cast of recurring characters and would welcome any of them being involved in the story.
* Daniel Chalmers & Mike Shepherd & Kristin Sims
* Sam Breen & Mike Shepherd & Kristin Sims
I'd love to see the team tackle something other than a standard murder case: maybe a kidnapping or jewellery heist, or a slow week at work where they focus all their detective skills on some minor crime, or an undercover job in Riverstone where they're at risk of someone from Brokenwood showing up to blow their cover. Alternatively, perhaps they could be up against a darker and nastier type of criminal than usual, like a serial killer whose past kills weren't originally connected. Or you could even throw some kind of maybe-paranormal activity at them, like vampires, werewolves or UFOs - is it a hoax, or is there something genuinely weird going on? I'm also reliably amused by their lack of enthusiasm for the physical aspects of the job, so more deep exasperation at the prospect of having to run after suspects and getting a bit beaten up in clumsy fights is always fun.
* Mike Shepherd & Simon Hughes
* Mike Shepherd/Simon Hughes
I enjoy the friendship between these two and would also welcome it being taken in a shippy direction, whether as a past thing or in the present day. Maybe Hughes is in town for another charity sporting event that inevitably ends in murder, or has to take over handling a case where Mike and his team are all potential suspects. Maybe something from Mike's past follows him to Brokenwood, whether that's an old enemy out for revenge or Mike obsessing over a new twist in a case that he couldn't solve before. Or maybe Mike gets into trouble pursuing a lead on an investigation and leaves behind some enigmatic clues that only Hughes knows how to interpret.
* Dennis Buchanan & Brokenwood CIB
I love Dennis and would enjoy seeing him involved in a case from a different angle than just being the suspect's lawyer. Maybe he's being threatened over a legal action he's pursuing, or witnesses the kidnapping of one of his clients, or someone he failed to keep out of jail frames him for a crime in revenge. I also feel like the fact he was first introduced as part of a three-way relationship with Jools and Bryce Fahey is a fun character detail that's been a bit forgotten since, so I'd enjoy any callback to that: maybe he's caught up in the interpersonal drama of Brokenwood's small but murderous poly community, or part of a new ménage à trois someone's trying to blackmail him about, or there's a cold case involving Bryce Fahey's work that touches on that past relationship.
* Ray Neilson & Trudy Neilson
* Trudy Neilson & Doug Randall
I enjoy the Neilson siblings both separately and together, and think it could be fun to see them dealing with some slightly dodgy problem they'd rather avoid bringing to police attention, like the episode where Mike's stolen car gets dumped on their property. Maybe someone is mysteriously sabotaging Ray's latest new business or aspirational ad campaign, or a suspicious package gets left in the pub, or Trudy has to figure out what kind of shady business deal Ray is being secretive about before it blows up in both their faces. I was also quite touched by how upset Doug and Trudy got over each other in the episode where she gets arrested, and would enjoy seeing more of their post-divorce vibe; they're both capable of going a little bit vigilante, so how far might one take matters into their own hands if the other was hurt or in trouble?
Do Not Wants:
- AUs which change the setting.
- Soulmates, omegaverse or daemon AUs.
- Murder mysteries where one of the canon recurring characters is the victim.
Jonathan Creek
Equally happy to read a story set during the early years of the show or one from later in the timeline that has Maddy return from the US (or Jonathan visit her there). I'm also familiar with all of Jonathan's later sidekicks and fine with any of them or his canon marriage to Polly being included if you want.
* Jonathan Creek & Maddy Magellan
I always enjoy cases where they debunk supposed supernatural events: what's really going on behind those stories of poltergeist activity, lake monster sightings or gargoyles coming to life? Or you could have them look into any other inexplicable happening, however seemingly small. How did a man who's been dead for years leave his fingerprints at a crime scene? How did someone vanish halfway through a theme park ride? How did a painting in a locked room catch fire? I'd also be interested to see them tackle something more time-sensitive than their usual murders, like a kidnapping or a case where the victim is receiving strange threats counting down to a deadline. How do they cope under pressure? Undercover work could be fun too - how bad is Jonathan at it, and what are the odds that their minor celebrity status causes problems at the worst possible moment?
* Jonathan Creek/Maddy Magellan
If you want to write a more shippy take on their relationship, I don't necessarily require a happily ever after or even a full-on get-together arc; both unresolved tension and their canon level of 'one step forwards, two steps back' type dynamic work for me! In particular, I feel like they could be a fun pairing to throw some cliché fic tropes at - huddling for warmth, only one bed, undercover as a couple - because I'm sure they'd find some way to make an unromantic hash of it and end up in a huff with each other. Or maybe Maddy has to rescue Jonathan from mortal peril for once. Does that make them wake up and admit how important they are to each other? Knowing the two of them, probably not.
Do Not Wants:
- Soulmates, omegaverse or daemon AUs.
- Modern AUs. (If you bring the timeline forward to the 2020s, please make the characters correspondingly older to match!)
Ludwig
I'd prefer something set during or after the events of the show rather than pure backstory here, though including canon-style flashbacks is fine. Feel free to bring in the other cast members too; I like all the police characters but am fine with any of them being written as involved in the Sinclair conspiracy if that's what suits your story.
* Lucy Betts-Taylor & John "Ludwig" Taylor
I'd love to see these two work together on an investigation: maybe pursuing a lead from the Sinclair files or looking into a mysterious message that may or may not be from James, or even getting caught up in solving some unrelated mystery around a weird photography job that Lucy gets offered or the neighbours acting strangely. Lucy also seemed pretty impressed by John trapping the killer into confessing in the season finale, so more of her perspective of seeing him in crime-solving mode could be good. Or maybe she could drag him along on some high-risk adventure he would never get into on his own, like a warehouse break-in or undercover mission. Putting the two of them on a stakeout together could also be fun!
* Lucy Betts-Taylor/John "Ludwig" Taylor
I'm up for reading these two shipped together too, but I'd be fine with that just staying at the level of UST or unspoken feelings rather than a full-blown get-together arc, given the complicated situation and the fact I can't see John moving very fast at the best of times. We don't really get to see much of them having to pretend to be husband and wife in front of a third party, so some sort of undercover as a couple plotline could be fun. Maybe 'James' has to make an appearance at an event that Lucy sees as a chance to snoop around, or the two of them end up having to share a room on an impromptu road trip or surveillance operation. Or maybe looking into the real James's activities starts bringing up both of their issues with him and drags unspoken feelings to the surface.
* Russell Carter & John "Ludwig" Taylor
I love the way this friendship evolves over the course of the show, and would enjoy seeing more of where it goes after John's identity is revealed. How does their work dynamic change? Is there some awkward confusion over who's actually leading the case? Does John struggle with his crime-solving process now there are more restrictions on what he's allowed to do, or even end up trying to conduct his own stealth investigation alongside the official police one so he can see things with his own eyes? It could also be interesting to see him deal with something like a kidnapping that involves more time pressure, or to dig into questions of loyalties: what would John do if he came across a lead on James's disappearance during a case? Would he try to lie about what he was looking into, or risk trusting Russell with the truth?
Do Not Wants:
- AUs which change the setting or remove the basic plot setup of James going missing and John impersonating him.
- Soulmates, omegaverse or daemon AUs.
Shakespeare & Hathaway: Private Investigators
I enjoy the light-hearted, upbeat tone of canon and would welcome any story that matches it, but am also up for cases with darker and more dramatic elements too. (Episode 2x10 is a particular favourite of mine for striking that balance well.) I haven't been able to watch season five yet, but I don't mind spoilers if you want to include them.
* Frank Hathaway & Luella Shakespeare & Sebastian Brudenell
I would love to see these three investigate some sort of supernatural incident, whether real or fake, perhaps with a Shakespearean twist like witches or fairies in the woods. Canon-style investigations into some niche hobby or community are always fun as well; perhaps this time they're investigating the local folk music circle, boxing club, or funfair. Or how about a surveillance job where they're stuck sharing a tent or caravan, or some silliness involving an animal witness like a parrot? I'd also be up for AUs in this fandom, whether that's a story where they're still private investigators but in a different setting (Space? Urban fantasy? Ancient Rome?) or a canon divergence where Frank stays with the police but somehow Lu and Sebastian still end up helping him solve a crime anyway.
* Frank Hathaway & Joe Keeler
I'm always a sucker for stories where the characters have to work together with someone like Keeler that they usually have a more antagonistic relationship with. I singled out Frank as the one with the most overtly hostile dynamic with him, but the other PIs are very welcome too! Would love to see them forced to team up or help each other out somehow. Maybe they're held hostage or trapped somewhere by bad guys again, or Frank has to persuade Keeler to take him seriously about a police investigation where he recognises the MO, or Keeler reluctantly goes to Frank for help with a case his superiors have ordered him to stop pursuing. Or maybe Frank sends Keeler off on what he thinks is a false lead to get him out of the way but then realises he's put him in real danger and has to rush to the rescue.
Do Not Wants:
- Soulmates, omegaverse or daemon AUs.
- Canon characters dying or being revealed as bad guys.
caseficexchange writers! This is one of my absolute favourite genres of fic and I'm very flexible about tone and content, so definitely don't worry about following these prompts too closely if you have your own ideas.My AO3 name is Nomad (nomadicwriter), and I've requested fic as the medium in all of the fandoms below. Treats are enabled and always welcome, including ones based on older prompts from past exchange rounds.
General Likes
The fandoms I've chosen this year all have comedy aspects, but while I'm always here for light-hearted capers and canon-typical adventures, I'm also up for seeing the characters deal with potentially darker things like serial killers or organised crime if you want, or for cases that get a bit more action-packed and dangerous than the usual. I also like stories that use the wider ensemble cast, and am always happy for other characters and canon relationships to be involved as well as the ones that I've requested.
In terms of actual cases I'm really not that fussed about how complex the mysteries are or whether there are enough clues for the reader to solve them ahead of the characters; I like casefic mainly as a vehicle for character interactions and character studies and as a reason for the team to have to work together even when they have issues with each other or would rather retreat from the world. I like to see the investigators be smart and perceptive, see their values and ethics in action when it comes to the lines they might cross vs those they never would, and just in general spend time with them as they banter and argue and maybe even resolve some emotional issues along the way.
Some things I always reliably enjoy:
* Antagonistic characters being forced to work together
* Conflicts between characters where both sides have a fair point
* Humour, banter, sarcasm, squabbling and bickering
* Characters who've known each other a long time still learning new things about each other
* Small but meaningful gestures from characters who have trouble expressing their emotions openly
* Characters from mundane detective canons investigating supernatural events and trying to make rational sense of them
The Brokenwood Mysteries
I love the warmth and laid-back humour of this show, and am up for anything from light-hearted comedy capers to darker and more dramatic cases. I've picked a few favourite characters and relationships here, but in general I really like that the show has such a big cast of recurring characters and would welcome any of them being involved in the story.
* Daniel Chalmers & Mike Shepherd & Kristin Sims
* Sam Breen & Mike Shepherd & Kristin Sims
I'd love to see the team tackle something other than a standard murder case: maybe a kidnapping or jewellery heist, or a slow week at work where they focus all their detective skills on some minor crime, or an undercover job in Riverstone where they're at risk of someone from Brokenwood showing up to blow their cover. Alternatively, perhaps they could be up against a darker and nastier type of criminal than usual, like a serial killer whose past kills weren't originally connected. Or you could even throw some kind of maybe-paranormal activity at them, like vampires, werewolves or UFOs - is it a hoax, or is there something genuinely weird going on? I'm also reliably amused by their lack of enthusiasm for the physical aspects of the job, so more deep exasperation at the prospect of having to run after suspects and getting a bit beaten up in clumsy fights is always fun.
* Mike Shepherd & Simon Hughes
* Mike Shepherd/Simon Hughes
I enjoy the friendship between these two and would also welcome it being taken in a shippy direction, whether as a past thing or in the present day. Maybe Hughes is in town for another charity sporting event that inevitably ends in murder, or has to take over handling a case where Mike and his team are all potential suspects. Maybe something from Mike's past follows him to Brokenwood, whether that's an old enemy out for revenge or Mike obsessing over a new twist in a case that he couldn't solve before. Or maybe Mike gets into trouble pursuing a lead on an investigation and leaves behind some enigmatic clues that only Hughes knows how to interpret.
* Dennis Buchanan & Brokenwood CIB
I love Dennis and would enjoy seeing him involved in a case from a different angle than just being the suspect's lawyer. Maybe he's being threatened over a legal action he's pursuing, or witnesses the kidnapping of one of his clients, or someone he failed to keep out of jail frames him for a crime in revenge. I also feel like the fact he was first introduced as part of a three-way relationship with Jools and Bryce Fahey is a fun character detail that's been a bit forgotten since, so I'd enjoy any callback to that: maybe he's caught up in the interpersonal drama of Brokenwood's small but murderous poly community, or part of a new ménage à trois someone's trying to blackmail him about, or there's a cold case involving Bryce Fahey's work that touches on that past relationship.
* Ray Neilson & Trudy Neilson
* Trudy Neilson & Doug Randall
I enjoy the Neilson siblings both separately and together, and think it could be fun to see them dealing with some slightly dodgy problem they'd rather avoid bringing to police attention, like the episode where Mike's stolen car gets dumped on their property. Maybe someone is mysteriously sabotaging Ray's latest new business or aspirational ad campaign, or a suspicious package gets left in the pub, or Trudy has to figure out what kind of shady business deal Ray is being secretive about before it blows up in both their faces. I was also quite touched by how upset Doug and Trudy got over each other in the episode where she gets arrested, and would enjoy seeing more of their post-divorce vibe; they're both capable of going a little bit vigilante, so how far might one take matters into their own hands if the other was hurt or in trouble?
Do Not Wants:
- AUs which change the setting.
- Soulmates, omegaverse or daemon AUs.
- Murder mysteries where one of the canon recurring characters is the victim.
Jonathan Creek
Equally happy to read a story set during the early years of the show or one from later in the timeline that has Maddy return from the US (or Jonathan visit her there). I'm also familiar with all of Jonathan's later sidekicks and fine with any of them or his canon marriage to Polly being included if you want.
* Jonathan Creek & Maddy Magellan
I always enjoy cases where they debunk supposed supernatural events: what's really going on behind those stories of poltergeist activity, lake monster sightings or gargoyles coming to life? Or you could have them look into any other inexplicable happening, however seemingly small. How did a man who's been dead for years leave his fingerprints at a crime scene? How did someone vanish halfway through a theme park ride? How did a painting in a locked room catch fire? I'd also be interested to see them tackle something more time-sensitive than their usual murders, like a kidnapping or a case where the victim is receiving strange threats counting down to a deadline. How do they cope under pressure? Undercover work could be fun too - how bad is Jonathan at it, and what are the odds that their minor celebrity status causes problems at the worst possible moment?
* Jonathan Creek/Maddy Magellan
If you want to write a more shippy take on their relationship, I don't necessarily require a happily ever after or even a full-on get-together arc; both unresolved tension and their canon level of 'one step forwards, two steps back' type dynamic work for me! In particular, I feel like they could be a fun pairing to throw some cliché fic tropes at - huddling for warmth, only one bed, undercover as a couple - because I'm sure they'd find some way to make an unromantic hash of it and end up in a huff with each other. Or maybe Maddy has to rescue Jonathan from mortal peril for once. Does that make them wake up and admit how important they are to each other? Knowing the two of them, probably not.
Do Not Wants:
- Soulmates, omegaverse or daemon AUs.
- Modern AUs. (If you bring the timeline forward to the 2020s, please make the characters correspondingly older to match!)
Ludwig
I'd prefer something set during or after the events of the show rather than pure backstory here, though including canon-style flashbacks is fine. Feel free to bring in the other cast members too; I like all the police characters but am fine with any of them being written as involved in the Sinclair conspiracy if that's what suits your story.
* Lucy Betts-Taylor & John "Ludwig" Taylor
I'd love to see these two work together on an investigation: maybe pursuing a lead from the Sinclair files or looking into a mysterious message that may or may not be from James, or even getting caught up in solving some unrelated mystery around a weird photography job that Lucy gets offered or the neighbours acting strangely. Lucy also seemed pretty impressed by John trapping the killer into confessing in the season finale, so more of her perspective of seeing him in crime-solving mode could be good. Or maybe she could drag him along on some high-risk adventure he would never get into on his own, like a warehouse break-in or undercover mission. Putting the two of them on a stakeout together could also be fun!
* Lucy Betts-Taylor/John "Ludwig" Taylor
I'm up for reading these two shipped together too, but I'd be fine with that just staying at the level of UST or unspoken feelings rather than a full-blown get-together arc, given the complicated situation and the fact I can't see John moving very fast at the best of times. We don't really get to see much of them having to pretend to be husband and wife in front of a third party, so some sort of undercover as a couple plotline could be fun. Maybe 'James' has to make an appearance at an event that Lucy sees as a chance to snoop around, or the two of them end up having to share a room on an impromptu road trip or surveillance operation. Or maybe looking into the real James's activities starts bringing up both of their issues with him and drags unspoken feelings to the surface.
* Russell Carter & John "Ludwig" Taylor
I love the way this friendship evolves over the course of the show, and would enjoy seeing more of where it goes after John's identity is revealed. How does their work dynamic change? Is there some awkward confusion over who's actually leading the case? Does John struggle with his crime-solving process now there are more restrictions on what he's allowed to do, or even end up trying to conduct his own stealth investigation alongside the official police one so he can see things with his own eyes? It could also be interesting to see him deal with something like a kidnapping that involves more time pressure, or to dig into questions of loyalties: what would John do if he came across a lead on James's disappearance during a case? Would he try to lie about what he was looking into, or risk trusting Russell with the truth?
Do Not Wants:
- AUs which change the setting or remove the basic plot setup of James going missing and John impersonating him.
- Soulmates, omegaverse or daemon AUs.
Shakespeare & Hathaway: Private Investigators
I enjoy the light-hearted, upbeat tone of canon and would welcome any story that matches it, but am also up for cases with darker and more dramatic elements too. (Episode 2x10 is a particular favourite of mine for striking that balance well.) I haven't been able to watch season five yet, but I don't mind spoilers if you want to include them.
* Frank Hathaway & Luella Shakespeare & Sebastian Brudenell
I would love to see these three investigate some sort of supernatural incident, whether real or fake, perhaps with a Shakespearean twist like witches or fairies in the woods. Canon-style investigations into some niche hobby or community are always fun as well; perhaps this time they're investigating the local folk music circle, boxing club, or funfair. Or how about a surveillance job where they're stuck sharing a tent or caravan, or some silliness involving an animal witness like a parrot? I'd also be up for AUs in this fandom, whether that's a story where they're still private investigators but in a different setting (Space? Urban fantasy? Ancient Rome?) or a canon divergence where Frank stays with the police but somehow Lu and Sebastian still end up helping him solve a crime anyway.
* Frank Hathaway & Joe Keeler
I'm always a sucker for stories where the characters have to work together with someone like Keeler that they usually have a more antagonistic relationship with. I singled out Frank as the one with the most overtly hostile dynamic with him, but the other PIs are very welcome too! Would love to see them forced to team up or help each other out somehow. Maybe they're held hostage or trapped somewhere by bad guys again, or Frank has to persuade Keeler to take him seriously about a police investigation where he recognises the MO, or Keeler reluctantly goes to Frank for help with a case his superiors have ordered him to stop pursuing. Or maybe Frank sends Keeler off on what he thinks is a false lead to get him out of the way but then realises he's put him in real danger and has to rush to the rescue.
Do Not Wants:
- Soulmates, omegaverse or daemon AUs.
- Canon characters dying or being revealed as bad guys.