26 Best Mystery Books For Teens

From historical whodunits to contemporary page-turners, this collection of 26 best mystery books for teens caters to a variety of interests, promising to keep you on the edge of your seat until the very last page. So, grab your magnifying glass, sharpen your detective skills, and dive into these captivating teen mystery novels!

See our collection of mystery writing prompts and story ideas for more inspiration!

Are you an avid reader craving a good dose of suspense and intrigue? Do you enjoy unravelling puzzles, deciphering cryptic clues, and following daring detectives on their quests for the truth? If so, then look no further than the captivating world of teen mystery novels! Packed with thrilling adventures, clever protagonists, and mind-bending plots, these books offer an escape into exhilarating worlds where secrets are waiting to be unmasked and mysteries yearning to be solved.

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26 Best Mystery Books For Teens

Calling all mystery lovers! Craving a thrilling adventure filled with suspense and intrigue? Look no further than this list of the 26 best mystery books for teens. From classic whodunits to contemporary page-turners, these captivating reads will keep you guessing until the very last page.

I Know You Did It by Sue Wallman

Ruby’s fresh start at a new school is shattered by a chilling accusation scrawled across her locker: “I KNOW YOU DID IT.” This sinister message throws her into a spiral of fear, as it triggers a long-buried secret – the accidental death of a girl named Hannah in their childhood. To make matters worse, when students start dropping dead around her, Ruby finds herself caught in the crosshairs, unsure if she’s being framed by a cunning killer or targeted as the next victim.

They All Had A Reason: A rumor. A secret. A lie. A murder. by Michele Leathers

Sixteen-year-old Charlotte is consumed by a burning desire to escape the shadow cast by Bellany Silverfield, the seemingly perfect girl who possesses everything Charlotte craves – beauty, popularity, power, and even the boy of her dreams. However, when Bellany is found murdered, Charlotte’s life takes a horrifying turn. Fingerprints of suspicion point towards her, fueled by whispers and rumours of a motive. As she navigates the treacherous maze of lies and hidden secrets, Charlotte must confront the question – who can she truly trust? Doubt creeps in as she questions the loyalty of her closest friends and finds herself relying on a boy she barely knows. One thing becomes chillingly clear in a desperate fight for survival: for some to live, another must pay the ultimate price.

Nine Liars by Maureen Johnson

Stevie Bell, having cracked the case of Truly Devious, finds herself adrift amidst the challenges of senior year at Ellingham Academy. With her boyfriend studying in London and friends preoccupied with college applications, Stevie’s mind buzzes with unanswered questions about her future. Relief arrives when David invites her to join him abroad, where she’s introduced to a chilling mystery from 1990s England: a double-murder cold case involving nine friends from Cambridge University. As Stevie delves into the perplexing details, it becomes evident that the assumed burglary-gone-wrong was a facade. With seven suspects, two murders, and a killer still at large, Stevie finds herself immersed in a pulse-pounding and amusing stand-alone mystery crafted by New York Times bestselling author Maureen Johnson.

Pretty Dead Queens by Alexa Donne

In the seemingly idyllic coastal town of Seaview, tragedy strikes when the newly crowned homecoming queen is found murdered, mirroring an unsolved case from decades ago. Bereaved and newly relocated to live with her estranged, mystery-writing grandmother, seventeen-year-old Cecelia Ellis is drawn into the chilling investigation. Determined to unmask the copycat killer and find justice, Cecelia delves into the town’s hidden secrets, only to discover that her own life might be intricately linked to the deadly game afoot. With every step closer to the truth, the lines between reality and the fictional worlds of her grandmother’s novels blur, leading Cecelia to question if she can find a happy ending in this real-life nightmare.

One Of Us Is Lying by Karen M. McManus

At Bayview High, five students find themselves in detention, but only four walk out alive. The victim, Simon, the creator of the school’s infamous gossip app, dies under suspicious circumstances just before he can expose their deepest secrets online. Now, the remaining four – Bronwyn, the studious rule-follower, Cooper, the baseball star, Nate, the rebellious bad boy, and Addy, the seemingly perfect prom queen – find themselves under suspicion. As investigators delve into their lives, one crucial question arises: everyone has secrets, but how far will they go to keep them buried?

Firekeeper’s Daughter by Angeline Boulley

Torn between two worlds – her hometown and the nearby Ojibwe reservation – eighteen-year-old Daunis Fontaine has always grappled with her mixed heritage. Witnessing a brutal murder thrusts her into the heart of a dangerous game. Drawn to uncover the truth, she reluctantly agrees to go undercover with the FBI, who suspect a drug trafficking ring. However, Daunis harbours a secret investigation of her own, using her deep understanding of traditional medicine to track down the perpetrators. As bodies accumulate and lies unravel, Daunis finds herself battling to protect her loved ones while navigating a web of deceit with her future and the fate of her community hanging in the balance.

A Lesson in Vengeance by Victoria Lee

Returning to Dalloway School to complete her senior year, Felicity Morrow finds herself haunted by two ghosts: the tragic loss of her girlfriend and the lingering allure of the school’s dark history, whispered rumours of five students branded witches centuries ago. Godwin House, her dormitory shrouded in tales of the supernatural, becomes the unlikely setting for her encounter with Ellis Haley, a captivating new student and budding novelist. As Ellis delves into the Dalloway Five for her second book, unravelling the school’s occult past, Felicity finds herself drawn back to the allure of the forbidden. Yet, when history begins to eerily mimic the past, Felicity must confront the darkness that resides both within the walls of Dalloway and within herself.

A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson

Five years ago, the murder of Andie Bell rocked Pippa Fitz-Amobi’s small town. Everyone, including the police, believes Sal Singh committed the crime. But Pippa, now a senior, isn’t convinced. Choosing the unsolved case as her final project, she embarks on a personal investigation, unearthing hidden secrets someone in town desperately wants to be buried. As she delves deeper, the possibility of a living killer looms large, forcing Pippa to confront a chilling question: will her quest for the truth put her own life in jeopardy?

Enola Holmes: The Case of the Missing Marquess by Nancy Springer

When her mother vanishes on her fourteenth birthday, Enola Holmes, younger sister to the infamous detective Sherlock, embarks on a solo mission to London. But the bustling city throws her into a whirlwind of chaos, where she finds herself entangled in the kidnapping of a young marquess, pursued by ruthless villains, and dodging the clutches of her controlling older brothers. All the while, Enola must decipher cryptic clues, unveil her mother’s secret past, and ultimately, find a way to reunite with her.

The Lake by Natasha Preston

Esme and Kayla, former campers at Camp Pine Lake, return as counsellors-in-training, brimming with excitement for summer adventures. As Esme fondly observes the younger campers’ anxieties, it evokes memories of their own childhood fears at the camp. However, a sinister note – “The lake never forgets” – shatters their peaceful facade and unearths a dark secret they buried years ago. Now, with their past sins threatening to resurface, Esme and Kayla must confront the consequences of their actions as the line between carefree summer and chilling reality blurs.

Little White Lies by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Sawyer Taft, an auto mechanic with a strained relationship with her wealthy grandmother, is offered a life-changing proposition – a six-figure contract to participate in debutante season. Drawn by the chance to uncover the mystery surrounding her father’s identity, Sawyer accepts the offer. Thrust into a world of a high society filled with makeovers, lavish gowns, and hidden agendas, she soon discovers her fellow debutantes harbour dark secrets of their own. As Sawyer navigates this unfamiliar territory, she realizes that the truth about her past is just the tip of the iceberg in this world of buried secrets and powerful individuals who will go to great lengths to keep them hidden.

The Mystery of Acorn Academy by Teresa Bassett

Sent away to an eerie clifftop school after a traumatic event, fourteen-year-old Holly finds herself surrounded by unsettling questions. The students seem unnervingly docile, the principal harbours an unexplained animosity towards her, and the mystery surrounding the previous occupant of her room deepens the sense of unease. When her newfound friend vanishes without a trace, Holly is left with only the aloof brother, Adam, as her ally. Together, they embark on a dangerous journey to uncover the truth behind the school’s unsettling secrets and a potential conspiracy, all while racing against the clock and risking their own lives to expose a shocking plot before it’s too late.

The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

In a turn of events unlike any other, seventeen-year-old Avery’s life takes a dramatic U-turn when a billionaire she’s never met unexpectedly leaves her his entire fortune. Thrown into a world of unimaginable wealth and a sprawling mansion filled with cryptic clues, Avery finds herself entangled in a dangerous game. The deceased billionaire’s suspicious family, harbouring resentment and dark secrets, vies for the inheritance. As Avery delves deeper into the mystery, she uncovers shocking truths about the family’s past and navigates a complex web of deceit, all while questioning – why her? In this thrilling tale of twists and turns, Avery must race against time to decipher hidden messages and uncover the truth before the deadly game claims its next victim.

Dark and Shallow Lies by Ginny Myers Sain

Seventeen-year-old Grey returns to her Louisiana hometown, the “Psychic Capital of the World,” shrouded in mourning after her best friend, Elora, vanishes under mysterious circumstances. Sceptical of the official narrative and fueled by a deep sense of betrayal, Grey embarks on her own investigation, uncovering a web of secrets hidden by her grandmother, her childhood crush, and even her late mother. As a mysterious stranger with ties to the town’s dark past emerges, Grey realizes the town’s history threatens to repeat itself. In a place where secrets fester and a potential killer lurks, Grey must navigate a treacherous landscape of deceit, where no one is above suspicion and the truth threatens to shatter the fragile peace of La Cachette.

Jackaby by William Ritter

Arriving in New Fiddleham in 1892, young Abigail Rook stumbles upon an opportunity as an assistant to R.F. Jackaby, an investigator of the extraordinary, gifted with the ability to see supernatural beings. When a series of mysterious killings plague the town, Jackaby suspects the work of a supernatural entity, while the local police remain fixated on the mundane. As Abigail navigates her new role, she finds herself drawn to Jackaby’s unique perspective and the hidden realities he unveils. However, the presence of a charming policeman, Charlie, offering his assistance, throws another layer of complexity into the equation. Is Charlie a genuine ally, or does a deeper, unsettling motive lurk beneath his offer? With Abigail’s keen eye for detail and Jackaby’s supernatural expertise, they must race against time to decipher the truth behind the killings and confront the darkness threatening their town.

The Murder Game by Carrie Doyle

In the supposedly safe haven of boarding school, a night of harmless fun takes a sinister turn for Luke when one of his teachers is found murdered in the same spot he and his friends, including his best friend and roommate Oscar, were partying the night before. With suspicion quickly falling on Oscar, Luke, haunted by his past experience as a kidnapping victim, draws on his survival skills to embark on a desperate chase for the truth. As the danger escalates and he navigates a growing list of suspects, Luke must not only clear Oscar’s name but also uncover the real killer before the deadly game claims another victim.

The Counselors by Jessica Goodman

For Goldie Easton, the elite Camp Alpine Lake is a sanctuary where she finally feels at home.  Its allure and the comfort it offers are even more potent this summer, as Goldie returns as a counsellor, desperately seeking refuge from a dark secret she desperately keeps hidden. Longing for the arrival of her best friends, Ava and Imogen, Goldie seeks the familiarity of their bond for support. However, when a teenager’s dead body surfaces in the lake, Goldie’s world unravels as she suspects foul play. Fear intensifies when she learns Ava was at the lake that fateful night and questions linger – what did she witness, and what does she know? Goldie’s quest for answers leads not to clarity, but a shattering of trust and the unveiling of betrayals that cut deeper than she could have ever imagined.

We Were Liars by E. Lockhart

On a secluded island, a seemingly perfect family gathers for another summer. But beneath the surface of wealth and privilege lies a web of secrets. A brilliant yet troubled girl and a passionate, political boy navigate a complex friendship within a group known as the Liars. Lies, rebellion, and a shocking accident shatter their world, leaving behind a trail of devastating consequences and a constant battle between truth and deception.  Experience this captivating and suspenseful story from the acclaimed author, E. Lockhart, and remember – if anyone asks how it ends, just lie.

The Agathas by Kathleen Glasgow

Following a tumultuous summer, Alice Ogilvie, an avid Agatha Christie fan, and Iris Adams, a young woman yearning for escape, find themselves entangled in a real-life whodunit. When the town’s most popular girl is found dead, the blame falls on the wrong person, prompting Alice and Iris to intervene. Armed with their keen observations and a shared passion for mysteries, they navigate a treacherous landscape of overlooked clues, a growing list of suspects, and the secrets that lurk beneath the surface of their seemingly peaceful seaside town.

A Study in Charlotte by Brittany Cavallaro

Descended from the legendary detective duo, Sherlock Holmes and John Watson, Jamie Watson and Charlotte Holmes find themselves unexpectedly brought together as students at the same Connecticut boarding school. While their great-great-great-grandfathers’ legacy casts a long shadow, the contemporary teens couldn’t be more different. Jamie is drawn to Charlotte’s intriguing nature, inherited from the eccentric Sherlock, yet she fiercely guards against any connection. However, their paths collide when a fellow student dies mysteriously, mirroring events from a notorious Sherlock Holmes story. As the danger escalates, Jamie and Charlotte are forced to put aside their differences, realizing that their combined strengths – Jamie’s keen intuition and Charlotte’s sharp mind – may be the only way to solve the case and survive the mounting threat.

I Must Betray You by Ruta Sepetys

Under the suffocating grip of a brutal dictatorship in Romania, 17-year-old Cristian grapples with an impossible choice thrust upon him by the secret police. To save his ailing grandfather, he must betray his loved ones and become an informant, feeding them information on his own family and friends. But doing so means sacrificing his dreams of freedom and joining the ever-growing web of fear and mistrust that permeates every aspect of life. Surrounded by constant suspicion, Cristian can’t even be sure who to trust – his childhood friend, his beloved girlfriend, or even his own family. Based on the harrowing realities of the 1989 Romanian Revolution, this powerful and poignant thriller by award-winning author Ruta Sepetys delves into the depths of courage, sacrifice, and the unwavering spirit of resistance in the face of overwhelming oppression.

Killing November by Adriana Mather

Thrust into the secluded world of Academy Absconditi, a prestigious school shrouded in secrecy and dedicated to training the heirs of legendary bloodlines, November finds herself surrounded by students who are descendants of assassins, spies, and master deceivers. Unfamiliar with this ruthless environment and clueless about her connection to the academy’s complex legacy, November must navigate a world devoid of modern technology and governed by an archaic system of punishment. As she grapples with suspicion, potential allies, and hidden agendas veiled by captivating appearances, a murder rocks the academy, forcing November to unravel the truth before she becomes the next victim in a deadly game of intrigue and eliminate the threat before the blame, or the killer’s blade, falls upon her.

That Weekend by Kara Thomas

Three best friends, Claire, Kat, and Jesse embark on a weekend getaway to a lake house, promising the perfect prom send-off. However, their idyllic escape takes a sinister turn when Claire wakes up alone on a hiking trail, bloodied and with no recollection of the previous 48 hours. Desperately searching for answers, Claire must piece together the fragmented memories buried deep within her mind as she confronts the terrifying possibility of what transpired on the mountain. With her best friends missing and a growing sense of betrayal gnawing at her, Claire must confront the dark secrets hidden beneath the surface of their seemingly unbreakable friendship to uncover the truth and potentially find Kat and Jesse before it’s too late.

Paper Towns by John Green

Longing has defined Quentin Jacobsen’s relationship with the enigmatic Margo Roth Spiegelman, a high school legend known for her daring exploits. When one night she enlists him on a thrilling, revenge-fueled road trip, he willingly follows. However, their adventure is cut short when Margo vanishes without a trace. As Quentin grapples with her absence, he stumbles upon cryptic clues left behind, drawing him deeper into the mystery. Embarking on yet another road trip, this time across the vast expanse of America, Quentin delves deeper into the search for Margo, while simultaneously questioning his motivations and the true nature of their connection. This insightful and humorous coming-of-age story by John Green explores the complexities of teenage love, loss, and the journey of self-discovery.

The Corpse Queen by Heather M. Herrman

Orphaned and left with dwindling options in 1850s Philadelphia, 17-year-old Molly Green is whisked away to live with an unknown aunt, assuming she’s been sold into servitude. Instead, Molly is stunned to find her aunt, Ava, is both real and wealthy – but harbours a dark secret. Ava’s fortune stems from her illicit trade as a grave robber, supplying corpses to medical students eager for practice subjects. Initially horrified, Molly is drawn to the clandestine world her aunt inhabits.  She becomes fascinated by the forbidden anatomy lessons held by the enigmatic Dr. LaValle, a world exclusively reserved for men. However, a murderer is stalking the city streets, and as Molly seeks knowledge and inclusion, her ambition lures her into a perilous game where the stakes are life and death.

Sadie by Courtney Summers

Nineteen-year-old Sadie Hunter vanishes after the brutal murder of her younger sister, leaving behind only whispers and a desperate plea on a radio show. West McCray, a cynical radio host initially hesitant to take the case, is drawn deeper into the mystery as he delves into Sadie’s past and the small-town secrets of Cold Creek, Colorado. As the narrative unfolds through Sadie’s determined pursuit of her sister’s killer, armed only with a switchblade and flickering hope, and West’s parallel investigation documented in a captivating podcast, a chilling truth emerges. This gripping thriller, weaving between Sadie’s journey for vengeance and West’s relentless pursuit, explores themes of love, loss, and the lengths we go to for those we cherish, leaving a lasting impact long after the final page is turned.

Any Other Teen Mystery Books?

So there you have it, our pick of the 26 best mystery books for teens! This diverse selection offers something for every kind of reader, whether you’re drawn to historical settings, contemporary narratives, or the supernatural. With captivating storylines, intriguing characters, and mind-bending puzzles, these books promise to keep you guessing until the very last page.

But the mystery doesn’t end here! We’d love to hear from you. What are some of your favourite teen mystery books? Share your thoughts and recommendations in the comments below.