KC's first White House case
Start with Who Cloned the President? to meet KC, Marshall, and the recurring cast.
Book Series · 14 Books
Capital Mysteries Books
In order from Who Cloned the President? to Turkey Trouble on the National Mall. Part of A to Z Mysteries.
Fourteen early chapter-book mysteries in which young detectives KC Corcoran and Marshall Li investigate crimes around Washington, D.C. landmarks.
Reviewed by the Bookroo Editors Updated
Reading order
How to Read the Capital Mysteries Books
Read the fourteen books in publisher-numbered order, beginning with Who Cloned the President? The mysteries resolve individually, but KC's family relationships and the recurring Washington cast develop across the line.
Each book also introduces a museum, monument, government building, or other Washington setting and includes a map and fact pages, making the sequence useful for readers who enjoy both mysteries and real places.
Sources: Penguin Random House's official Capital Mysteries series.
For parents
What Parents Should Know
The mysteries are written for emerging chapter-book readers, but the plots can include kidnapping, theft, sabotage, children being pursued or trapped, and apparent ghosts or skeletons. The danger is brief and puzzle-focused rather than graphic, and the young detectives reliably expose the explanation and restore safety.
Where to start
Where Should a New Reader Start?
Where the story begins
First Book in the Series
Sale price
$674
Book #1 · Chapter Book · Ages 7–9 · 2001
Who Cloned the President?
By Ron Roy, Liza Woodruff (Illustrator)
Two fourth-grade friends discover that the President of the United States has been cloned and embark on a mission to rescue the real president
80 pages· 6,915 words· Est. 1.5 hour read
Paperback
Summary: KC Corcoran notices something odd about the President—he's acting strange and signing with the wrong hand. Could he be a clone? With her friend Marshall, KC dives into a mystery that could change the nation. As they explore Washington, D.C.'s iconic sites, they must unravel the truth before it's too late. Can two kids save the President and uncover the conspiracy? This thrilling adventure is packed with intrigue and fun facts about the nation's capital, perfect for young mystery lovers.
In reading order
Capital Mysteries Series
14 books · Published 2001–2012
#1
Sale price
$674
Who Cloned the President?
Chapter Book · Ages 7–9 · 2001
Two fourth-grade friends discover that the President of the United States has been cloned and embark on a mission to rescue the real president
#2
Sale price
$574
Kidnapped at the Capital
Chapter Book · Ages 7–9 · 2002
A young girl's mother and the President of the United States are kidnapped, and she must navigate a complex web of clues to rescue them.
#3
Sale price
$599
The Skeleton in the Smithsonian
Chapter Book · Ages 6–9 · 2003
Two kids help the President of the United States solve a mystery involving a claim to a large fortune.
#4
Sale price
$574
A Spy in the White House
Chapter Book · Ages 7–9 · 2004
A young girl and her friend try to solve a mystery involving a spy in the White House
#5
Sale price
$574
Who Broke Lincoln's Thumb?
Chapter Book · Ages 7–9 · 2005
A missing thumb from Lincoln's statue threatens a presidential celebration. Can two kids solve the mystery in time?
#6
Sale price
$574
Fireworks at the FBI
Chapter Book · Ages 6–9 · 2006
A group of friends try to solve a mystery involving rockets, fireworks, and a witness protection program.
#7
Sale price
$599
Trouble at the Treasury
Chapter Book · Ages 6–9 · 2005
A bundle of cash vanishes from the Treasury. Can KC solve the mystery?
#8
Sale price
$574
Mystery at the Washington Monument
Chapter Book · Ages 6–9 · 2007
A young girl and her friend solve a mystery involving a monkey and a historic monument.
#9
Sale price
$574
A Thief at the National Zoo
Chapter Book · Ages 6–9 · 2007
A precious jewel vanishes from a locked room. Can KC and Marshall solve the mystery?
#10
Sale price
$599
The Election-Day Disaster
Chapter Book · Ages 6–9 · 2008
Can two kids save the president's election after a Halloween scandal?
#11
Sale price
$674
The Secret at Jefferson's Mansion
Chapter Book · Ages 6–9 · 2009
A hidden treasure is stolen from Monticello. Can KC and Marshall solve the mystery?
#12
Sale price
$574
The Ghost at Camp David
Chapter Book · Ages 7–9 · 2010
A ghostly legend at Camp David leads to eerie mysteries. Is it really a dead president's spirit?
#13
Sale price
$599
Trapped on the D.C. Train!
Chapter Book · Ages 6–9 · 2011
A group of kidnappers target the vice president of the United States and her stepdaughter on a train ride to Pennsylvania
#14
Sale price
$574
Turkey Trouble on the National Mall
Chapter Book · Ages 7–9 · 2012
Who stole 117 turkeys before Thanksgiving? KC and Marshall must solve the mystery.
Good to know
Common Questions
How many books are in the Capital Mysteries series?
There are 14 books in the Capital Mysteries series. It began with Who Cloned the President? in 2001, and the newest book, Turkey Trouble on the National Mall, was published in 2012.
What order should you read the Capital Mysteries books in?
Start with Who Cloned the President? and follow the series order — the books above are numbered #1 through #14.
What ages are the Capital Mysteries books best for?
The series is best for ages 6–9, based on the age ranges of the individual books.
The people
The Creatives Behind the Books
The people who bring Capital Mysteries to life.
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