Books About Amateur Sleuths

The Best Amateur Sleuths Books for Kids

By the Bookroo Editors

Looking for excellent children's books about amateur sleuths? This collection brings together Bookroo's highest-rated and most useful picks in one place.

Start with our editorial favorites, then browse recommendations organized by reading stage to find the right book for your reader.

Ava & Carol Detective Agency
Graphic Nov.
The Shortlist

Our 5 Favorite Books About Amateur Sleuths

Sale price
$2659
Chapter Book · Ages 9–12 · 2023

Ava & Carol Detective Agency

By Thomas Lockhaven, Emily Chase · Book #1 in the Ava & Carol Detective Agency Series series

Two young detectives race to recover stolen diamonds before they vanish forever.

378 pages· 85,773 words· Est. 9.5 hour read
4.4/5 Goodreads · 254 ratings
$27.99Save 5%
Summary: Ava and Carol, spirited young detectives, face a thrilling challenge: recover the stolen Ramesses diamonds before they're smuggled out of the country. As they dive into the mystery, they must outsmart cunning criminals and race against time. Will their wit and courage be enough to save the priceless jewels, or will the thieves escape with their treasure? Join Ava and Carol on a high-stakes adventure filled with twists and turns, where every clue could be the key to solving the case and bringing justice to light.
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2013

Andi Unexpected

By Amanda Flower · Book #1 in the Andi Boggs series

A girl uncovers a family mystery hidden in an attic, leading to secrets and intrigue.

224 pages· 44,018 words· Est. 6 hour read
5.0/7 Bookroo experts·4.1/5 Goodreads · 236 ratings
$10.99Save 5%
Summary: Twelve-year-old Andi Boggs, reeling from her parents' sudden death, moves to rural Ohio with her sister. In their aunt's old house, Andi finds clues about a mysterious ancestor, another Andora Boggs, who vanished during the Great Depression. With her friend Colin, Andi delves into the past, facing townspeople's secrets and uncovering hidden truths. As they piece together the puzzle, they must decide whom to trust and why this mystery has been buried for so long. What happened to the first Andora, and why is her story shrouded in silence?
Chapter Book · Ages 10–14 · 2021

What Lives in the Woods

A girl in a haunted mansion discovers something sinister in the woods is after her.

320 pages· 60,241 words· Est. 6.5 hour read
3.8/5 Goodreads · 2,823 ratings
$7.99Save 5%
Summary: Ginny Anderson's summer plans are upended when her family moves into a creepy mansion in Michigan. Locals whisper of glowing-eyed creatures and vanishing campers in the surrounding woods. As the mansion's eerie secrets unfold, Ginny realizes the legends are real—and they're targeting her. Can she unravel the mystery before it's too late?
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 1955

The Witch Tree Symbol

A mysterious symbol leads a detective into danger and superstition in Amish country.

179 pages· 34,169 words· Est. 5 hour read
3.9/5 Goodreads · 7,102 ratings
$8.99Save 5%
Summary: Nancy Drew faces danger in an old mansion and follows a mysterious symbol to Amish country. As rumors of witchcraft spread, hostility grows, aiding a cunning thief. Can Nancy's sleuthing skills unravel the truth before superstition derails her investigation? Discover the fascinating solution to this puzzling case.
Chapter Book · Ages 7–11 · 2010

The Agony of De Feet!

By Robbie Busch, Robert Pope (Illustrator)

Unmask monsters and solve mysteries with the ultimate teenage detective team.

24 pages· 1,670 words· Est. 19 min read
4.1/5 Goodreads · 30 ratings
$34.22Save 5%
Summary: Join the Mystery Inc. gang as they race around the world, tackling four thrilling cases. From a menacing shark monster to a haunting phantom in a rock club, Fred, Velma, Daphne, Shaggy, and Scooby-Doo face spine-tingling challenges. Can they uncover the truth behind the siren's song and the stolen Star of India diamond? With danger lurking at every turn, the stakes are high for this fearless team. Dive into a world of surf, sand, and screams, where each clue brings them closer to unmasking the real villains. Will they solve the mysteries before it's too late?
The Bookroo Book Club

Great books, picked for their age.

Books worth reading again and again, delivered to your door.

Find their book club
Bookroo book club box

Bookroo

  • About Us
  • Blog
  • FAQs
  • Help Center
  • Contact Us
  • Affiliates

Book Clubs

Follow Bookroo