Books About Investigations

The Best Investigations Books for Kids

Looking for excellent children's books about investigations? 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.

#1 in Series

#1 in Series

#2 in Series

#1 in Series

The Shortlist

Our 10 Favorite Books About Investigations

Sale price

$1398

Chapter Book · Ages 14–18 · 2019

A Good Girl's Guide to Murder

By Holly Jackson · Book #1 in the A Good Girl's Guide to Murder series

A closed murder case reopens, revealing dark secrets and danger.

389 pages· 91,912 words· Est. 8.5 hour read

4.3 Goodreads · 1,947,353 ratings

$14.99Save 7%

Paperback

Summary: Pip, a high school senior, reopens a closed murder case for her final project, questioning the guilt of Sal Singh, who allegedly killed Andie Bell. As she uncovers hidden truths, Pip realizes someone wants the past to stay buried. With her own safety at risk, can she prove Sal's innocence before it's too late? Dive into a gripping mystery where the past and present collide, and nothing is as it seems.

The Original Adventures of Hank the Cowdog

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$858

Chapter Book · Ages 8–11 · 1980

The Original Adventures of Hank the Cowdog

By Gerald L. Holmes (Illustrator) · Book #1 in the Hank the Cowdog series

A dog named Hank investigates a murder on a ranch and gets into various misadventures.

127 pages· 23,464 words· Est. 3.5 hour read

4.1 Goodreads · 6,774 ratings

$8.99Save 5%

Paperback

Summary: Hank, the self-proclaimed Head of Ranch Security, faces a crisis when he's accused of murder. With his sidekick Drover, he must unravel the mystery to prove his innocence. Is Hank truly an outlaw, or can he outsmart the real culprits? As the tension rises, Hank's reputation and freedom hang in the balance. Can he solve the case before it's too late?

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$1697

Chapter Book · Ages 14–18 · 2017

One of Us Is Lying

By Karen M. McManus · Book #1 in the One of Us Is Lying series

Five enter detention, four leave alive. Who killed Simon?

416 pages· 91,054 words· Est. 8.5 hour read

3.9 Goodreads · 1,119,296 ratings

$17.99Save 6%

Hardcover

Summary: In Bayview High, five students enter detention, but only four emerge. Simon, the outcast with a notorious gossip app, dies mysteriously. Bronwyn, Addy, Nate, and Cooper become suspects, each hiding secrets Simon planned to expose. As investigators close in, the question looms: are they guilty or pawns in a larger game? Unravel the truth behind Simon's death and discover how far these teens will go to protect their secrets.

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$2374

Chapter Book · Ages 10–14 · 2022

Danger at Dead Man's Pass

By M. G. Leonard, Sam Sedgman, Elisa Paganelli (Illustrator) · Book #4 in the Adventures on Trains series

A young detective faces a family curse and haunted railway mystery.

272 pages· 52,385 words· Est. 6 hour read

7.0/7 Bookroo·4.3/5 Goodreads · 1,099 ratings

$24.99Save 5%

Hardcover

Summary: Twelve-year-old Hal Beck, an artist and budding detective, is drawn into a chilling mystery involving a family curse and a haunted railway. Invited by Baron Essenbach, Hal and his Uncle Nat must uncover the truth behind the Kratzenstein family's dark legend—a supposed deal with the devil. As they go undercover, strange occurrences escalate, challenging Hal to solve the supernatural puzzle before time runs out. Can Hal unravel the secrets of the past and save the present, or will the curse claim another victim? Dive into this thrilling adventure and discover the truth lurking in the shadows.

Sale price

$474

Chapter Book · Ages 7–10 · 2006

The Secret Service Mystery

By David A. Adler, Susanna Natti (Illustrator) · Book #26 in the Cam Jansen series

A loud bang disrupts a school event. Was it a gunshot or a cover-up? Cam Jansen investigates.

58 pages· 5,708 words· Est. 48 min read

5.5/7 Bookroo·3.9/5 Goodreads · 419 ratings

$4.99Save 5%

Paperback

Summary: At a school event, a loud bang interrupts the governor's speech. Cam Jansen, with her photographic memory, teams up with the Secret Service to uncover the truth. Was it a gunshot or a clever distraction for a crime? Join Cam as she navigates a web of intrigue, using her wits to solve the mystery. With high stakes and unexpected twists, young readers will be captivated by Cam's daring adventure and her quest for answers in a world where nothing is as it seems.

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$1049

Chapter Book · Ages 14–18 · 2020

Good Girl, Bad Blood

By Holly Jackson · Book #2 in the A Good Girl's Guide to Murder series

A missing person, a town's secrets, and a race against time. Can Pip solve the mystery before it's too late?

416 pages· 93,253 words· Est. 8.5 hour read

4.3 Goodreads · 856,077 ratings

$10.99Save 5%

Paperback

Summary: Pip's true-crime podcast has captivated listeners, but when Jamie Reynolds vanishes on a night of remembrance, she must return to sleuthing. The police refuse to act, leaving Pip to uncover her town's hidden darkness. As she delves deeper, every revelation is broadcast to an eager audience. With time slipping away, can Pip find Jamie before it's too late, or will the secrets she unearths prove too dangerous? Dive into a gripping mystery where every clue is a step closer to the truth—or peril.

Sale price

$1797

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2014

Space Case

By Stuart Gibbs · Book #1 in the Moon Base Alpha series

A young lunar resident uncovers a deadly secret on Moon Base Alpha.

337 pages· 69,927 words· Est. 9.5 hour read

4.3 Goodreads · 16,092 ratings

$18.99Save 5%

Hardcover

Summary: Twelve-year-old Dashiell Gibson is stuck on Moon Base Alpha, where boredom reigns until the base's top scientist is found dead. While others dismiss it as an accident, Dash suspects murder. With a groundbreaking discovery at stake, Dash must unravel the mystery before the killer strikes again. Can he uncover the truth in time, or will the secrets of the moon remain buried forever?

The Twisted Ones (Graphic Novel)

Graphic Nov.

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$2374

Chapter Book · Ages 12–17 · 2021

The Twisted Ones (Graphic Novel)

By Scott Cawthon, Kira Breed-Wrisley, Claudia Aguirre (Illustrator) · Book #2 in the Five Nights at Freddy's: Original Trilogy Graphic Novels series

A series of familiar murders pulls Charlie back into a nightmare world of animatronic horrors.

192 pages· 8,346 words· Est. 1 hour read

4.1 Goodreads · 3,918 ratings

$24.99Save 5%

Hardcover

Summary: Charlie thought she escaped the nightmare of Freddy Fazbear's Pizza, but new murders near her school bear chilling similarities to her past. Haunted by memories and hunted by something sinister, Charlie must confront her father's terrifying creations once more. Can she unravel the mystery before it's too late, or will the twisted horrors claim her forever? Dive into this gripping graphic novel where every shadow hides a threat and every turn could be her last.

Sale price

$858

Chapter Book · Ages 8–11 · 1985

Faded Love

Book #5 in the Hank the Cowdog series

A cowdog named Hank investigates a series of mysterious events on a ranch in Texas.

125 pages· 21,613 words· Est. 3 hour read

4.1 Goodreads · 1,136 ratings

$8.99Save 5%

Paperback

Summary: Hank the Cowdog leaves his ranch duties behind, venturing into the wild outback in pursuit of romance with Miss Beulah the Collie. Armed with a mysterious aphrodisiac, Hank faces unexpected challenges. Can his intuition and investigative skills lead him to true love, or will the journey prove too wild to handle?

Sale price

$858

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2016

The Bronze Key

By Holly Black, Cassandra Clare · Book #3 in the Magisterium series

A student is murdered, and Call must find the killer while hiding his dark secret.

249 pages· 65,713 words· Est. 9 hour read

4.1 Goodreads · 29,755 ratings

$8.99Save 5%

Paperback

Summary: Callum Hunt returns to the Magisterium for his Bronze Year, hoping for peace after Constantine Madden's defeat. But when a student is murdered, Call and his friends, Tamara and Aaron, must uncover the killer. As they delve deeper, Call struggles to keep his true identity as Madden reborn a secret. Can they solve the mystery without exposing Call's dangerous past? The stakes are high, and the truth could change everything.

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