Books About Murder Mysteries

The Best Murder Mysteries Books for Kids

By the Bookroo Editors

Looking for excellent children's books about murder mysteries? 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.

The Shortlist

Our 9 Favorite Books About Murder Mysteries

Death Sets Sail
Sale price
$1797
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2020

Death Sets Sail

By Robin Stevens · Book #9 in the Murder Most Unladylike series

A murder on the Nile cruise challenges two young detectives. Only one will return home.

400 pages· 68,527 words· Est. 9.5 hour read
4.5 Goodreads · 6,422 ratings
$18.99Save 5%
Hardcover
Summary: On a Nile cruise, young detectives Daisy and Hazel face their toughest case yet. The leader of a mysterious society, claiming ties to ancient pharaohs, is found murdered. As they unravel secrets, they discover everyone has a motive, and danger lurks at every turn. With one detective's life at stake, can they solve the mystery before it's too late?
First Class Murder
Sale price
$858
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2015

First Class Murder

By Robin Stevens · Book #3 in the Murder Most Unladylike series

A murder on the Orient Express. Can two young detectives solve it before the killer strikes again?

336 pages· 59,496 words· Est. 8.5 hour read
4.3 Goodreads · 12,888 ratings
$8.99Save 5%
Paperback
Summary: Daisy Wells and Hazel Wong are on the Orient Express when a passenger is murdered and her ruby necklace vanishes. With a train full of suspicious characters and rumors of a spy, the young detectives must unravel the mystery before the killer escapes or strikes again. But they're not the only ones on the case. Can the Wells & Wong Detective Society outsmart their competition and catch the culprit in time?
Waste of Space
Sale price
$858
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2018

Waste of Space

By Stuart Gibbs · Book #3 in the Moon Base Alpha series

A poisoned billionaire on the moon. Can Dash uncover the truth before it's too late?

368 pages· 66,273 words· Est. 9 hour read
4.5 Goodreads · 6,027 ratings
$8.99Save 5%
Paperback
Summary: On Moon Base Alpha, Dash Gibson's thirteenth birthday is anything but quiet when billionaire Lars Sjoburg is poisoned. With a potential killer on the loose, Dash must unravel the mystery before the base's oxygen runs out, forcing everyone back to Earth. As suspects emerge, Dash finds himself in danger, racing against time to reveal the culprit. Will he solve the case before becoming the next target?
Murder Is Bad Manners
Sale price
$858
Chapter Book · Ages 10–13 · 2014

Murder Is Bad Manners

By Robin Stevens · Book #1 in the Murder Most Unladylike series

Two friends uncover a vanished body at their school. Can they solve the mystery before the killer strikes again?

336 pages· 58,450 words· Est. 6.5 hour read
4.0 Goodreads · 30,104 ratings
$8.99Save 5%
Paperback
Summary: At Deepdean School for Girls, Daisy and Hazel form a secret detective agency. When Hazel stumbles upon their science teacher's body, only for it to vanish, the duo is thrust into a real murder mystery. With suspects aplenty and motives lurking in every corner, they must gather evidence and outsmart a potential killer. As they delve deeper, the stakes rise—not just for solving the crime, but for their friendship. Can they crack the case before the murderer strikes again, or will their sleuthing put them in danger?
Death by Candlelight
Sale price
$333
Chapter Book · Ages 9–14 · 1995

Death by Candlelight

By Marie Jacks · Book #11 in the Clue series

Can six friends solve ten mini-mysteries before time runs out?

107 pages· 17,002 words· Est. 2 hour read
4.0 Goodreads · 145 ratings
$3.50Save 5%
Paperback
Summary: Mr. Boddy's weekend gathering spirals into chaos as his six friends confront a series of ten perplexing mysteries. Can they unravel the truth before it's too late? Each puzzle brings them closer to danger and discovery.
Zap! I'm a Mind Reader
Sale price
$574
Chapter Book · Ages 7–10 · 1996

Zap! I'm a Mind Reader

By Dan Greenburg, Jack E. Davis · Book #4 in the The Zack Files series

A boy discovers he can read minds after getting an electric shock in science class and must navigate this new ability while trying to uncover a potential murderer in his school

64 pages· 5,195 words· Est. 44 min read
3.9 Goodreads · 299 ratings
$5.99Save 4%
Paperback
Summary: A mind reader stumbles upon a sinister plot hidden within the thoughts of others. As secrets unravel, the stakes rise. Can they decipher the truth before it's too late?
Lying in the Deep
Sale price
$1248
Chapter Book · Ages 14–+ · 2023

Lying in the Deep

By Diana Urban

A cruise turns deadly as jealousy and betrayal lead to murder. Can the truth be uncovered before it's too late?

400 pages· 83,646 words· Est. 8 hour read
3.6 Goodreads · 6,566 ratings
$12.99Save 4%
Paperback
Summary: Jade embarks on a dream cruise to escape heartbreak, only to find her ex and former best friend aboard. As tensions rise, a murder shocks the ship, and Jade becomes entangled in a deadly game. With friends dropping like flies, she and a new ally must unravel the mystery and clear her name before the killer strikes again. Suspense and danger lurk at every turn on this thrilling voyage.
Murder at the Hotel Hopeless
Sale price
$1049
Chapter Book · Ages 12–+ · 2022

Murder at the Hotel Hopeless

By John Lekich · Orca Soundings series

An old man's fall down the hotel stairs looks like an accident to everyone but one teen.

128 pages· 16,493 words· Est. 2 hour read
3.1 Goodreads · 112 ratings
$10.95Save 4%
Paperback
Summary: Charlie Hope expects a dull summer helping his mother run the family hotel. Then Mr. Ignato, an elderly resident, dies after a fall down the stairs, and Charlie suspects murder. Only Penny Price, a spoiled child star filming a TV mystery in town, believes him. Together they learn that Mr. Ignato was once an international jewel thief whose stolen million-dollar diamond was never found, and set out to prove his death was no accident.
The Silver Eyes
Picture Book · 2016

The Silver Eyes

By Scott Cawthon, Kira Breed-Wrisley · Book #1 in the Five Nights At Freddy's series

Revisit a haunted pizzeria where animatronics hold dark secrets.

389 pages· 90,311 words
4.1 Goodreads · 25,614 ratings
Other
Summary: A decade after a horrific event, Charlie and her friends return to Freddy Fazbear's Pizza. What they find are animatronics that have evolved in terrifying ways. Can they uncover the truth before it's too late?
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