Books About Mysteries · 166 titles considered

The Best Mysteries Books for Kids

Looking for excellent children's books about 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.

#1 in Series

#1 in Series

#10 in Series

Series

The Shortlist

Our 10 Favorite Books About Mysteries

Sale price

$1597

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2011

Horton Halfpott

By Tom Angleberger

A loosened corset leads to chaos and a missing heirloom. Who's to blame?

216 pages· 29,684 words· Est. 4 hour read

5.5/7 Bookroo·3.8/5 Goodreads · 2,141 ratings

$16.95Save 6%

Hardcover

Summary: When M'Lady Luggertuck loosens her corset, chaos ensues at Smugwick Manor. The Luggertuck Lump, a peculiar family heirloom, vanishes, and suspicion falls on Horton Halfpott, the honest kitchen boy. As rules crumble, a colorful cast of characters emerges, each a potential suspect in this whimsical mystery. Can Horton clear his name and uncover the truth behind the Loosening? Dive into a world of absurdity and intrigue where nothing is as it seems, and every twist brings a new surprise.

Sale price

$474

Chapter Book · Ages 7–10 · 2012

The Secret Promise

By Paula Harrison, Sharon Tancredi (Illustrator) · Book #1 in the The Rescue Princesses series

Four princesses work together to rescue animals in need and uncover the truth behind a series of mysterious events in the kingdom of Mistberg Forest

114 pages· 12,021 words· Est. 1.5 hour read

4.2 Goodreads · 1,090 ratings

$4.99Save 5%

Paperback

Summary: Princess Emily dreams of more than royal duties. When a threat looms over Mistberg Forest's deer, she and her friends embark on a daring mission. With cleverness and unexpected ninja skills, can Emily thwart the sinister plot and protect the forest's gentle creatures? Adventure awaits as she discovers the true meaning of bravery and friendship.

Sale price

$574

Chapter Book · Ages 7–9 · 2018

Sophia and Rainbow

By Julie Sykes, Lucy Truman (Illustrator) · Book #1 in the Unicorn Academy series

A young girl named Sophia starts at a magical school for unicorn riders and must navigate friendships, rivalries, and a mystery surrounding the school's magical lake.

128 pages· 11,328 words· Est. 2 hour read

4.2 Goodreads · 1,215 ratings

$5.99Save 4%

Paperback

Summary: Sophia and her unicorn, Rainbow, face an unexpected challenge when Sparkle Lake, the source of unicorn magic, starts changing color. As chaos looms, they must venture into perilous woods to restore the magic. Will their bond be strong enough to save the day? Dive into a world where friendship and courage are the keys to unlocking magical adventures.

Sale price

$1899

Chapter Book · Ages 10–14 · 2022

Sabotage on the Solar Express

By M. G. Leonard, Sam Sedgman, Elisa Paganelli (Illustrator) · Book #5 in the Adventures on Trains series

A young sleuth races to stop a train sabotage before disaster strikes.

256 pages· 47,100 words· Est. 5 hour read

7.0/7 Bookroo·4.4/5 Goodreads · 963 ratings

$19.99Save 5%

Paperback

Summary: Hal Beck, a young sleuth, embarks on the Solar Express's maiden voyage across the Australian Outback. Joined by his uncle Nat, tech prodigy Boaz, and Marianne, Hal must uncover the saboteur threatening to derail the train. As mysterious mishaps escalate, the stakes rise: can they solve the mystery before the train explodes? With time running out, Hal's detective skills are put to the ultimate test in this thrilling adventure.

Sale price

$674

Chapter Book · Ages 6–9 · 1997

Ghost Town at Sundown

By Mary Pope Osborne, Sal Murdocca (Illustrator) · Book #10 in the Magic Tree House series

Two siblings travel through time and space to solve a mystery in the Wild West

96 pages· 6,451 words· Est. 1 hour read

7.0/7 Bookroo·4.0/5 Goodreads · 15,055 ratings

$6.99Save 4%

Paperback

Summary: Jack and Annie's magic tree house whisks them to the Wild West, where they encounter horse thieves, a lost colt, and rattlesnakes. With a cowboy named Slim by their side, they must solve a mysterious riddle. Is the town haunted, and will a ghost hold the key to their adventure? Join them as they race against time in a thrilling quest filled with danger and excitement.

Sale price

$1797

Picture Book · Ages 3–5 · 2014

Catch That Cookie!

By Holly M. McGhee (a.k.a. Hallie Durand), David Small (Illustrator)

Gingerbread men vanish. Can Marshall solve the clues and catch them?

32 pages· 713 words· Est. 6 min read-aloud

5.8/7 Bookroo·3.9/5 Goodreads · 555 ratings

$18.99Save 5%

Hardcover

Summary: Marshall is certain gingerbread men can't run, but when his freshly baked cookies disappear, he's thrust into a whimsical chase. With his classmates, he must unravel rhyming riddles to track down the elusive treats. As the mystery unfolds, Marshall may have to reconsider his disbelief in magic. Will he catch the cookies, or will they remain a delicious mystery?

Sale price

$958

Chapter Book · 2015

Into the Storm

By Amanda Wills · Book #3 in the The Riverdale Pony Stories series

A storm threatens horses and friendships. Can trust save them all?

156 pages· 31,216 words

4.6 Goodreads · 322 ratings

$9.99Save 4%

Paperback

Summary: Poppy's dream riding holiday turns into a nightmare when a storm threatens the stables and her friendship with Scarlet. Struggling with a stubborn horse, Beau, and a mysterious man lurking around, Poppy must rely on the very horse she can't connect with to save the day. Can she mend her friendship and protect the horses before it's too late?

Sale price

$759

Chapter Book · Ages 9–13 · 2017

The Lights Under the Lake

By Sophie Cleverly · Book #4 in the Scarlet and Ivy series

A school trip turns eerie as secrets and spirits emerge from a haunted lake.

304 pages· 58,205 words· Est. 6.5 hour read

4.4 Goodreads · 3,203 ratings

$7.99Save 5%

Paperback

Summary: During a summer trip to Shady Pines Hotel, Scarlet and Ivy uncover chilling secrets beneath Lake Seren. As mysterious events plague the guests, whispers of restless spirits and eerie church bells fill the night. Are these the echoes of troubled souls from a sunken graveyard? With danger lurking, Scarlet and Ivy must unravel the mystery before it's too late. Dive into this gripping tale where the past refuses to stay buried.

Graphic Nov.

Sale price

$1348

Chapter Book · Ages 7–10 · 2023

Lost and Found

By Mason Dickerson · Book #2 in the Housecat Trouble series

A ghostly kitten needs help finding its way home. Can Buster and friends succeed?

187 pages· 3,545 words· Est. 40 min read

4.4 Goodreads · 541 ratings

$13.99Save 4%

Hardcover

Summary: Buster the housecat embarks on a new adventure with his pals Nova and Chauncey. When they encounter a lost kitten, they soon discover it's a ghost! As they navigate the streets, the challenge of reuniting this spectral stray with its owner becomes more daunting. Can Buster and his friends solve this supernatural mystery and bring the kitten home? Join them in a tale filled with humor, heart, and unexpected twists.

Sale price

$574

Chapter Book · Ages 6–9 · 2009

Unicorn Uproar

By Carolyn Keene, Macky Pamintuan (Illustrator) · Nancy Drew and the Clue Crew series

A unicorn vanishes at a festival. Can the Clue Crew solve the mystery?

96 pages· 10,807 words· Est. 2 hour read

4.2 Goodreads · 293 ratings

$5.99Save 4%

Paperback

Summary: At the town's medieval festival, Sparkle the unicorn mysteriously disappears. Is third-grade diva Destiny Delgado or mischievous Toby Leo behind it? Or did Nancy's fortune-teller wand cause the vanishing act? Nancy, Bess, and George must unravel the clues to uncover the truth. Join the Clue Crew on a magical quest filled with twists and turns. Will they find Sparkle before it's too late?

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Mysteries Picture Books

Illustrated read-alouds about mysteries for preschool and elementary-age readers.

Series

Sale price

$1999

Pete the Cat and the Missing Cupcakes

Ages 4–8 · 2016

Two friends try to solve the mystery of missing cupcakes.

Sale price

$599

"What Is THAT?" Said the Cat

Ages 4–8 · 1995

A fox and a bird discover a mysterious box. What could be inside?

King & Kayla and the Case of the Missing Dog Treats

#1 in Series

Sale price

$699

King & Kayla and the Case of the Missing Dog Treats

Ages 7–9 · 2017

A dog helps his human solve the mystery of missing peanut butter treats

#5 in Series

Sale price

$699

King & Kayla and the Case of Found Fred

Ages 7–9 · 2019

A dog named King and his human Kayla help a lost dog named Fred find his family during their vacation at Grandma's house

Series

Sale price

$3422

The Custodian from the Black Lagoon

Ages 0–9 · 2001

A mysterious custodian causes chaos beneath the school. Can he be trusted?

Sale price

$399

The Spooky Sound

Ages 5–8 · 2010

Two friends go on a journey to find the source of a spooky sound.

Series

Sale price

$599

Detective Dinosaur

Ages 4–8 · 1996

Detective Dinosaur faces mysterious cases and a shadowy alley threat. Can he solve them all?

Sale price

$1999

Moose Tracks!

Ages 4–7 · 2006

Mysterious moose tracks invade a home. Who's the culprit?

Sale price

$1799

Once Upon a Slime

Ages 4–8 · 2018

Fairy-tale characters are mysteriously slimed. Can you solve the sticky whodunnit?

Not an Alphabet Book: The Case of the Missing Cake

Sale price

$1799

Not an Alphabet Book: The Case of the Missing Cake

Ages 4–8 · 2020

Bear hunts a cake thief, but is he the real culprit?

Series

Sale price

$799

The Cat Food Mystery

Ages 6–8 · 2011

Kayla and the Pet Club hunt a mysterious cat food thief. Can they crack the case?

Series

Sale price

$2532

Ace!

Ages 6–8 · 2017

Uncover how Ace became Batman's loyal Bat-Hound in this thrilling origin tale.

View all mysteries picture books

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Mysteries Chapter Books & Middle Grade

Longer stories about mysteries for developing and independent readers.

#4 in Series

Sale price

$999

Curse of the Mystery Mutt

Ages 7–12

A dog investigates a series of mysterious nighttime crimes in his village, only to discover the culprit is closer than he thought.

#9 in Series

Sale price

$799

Stella Batts Scaredy Cat

Ages 7–9 · 2016

A third-grader spends the night at her school's library with her class, but things take a strange turn when a mysterious cat appears, leading to a series of events that challenge her perceptions of reality and friendship.