Books About Mystery And Detective Work · 128 titles considered

The Best Mystery And Detective Work Books for Kids

By the Bookroo Editors

Looking for excellent children's books about mystery and detective work? 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 10 Favorite Books About Mystery And Detective Work

Notorious
Sale price
$1597
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2020

Notorious

By Gordon Korman

On a peculiar island, two teens unravel a dog's murder mystery linked to a gangster past.

307 pages· 57,253 words· Est. 8 hour read
6.8/7 Bookroo·4.1/5 Goodreads · 1,860 ratings
$16.99Save 6%
Hardcover
Summary: Keenan, new to the odd Centerlight Island, teams up with his quirky neighbor ZeeBee to solve the mystery of her dog's death. As they dig into the island's Prohibition-era secrets, they uncover a conspiracy that puts them in danger. With everyone a suspect and a new dog by their side, Keenan and ZeeBee must navigate a web of intrigue. Will they crack the case before it's too late, or will the island's dark past catch up with them?
Cat Detective
Sale price
$759
Chapter Book · Ages 7–10 · 2018

Cat Detective

By A. B. Greenfield, A. B. Greenfield, Sarah Horne (Illustrator) · Ra the Mighty series

A royal cat and beetle sidekick hunt a thief in ancient Egypt.

240 pages· 28,792 words· Est. 4 hour read
5.3/7 Bookroo·4.0/5 Goodreads · 836 ratings
$7.99Save 5%
Paperback
Summary: In ancient Egypt, Ra, a pampered palace cat, and Khepri, a diligent dung beetle, embark on a comedic quest to solve a jewelry theft. With a young servant girl wrongly accused, Khepri urges Ra to embrace his inner detective. As they unravel the mystery, Ra discovers the thrill of justice, earning the title 'Protector of the Weak.' Can this unlikely duo clear the girl's name and catch the real thief? Dive into a world of humor and history with this mismatched pair on their first adventure.
The Chicken Squad
Sale price
$759
Chapter Book · Ages 7–10 · 2014

The Chicken Squad

By Doreen Cronin, Kevin Cornell (Illustrator) · Book #1 in the The Chicken Squad series

A group of chickens and a squirrel team up to solve a mystery in their backyard

112 pages· 3,856 words· Est. 33 min read
5.5/7 Bookroo·3.9/5 Goodreads · 2,880 ratings
$7.99Save 5%
Paperback
Summary: Meet the Chicken Squad: Dirt, Sugar, Poppy, and Sweetie. These fearless chicks tackle mysteries, not bugs. When a frantic Squirrel warns of a strange, shiny object in the yard, the squad springs into action. Could it be a UFO with alien intentions? As they investigate, the stakes rise. Will these plucky detectives crack the case before it's too late? Join their out-of-this-world adventure and find out!
Dragon on Trial
Sale price
$759
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2014

Dragon on Trial

By Tui T. Sutherland, Kari H. Sutherland · Book #2 in the Menagerie series

A dragon is accused of murder. Can the truth be uncovered?

320 pages· 57,584 words· Est. 8 hour read
4.3 Goodreads · 3,842 ratings
$7.99Save 5%
Paperback
Summary: Zoe and Logan face a new challenge when a dragon named Scratch is accused of killing the goose that laid the golden eggs. As they dive into the mystery, they must navigate a world of myths and magic to uncover the truth. With the stakes high and evidence pointing to Scratch, can they solve the case before it's too late? Discover a world where fantastic creatures and secrets abound, and nothing is as it seems.
Tyrannosaurus Wrecks
Sale price
$858
Chapter Book · Ages 9–12 · 2020

Tyrannosaurus Wrecks

By Stuart Gibbs · Book #6 in the FunJungle series

A dinosaur skull vanishes without a trace. Can Teddy solve the mystery?

368 pages· 69,168 words· Est. 7.5 hour read
4.5 Goodreads · 3,753 ratings
$8.99Save 5%
Paperback
Summary: Teddy Fitzroy faces his wildest mystery yet when a 500-pound dinosaur skull disappears from a secret dig on his friend Sage's ranch. With no footprints and millions at stake, everyone is a suspect, including FunJungle's owner. Meanwhile, Teddy's girlfriend Summer is on the trail of a black market reptile ring, and the Barksdale twins are in trouble again. As Teddy dives into these tangled mysteries, danger and chaos lurk at every turn. Can he uncover the truth before it's too late?
Chasing Herobrine (Graphic Novel)
Graphic Nov.
Sale price
$1139
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2017

Chasing Herobrine (Graphic Novel)

By Cara J. Stevens · Book #5 in the An Unofficial Graphic Novel for Minecrafters series

Can Phoenix turn a ghostly enemy into an ally to save her village?

192 pages· 9,648 words· Est. 2 hour read
4.4 Goodreads · 377 ratings
$11.99Save 5%
Paperback
Summary: Phoenix faces a haunting challenge as the ghost of Herobrine terrorizes her village. With her friend T.H., she uncovers a web of clues that question everything they know. As a new, formidable enemy emerges, the duo must decide if Herobrine is truly a foe or a potential ally. Can they unravel the mystery before it's too late? Dive into this thrilling graphic novel adventure where alliances shift and secrets abound, perfect for fans of Minecraft and epic quests.
Flash
Sale price
$574
Chapter Book · Ages 7–9 · 2007

Flash

By Ellen Miles · Book #6 in the The Puppy Place series

A family discovers a mysterious puppy on their farm and sets out to find its owner.

96 pages· 11,816 words· Est. 2 hour read
4.3 Goodreads · 877 ratings
$5.99Save 4%
Paperback
Summary: Charles and Lizzie Peterson, passionate about fostering puppies, face a new challenge when they discover Flash, an energetic border collie, abandoned in the countryside. With Flash's boundless energy and love for running, finding the right forever home becomes a race against time. Will they succeed in matching Flash with a family that can keep up with his spirited nature? Join the adventure as they navigate the ups and downs of puppy fostering, where every wagging tail brings a new story and a chance for a happy ending.
The Race Against Time
Sale price
$1597
Chapter Book · Ages 7–10 · 2006

The Race Against Time

By Geronimo Stilton · Book #3 in the Geronimo Stilton: The Journey Through Time series

Time-traveling mouse faces malfunctioning portal. Can he return home or remain lost in history forever?

320 pages· 21,214 words· Est. 3 hour read
4.3 Goodreads · 978 ratings
$16.99Save 6%
Hardcover
Summary: Geronimo Stilton embarks on a thrilling time-travel adventure with his family, visiting the Ice Age, ancient Greece, and the Renaissance. Amid encounters with mammoths and ancient playwrights, a malfunctioning portal threatens to trap them in the past. Can Geronimo fix the portal and return to the present, or will they be lost in time forever? Discover the excitement and danger in this whisker-tingling journey through history.
The Missing Movie
Sale price
$759
Chapter Book · Ages 7–10 · 2019

The Missing Movie

By Geronimo Stilton · Book #73 in the Geronimo Stilton series

A missing film at a festival sparks a thrilling mystery.

128 pages· 8,903 words· Est. 1.5 hour read
4.3 Goodreads · 414 ratings
$7.99Save 5%
Paperback
Summary: At New Mouse City's inaugural film festival, the latest masterpiece by famed director Mousen Scorsese vanishes. With the big prize at stake, Geronimo Stilton and his friend Hercule must unravel the mystery. Who would dare steal the film, and what secrets lie behind its disappearance? As they delve deeper, unexpected twists and turns challenge their detective skills. Can they solve the case before the festival ends?
The Phantom Bandit
Sale price
$759
Chapter Book · Ages 7–10 · 2018

The Phantom Bandit

By Geronimo Stilton · Book #70 in the Geronimo Stilton series

A ghost threatens pumpkins at a spooky castle. Can the mystery be solved?

128 pages· 6,297 words· Est. 53 min read
4.2 Goodreads · 278 ratings
$7.99Save 5%
Paperback
Summary: Geronimo Stilton's vacation at Cacklefur Castle turns eerie when a ghostly figure threatens the prized pumpkins in the Von Cacklefurs' garden. With a phantom on the loose, can Geronimo uncover the ghost-thief's identity and save the pumpkins? Dive into this spine-tingling mystery where every shadow hides a secret and every creak could be a clue. Will Geronimo's wits be enough to outsmart the spectral menace, or will the pumpkins vanish forever? Join the adventure and find out!
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Mystery And Detective Work Picture Books

Illustrated read-alouds about mystery and detective work for preschool and elementary-age readers.

The Mystery at the Coral Reef
#8 in Series
Sale price
$599

The Mystery at the Coral Reef

Ages 5–9 · 2015

Twin siblings Ethan and Ella Briar travel to Australia with their parents and become embroiled in a mystery involving stolen coral and a cryptic message from their grandfather

Detective LaRue

Detective LaRue

Ages 4–8 · 2004

A dog writes letters from jail about a cat mix-up.

Good Night Owl
Sale price
$1699

Good Night Owl

Ages 3–5 · 2016

Owl's sleep is disturbed by a mysterious noise. Can he find the source?

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Mystery And Detective Work Chapter Books & Middle Grade

Longer stories about mystery and detective work for developing and independent readers.

The Astro Outlaw
#4 in Series
Sale price
$599

The Astro Outlaw

Ages 7–9 · 2012

A moonrock is stolen. Can two kids solve the mystery with just a green feather as a clue?

Colossal Fossil
#10 in Series
Sale price
$799

Colossal Fossil

Ages 6–9 · 2018

A sleepover at a museum turns mysterious after a loud crash. What happened to the Spinosaurus?

Poached
#2 in Series
Sale price
$899

Poached

Ages 8–12 · 2014

A missing koala, a framed boy, and a race to uncover the truth.

Panda-monium
#4 in Series
Sale price
$899

Panda-monium

Ages 8–12 · 2017

A giant panda vanishes, and a young sleuth must solve the mystery to protect his girlfriend.

The Chocolate Chase
#67 in Series
Sale price
$799

The Chocolate Chase

Ages 7–10 · 2017

A mouse journalist must solve a mystery involving a stolen egg and a chocolate egg baking competition.

View all mystery and detective work chapter books
Keep exploring
Books about solving crimesBooks about ancient civilizationsBooks about buried treasureBooks about islands