Books About Mystery And Suspense

The Best Mystery And Suspense Books for Kids

Looking for excellent children's books about mystery and suspense? 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 Suspense

Sale price

$759

Chapter Book · Ages 6–9 · 1958

Basil of Baker Street

By Eve Titus, Paul Galdone (Illustrator) · Book #1 in the The Great Mouse Detective series

A detective must solve the mystery of the missing twins and save the town from the Terrible Three, a gang of notorious criminals.

112 pages· 10,010 words· Est. 2 hour read

5.3/7 Bookroo·3.9/5 Goodreads · 2,876 ratings

$7.99Save 5%

Paperback

Summary: Basil, the clever mouse detective living beneath Sherlock Holmes's house, faces his toughest case yet: the disappearance of twins Angela and Agatha. With scant clues and time running out, Basil must use all his sleuthing skills to unravel the mystery and rescue the twins. Can he outsmart the kidnapper and save the day, or will this case prove too puzzling even for him? Dive into a world of intrigue and adventure as Basil races against the clock in this thrilling tale of mouse-sized detective work.

Sale price

$674

Chapter Book · Ages 6–10 · 2012

Nancy Clancy, Super Sleuth

By Jane O'Connor, Robin Preiss Glasser (Illustrator) · Book #1 in the Nancy Clancy series

A young girl tries to solve a mystery involving a missing marble and a suspicious twin sister.

144 pages· 7,945 words· Est. 1.5 hour read

4.1/5 Goodreads · 4,341 ratings

Paperback

Summary: Nancy Clancy, once a fancy dresser, now dons a detective's hat. When a classmate's cherished item mysteriously disappears, Nancy and her friend Bree embark on a sleuthing adventure. As they follow the trail of clues, they uncover surprising secrets. Will Nancy solve the mystery and save the day? Dive into this delightful chapter book and join Nancy on her quest to become a super sleuth!

Sale price

$474

Chapter Book · Ages 7–9 · 1990

Vampires Don't Wear Polka Dots

By Debbie Dadey, Marcia Thornton Jones, John Steven Gurney (Illustrator) · The Adventures of the Bailey School Kids series

A group of students try to uncover the truth about their mysterious new teacher, Mrs. Jeepers, who seems to have supernatural powers and a strange past.

80 pages· 8,367 words· Est. 1.5 hour read

3.9/5 Goodreads · 8,535 ratings

$4.99Save 5%

Paperback

Summary: The third graders at Bailey Elementary are notorious for driving teachers away, but Mrs. Jeepers is different. Fresh from the Transylvanian Alps, she possesses unusual powers that keep the class in line. As the students wonder if she might be a vampire, they must decide if her unconventional methods are exactly what they need. Can they uncover the truth about Mrs. Jeepers before it's too late?

Sale price

$1049

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 1927

The Tower Treasure

By Franklin W. Dixon · Book #1 in the The Hardy Boys series

Two brothers race to solve a daring jewel heist.

180 pages· 35,310 words· Est. 5 hour read

5.5/7 Bookroo·3.9/5 Goodreads · 20,711 ratings

$10.99Save 5%

Hardcover

Summary: Frank and Joe Hardy, teenage sleuths, face their first thrilling challenge: a high-stakes jewel heist. As they delve into the mystery, secrets unravel, and danger lurks at every turn. Can they crack the case before it's too late? Discover the adventure that launched a legendary series.

Sale price

$1398

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2009

Ghost in the Machine

By Patrick Carman · Skeleton Creek series

Uncover the eerie secrets of Skeleton Creek through cryptic journals and videos.

212 pages· 28,504 words· Est. 4 hour read

4.2/5 Goodreads · 4,038 ratings

$14.99Save 7%

Paperback

Summary: In Skeleton Creek, strange events unfold as Ryan and Sarah delve into the town's mysteries. Ryan documents their findings in his journal, while Sarah captures eerie happenings on video. Their investigation leads them to the dredge, a place shrouded in secrets. Communicating through texts and midnight meetings, they unravel a chilling mystery. What dark truths will they uncover, and at what cost?

Sale price

$858

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2019

Serafina and the Seven Stars

By Robert Beatty · Book #4 in the Serafina series

Serafina faces unseen terrors at Biltmore, questioning reality and her own heart.

352 pages· 71,452 words· Est. 10 hour read

4.4/5 Goodreads · 4,502 ratings

$8.99Save 5%

Paperback

Summary: Guardian Serafina senses danger lurking in the shadows of Biltmore Estate. With her friend Braeden away, she doubts her senses and the safety of her home. As she uncovers haunting mysteries, a shocking crime challenges her beliefs. Is Braeden truly gone, or is their bond unbreakable? Can Serafina protect those she loves when she can't trust her own heart? Dive into a world where nothing is as it seems, and every shadow hides a secret.

Sale price

$958

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2021

The Tiger's Nest

By Trudi Trueit, Scott Plumbe (Illustrator) · Book #5 in the Explorer Academy series

Cruz faces a deadly foe and a life-altering secret on a perilous mission.

216 pages· 52,403 words· Est. 7.5 hour read

4.5/5 Goodreads · 1,015 ratings

$9.99Save 4%

Paperback

Summary: Cruz Coronado and his team at Explorer Academy face danger on an Indian Ocean island. As they dive into underwater adventures and a robotics contest, a crisis forces them into a daring rescue. Following his late mother's clues, Cruz confronts a nemesis at a cliffside tomb, risking everything to retrieve a crucial cipher. In this high-stakes encounter, he witnesses a profound sacrifice and discovers a message that challenges his understanding of life and death. Will Cruz complete his mission, or will his adversary thwart him at the final hour?

Sale price

$1498

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2014

The Case of the Secret Tunnel

By Holly Webb, Marion Lindsay (Illustrator) · Book #5 in the The Mysteries of Maisie Hitchins series

A girl detective uncovers a dangerous mystery beneath London's streets.

176 pages· 17,388 words· Est. 2.5 hour read

4.3/5 Goodreads · 211 ratings

$15.99Save 6%

Hardcover

Summary: Young detective Maisie Hitchins suspects Mr. Fred Grange, a mysterious lodger, of theft. Her investigation reveals a hidden treasure and a perilous secret in the London Underground. As Maisie and her friends delve deeper, they find themselves entangled in a complex web of intrigue. Can Maisie unravel the truth before it's too late? Discover the secrets lurking beneath the city in this thrilling adventure.

Sale price

$1899

Chapter Book · Ages 10–+ · 2023

Impossible Creatures

By Katherine Rundell, Ashley Mackenzie (Illustrator) · Book #1 in the Impossible Creatures series

Two kids must save a fading magical world before it's too late.

Cybils Award (2024)

368 pages· 71,233 words· Est. 10 hour read

4.1/5 Goodreads · 32,792 ratings

$19.99Save 5%

Hardcover

Summary: Christopher's life changes when he rescues a baby griffin, unveiling the Archipelago, a realm of magical creatures now in peril. Joined by Mal, a girl in need, they race across islands, seeking answers to the fading magic. As they face mythical beings and uncover dark truths, it becomes clear: only they can save this enchanted world. Will they succeed before it's lost forever?

Sale price

$1398

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2013

The Case of the Vanishing Emerald

By Holly Webb, Marion Lindsay (Illustrator) · Book #2 in the The Mysteries of Maisie Hitchins series

A lost emerald necklace brings chaos. Is it a curse or envy?

176 pages· 17,628 words· Est. 2.5 hour read

4.2/5 Goodreads · 321 ratings

$14.99Save 7%

Hardcover

Summary: In Victorian London, actress Sarah Massey loses a precious emerald necklace, rumored to bring a curse. As her life unravels, she seeks help from young detective Maisie Hitchins. Amidst the theater's glamour, Maisie must uncover whether the necklace's curse is real or if jealousy lurks among the troupe. Can Maisie solve the mystery before the curse claims more victims?

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