Books About Solving Crimes

The Best Solving Crimes Books for Kids

Looking for excellent children's books about solving crimes? 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.

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The Shortlist

Our 10 Favorite Books About Solving Crimes

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 · 1,837 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?

Sale price

$858

Chapter Book · Ages 9–12 · 2018

The Story Collector

By Kristin O'Donnell Tubb, Iacopo Bruno (Illustrator) · Book #1 in the The Story Collector series

A library prank spirals into a quest to uncover a ghost and a missing stamp collection.

272 pages· 39,626 words· Est. 4.5 hour read

5.8/7 Bookroo·3.8/5 Goodreads · 1,143 ratings

$8.99Save 5%

Paperback

Summary: Viviani Fedeler, raised in the New York Public Library, suspects it's haunted. A prank to spook new girl Merit Mubarak goes awry, leading Viviani and her friends on a thrilling quest. They must unravel the mystery of a possible ghost and a vanished stamp collection. Can they uncover the truth hidden within the library's walls?

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

$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 · 828 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.

Sale price

$858

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2010

Belly Up

By Stuart Gibbs · Book #1 in the FunJungle series

A hippo's suspicious death at FunJungle leads Teddy into a dangerous investigation.

294 pages· 64,074 words· Est. 9 hour read

4.2/5 Goodreads · 17,120 ratings

$8.99Save 5%

Paperback

Summary: Twelve-year-old Teddy Fitzroy suspects foul play when Henry the hippo dies at FunJungle. With his daring friend Summer, he dives into a mystery filled with suspicious zoo officials and greedy owners. As they uncover secrets, Teddy faces threats that could make him the next target. Can they solve the case before more animals—or themselves—are in danger? The truth about hippo homicide might be more than they bargained for.

Sale price

$674

Chapter Book · Ages 9–12 · 2011

Mission Unstoppable

By Dan Gutman · The Genius Files series

Twins on a road trip face mysterious threats and secret codes.

304 pages· 51,368 words· Est. 5.5 hour read

4.1/5 Goodreads · 7,779 ratings

$6.99Save 4%

Paperback

Summary: Twins Coke and Pepsi McDonald thought their family vacation was ordinary until danger struck. Chased by mysterious foes and decoding secret messages, they must uncover the truth about The Genius Files. From California's quirky museums to Wisconsin's oddities, their journey is a thrilling race against time. Can they outsmart the threats and solve the mystery before it's too late?

The Original Adventures of Hank the Cowdog

Sale price

$674

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

4.1/5 Goodreads · 6,710 ratings

$6.99Save 4%

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?

Sale price

$958

Chapter Book · Ages 9–13 · 2012

Three Times Lucky

By Sheila Turnage · Book #1 in the Mo & Dale Mystery series

A girl and her friend investigate a murder to protect their makeshift family in a small town.

Newbery Honor (2013)The E.B. White Read Aloud Honor (2013)

312 pages· 62,211 words· Est. 7 hour read

4.0/5 Goodreads · 26,367 ratings

$9.99Save 4%

Paperback

Summary: In the quirky town of Tupelo Landing, young Mo LoBeau, who washed ashore during a hurricane, is determined to uncover the truth behind a murder. With her best friend Dale, she dives into a mystery that threatens the only family she's ever known: the enigmatic Colonel and the vibrant Miss Lana. As secrets unravel, Mo's fierce loyalty and sharp wit are put to the test. Can she solve the case before it's too late? Join Mo on a thrilling adventure where every secret is fair game and the stakes are as high as her hopes of finding her real mother.

Sale price

$674

Chapter Book · Ages 7–9 · 2001

Who Cloned the President?

By Ron Roy, Liza Woodruff (Illustrator) · Book #1 in the Capital Mysteries series

Two fourth-grade friends discover that the President of the United States has been cloned and embark on a mission to rescue the real president

80 pages· 6,915 words· Est. 1.5 hour read

4.0/5 Goodreads · 1,164 ratings

Paperback

Summary: KC Corcoran notices something odd about the President—he's acting strange and signing with the wrong hand. Could he be a clone? With her friend Marshall, KC dives into a mystery that could change the nation. As they explore Washington, D.C.'s iconic sites, they must unravel the truth before it's too late. Can two kids save the President and uncover the conspiracy? This thrilling adventure is packed with intrigue and fun facts about the nation's capital, perfect for young mystery lovers.

Sale price

$1498

Chapter Book · Ages 14–18 · 2012

The Diviners

By Libba Bray · Book #1 in the The Diviners series

A young woman uses her hidden powers to hunt a killer in 1920s New York.

578 pages

3.9/5 Goodreads · 102,452 ratings

$15.99Save 6%

Paperback

Summary: In 1926 New York, Evangeline O'Neill is thrilled to escape her dull hometown. But living with her uncle, obsessed with the occult, threatens to expose her secret powers. When a girl is found murdered with a cryptic symbol, Evie realizes her abilities might catch a serial killer. As she dives into the city's dark underbelly, she must confront a sinister force awakening in the shadows. Can Evie harness her powers to stop the evil before it consumes her and the city?

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