Books About Teenage Detectives

The Best Teenage Detectives Books for Kids

Looking for excellent children's books about teenage detectives? 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 Teenage Detectives

Sale price

$901

Chapter Book · 2008

House Arrest

By Franklin W. Dixon · The Hardy Boys: Undercover Brothers series

Undercover brothers race to stop a killer on a reality show.

160 pages· 30,923 words

4.1/5 Goodreads · 332 ratings

$9.48Save 5%

Paperback

Summary: Frank and Joe Hardy, undercover agents, infiltrate the Deprivation House reality show. With a suspect caught, danger still lurks as mysterious accidents continue. Can they unmask the true threat before it's too late?

Sale price

$2564

Chapter Book · Ages 12–15 · 2012

Seconds Away

By Harlan Coben · Book #2 in the Mickey Bolitar series

A teen uncovers dark secrets while solving a classmate's shooting.

395 pages· 67,039 words· Est. 6 hour read

4.1/5 Goodreads · 20,524 ratings

$26.99Save 5%

Library Binding

Summary: Mickey Bolitar faces a deadly mystery when his classmate Rachel is shot. With danger lurking, he and his friends, Ema and Spoon, must unravel secrets tied to the Abeona Shelter and his father's death. As they delve deeper, Mickey must protect those he loves from an unseen threat. Can he solve the mystery before it's too late?

Sale price

$759

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2015

The Clue at Black Creek Farm

By Carolyn Keene · Nancy Drew Diaries series

A farm's produce is poisoned. Can Nancy uncover the saboteur?

171 pages· 27,918 words· Est. 4 hour read

3.9/5 Goodreads · 1,000 ratings

$7.99Save 5%

Paperback

Summary: Nancy Drew, along with Bess and George, faces a puzzling mystery at Black Creek Farm. After a dinner event leaves guests ill from E. coli, suspicions of sabotage arise. With the farm's reputation and livelihood at stake, Nancy must unravel who is behind the contamination and why. As the farm's greenhouse is vandalized and livestock harmed, the trio races against time to uncover the truth. Can they save the farm before it's too late?

Sale price

$759

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2014

Secret at Mystic Lake

By Carolyn Keene · Book #6 in the Nancy Drew Diaries series

A bike tour turns perilous with theft, sabotage, and a missing guide.

160 pages· 25,246 words· Est. 3.5 hour read

3.9/5 Goodreads · 1,456 ratings

$7.99Save 5%

Paperback

Summary: Nancy, George, and Bess embark on a scenic bike tour around Mystic Lake, eager for adventure. But when their supplies vanish, tires are slashed, and guide Caitlin disappears, the trip turns dangerous. Nancy must unravel the mystery before they’re stranded in the wilderness. Can she solve the puzzle and ensure their safe return?

Sale price

$858

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 1963

The Moonstone Castle Mystery

By Carolyn Keene · Nancy Drew Mystery Stories series

A mysterious moonstone gift leads to a haunted castle and a missing girl. Can the mystery be solved?

178 pages· 35,095 words· Est. 5 hour read

4.0/5 Goodreads · 5,476 ratings

$8.99Save 5%

Hardcover

Summary: Nancy Drew receives a mysterious moonstone, sparking a series of puzzling events. In Deep River, she investigates the disappearance of Joanie Horton, a missing granddaughter of missionaries. An eerie castle with a drawbridge and rumors of haunting add to the intrigue. As Nancy and her friends explore, an ominous voice warns them away. What secrets does Moonstone Castle hold, and how is it linked to Joanie's disappearance? The stakes rise as Nancy unravels the connections in this intricate mystery.

Sale price

$1248

Chapter Book · Ages 14–+ · 2023

The Night in Question

By Kathleen Glasgow, Liz Lawson · Book #2 in the Agathas Mysteries series

A dance, a murder, and secrets buried in Castle Cove. Can Alice and Iris uncover the truth?

416 pages· 91,592 words· Est. 8.5 hour read

3.9/5 Goodreads · 8,359 ratings

$12.99Save 4%

Paperback

Summary: Alice and Iris, armed with Agatha Christie's wisdom, face a new murder mystery at Castle Cove High's dance. With the police quick to blame, the duo suspects deeper secrets tied to a century-old death at Levy Castle. As they dig into the past, they must unravel the truth behind Rebecca's murder and clear an innocent friend. Can they solve the case before becoming the next victims of Castle Cove's dangerous secrets?

Sale price

$759

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2014

The Phantom of Nantucket

By Carolyn Keene · Nancy Drew Diaries series

A dream trip to Nantucket turns into a race against time to stop a dangerous threat.

177 pages· 29,082 words· Est. 4 hour read

3.8/5 Goodreads · 1,059 ratings

$7.99Save 5%

Paperback

Summary: Nancy, Bess, and George's Nantucket getaway spirals into chaos when a threatening banner disrupts a museum exhibit opening. With suspects aplenty, Nancy must unravel the mystery before the threats escalate. As danger looms, can she protect her friend Jenna and save the exhibit? Dive into a suspenseful adventure where every clue counts and time is running out.

Sale price

$858

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 1929

The Mystery of Cabin Island

By Franklin W. Dixon · Book #8 in the The Hardy Boys series

Two brothers face perilous challenges to uncover stolen medals on a mysterious island.

192 pages· 32,320 words· Est. 4.5 hour read

3.9/5 Goodreads · 5,166 ratings

$8.99Save 5%

Hardcover

Summary: Frank and Joe Hardy embark on a thrilling quest to find missing Johnny Jefferson and recover stolen antique medals on Cabin Island. As they navigate treacherous obstacles, the brothers must unravel the island's secrets. Will they solve the mystery before it's too late? Adventure and danger await in this gripping tale of courage and determination.

Sale price

$759

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2018

The Haunting on Heliotrope Lane

By Carolyn Keene · Nancy Drew Diaries series

Is Izzy possessed after visiting a haunted house, or is there a logical explanation?

176 pages· 25,675 words· Est. 3.5 hour read

3.8/5 Goodreads · 1,022 ratings

$7.99Save 5%

Paperback

Summary: Nancy Drew faces a chilling mystery when her classmate Willa fears her friend Izzy is possessed after a visit to a haunted house. Izzy's bizarre behavior, from trances to violent outbursts, leaves everyone puzzled. As Nancy investigates, she must unravel whether a ghostly presence or something more sinister is at play. Can she uncover the truth behind the eerie happenings at Heliotrope Lane before it's too late?

Sale price

$674

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2013

Mystery of the Phantom Heist

By Franklin W. Dixon · Hardy Boys Adventures series

Can Frank and Joe stop the Scaredevils before Lindsay's Sweet Sixteen is ruined by chaos?

137 pages· 28,092 words· Est. 4 hour read

3.8/5 Goodreads · 647 ratings

$6.99Save 4%

Paperback

Summary: Frank and Joe face a race against time as they investigate the Scaredevils, a group causing havoc with violent pranks. With Lindsay Peyton's Sweet Sixteen party at risk, the brothers must uncover the mastermind behind the chaos. As vandalism escalates, including keyed cars and dumpster fires, the stakes rise. Can they prevent the party from becoming a disaster Lindsay will never forget?

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