Welcome to our blog about the best mystery books for teens!
Teens can benefit from reading mystery novels as they are exciting and can introduce them to complex characters, plot twists, and themes. The books offer an escape from reality, and can spark a lifelong love for reading.
This article features a list of mystery books that are recommended for young adults who enjoy reading. Whether you're a teen or just a young-spirited individual, you'll be able to dive into a world of mystery and intrigue through these books. From traditional detective tales to modern suspenseful novels, you can expect to experience intense suspense and surprising plot twists. Get ready for an unforgettable journey into the unknown world of mystery literature!
Best Mystery Books for Teens
1) The Cousins
Milly, Aubrey, and Jonah Story are a group of cousins who have not had the chance to meet their grandmother. Their parents were disinherited by her before they were born as she was reclusive. When they receive job offers to work at her island resort during the summer, the cousins are shocked as it could be a chance to reconcile with their grandmother. However, upon arriving on the island, it becomes apparent that their grandmother has different intentions for them.
2) Shadow Jumper: A Mystery Adventure Book
Jack Phillips has a medical condition that makes him allergic to sunlight. This means he has to avoid spending time in bright light, causing him to feel lonely and putting him at risk of serious burns if he does venture into the sun. To find a cure for his worsening symptoms, Jack sets out to find his missing scientist father with the help of his new friend, Beth. As they investigate his father's past for leads, they uncover unexpected information. They also engage in shadow jumping on rooftops during dusk, which is when Jack feels the most alive and free.
3) One of Us is Lying
Students from Bayview High were in detention on Monday afternoon. Bronwyn, who always follows the rules, is an intelligent student and is all set to attend Yale University. Addy, the beautiful student, is the perfect homecoming princess. Nate, who's on probation for dealing, is the criminal among the five students. Cooper, the athletic student, is the star baseball pitcher. And Simon, the outcast, is the one who created the infamous gossip app of Bayview High. Unfortunately, Simon dies during detention.
4) Spellbound Under The Spanish Moss
Gareth Greyfin needs to save his father, Samuel who was bitten by a snake and has little time left before the venom reaches his heart. He follows his father's instruction and takes him to a cabin in the swamps near Savannah, Georgia, where they meet a witch who is known by a fearsome reputation. The witch asks Gareth to find five ingredients for the potion that can save his father. Along the way, he’ll uncover a family secret that threatens to unravel his quest and life as he knows it.
5) They Wish They Were Us
Life in Long Island seems perfect, from the expensive downtown shops to the pressed uniforms of Jill Newman and her friends. However, Jill learned three years ago that things are not always what they seem. During their freshman year, Jill's brilliant and dazzling best friend, Shaila Arnold, was killed by her boyfriend. After the incident, Graham confessed, and the case was closed as Jill tried to move on. But now, Jill's dreams of a perfect senior year are falling apart as she receives text messages proclaiming Graham's innocence.
6) Girl in the Blue Coat
It’s Amsterdam in 1943. Hanneke spends her time acquiring and delivering black market goods to paying customers. She hides the nature of her job from her parents at night and grieves for her boyfriend who died in the Dutch front lines during the German invasion. During a usual delivery, a customer requests Hanneke's help. She expects the request to be for meat or kerosene, but the customer Mrs. Janssen is frantically seeking a Jewish teenager who disappeared from a secret room where she was being hidden.
7) The Quarry Girls
In the summer of 1977 in Minnesota, a group of teenagers in a tight-knit community enjoyed typical summer activities like swimming parties at the quarry, visiting the county fair, and exploring the tunnels under the city. However, two best friends named Heather and Brenda keep a secret about something they witnessed in the dark and agreed to never disclose it to anyone. When their friend goes missing, becoming the second girl to disappear in a week, their promise is challenged. However, the authorities seem hesitant to investigate.
8) Asylum 3-Book Box Set
The Asylum book series follows the story of Dan and his friends as they discover secrets about an old psychiatric hospital, which used to be their summer-program dorm. Each book continues their journey, with the second book revealing the arrival of anonymous photos inviting them to return to the asylum and the third book following their senior road trip to New Orleans while being pursued by a mysterious group called the Bone Artists.
9) The Haunting of Elmwood Manor
Pekin, together with her best friends Amber and Scout, start a ghost-busting business to achieve their goal. Although her friends are hesitant, Pekin convinces them to join her. As they dig further, they discover the case of Miranda Talbert, a fourteen-year-old who disappeared in 1918 and has been haunting Elmwood Manor ever since. However, while solving the case, they encounter an angry ghost who opposes their efforts.
10) Five Survive
Kenny is on a spring break road trip with five friends that include her best friend, her best friend's older brother, his girlfriend, her secret crush, a classmate and an unknown person who turns out to be a killer. Unfortunately, their RV breaks down in a remote location with no phone service. They soon realize that someone has deliberately trapped them and is targeting one of them. They have until dawn, which is eight hours away, to escape or determine which one of them is in danger. As the situation escalates and secrets are revealed, tensions rise, and the clock is ticking.
