Are you looking for a good mystery book to keep you up all night?
We've put together a list of the top 5 young adult mystery books that will have you hooked from page one. Whether you're into suspenseful thrillers or mind-bending detective stories, we've got something for everyone on this list.
Sit back, relax, and get ready to be entertained! We promise that you won't be able to put these books down.
Check out our website now to find out more about these amazing mystery books!
How We Choose These 5 Books for You
We know that it can be hard to know which young adult mystery books are worth reading.
With so many different books out there, it can be hard to know which one is right for you.
We've done the hard work for you and read through thousands of user reviews to come up with a list of the 5 best young adult mystery books.
New York Times Bestselling Author
This gripping psychological thriller has shades of Serial and Making a Murderer, making it a can't-miss book.
1. A Good Girl's Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson
What Is This Book About
This gripping psychological thriller has shades of Serial and Making a Murderer, making it a can't-miss book. Protagonist Pippa Fitz-Amobi immerses herself in her investigation as she delves into the mysterious death of Andie Bell five years prior.
What she finds will twist and turn your thoughts, taking you near the edge of your seat. In the end, you'll never see the outcome coming! Whether you love crime dramas or relish a well-thought-out mystery novel, A Good Girl's Guide to Murder won't let you down. Snuggle up with this book for an evening full of suspense that you won't be able to put down until its shocking conclusion.
Why You Will Love It
This book is a gripping journey for true crime fans! You will be struck by the suspenseful hunt for a killer, but what lingers throughout the pages of this Guide is the human impact of the crime. You will be taken by the stories about how families, communities, and entire towns can instantly be thrown into chaos and conflict in reaction to such a tragedy. The insight into these links as well as people's emotions and fear will compel you to keep turning page after page. This is one of the best ya mystery books.
New York Times Bestselling Author
Get ready to enter the mysterious and wondrous world of Hawthorne House, where every room is filled with secrets and puzzles waiting to be solved.
2. The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
What Is This Book About
The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes is the perfect book for all thrill-seekers! Get ready to enter the mysterious and wondrous world of Hawthorne House, where every room is filled with secrets and puzzles waiting to be solved. Follow Avery Grambs as she discovers billions of dollars in inheritance from a man she has never even heard of before. As Avery pieces together Tobias Hawthorne’s riddles and games, she uncovers more questions than answers – and finds out that the truth might cost her everything she built the future on. With a friendly tone and creative detail, The Inheritance Games is a great read that will have you on the edge of your seat until the final page!
Why You Will Love It
This book has all the elements of a great mystery! The stakes are deadly, and the thrilling twists will keep you turning pages far into the night. You'll be itching to find out the truth as you uncover layer upon layer of juicy secrets. Each character in this novel has their own unique stories and motivations, making each one so interesting that you won't want to put it down. The roller coaster of suspense and tension is sure to have you on the edge of your seat until the very end. You won't regret picking up this novel with its deadly stakes, thrilling twists, and juicy secrets!
Best for Intrigue
Jamie Watson has always been captivated by Charlotte Holmes; after all, their ancestors are two of the most famous fictional characters in history: Sherlock and Mycroft Holmes!
3. A Study in Charlotte by Brittany Cavallaro
What Is This Book About
Welcome to the intriguing world of A Study in Charlotte, an exhilarating read by Brittany Cavallaro. Jamie Watson has always been captivated by Charlotte Holmes; after all, their ancestors are two of the most famous fictional characters in history: Sherlock and Mycroft Holmes! The legendary family’s eccentricities have been passed along among generations, as these two teens find themselves at a Connecticut boarding school side-by-side.
Charlotte is none too pleased with the arrangement. She’s adamant about keeping her distance from Jamie and demonstrates her distant disposition with her classic apathy—cool and aloof yet still sharing enough to keep people intrigued. But Jamie is up for any challenge, especially one set forth by a member of the infamous Holmes clan. With every obstacle surmounted, Jamie gets closer to understanding Charlotte’s complex character. Through spirited dialogue and page-turning juvenile investigation, readers get to watch their unlikely partnership blossom into something extraordinary. Will they break through the tension between them before it becomes too late?
A Study in Charlotte is a fast-paced story that combines sassy intellect with suspenseful mystery, delivering a refreshing insight into one of literature’s classic duos.
Why You Will Love It
You will love this book because it introduces a thrilling crime-fighting duo made up of the two most iconic detectives in history - Sherlock Holmes and John Watson. Prepare to be taken on a wild ride of action and suspense as two beloved characters come together in an all-new way. With witty dialogue and unpredictable plot twists, this is sure to become everyone's new favorite series. You won't want to miss out on this page-turning mystery - pick up the first book now!
Best for Suspense
When Monday Charles suddenly disappears without a trace, her best friend Claudia refuses to accept it and starts her investigation.
4. Monday's Not Coming by Tiffany D. Jackson
What Is This Book About
Are you looking for an absorbing read that will keep you turning the pages? Then Monday's Not Coming by Tiffany D. Jackson is the perfect book for you! When Monday Charles suddenly disappears without a trace, her best friend Claudia refuses to accept it and starts her investigation. How can a teenage girl vanish without anyone noticing?
Through Claudia’s journey, readers learn about friendship, loss, and trauma that threatens to destroy one family’s life forever. When she needs her best friend more than ever, Monday's mother refuses to give her a straight answer, and Monday’s sister April is even less help.
Overflowing with gripping suspense and realistic high school drama, this novel looks at what happens when tragedy strikes: How far do we go for our friends? At what point do we need to step back and take care of ourselves first? The story ultimately teaches us that there is no shame in needing help from those around us – and together we can conquer anything.
Why You Will Love It
Jackson captures the stories of characters that have been disenfranchised and marginalized by society, deftly weaving together themes of abuse, gentrification, heart-wrenching stories, and powerful life lessons. You will be engrossed as you journey through this thriller that moves back and forth between past and present to swiftly build to an unforgettable conclusion. You will never forget the heart-wrenching stories from this gripping perspective. You will leave empowered to advocate for those forgotten by society and the system so that their stories can live on long after those final pages.
#1 New York Times Bestseller
Each chapter brings the reader closer to unraveling the mysteries buried within these five characters and discovering who is really behind it all.
5. One of Us Is Lying by Karen McManus
What Is This Book About
This #1 New York Times Bestseller is a delicious combination of Pretty Little Liars and The Breakfast Club, offering an addictive mystery sure to keep you engaged from start to finish.
In this edge-of-your-seat young adult thriller, five seemingly innocent teenage strangers arrive at detention only to have their fates inextricably intertwined when only four walk out alive. Who could have done such a thing? Each chapter brings the reader closer to unraveling the mysteries buried within these five characters and discovering who is really behind it all.
The New York Times hails this book as “an unbelievable whodunit” that you won’t be able to put down, while Entertainment Weekly praises it as “Pretty Little Liars meets The Breakfast Club.” Join the adventure with One of Us Is Lying – one of the Ten Best Books of the Year according to Entertainment Weekly, Buzzfeed, and Popcrush!
Why You Will Love It
One of Us is Lying brings an entirely new level of thrilling suspense and engagement. You'll tear through this juicy murder mystery as you strive to outsmart the criminal and the four narrators, all while ensuring justice prevails. You won't be able to put this clever page-turner down as its authenticity truly makes it feel like it could happen in your high school community. It's easy to see why readers find One of Us Is Lying so incredibly addictive.
Additional Resources for You
#1 The Diviners by Libba Bray
A young man is caught between two worlds...
A murdered girl branded was found by the police .....
A woman realizes her gift could help catch a serial killer...
#2 I Killed Zoe Spanos by Kit Frick
A thrilling psychological thriller about a seventeen-year-old protagonist who must come to grips with the disappearance of missing girl Zoe Spanos...
#3 Sadie by Courtney Summers
Two sisters with different fates...
One was murdered while another disappears...
#4 God Smites and Other Muslim Girl Problems by Ishara Teen
A girl goes for a secret walk in the woods with her crush and they stumble on a dead body...
God Smities and Other Muslim Girls Problems
A funny, charming and interesting book that talks about the problems Muslims have to deal with in everyday life.
#5 Stalking Jack the Ripper by Kerri Maniscalco
Seventeen-year-old leads a forbidden secret life...
Against her stern father's wishes, she often slips away to her uncle’s laboratory ...
Her search for answers brings her close to her own sheltered world.
#1 New York Times Bestseller
Murders begin around town against women that are not only low-class but also have been associated with Audrey Rose's household.
Best Young Adult Mystery Books FAQs
Buying a mystery novel can be confusing because you don't want to end up with a book that's not your style.
It's hard to know what kind of mystery novel you'll enjoy without reading the summary or reviews first.
We've collected the most frequently asked questions about Best Young Adult Mystery so that you can make an informed decision before you buy. Our selection includes novels for all ages and interests, so there's something for everyone.
What is the most popular mystery book?
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson is the most popular mystery book.
It has sold more than 60 million copies and has been adapted into a movie starring Daniel Craig and Rooney Mara. The story follows journalist Mikael Blomkvist as he tries to solve a forty-year-old mystery, and Lisbeth Salander, a computer hacker with a photographic memory, as she helps him.
What is the most popular YA novel right now?
According to the New York Times, the most popular YA novel right now is The Fault in Our Stars by John Green.
What should I read for cozy mysteries?
For cozy mysteries, I would recommend the works of Agatha Christie, Dorothy L. Sayers, and P.D. James. They are all masters of the genre, and their writing is both suspenseful and charming.
Who is the best current mystery writer?
The best current mystery writer is probably Louise Penny. Her Inspector Gamache series is set in the fictional town of Three Pines, Quebec and has been hailed as "the best Canadian mystery series ever written." Each book is better than the last, and I'm eagerly awaiting the release of her latest installment this fall.
What is the best mystery ever written?
One of the best mystery novels ever written is The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson. It's a page-turner that will keep you captivated until the very end.
Larsson's novel tells the story of Mikael Blomkvist, a Swedish journalist who is hired to investigate the disappearance of Harriet Vanger, a niece of one of Sweden's richest industrialists. As he digs deeper into the mystery, Blomkvist realizes that there is more to Harriet's disappearance than meets the eye. In addition to being an edge-of-your-seat thriller, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo also offers an in-depth look at Sweden's history and culture.
What is the most-read book ever?
The Bible is the most-read book of all time. With an estimated 2.5 billion copies sold and distributed, it's no surprise that the Bible takes the cake for being the most-read book of all time!
Who is the most popular cozy mystery writer?
The most popular cozy mystery writer is Agatha Christie. She has sold over two billion books and her work has been translated into more than 100 languages. She wrote more than 80 novels and short story collections, including the famous Murder on the Orient Express and And Then There Were None.
What is the difference between cozy mystery and mystery?
A cozy mystery is a mystery novel that typically features female amateur sleuths and takes place in a small town or community. Cozy mysteries are usually light and humorous, with an emphasis on the puzzle-solving aspects of the plot rather than on suspense or violence.
Mysteries, on the other hand, can be either cozy or suspenseful, and they typically feature male professional detectives. Mysteries often have darker themes and more complex plots than cozy mysteries.
What should I read if I liked everything?
If you liked everything, then you'll probably enjoy reading a variety of different genres. Some great books to start with include 1984 by George Orwell, To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, and Animal Farm by George Orwell.
Who are the 10 best mystery writers?
1. Agatha Christie
2. Arthur Conan Doyle
3. Dashiell Hammett
4. Edgar Allan Poe
5. F. Scott Fitzgerald
6. Harper Lee
7. Josephine Tey
8. Raymond Chandler
9. Ruth Rendell
10. Somerset Maugham
What is the best mystery thriller?
It's hard to choose just one, but some of my favorites are Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn, Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty, and Behind Closed Doors by B. A. Paris. These books are page-turners with complex storylines and intriguing characters that will keep you guessing until the very end.
Who is the No 1 writer in the world?
There is no one No. 1 writer in the world.
Conclusion
If you’re looking for a great young adult mystery book to read, hopefully, our list has given you some direction. We know how daunting it can be wading through all of the options that are out there and we wanted to help by narrowing things down for you. We did this by reading customer reviews on Amazon and finding the books with the highest ratings. So if you’re still undecided, why not give one of these books a try? Click on the buttons above to learn more about each book and pick up your copy now!
