There’s nothing better than getting lost in a YA mystery that keeps you guessing until the very last page. Whether it’s solving a chilling crime, uncovering dark secrets, or following a trail of cryptic clues, these must-read YA mystery books will have you hooked from start to finish. No loose ends, just thrilling twists and unforgettable reveals.
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It follows Jamie Watson, the great-great-grandson of Dr. Watson, who is sent to a Connecticut prep school where he meets Charlotte Holmes, the brilliant but troubled descendant of Sherlock Holmes. When a student is murdered in a way that mimics the classic Sherlock Holmes stories, Jamie and Charlotte become the prime suspects. To clear their names, they must unravel the mystery—while navigating their complicated dynamic and the dangers that come with it.
The story revolves around Cadence Sinclair, a young girl who suffers from a mysterious mental illness and loses her memory after a traumatic event that occurred two years ago. Every summer, Cadence spends time at her family’s private island with her cousins and close friends. However, during one of these summers, something terrible happens—a tragedy that has left her scarred and unable to piece together what truly transpired. As Cadence struggles to recover her memories, the novel gradually unveils the sinister events that led to the devastating accident. Told with shifting timelines and unreliable narrations, the story keeps readers guessing about the truth behind the lies and the deep, dark secrets that haunt the Sinclairs.
A thrilling mystery that will keep you guessing. At the elite Ellingham Academy, Stevie Bell is determined to solve a decades-old cold case involving a kidnapping and murder. But when a new crime rocks the school, Stevie realizes the past and present are dangerously connected. Packed with twists, intrigue, and unforgettable characters, this book is perfect for fans of smart, suspenseful whodunits.
Set in a high school where five students walk into detention, but only four come out alive. When Simon, the creator of a notorious gossip app, dies under suspicious circumstances, his four classmates—Bronwyn, Addy, Nate, and Cooper—become the prime suspects. Each of them has secrets Simon planned to expose, but who had the most to lose? As tensions rise and the investigation unfolds, the group must unravel the truth while facing their own personal demons.
It follows Pip Fitz-Amobi, a high school student who takes on a challenging school project to re-examine a murder case from five years ago. Andie Bell was murdered, and her boyfriend Sal Singh was blamed, but the case was closed. As Pip investigates further, she uncovers new evidence and starts questioning the truth, putting herself in danger. With unexpected twists and a compelling mystery, this book offers a thrilling and thought-provoking read.
It follows Cassie Hobbes, a teenager with a natural ability to read people and understand their motivations. After losing her mother in a murder, Cassie is recruited into a top-secret government program where she teams up with other teens—each with unique abilities like profiling, deception, and emotional insight—to solve cold cases. Together, they investigate unsolved crimes, but as they dig deeper, they uncover dangerous truths that put them all in peril. With suspenseful twists and complex relationships, the story explores the blurred lines between right and wrong, and the cost of using such extraordinary talents.
When Anna Cicconi arrives in the Hamptons for a summer nanny job, she’s shocked to learn she bears an uncanny resemblance to Zoe Spanos, a local girl who went missing months earlier. As Anna’s memories become hazy and guilt creeps in, she confesses to killing Zoe—only for new evidence to suggest otherwise. Twisting timelines and an unreliable narrator make this a gripping mystery full of secrets and deception.
Scarlett and her sister escape their cruel father to attend Caraval, a legendary game where reality and illusion blur. But when her sister goes missing, Scarlett must solve cryptic clues before time runs out. With dazzling magic and deadly secrets, nothing is as it seems.
It follows Avery Grambs, a teenager who unexpectedly inherits a fortune from billionaire Tobias Hawthorne, despite not knowing him. To claim her inheritance, she must live in Hawthorne House with his grandsons, who are determined to uncover her secrets. As she navigates the family’s puzzles and dangerous games, Avery unravels mysteries that could change her life forever.
It follows Quentin "Q" Jacobsen, who has been fascinated by his adventurous neighbor, Margo Roth Spiegelman, for years. When Margo suddenly disappears after a night of revenge-filled pranks, Q becomes obsessed with following the cryptic clues she left behind. As he embarks on a road trip with his friends to find her, he discovers that Margo may not be the person he always imagined.