Teenage detectives have a special kind of charm—solving mysteries, uncovering secrets, and piecing together clues with youthful ignorance and confidence. These young sleuths bring a fresh perspective to their adventures, making for thrilling, page-turning reads. Whether you're into murder mysteries, historical whodunits, or paranormal investigations, this list has something for everyone.
1- Truly Devious Series by Maureen Johnson (5 books, Ongoing)
Genre: Mystery, Thriller
Stevie Bell, a true-crime enthusiast, enrolls at Ellingham Academy, an elite boarding school with a dark past. The campus is famous for a decades-old unsolved murder, and Stevie is determined to crack the case. As she unravels secrets, she finds herself tangled in new mysteries. Filled with twists, puzzles, and suspense, this ongoing series is perfect for readers who love complex, layered mysteries.
2- The Inheritance Games Series by Jennifer Lynn Barnes (4 Books, Completed)
Genre: Mystery, Thriller
When Avery Grambs unexpectedly inherits a billionaire’s fortune, she’s thrust into a world of cryptic puzzles, hidden secrets, and dangerous family dynamics. To secure her inheritance, Avery must decode the billionaire’s elaborate riddles while contending with his eccentric relatives. Packed with suspense, mystery, and a touch of romance, this series delivers constant twists and high-stakes drama.
3- The Grandest Game Series by Jennifer Lynn Barnes (4 Books, Ongoing)
Genre: Mystery, Thriller
A spin-off from The Inheritance Games, this series follows a new group of teenagers who find themselves immersed in high-stakes games and dangerous conspiracies. As they navigate through complex challenges and unexpected twists, they uncover life-altering secrets. With two books published and more to come, this series continues to offer clever puzzles and suspense that will captivate readers.
4- A Good Girl's Guide to Murder Series by Holly Jackson (4 Books, Completed)
Genre: Mystery, Thriller
Pippa Fitz-Amobi starts investigating a local murder for a school project, but the deeper she goes, the more dangerous the secrets she uncovers become. As she digs deeper, she uncovers shocking secrets that put her own life at risk. This fast-paced series, consisting of three books and a novella, explores complex characters and the lengths they’ll go to uncover hidden truths in a small town.
5- The None Shall Sleep Sequence by Ellie Marney (2 Books, Ongoing)
Genre: Mystery, Thriller
Set in the 1980s, this intense series follows Emma and Travis, two teens recruited by the FBI to interview juvenile serial killers. As they delve deeper into the minds of these criminals, they uncover chilling secrets and face increasingly dangerous situations. The series draws inspiration from The Silence of the Lambs, exploring psychological tension and the haunting realities of criminal behavior. The ongoing books continue to captivate with their dark psychological thrills.
6- The Naturals Series by Jennifer Lynn Barnes (4 books, Completed)
Genre: Mystery, Thriller
Cassie Hobbes, along with a team of gifted teens, is recruited by the FBI’s cold-case division to help solve unsolvable crimes. Each member of the team possesses unique abilities, such as profiling, lie detection, and behavioral analysis, making them the perfect candidates for solving complex and dangerous mysteries. With fast-paced action and gripping investigations, this completed series is ideal for fans of psychological thrillers.
7- Charlotte Holmes Series by Brittany Cavallaro (4 Books, Completed)
Genre: Mystery, Thriller, Retelling
In this modern twist on Sherlock Holmes, Charlotte Holmes, a brilliant but troubled descendant of the legendary detective, teams up with Jamie Watson at their boarding school to solve complex mysteries. With a mix of suspense, wit, and a bit of romance, the series offers a fresh take on the iconic detective duo.
8- The Agathas Mysteries by Kathleen Glasgow and Liz Lawson (2 Books, Ongoing)
Genre: Mystery, Thriller
Iris and Alice, two unlikely teenage detectives, team up to solve murders in their small town. Inspired by Agatha Christie, this series combines humor, suspense, and relatable characters in a modern homage to classic mystery stories. Two books are currently available, with more mysteries to come in this ongoing series.
9- Stalking Jack the Ripper Series by Kerri Maniscalco (4 books, Completed)
Genre: Historical, Mystery, Thriller
Audrey Rose Wadsworth defies the expectations of Victorian society by pursuing her passion for forensic medicine, leading her to investigate notorious murders like Jack the Ripper, Dracula, and others. This gothic series blends dark romance with historical details, creating an atmospheric and suspenseful backdrop for Audrey Rose’s dangerous investigations. Ideal for fans of historical mysteries and eerie thrillers.
10- Jane Austen Murder Mysteries by Tirzah Price (3 Books, Ongoing)
Genre: Historical, Mystery, Retelling
This ongoing series reimagines Jane Austen’s beloved heroines as amateur detectives, blending Regency-era charm with thrilling murder mysteries. Each book takes a classic Austen novel and adds a murder mystery twist, where characters like Elizabeth Bennet and Emma Woodhouse are tasked with solving crimes. With three books released so far and more to come, this series offers fans a fun new way to experience Austen’s world.
11- Lockwood & Co. by Jonathan Stroud (5 Books, Completed)
Genre: Fantasy, Mystery
In a world plagued by ghostly hauntings, three teens run a paranormal investigation agency. Led by the fearless Anthony Lockwood, they face chilling encounters and uncover sinister secrets hidden in the haunted corners of London. This completed series blends supernatural suspense with clever dialogue, humor, and thrilling action, making it a must-read for fans of ghost stories and mystery-solving adventures.
12- The Diviners Series by Libba Bray (4 Books, Completed)
Genre: Historical, Fantasy, Mystery
Set in the 1920s, The Diviners follows a group of teenagers with supernatural abilities as they delve into dark, otherworldly mysteries in New York City. As they investigate occult forces, they uncover dangerous secrets that threaten not only their lives but the future of the city itself. Blending paranormal intrigue with historical settings, this completed series offers readers a mix of the Roaring Twenties and chilling supernatural thrillers.
From boarding school crimes to supernatural investigations, these series prove that teenage detectives are always the most entertaining. Whether you're in the mood for high-stakes thrills, historical intrigue, or contemporary puzzles, these books are perfect for readers who love following clever teenagers as they uncover secrets and solve mysteries.