Introduction
When it comes to a good mystery or thriller story, the reader gets a sudden adrenaline rush in their bloodstream. A well-written, satisfying story is a beauty in itself with attractive characters and their descriptions, puzzling turns, hidden secrets, misdirection, cliffhangers, brilliant detectives, wily villains, and surprising endings. Some books are compiled with disaster plotting, which includes more focus on the victimized people rather than solving the problem. The plots have to be meticulously planned, and there should be twists at every turn.
However, hunting for the best mystery books for teens is no easy task. One of the major reasons is that mystery is the most popular genre in young-adult fiction. Here are the 10 best mystery books for teens that made it onto this list.
Best Mystery Books for Teens by Famous Authors
- Ace of Spades – Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé
- All Your Twisted Secrets by Diana Urban
- A Good Girls Guide To Murder by Holly Jackson
- High Rise Mystery by Sharna Jackson
- One Of Us Is Lying by Karen M. McManus
- We Were Liars by E.Lockhart
- I Must Betray You by Ruta Betray
- Killing November by Adriana Mather
- A Lesson in Vengeance by Victorio Lee
- Pretty Dead Queens by Alexa Donne
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Ace of Spades – Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé
The latest entry on the list of best mystery books for teens is Ace of Spades. This novel is her phenomenal debut, and people are already waiting for what comes next. An anonymous Ace revealed the dark secrets of two students. A talented musician, Devon has buried himself in rehearsals and could not get away from the spotlight when his private photos went public. The Head Girl of the college, Chiamaka, isn’t afraid to get what she wants, but now, she can’t help herself when the world turns upside down for her. She had to pay the price of the power she got. The story is much more than a high school story.
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All Your Twisted Secrets by Diana Urban
Diana Urban made her debut with an intense mystery written for teenagers. The story starts with a group of high school students finding themselves in a strange room with a time bomb. They have to reveal their deepest secrets, which they have been hiding all their lives. However, as the clock ticks away, the trust crumbles and tension arises among them. The story is purely woven with complex character developments with an investing story. It is among the best mystery books for teens.
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A Good Girls Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson
In this book, we meet Pippa, the protagonist. She is a highly determined student until her school project takes an unexpected twist when she decides to reopen a murder case in her small town. Her academic journey turns into a literal, relentless pursuit of the truth. Holly Jackson, an amazing mystery author, is very talented in storytelling and building up a strong plot of numerous clues, motives, and long-buried secrets. The book is all about how Pippa took a stand against justice and morality, making it an interesting read for all book lovers.
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High Rise Mystery by Sharna Jackson
High Rise Mystery is a fresh take on mystery for all teenagers. The story takes place in the setting of a towering building apartment. The two young detectives start a journey to expose the mystery that hits close to home. Sharna has planted the plot, keeping the readers engaged with desirable characters. Her clever storytelling settings and the themes of friendship she uses make the novel an even more attractive choice for readers who are looking for the best mystery books for teens.
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One Of Us Is Lying by Karen M. McManus
A suspenseful mystery, “One of Us in Lying,” starts with five high school students serving their detention. However, things turn a lot darker for them when one of them collapses in an unexpected death. The rest of the students become the prime suspects as they all have plausible motives when the truth comes out. The tale involves lies, hidden secrets, and motives until the end of the story. One Of Us Is Lying is a thought-provoking yet thrilling novel that revolves around the complexities and challenges of teenage life.
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We Were Liars by E.Lockhart
We Were Liars is a haunting mystery novel for teens, set around the privileged Sinclair family and their annual summer gatherings on a private island. The story takes a twisted turn when the dark secrets and fractured memories come to light. This book is a beautifully written prose of Lockhart’s that stands as a separate read in the mystery genre. The readers are immensely moved by her writing style in the book, which keeps them hooked until the final part of the story.
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I Must Betray You by Ruta Sepetys
The story takes place in the Cold War-Era Romania, giving it a historical dimension among the best mystery books for teens. It revolves around a young man trapped in the world of intelligence. The author of the book, Ruta Sepetys, amazingly blends the elements of history and suspense to shed light on a lesser-known period of history. The story depicts complex characters, which makes it a high choice for teenage readers who are hunting for mystery novels.
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Killing November by Adriana Mather
Killing November is a thrilling novel and the best read for teenage adults. The story is set around a secretive academy where the students are trained under surveillance. November is the main protagonist of the story, and she exposes dark, hidden secrets kept within the walls of the academy. Adriana Mather has intricately woven words that give an adrenaline rush to all the bibliophiles.
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A Lesson in Vengeance by Victora Lee
The novel revolves around the story of an elite boarding school with strange rituals and dead mysteries. A Lesson in Vengeance by Victoria Lee creates a sense of prognostication, involving the readers in a world where mystery and secrets seem to have their own life. This novel delivers a fresh perspective on the boarding school setting and gives a touch of history along with the supernatural.
Conclusion
The above-mentioned are the top mystery books for teens written by famous authors. The story setting, hidden secrets, themes, and undying mysteries have made these novels a big success. Each of them provides a good reading experience with intricate plots and great development of the characters. The unexpected twists and turns will have you keep reading the book until the very last and sometimes leave you waiting for the next one.
Jeffrey Kashida’s “Jupiter and Friends” is also a great suspenseful mystery where courage and friendship are intertwined without any boundaries. The main character of the story, Jupiter, confronts challenges with his loyalty and truth. Similar to the books mentioned above, “Jupiter and Friends” has common elements of courage and mystery that leave readers stunned. In case you are looking for the best mystery books by famous authors, “Jupiter and Friends” by Jeffrey Kashida will be a great addition to your ‘to-read’ list.