Why Kids Need a Good Mystery (and Less Screen Time)
Let’s face it—these days, screen time is winning. Between TikToks, YouTube shorts, and games where food has legs and runs away from you, it’s harder than ever to get kids to just sit down with a great book.
But here’s a great idea: hook them with something they can’t resist—a mystery. Whether it’s a secret mission, a missing classmate, or even a serial killer (kid-safe, of course), the suspense, twists, and deductive reasoning will keep them flipping pages.
Plus, mystery series are the perfect gateway to a lifelong love of reading. They’re packed with action, clever plotlines, and main characters with serious personality. And with heroes ranging from little people solving crimes to genius girls taking down thieves, there’s something here for every reader—whether they’re in middle school, younger, or full-blown young adult.
Let’s dive into the best mystery and crime books for 12 year olds++ from the 1980s all the way to 2025—your school libraries will thank you.
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting Daddy Simply!
All Books Mentioned here are available here!
+++Get a bonus 15% Discount with this button…
1. Nancy Drew: The Secret of Shadow Ranch
Carolyn Keene
Nancy Drew is the OG of young readers’ mystery fiction. In this detective story, Nancy is invited to a ranch with her best friends, where spooky happenings and a phantom horse lead her into danger—and, of course, clues. Perfect crime books for 12 year olds discovering their first book in a mystery series.
2. The Hardy Boys: The Tower Treasure
Franklin W. Dixon
Brothers Frank and Joe Hardy are teen sleuths who chase down crooks and solve crimes. In this classic, the boys tackle a real killer of a puzzle involving a stolen treasure. It’s full of old-school charm, ideal for school libraries and nostalgic dads.
3. From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler
E.L. Konigsburg
A brother and sister run away to the Metropolitan Museum of Art and end up solving an art-world mystery. A perfect read for independent voices and kids who love clever twists.
More Crime Books for 12 Year Olds ++
4. The Westing Game
Ellen Raskin
A dead millionaire leaves a will like no other—a game where his heirs must solve his murder. It’s a tale of deductive reasoning, wild clues, and one of the greatest mysteries in kidlit history.
5. Harriet the Spy
Louise Fitzhugh
Before Instagram stalking, there was Harriet with her notebook. She spies on neighbors and writes everything down—until someone finds her journal. It’s messy, funny, and totally relatable for curious middle school readers.
6. The Egypt Game
Zilpha Keatley Snyder
A group of kids invent an Egyptian-themed game… and then the make-believe turns suspiciously real. A creepy classic with hints of murder mystery and ancient secrets.
7. The Great Brain
John D. Fitzgerald
Tom, aka “The Great Brain,” is always scheming—whether it’s a swindle or solving a local mystery. Great for fans of old-timey mischief and main navigation through small-town life.
8. Sammy Keyes and the Hotel Thief
Wendelin Van Draanen
Smart, sassy Sammy sees a thief through her binoculars. What follows is a high-stakes chase through hotel halls and school life. It’s a blend of humor, action, and true girl detective flair.
9. Chasing Vermeer
Blue Balliett
When a famous Vermeer painting goes missing, two brainy kids use logic, patterns, and their own smarts to crack the case. Great for middle schoolers who love art and suspenseful stories.
10. The Name of This Book Is Secret
Pseudonymous Bosch
A fast-paced, quirky mystery about missing magicians, secret societies, and kids in way over their heads. Think fairy tale meets spy mission, with enough weirdness to hook even reluctant readers.
11. A Series of Unfortunate Events: The Bad Beginning
Lemony Snicket
After their parents’ mysterious death, the Baudelaire orphans face the sinister Count Olaf and uncover dark secrets. It’s grim, funny, and weirdly addictive. Definitely one of the crime books for 12 year olds on this list with gothic flair.
12. Stormbreaker (Alex Rider Series)
Anthony Horowitz
14-year-old Alex Rider becomes a reluctant spy after his uncle’s mysterious death. High-tech gadgets, a secret mission, and bad guys galore. A thriller that feels like a young adult James Bond.
13. Artemis Fowl
Eoin Colfer
A teen criminal mastermind kidnaps a fairy to rebuild his family’s fortune. Magic meets tech in this fast, funny, and dark mystery fantasy. Perfect for smart kids with a mischievous streak.
14. Holes
Louis Sachar
Camp Green Lake isn’t your usual camp—it’s a desert prison for boys. But why are they digging holes? What’s the real story? A mystery wrapped in layers and generations of secrets.
15. Gilda Joyce: Psychic Investigator
Jennifer Allison
Armed with her dead dad’s typewriter and a snappy attitude, Gilda digs into ghostly cases and murder mysteries. A little spooky, a lot funny—ideal for younger readers transitioning into teen sleuths.
16. The Mysterious Benedict Society
Trenton Lee Stewart
A group of gifted kids is recruited to stop an evil genius using mind control. It’s all riddles, codes, and clever teamwork—great for fans of trustworthy information and solving puzzles with logic.
17. Murder Most Unladylike (Wells & Wong Mysteries)
Robin Stevens
At an all-girls British boarding school, Daisy Wells and Hazel Wong form a detective agency—just in time to solve a real killer case. Old-school charm with a diverse twist. A nod to Agatha Christie for tweens.
18. Framed!
James Ponti
Florian uses TOAST (Theory of All Small Things) to spot clues nobody else sees. When he helps the FBI crack cases, things get wild. Funny, smart, and full of great ideas.
19. Sherlock Holmes Children’s Collection
Doyle
When a priceless gem goes missing, Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson are on the case—but things aren’t as simple as they seem. The Blue Carbuncle turns up in, of all places, a Christmas goose. Y
ep, you read that right. With clues hiding in plain sight and the wrong guy behind bars, Holmes has to move fast to crack the case before justice slips away. Classic Holmes with a holiday twist—and plenty of brainy sleuthing for curious young readers.
20. City Spies
James Ponti
A multicultural team of kid spies under MI6 infiltrates schools, museums, and evil lairs. Diverse cast, smart dialogue, and techy spy action.
21. Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library
Chris Grabenstein
A group of kids trapped in a high-tech library must solve riddles to escape. Think Willy Wonka meets detective stories—plus a love letter to books and school libraries.
22. The Inheritance Games
Jennifer Lynn Barnes
A poor girl inherits billions from a man she never met. But his family isn’t thrilled, and puzzles, riddles, and danger abound. A modern young adult thriller with main characters you’ll root for.
23. Greenglass House
Kate Milford
During a snowy holiday, a group of strangers gathers in a mysterious old inn. Secrets spill, and Milo must uncover hidden truths. Cozy, quirky, and full of twists.
24. A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder
Holly Jackson
A senior project to re-investigate a murder case turns real—and dangerous. Sharp, dark, and perfect for older teens ready for real killers and suspenseful stories.
25. Hunger Games
Suzanne Collins
Okay, not a classic whodunit—but definitely a crime book. A deadly reality game where kids fight for survival—and rebellion brews. Katniss is an independent voice in a messed-up world.
26. Mary Shelley Presents: Tales of the Macabre
Various Authors
Graphic novels featuring creepy tales inspired by the gothic queen herself, Mary Shelley. Great for middle school readers craving chills.
27. The Swifts: A Dictionary of Scoundrels
Beth Lincoln
Meet Shenanigan Swift—yes, that’s her real name. In the Swift family, your name is your destiny. So when someone ends up dead at a family reunion, Shenanigan sets out to prove she’s more than just trouble.
With quirky characters, a giant manor house, and a mystery packed with laughs and twists, this one’s a gem for middle school readers who love detective stories with heart and humor. Think Agatha Christie for kids—with a dictionary and way more banana peels.
Bonus!
Here’s a little extra on this list of crime books for 12 year olds++
28. Golden Shadows
P.J. Cloutier
In a crumbling town split between loyalty and lies, two teens stumble into a forgotten conspiracy that could change everything. Part mystery, part thriller, and part coming-of-age, Golden Shadows blends suspenseful storytelling with deductive reasoning, secret codes, missing people, and one impossible choice that haunts the main characters long after the last page.
Written with an independent voice and cinematic pacing, this one grabs older young readers and doesn’t let go. Think Stranger Things meets Stand by Me, with just a whisper of the supernatural—and a whole lot of heart.
Perfect for middle schoolers and up who are ready for a darker mystery with real stakes. Bonus: it’s written by a dad who knows just how deep the lives of kids really go.
Why Kids Should Read Mysteries (and Parents Too)
There’s just something timeless about a good mystery. It’s not just about solving crimes or catching the bad guy—it’s about asking questions, noticing details, and thinking a little deeper. In a world full of quick scrolls and short attention spans, mystery books remind kids that it’s okay to slow down and really pay attention.
When your child gets lost in a mystery—whether it’s a graphic novel, a classic like Nancy Drew, or a twisty modern tale—they’re doing more than just reading. They’re building deductive reasoning, expanding their imagination, and learning to think critically about the world around them. And let’s be honest, that’s something adults could use a little more of, too.
As parents, reading mysteries with our kids (or even just beside them) can spark conversations, laughs, and those quiet “aha” moments we don’t get enough of. Plus, books give kids a safe place to explore danger, ask big questions, and grow a little braver along the way.
In a time when screens often win, handing your kid a great book might just be the most rebellious thing you can do.
So whether it’s their first book or their fiftieth, encourage them to dive into a mystery series. Who knows? You might just end up solving a few together.
