• General Recommendations
  • Staff-Created List

Mystery and detective chapter books for children

Books for budding detectives! A mix of younger fiction (first chapter books), and older fiction.

Christchurch City Libraries Ngā Kete Wānanga o Ōtautahi

16 items

  • Max is the tallest kid in his class and has recently been diagnosed with ADHD. His friend, Will, was found in the wood in a coma. When the local authorities run out of leads, Max realizes that he needs to help them find out what really…
    BookNew York : Little, Brown and Company, 2022. — OLDER FICTION
  • There is trouble at Eden College and Ella needs to find out what's going on. Written by popular Australian author, Laura Sieveking. (Older fiction).
    BookGosford, New South Wales : Scholastic Australia, 2021. — OLDER FICTION
  • Sinister things are going on backstage on a TV talent show. Can Abby and Harry find out who is behind the threats? (Older fiction).
    BookLondon : Scholastic, 2021. — OLDER FICTION
  • 12 year old Terry is once again needed to investigate mysterious goings on related to the FunJungle zoo. Book #7 in the FunJungle series. (OLDER FICTION)
    BookNew York : Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, [2021] — OLDER FICTION
  • Enola is the younger sister of Sherlock Holmes, who has mysteries to solve in this series set in 1889 London. (OLDER FICTION)
    BookCrows Nest, New South Wales : Allen & Unwin, 2021. — OLDER FICTION
  • Agent Weasel from the Woodlands Intelligence community (WI6) is trying to stop The Robber King. Lots of action and silliness guaranteed. (YOUNGER FICTION)
    BookLondon : Hodder Children's Books, 2021. — YOUNGER FICTION
  • Can there really be a ghost in an old lunchbox? Super Weird Mysteries is a hilarious mystery series, great for fans of DogMan and Diary of a Wimpy Kid. (YOUNGER FICTION)
    BookLondon : Egmont Books, 2021. — YOUNGER FICTION
  • This is the first book in an exciting series featuring Ben Ripley, a boy whose dream is to become a highly skilled secret agent. Read them in order if you can. (OLDER FICTION)
    BookHodder Children's Books, 2013. — OLDER FICTION
  • On the back of each book in the Clue Book series it lists the scene, the facts, the crime, the suspects, and the mission. Frank and Joe are very busy trying to close cases! (YOUNGER FICTION)
    BookNew York : Aladdin, 2021. — YOUNGER FICTION
  • Cass, Lex and Nicholas investigate crimes, solve mysteries and have their own secret clubhouse. In this book they are investigating a missing locket. (YOUNGER FICTION)
    BookO'Brien Press Ltd, 2019. — PBK
  • Action and mystery set at a Jiu-Jitsu gym. Part of the Nancy Drew diaries series (OLDER FICTION).
    BookNew York : Aladdin, 2021. — OLDER FICTION
  • It is 1789, and thirteen year old Jane Austen must engage her detective skills. (OLDER FICTION)
    BookOxford : Lion Fiction, 2021. — OLDER FICTION
  • The final book in a very funny and action-packed series. It is a thicker book but has pictures on every page so is very accessible. Recommended for 8+ years.
    BookLondon : HarperCollins Children's Books, 2021. — OLDER FICTION