Books about crime detection are packed with intrigue and are great for kids because they foster logical thinking and deductive reasoning. No matter what age, the stories can hook you in, take you on a thrilling roller-coaster ride and leave you desperate to find out what happens at the end.
FOR CHILDREN
FICTION
DETECTIVE
There’s no doubt about it, when it comes to children’s fiction, nothing beats a good mystery story! They’re exciting and just plain fun!
The crime-mystery genre has been around for many years. Since the mid 20th century classics, detective fiction has come a long way, meaning these days there’s no shortage of fantastic mystery series and stand-alone works available. Here are a few examples you might want to explore…
There’s no doubt about it, when it comes to children’s fiction, nothing beats a good mystery story! They’re exciting and just plain fun!
Books about crime detection are packed with intrigue and are great for kids because they foster logical thinking and deductive reasoning. No matter what age, the stories can hook you in, take you on a thrilling roller-coaster ride and leave you desperate to find out what happens at the end.
The crime-mystery genre has been around for many years. Since the mid 20th century classics, detective fiction has come a long way, meaning these days there’s no shortage of fantastic mystery series and stand-alone works available. Here are a few examples you might want to explore…
THE FAMOUS FIVE
The Famous Five are the classic, quintessential gang of young detectives. They appeared in a series of 21 books written by Enid Blyton between 1942 and 1963. Featuring a group of children: Julian, Dick, Anne and Georgina and their dog Timmy, the group get caught up in adventures during their summer holidays, often involving criminals or lost treasure.
The original books have since been expanded and re-written by contemporary authors and published with new cover art to keep the series fresh and attract new readers. To adults, they might appear simply written, with basic characterisation, but this is probably why children find them so appealing! With pacy dialogue-driven plots and a juicy cliffhanger placed tantalisingly at the end of each chapter, they continue to be amazingly popular.
Illustration: Laura Ellen Anderson
THE HARDY BOYS & NANCY DREW
The Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew series’ of books were probably the first mystery novels written specifically for children and young teens. These all-American young detectives were originally created by American publisher Edward Stratemeyer and written by a number of authors under pseudonyms. They brought thrilling adventures, mysteries, finding clues and escaping villains to a young audience.
The Hardy Boys arrived in 1927. Since then, it’s estimated there have been over 190 books written. Nancy Drew appeared soon after in 1930 and totals around 175 books to date, plus many more in spin-off titles. Both also appeared in multiple cross-over stories solving mysteries together. The two series have been extensively updated and modernised many times to reflect changes in culture and tastes, thus guaranteeing their classic, long-lasting appeal.
The two titles have also seen various television adaptations made over the years, most recent being the mini series Nancy Drew in 2019 and The Hardy Boys in 2020 – both on streaming platforms.
THE HARDY BOYS & NANCY DREW
The Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew series’ of books were probably the first mystery novels written specifically for children and young teens. These all-American young detectives were originally created by American publisher Edward Stratemeyer and written by a number of authors under pseudonyms. They brought thrilling adventures, mysteries, finding clues and escaping villains to a young audience.
The Hardy Boys arrived in 1927. Since then, it’s estimated there have been over 190 books written. Nancy Drew appeared soon after in 1930 and totals around 175 books to date, plus many more in spin-off titles. Both also appeared in multiple cross-over stories solving mysteries together. The two series have been extensively updated and modernised many times to reflect changes in culture and tastes, thus guaranteeing their classic, long-lasting appeal.
The two titles have also seen various television adaptations made over the years, most recent being the mini series Nancy Drew in 2019 and The Hardy Boys in 2020 – both on streaming platforms.
Stars of the Nancy Drew & The Hardy Boys TV show, 1978.
Parker Stevenson, Pamela Sue Martin and Shaun Cassidy
Stars of the Nancy Drew & The Hardy Boys TV show, 1978.
Parker Stevenson, Pamela Sue Martin and Shaun Cassidy
OTTOLINE
Ottoline Brown is the main character of a series of books by popular author-illustrator Chris Riddell. Ottoline lives in a stylish apartment in Big City, and is an exceptionally inquisitive mistress of disguise and amateur detective. She lives with a small hairy creature called Mr. Munroe who helps her look after the family’s eclectic collections, solve puzzles and clues and investigate crimes.
Aimed at 5-8 year olds the first book, Ottoline and the Yellow Cat, was published in 2010 and won the Nestlé Children’s Book Prize Gold Award. The fourth book in the series was released in 2018. The stories are full of Riddell’s characteristically elegant, detailed illustrations, while the stories are quirky and full of observational charm and absurd humour.
SHELBY HOLMES
Sherlock Holmes gets a fun, sweet twist with two irresistible young heroes, in a book series aimed at older children from bestselling author Elizabeth Eulberg. Main character Shelby Holmes is not your average sixth grader: she’s nine years old, barely four feet tall, and happens to be the best detective in her neighbourhood!
She partners up with 11-year-old John Watson who lives nearby and together they use logic, determination and courage to solve local crimes. The books bring the essence of the Conan Doyle Sherlock Holmes stories to life with a contemporary twist. Stories are told with wit, sensitivity and the gradual unveiling of the mystery will keep readers hooked until the end.
MURDER MOST UNLADYLIKE
2014s Murder Most Unladylike is the first in a series of popular mystery books and short stories by author Robin Stevens. Set in the 1930s, we follow the investigations of 13-year-old best friends Daisy Wells and Hazel Wong, who have set up their own top-secret detective agency at Deepdean’s School for Girls.
The books are written as energetic, witty and endearing whodunits, with multi-layered plots, clues and suspense in the style of Agatha Christie. Stories are irresistible and entertaining and as the action unravels, it will keep young readers entertained until the very end – when all they’ll want to do is search out the next book!
MURDER MOST UNLADYLIKE
2014s Murder Most Unladylike is the first in a series of popular mystery books and short stories by author Robin Stevens. Set in the 1930s, we follow the investigations of 13-year-old best friends Daisy Wells and Hazel Wong, who have set up their own top-secret detective agency at Deepdean’s School for Girls.
The books are written as energetic, witty and endearing whodunits, with multi-layered plots, clues and suspense in the style of Agatha Christie. Stories are irresistible and entertaining and as the action unravels, it will keep young readers entertained until the very end – when all they’ll want to do is search out the next book!
RUBY REDFORT
Ruby Redfort is the main character in a series of mystery-adventure books for older children, written by author Lauren Child. Thirteen year old Ruby is a genius codebreaker, a daring detective and a gadget-laden special agent who investigates crimes, foils evil villains, and is always ice-cool in a crisis!
The series of books started in 2011 with Look into my Eyes, and came to a conclusion with the sixth book, Blink and You Die, in 2016. The stories are cleverly written, with plots that work on many different levels, leaving the reader feeling like they’re uncovering the clues with Ruby which will keep them on the edge of their seat.
RUBY REDFORT
Ruby Redfort is the main character in a series of mystery-adventure books for older children, written by author Lauren Child. Thirteen year old Ruby is a genius codebreaker, a daring detective and a gadget-laden special agent who investigates crimes, foils evil villains, and is always ice-cool in a crisis!
The series of books started in 2011 with Look into my Eyes, and came to a conclusion with the sixth book, Blink and You Die, in 2016. The stories are cleverly written, with plots that work on many different levels, leaving the reader feeling like they’re uncovering the clues with Ruby which will keep them on the edge of their seat.
RUBY REDFORT’S TOP 10 DETECTIVE RULES
If you want to be a great detective, you must follow Ruby’s rules...
RULE 1
You can never be completely sure what might happen next.
RULE 2
If you want to keep something secret, don’t leave it lying around anywhere.
RULE 3
People often don’t see what’s right in front of their eyes.
RULE 4
If in doubt, say nothing.
RULE 5
There is more to learn than you can even know.
RULE 6
Never have a friend who would sell you out.
RULE 7
Never forget the little things – it’s the little things that will lead people to notice the big things.
RULE 8
Don’t let your imagination run away with you or you might well lose the plot.
RULE 9
There is always a chance that someone is watching you.
RULE 10
Never reveal your hand to a psychopath.
SETH SEPPI
Wickedly funny and wildly original, author Nicki Thornton’s haunted whodunit books mixes Tim Burton-esque comedy and a touch of Harry Potter with an inspired cast of characters to make for unbeatable spooky mysteries.
The stories involve Seth, the title character, who tries to uncover secrets and solve impossible clues with magical twists, to reveal the truth about mysterious crimes.
These must-read bestselling books have a wild imagination and a plot Agatha Christie would be proud of, which make these a thrilling ride from start to finish for children 9-12 years old.
