Mystery
Read Mystery Classics in English
611 mystery books at CEFR A2 to C2 — learn English by reading the stories worth reading. Select any word for an instant translation, listen to the narration read the page aloud, and save the vocabulary you meet. Pick your level and start with a free sample.
What are the best mystery classics to read in English as a learner?
The best mystery classics for English learners are the well-known titles you can read in the original — start with Pocket Island: A Story of Country Life in New England, Phineas Redux and Pharos, The Egyptian: A Romance. Each one is labelled with a CEFR level, any word you do not know is one selection away from a translation, and the narration reads the page aloud while it highlights the words.
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Level C1MysteryPolice!!!A man flees the New York police, his mind racing with thoughts on science, art, and society while pursued through the city.
Level C1MysteryPoison shadowsIn the glittering world of high society, a desperate countess schemes to secure a wealthy marriage for her stubborn ward, entangling love, money, and deception along the Belgian co…
Level C1MysteryPocket Island: A Story of Country Life in New EnglandTwo unlikely partners—a cunning Polish peddler and a roaming Micmac Indian—form a smuggling alliance, using a haunted, trap-laden island with a secret sea cave to hide their illici…
Level C1MysteryPhineas ReduxIn the heated aftermath of a turbulent general election, political rivalries ignite as parties vie for control amid shifting alliances and bitter battles over power.
Level C1MysteryPharos, The Egyptian: A RomanceA mysterious visitor arrives bearing an urgent message from Cyril Forrester, a man caught between sanity and supernatural experience tied to his late Egyptologist father's legacy.
Level B2MysteryPhantom of the ForestTrapped in a relentless snowstorm, a group stumbles upon a mysterious, brutally maimed body on a remote mountain road—one that defies explanation and hints at a deadly legend haunt…
Level C1MysteryPeter Ruff and the Double FourA seemingly ordinary supper party at Daisy Villa conceals the beginnings of a gripping tale where appearances deceive and hidden identities spark a mystery that will change lives f…
Level C1MysteryPerlycross: A Tale of the Western HillsIn the tranquil village of Perlycross, a devoted curate and a battle-hardened squire navigate the delicate balance of duty, faith, and friendship in a changing world.
Level B2MysteryPeggy Parsons at Prep SchoolAt a strict finishing school, Peggy Parsons navigates new rules and unexpected adventures when a midnight serenade leads to a delightful mishap involving a rose tree and the school…
Level C1MysteryPeachmonkA mysterious red lily and cryptic message thrust Lady Evelyn into a web of secrets and intrigue, prompting a daring investigation involving séances, secret rendezvous, and shadowy…
Level C1MysteryPaul Clifford — Volume 07Amidst the harsh judgments of the law and the looming shadow of disgrace, Lucy struggles to protect her love and her innocence while powerful forces conspire to control her fate th…
Level C1MysteryPaul Clifford — Volume 06In a world of cunning thieves and sharp wits, a group of rogues revel in their spoils, weaving loyalty and treachery into a dangerous game.
Level C1MysteryPaul Clifford — Volume 05A brooding outlaw navigates secret rendezvous and shadowy plans in a world where loyalty and danger intertwine.
Level C1MysteryPaul Clifford — Volume 03Under the pale moonlight near Warlock, masked horsemen prepare for a daring adventure, their secretive plans shadowed by tension and a mysterious new ally.
Level C2MysteryPaul Clifford — Volume 02Imprisoned and injured, Paul Clifford clings to hope amid grim surroundings, relying on unlikely allies and his own ideals of justice.
Level B2MysteryPatty's FriendsAmidst the vibrant social whirl of London’s season, young Patty juggles invitations and explores new friendships while navigating the charm and quirks of English society.
Level B2MysteryPatty and AzaleaA young family settles into their grand new home, Wistaria Porch, where spacious rooms and charming surroundings promise comfort—but mysterious callers and hidden secrets hint that…
Level B2MysteryPam and the CountessIn the enchanting Bell Bay, thirteen-year-old Pamela finds herself caught between family dynamics and mysterious happenings that stir her curiosity and courage.
Level B2MysteryOwen Clancy's Happy Trail; Or, The Motor Wizard in CaliforniaIn bustling Los Angeles, a chaotic Chinese festival turns into pandemonium when Hiram Hill spots a man resembling his long-missing father in a car and disrupts the procession to re…
Level B2MysteryOver the WireIn a fierce mountain blizzard, telegraph operators Big Ben and Jim face a tense night as a gold-laden express train battles the storm, while mysterious troubles and threats loom on…
Level B2MysteryOut of a LabyrinthA skilled detective, wounded and weary, returns from a failed mission in a close-knit farming community shaken by the mysterious disappearance of a bright young woman.
Level C1MysteryOut of RussiaA reclusive ocean physicist’s peaceful life is shattered when a mysterious visitor from Moscow arrives, invoking a secret brotherhood and stirring shadows from the professor’s hidd…
Level B2MysteryOut of Death's Shadow; Or, A Case Without a PrecedentA brilliant detective races against time to secure a conviction in a murder case shrouded in secrecy, while navigating complex friendships and hidden truths in early 20th-century S…
Level C1MysteryOther People's MoneyIn the quiet Rue St.
Level C2MysteryOswald Langdon: or, Pierre and Paul Lanier. A Romance of 1894-1898Two brothers, Pierre and Paul Lanier, become entangled in a web of mystery spanning continents—from London to India—where secrets, conspiracies, and shifting alliances threaten the…
Level C1MysteryOscar the Detective; Or, Dudie Dunne, The Exquisite DetectiveIn the gritty streets of New York, a seemingly simple gentleman with exquisite airs becomes the target of a mischievous gang, but beneath his delicate exterior lies a detective rea…
Level C1MysteryOnly a clodAn elegant young ensign, stuck in a harsh Tasmanian convict settlement, battles frustration and isolation while managing a motley crew under a relentless sun.
Level B2MysteryOne-Way Ticket to NowhereA space traveler returns to Earth to find his twin brother entangled in a dangerous web of family conflict and business intrigue.
Level C1MysteryOne of the Six Hundred: A NovelA young cavalry officer granted leave from his regiment embarks on a journey home amid rising tensions and looming foreign conflict.
Level B2MysteryOne of My SonsA chance encounter with a sick, elderly man and his urgent granddaughter pulls a stranger into a mysterious, life-or-death secret hidden in a cryptic message—one that could change…
Level B2MysteryOne jump aheadA recently paroled rustler returns to a town shaken by mysterious midnight activities beneath a bridge, where two shadowy figures unearth a hidden secret.
Level B2MysteryOn the Sweeny wireOn a shared party telephone line, Belle Sweeny eavesdrops on her neighbors' conversations, uncovering secrets and brewing trouble linked to gambling, rivalries, and mysterious char…
Level B2MysteryOn the Edge of the Arctic; Or, An Aeroplane in SnowlandTwo Canadian boys debut their innovative aeroplane, the "Spirit of the Wind," at Calgary's Stampede, hoping to prove its worth in the harsh Arctic wilderness.
Level B2MysteryOn Secret Service: Detective-Mystery Stories Based on Real Cases Solved by Government AgentsAmidst the shadows of wartime Washington, a Secret Service agent races to uncover the insider leaking crucial troop movements to German submarines, using subtle clues like the tick…
Level B2MysteryOliver Bright's Search; or, The Mystery of a MineA determined young man embarks on a daring journey west to uncover the truth behind a mysterious mine tied to his ailing father's future.
Level B2MysteryOld Broadbrim Into the Heart of Australia: or, A Strange Bargain and Its ConsequencesA wealthy man hires a famed Quaker detective to protect him from a shadowy enemy bent on his death, plunging the detective into a year-long battle against unseen foes and a hauntin…
Level B2MysteryOkewood of the Secret ServiceA struggling music-hall artist faces a sudden, unexpected opportunity just as his daughter rises through the ranks at the War Office, weaving a tale of ambition, hardship, and secr…
Level C1MysteryNumber SeventeenAmid the bustling streets of London, an artist’s chance encounter with a strikingly beautiful young woman and her enigmatic father sparks curiosity and intrigue, setting the stage…
Level C1MysteryNumber 70, Berlin: A Story of Britain's PerilIn wartime London, two influential businessmen plot to quietly dismiss a potentially dangerous employee who may have overheard their secretive plans.
Level C2MysteryNote Book of an English Opium-EaterDive into a darkly playful exploration where murder is dissected as a twisted art form, blurring the lines between horror and extravagance in a provocative reflection on human fasc…
Level C1MysteryNobody's ManA political figure retreats to a mist-shrouded Devonshire manor, only to be confronted by a rival whose unexpected visit hints at deception and hidden motives.
Level B2MysteryNo. 13 ToroniIn a secluded Stockholm studio, a reclusive photographer harbors a haunting secret linked to a long-unsolved mystery.
Level C1MysteryNo ThoroughfareOn a foggy London night, a veiled woman pleads with a kind nurse at the Foundling Hospital, seeking answers about her abandoned baby.
Level B2MysteryNo Man's IslandThree eighteen-year-old friends navigate a wild, overgrown river island steeped in painful family memories, setting the stage for a mysterious adventure where past grudges and unta…
Level C1MysteryNo HeroA letter from an old acquaintance draws a weary man back into a world of unresolved tensions and mysterious requests, stirring memories and promising unexpected intrigue as he step…
Level B2MysteryNimble Ike, the Trick Ventriloquist: A Rousing Tale of Fun and FrolicA gifted young ventriloquist, Nimble Ike, faces betrayal and mystery when his mentor leaves him penniless but armed with extraordinary talents and a mysterious box that may hold hi…
Level B2MysteryNick Carter Stories No. 160, October 2, 1915: The Yellow Label; or, Nick Carter and the Society Looters.In the exclusive Marmawell Club, a mysterious cardroom waiter with a knack for secrets unlocks a private rendezvous that hints at a deeper conspiracy among high society’s elite.
Level B2MysteryNick Carter Stories No. 159, September 25, 1915: Driven from cover; or, Nick Carter's double ruse.A cryptic, chilling phone call from a wealthy Riverside Drive residence draws detective Nick Carter into a web of mystery and potential danger.