Mystery
Read Mystery Classics in English
769 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 £19,000, Zero the Slaver: A Romance of Equatorial Africa and Zero Data. 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 B2MysteryChristopher Quarles: College Professor and Master DetectiveIn a serene London square, a seemingly peaceful death in a scholar’s study masks a puzzling mystery: a dead man surrounded by delicate ivory boxes and a rare sapphire.
Level B2MysteryCato, the creeper; or, The demon of Dead-Man's ForestIn the eerie depths of Dead-Man’s Forest, the stealthy Cato, known as the Creeper, navigates a world of outlaws and danger under the watchful eye of the ruthless Captain Downing.
Level B2MysteryCastle of TerrorA tense flight turns deadly when a volatile criminal seizes a gun midair, trapping passengers in a terrifying struggle at 10,000 feet.
Level B2MysteryCarmen's MessengerIn a rugged northern town shaken by tragedy, Jake Foster and his partner Featherstone face mysterious threats that could unravel their lumber business and lives.
Level B2MysteryCaptains of soulsA mysterious stranger with a commanding presence disrupts the quiet life of Beryl Merville, hinting at hidden connections and shadowy business dealings that unsettle her family and…
Level B2MysteryCaptain Sparkle, Pirate; Or, A Hard Man to CatchWhen millionaire Maxwell Kane's yacht is boarded by real pirates, detective Nick Carter is called in to unravel the mystery aboard the luxurious steam-yacht Goalong.
Level B2MysteryCad Metti, The Female Detective Strategist; Or, Dudie Dunne Again in the FieldTwo young detectives, including the fearless Cad Metti, dive into a deadly hunt to dismantle a cunning gang of counterfeiters and assassins operating across New York.
Level B2MysteryBy Advice of CounselWhen a boy is wrongly accused of vandalism by a corrupt officer eager to close a case, a tangled web of injustice and deception unfolds in a gritty neighborhood where loyalty and s…
Level B2MysteryBurton of the Flying CorpsA daring young pilot navigates treacherous missions behind enemy lines, from chasing spies in Ostend to uncovering secrets in French chateaus, all while testing groundbreaking expl…
Level B2MysteryBull-dog Drummond: The Adventures of a Demobilised Officer Who Found Peace DullA demobilised officer finds peace dull and dives into intrigue when a mysterious dinner summons strangers with shadowy identities, setting the stage for a tense game of secrets and…
Level B2MysteryBuffalo Bill's spy trailerAmid the vast, treacherous beauty of the Grand Cañon, a determined horseman braves deadly cliffs and haunting legends to seek refuge in a land shunned by all.
Level B2MysteryBrazilian Gold Mine MysteryA teenage adventurer flies to the heart of the Amazon to deliver a secret letter to his father, unaware that dangerous rivals are racing to uncover a legendary gold mine.
Level B2MysteryBrandedA young bank bookkeeper faces a devastating moral dilemma when the daughter of his crooked employer asks him to take the blame for a financial scandal that could destroy her family…
Level B2MysteryBoy Scouts on the Great Divide; Or, The Ending of the TrailFour Boy Scouts on a wilderness mission await mysterious instructions deep in the Wyoming mountains when a stranger with a secretive past arrives at their campfire, setting the sta…
Level B2MysteryBoy Scouts in the Canal Zone; Or, The Plot Against Uncle SamA group of adventurous Boy Scouts join a Secret Service lieutenant on a covert mission to protect the Panama Canal from a mysterious plot threatening its massive dam.
Level B2MysteryBoy Scouts in Northern Wilds; Or, The Signal from the HillsFour Boy Scouts embark on a daring mission deep into the Canadian wilderness, facing biting insects, harsh weather, and untamed nature as they navigate Moose River and uncover myst…
Level B2MysteryBoy Scouts in Mexico; Or, On Guard with Uncle SamA group of resourceful Boy Scouts plans a daring expedition down the Rio Grande, building their own houseboat to navigate the river and stand guard with Uncle Sam amid border tensi…![Cover of Book of brief narratives by Frank [Editor] Pemmon](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/da8ukplnmvfc73biicvg.webp)
Level B2MysteryBook of brief narrativesA determined young detective tackles the baffling theft of prized jewelry, driven as much by duty as by his growing affection for the victim’s daughter.![Cover of Book of Detective Stories by Frank [Editor] Pemmon](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/dafd1cta8p2c739ite40.webp)
Level B2MysteryBook of Detective StoriesA New York detective unravels baffling crimes where clues come from unexpected places — a loyal dog, a mysterious French note, and a locked-room murder.
Level B2MysteryBobby Blake on a Plantation; Or, Lost in the Great SwampAfter a thrilling football victory, Bobby Blake and his friends face more than just schoolyard rivalries when mysterious events unfold nearby, leading them into a tangled web of da…
Level B2MysteryBobby Blake in the Frozen North; Or, The Old Eskimo's Last MessageAmid schoolyard baseball rivalries and spirited friendships, a mysterious message from the frozen north beckons adventure beyond the familiar fields.
Level B2MysteryBlue eyes and diamondsWhen Betty Danford loses a high-stakes gamble, she hatches a risky plan: enlist a detective to hire a thief to steal her pawned diamond necklace before her husband finds out.
Level B2MysteryBlindfoldedArriving in fog-shrouded San Francisco, two nearly identical cousins embark on a risky, secretive mission that skirts the law.
Level B2MysteryBlack hound of deathIn a shadowy Southern wilderness, a desperate man flees a monstrous killer whose savage attacks defy explanation, while a mysterious recluse hides secrets that may hold the key to…
Level B2MysteryBillie Bradley and Her Classmates; Or, The Secret of the Locked TowerThree friends at a boarding school embrace the thrill of skating on a newly frozen lake, but beneath the winter fun lies a mysterious secret locked within the school's tower—one th…
Level B2MysteryBeyond the wallTwo convicts plot a daring escape from Rockglen prison amid stormy weather and watchful guards, risking everything to break free beyond the prison walls.
Level B2MysteryBernard Treves's Boots: A Novel of the Secret ServiceA mysterious recruit named John Manton arrives at a secret service recruiting office, but Captain Gilbert insists he is really Bernard Treves, a man with a hidden past.
Level B2MysteryBen Hardy's flying machine; or, Making a record for himselfAmid a mechanical disaster at the Saxton Automobile Works, resourceful Ben Hardy races against time to stop a runaway engine and uncover the mystery behind the missing engineer, ri…
Level B2MysteryBeaumaroy Home from the WarsA young woman grapples with heartbreak and scandal when her fiancé is exposed as a bigamist just before their wedding, forcing her to seek refuge with a steadfast doctor who offers…
Level B2MysteryBats in the Wall; or, The Mystery of Trinity Church-yardA young man, rejected by his wealthy father-in-law-to-be due to his tarnished reputation and financial woes, faces a harsh ultimatum: prove his worth or lose the woman he loves.
Level B2MysteryBart Keene's Hunting Days; or, The Darewell Chums in a Winter CampThree schoolboys embark on a secret midnight mission to prank their friend, only to encounter a mysterious stranger sneaking into their school.
Level B2MysteryBaboe Dalima; or, The Opium FiendAmid a raging storm on Java's treacherous coast, two men await a mysterious ship rumored to carry a secret cargo.
Level B2MysteryAunt Jane's Nieces on the RanchThree spirited nieces leave the cozy confines of New York for a winter adventure on a California fruit ranch, where family bonds and unexpected mysteries await amid the rugged land…
Level B2MysteryAunt Jane's Nieces on VacationThree spirited nieces and their wealthy uncle stir up a quiet town when they arrive at a remote farm, bringing new energy—and secrets—to the community.
Level B2MysteryAunt Jane's Nieces in SocietyThree wealthy nieces enter New York's exclusive social scene, where money can't buy acceptance and influence is key.
Level B2MysteryAunt Jane's Nieces at WorkWhen Kenneth plunges into a tough political battle against a corrupt incumbent, his determined cousins—Patsy, Louise, and Beth—join forces to uncover secrets and fight back, naviga…
Level B2MysteryAunt Jane's Nieces at MillvilleWhen Uncle John’s farm becomes the center of curious happenings, his lively niece Patsy and her companions step in to unravel a deepening mystery, blending sharp wit and spirited a…
Level B2MysteryAt the Black RocksA timid boy battles rising currents after his small boat capsizes near the ominous Black Rocks, prompting a daring rescue mission led by a bold leader and his crew aboard the Great…
Level B2MysteryAshton-Kirk, Secret AgentWhen a groundbreaking naval invention is threatened by foreign espionage, a secret agent with unparalleled skills must navigate delicate political tensions to prevent a crisis betw…
Level B2MysteryAshton-Kirk, InvestigatorA brilliant young investigator with a passion for solving mysteries draws on his vast knowledge of ancient texts and obscure crimes to unravel complex puzzles.
Level B2MysteryAs We Forgive ThemA dying man's iron will hides a secret worth millions, baffling those closest to him.
Level B2MysteryArsène Lupin versus Herlock SholmesA mysterious writing desk vanishes from a quiet home, sparking a puzzle that entwines a charming young woman, a clever thief, and a shadowy stranger—setting the stage for a battle…
Level B2MysteryAnnabel: A Novel for Young FolksA resourceful boy named Will navigates a world of changing fortunes and childhood troubles, from caring for a broken doll to mingling with spirited children on grand estate grounds…
Level B2MysteryAngel EsquireA cryptic doggerel verse holds the secret to unlocking a fortune hidden in a formidable safe, sparking a deadly contest between cunning criminals and a Scotland Yard detective dete…
Level B2MysteryAnderson Crow, DetectiveIn a small town threatened by a raging fire, Deputy Marshal Anderson Crow races against time to rally volunteers and save the community from disaster, uncovering unexpected challen…
Level B2MysteryAn Artist in CrimeA brilliant detective celebrates a hard-won victory but soon overhears a conversation that challenges his views on crime and justice.
Level B2MysteryAn Amiable CharlatanAt a bustling restaurant, a mysterious man thrusts a secret packet into a diner’s hand, sparking a tense encounter with a shadowy figure named Cullen.
Level B2MysteryAmusement OnlyWhen the Duchess mysteriously vanishes from her locked carriage, a chilling ransom note arrives, threatening her mutilation unless a hefty gold payment is made.