Mystery
Read Mystery Classics in English
394 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 The Chink in the Armour, The Childerbridge Mystery and The Chief Legatee. 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 C1MysteryFrom Now OnAmid the roaring chaos of a racetrack, a desperate man tasks Dave Henderson with retrieving a staggering sum of cash—one hundred thousand dollars—setting off a high-stakes race aga…
Level C1MysteryFrom Headquarters: Odd Tales Picked up in the Volunteer ServiceIn a hidden urban courtyard overshadowed by a towering warehouse, volunteer soldiers uncover strange and compelling tales that challenge common misconceptions about militia service…
Level C1MysteryFour Max Carrados Detective StoriesIn a rain-soaked London, a private inquiry agent seeks an expert who can authenticate a rare ancient coin crucial to a pending arrest, leading him to the mysterious and brilliant M…
Level C1MysteryForty-one Thieves: A Tale of CaliforniaIn the rugged gold fields of 1879 California, a stagecoach journey turns deadly as robbers lie in wait along a dusty mountain road.
Level C1MysteryFor the DefenceA devoted retired major raises two orphaned boys from troubled backgrounds, shaping their futures with hope and care at his Surrey estate.
Level C1MysteryFootprintsIn a misty hotel lobby, Judith Quilter Whitefield, a wealthy widow from a famed Oregon ranching family, arrives with a secretive purpose—to confront her charming and elusive brothe…
Level C1MysteryFlying the Coast Skyways; Or, Jack Ralston's Swift PatrolTwo daring pilots, flying under aliases, embark on a secret mission from San Diego to the East Coast, navigating smoky skies and coded conversations to meet with Secret Service con…
Level C1MysteryFlower of the GorseIn a quaint Breton village, three young women navigate local traditions and hidden tensions as a mysterious bell tolls, promising fortune and stirring secrets among artists and vil…
Level C1MysteryFile No. 113A daring robbery targets a supposedly impregnable bank safe, but the truth behind the heist is far more intricate than the headlines reveal.
Level C1MysteryFaulkner's FollyIn an elegant Georgian mansion, a mysterious cry for help shatters the night, revealing a lifeless artist in his studio and two women caught in a tense, fearful standoff—unraveling…
Level C1MysteryEveline MandevilleA young woman defies her father's wishes, suspecting a wealthy suitor's fortune is tied to a secret gang of horse thieves.
Level C1MysteryEugene Aram — CompleteA scholar with a dark secret, Eugene Aram’s story unfolds through a blend of tragedy and mystery, exploring the fine line between genius and guilt as buried truths threaten to surf…
Level C1MysteryElusive IsabelIn the heart of Washington's diplomatic intrigue, a mysterious woman demands urgent audience with the Italian ambassador, sparking a secret that could unsettle the delicate balance…
Level C1MysteryEli: First published in the "Century Magazine"In a quiet New England town shaken by a bank robbery, John Wood, a humble storekeeper and key witness, balances daily life with the looming mystery.
Level C1MysteryEleanor's victoryA radiant young girl journeys alone to the Norman coast, her innocence and cheerfulness standing out amidst the sea voyage’s bustle.
Level C1MysteryEdgar Huntly; or, Memoirs of a Sleep-WalkerIn the wild American frontier, a man haunted by the mysterious death of his friend embarks on a nocturnal journey filled with suspense and dark secrets, where sleepwalking and unta…
Level C1MysteryEagles of the Sky; Or, With Jack Ralston Along the Air LanesTwo daring aviators, Jack Ralston and Gabe Perkiser, are tasked by the Secret Service to dismantle a cunning smuggling ring along Florida’s Gulf Coast, using their wits and a versa…
Level C1MysteryDr. Mabuse, master of mysteryIn a high-stakes gambling club, a mysterious elderly gentleman’s uncanny influence traps a wealthy heir in a web of losses and intrigue, where every move feels controlled by an uns…
Level C1MysteryDorothy's Double. Volume 2 (of 3)A young woman faces suspicion and mystery when a series of events involving stolen jewels, secret orders, and veiled identities entangles her family and trusted friends in a tense…
Level C1MysteryDoors of the NightIn the opulent world of a wealthy philanthropist, Billy Kane serves as trusted secretary, guarding his employer’s fortune and secrets.
Level C1MysteryDilemmas of Pride, (Vol 3 of 3)In a web of deceit and ambition, a ruthless solicitor and his cunning accomplice scheme to secure a noble inheritance by framing an innocent man for a grisly murder.
Level C1MysteryDiana of Kara-KaraAn orphan with a mysterious past and a sizable fortune draws the attention of two very different lawyers, revealing secrets of love, suspicion, and a deadly incident that haunts he…
Level C1MysteryDevlin the BarberIn the heart of London, a struggling man becomes entwined with the Melladew family and an unfathomable being who unravels a chilling mystery that has gripped the city.
Level C1MysteryDevil's DiceA restless Londoner drifts into a chance encounter with a mysterious English woman while seeking escape in the Pyrenees, sparking a bittersweet tale of secret sorrows, fleeting rom…
Level C1MysteryDecember LoveIn autumn London, a Foreign Office man learns of Lady Sellingworth, a once-glorious beauty who mysteriously vanished from society after her priceless jewels were stolen in Paris—an…
Level C1MysteryDeath, the Knight, and the Lady: A Ghost StoryA friend summons you to a remote Yorkshire estate to oversee the mysterious burial of Sir Gerald Wilder, a man who seems both alive and spectral, shrouded in secrets and sorrow.
Level C1MysteryDead Men Tell No TalesA young woman with a mysterious past embarks on a long sea voyage back to England, accompanied by a noble step-father and a motley crew of passengers, each carrying their own secre…
Level C1MysteryDead Man's RockHaunted by a cryptic will and a family legacy tied to a legendary gem, a man unravels dark secrets from his grandfather's mysterious past, smuggling tales, and a vanished fortune.
Level C1MysteryDark HollowWhen a mysterious woman breaches the long-locked gates of Judge Ostrander’s secluded estate, the quiet town of Shelby stirs with curiosity and suspicion, uncovering secrets guarded…
Level C1MysteryDangerous Dilemmas: Startling but TrueAt a luxurious European spa, a gambler's luck leads to unexpected perils as he and a companion stray into a forest maze, only to find themselves trapped in a sinking morass with da…
Level C1MysteryDanger! and Other StoriesA small European navy captain reveals how England’s mighty fleet is rendered powerless when a hidden threat exploits its overlooked vulnerabilities, forcing a nation to confront th…
Level C1MysteryCynthia Wakeham's MoneyTwo old friends reunite in a quiet village where a promising lawyer and a weary physician confront past ties and hidden tensions.
Level C1MysteryCupboard Love: The Lady of the Barge and Others, Part 5.In a quiet farm living-room, a retired policeman probes the mysterious theft of a gold brooch, uncovering hidden tensions and secrets among the household.
Level C1MysteryCount Zarka: A RomanceA daring agent is tasked with unraveling the mysterious and politically charged disappearance of Prince Roel of Rapsberg, whose vast territory threatens a powerful empire’s ambitio…
Level C1MysteryConfessions of a ThugIn the shadowy jungles of India, a hidden network of Thugs thrives, committing unspeakable crimes while eluding detection.
Level C1MysteryCodeA mysterious man named Drake boards a decrepit ship bound for Montreal, navigating a secretive world where identities blur and survival depends on silence and swift swimming.
Level C1MysteryClubfoot the Avenger: Being some further adventures of Desmond Oakwood, of the Secret ServiceWhen the notorious German agent known as "The Man with the Club Foot" resurfaces in England, retired Secret Service brothers Desmond and Francis Okewood are drawn back into a deadl…
Level C1MysteryCleek: the Man of the Forty FacesA daring man known as Hamilton Cleek is pursued through London's bustling streets, but his capture is no ordinary arrest—it's part of a staged spectacle blending mystery and theatr…
Level C1MysteryClarissa Harlowe; or the history of a young lady — Volume 9A young lady's tragic fate unfolds through a series of poignant letters revealing silent devotion, despair, and final requests for peace and forgiveness.
Level C1MysteryClarissa Harlowe; or the history of a young lady — Volume 8Trapped in a web of deceit and family intrigue, Clarissa Harlowe corresponds with allies and adversaries alike, revealing secrets and navigating threats that test her virtue and re…
Level C1MysteryClarissa Harlowe; or the history of a young lady — Volume 7A young lady endures harrowing imprisonment and relentless schemes from a ruthless libertine, as allies and adversaries vie to sway her fate.
Level C1MysteryClarissa Harlowe; or the history of a young lady — Volume 6A cunning rake manipulates and schemes to win over a virtuous young lady, but her steadfast innocence and noble spirit spark a gripping battle of wills filled with deception, heart…
Level C1MysteryClarissa Harlowe; or the history of a young lady — Volume 5A young lady navigates complex emotions and dangerous intrigues as she becomes entangled with Lovelace, whose cunning plots and shifting affections threaten her safety and heart.
Level C1MysteryClarissa Harlowe; or the history of a young lady — Volume 4A young lady navigates complex social intrigues and unsettling proposals while resisting the manipulations of a persistent suitor and his scheming companions.
Level C1MysteryClarissa Harlowe; or the history of a young lady — Volume 3Caught in a dangerous game of manipulation and deception, a young woman wrestles with her captor’s cunning schemes and her own desperate desire for freedom.
Level C1MysteryClarissa Harlowe; or the history of a young lady — Volume 2Trapped in a web of family pride and cruelty, a young woman battles relentless persecution from her brother and manipulative suitors while seeking refuge and justice through a seri…
Level C1MysteryClarissa Harlowe; or the history of a young lady — Volume 1Two young ladies exchange letters revealing their virtuous friendship amid complex family intrigues, while two gentlemen plot with cunning and conflicting morals.
Level C1MysteryClara Vaughan, Volume 3 (of 3)Passion and deception intertwine when a man, consumed by love, assumes his brother’s identity to win the heart of his beloved Lily, igniting a tale of intense emotion, dark secrets…