Mystery
Read Mystery Classics in English
843 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 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 B2MysteryDetectives, Inc.: A Mystery Story for BoysDive into a gripping mystery where keen observation and loyal canine companions unlock secrets and solve crimes, revealing the powerful bond between a blind man and his remarkable…
Level B2MysteryDeep Moat GrangeIn a quiet village where everyone knows each other, a mysterious disappearance of the local carrier sets off whispers and suspicion.
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 B2MysteryDeath Walks on MarsOn a harsh Martian frontier, Leeda Carson confronts ruthless killers who murdered her husband and seek a hidden cache of precious Martian Sunbursts, forcing her to navigate deadly…
Level B1MysteryDean Dunham; Or, the Waterford MysteryA modest land sale promises unexpected fortune for Adin Dunham, but rumors and wary neighbors hint that the thousand dollars might bring more trouble than relief.
Level B2MysteryDead Men's MoneyA mysterious one-eyed stranger arrives seeking quiet lodgings in a small town, bringing with him a heavy bag of gold and secrets that hint at danger and long-buried family ties.
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 B2MysteryDead Man's LoveAn escaped convict seizes a daring chance to flee prison during a fire, risking everything for freedom in a wild, unforgiving landscape.
Level B2MysteryDave Porter's Return to School; Or, Winning the Medal of HonorReturning to Oak Hall to finish his prep for college, Dave Porter faces old rivals and new challenges while striving to uphold his honor and uncover the truth about his mysterious…
Level A2MysteryDave Porter on Cave Island; Or, A Schoolboy's Mysterious MissionWhen a mysterious crisis threatens his benefactor’s fortune, schoolboy Dave Porter embarks on a thrilling investigation during the Christmas holidays.
Level A2MysteryDave Porter in the South Seas; or, The Strange Cruise of the Stormy PetrelA determined American boy embarks on a daring voyage across the mysterious South Seas, seeking answers about his unknown parentage.
Level B1MysteryDave Porter in the Gold Fields; Or, The Search for the Landslide MineThree friends embark on a daring quest to uncover a lost gold mine buried by a massive landslide in Montana, facing old rivals and treacherous terrain in a race to claim the treasu…
Level B1MysteryDave Porter and His Double; Or, The Disapperarance of the Basswood FortuneA young civil engineer finds himself entangled in a puzzling case when a mysterious letter about missing shoes leads him to unexpected adventures in Texas.
Level B2MysteryDave Fearless and the Cave of Mystery; or, Adrift on the PacificAfter a daring ocean adventure, young Dave Fearless faces betrayal when their hard-won treasure vanishes.
Level B2MysteryDave Dashaway, Air Champion; Or, Wizard Work in the CloudsYoung aviator Dave Dashaway sets his sights on the Grand International Aviation Contest, where daring feats and cutting-edge aircraft promise glory—and fierce rivalry.
Level B2MysteryDark powerIn the aftermath of a whirlwind wedding, Di finds herself abandoned and penniless, grappling with the harsh realities left behind by the enigmatic Angelina.
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 B2MysteryDangerous Ground; or, The Rival DetectivesIn the storm-ravaged frontier of 1859 Kansas, a mysterious death with a scorched mark sparks tension among a group of weary travelers.
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 B2MysteryDan, the NewsboyA determined newsboy struggles to support his ailing mother after his father's financial ruin and death, while harboring a fierce desire to find the man who betrayed his family.
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 B2MysteryCurious, if True: Strange TalesAn orphaned child with noble ties is sent to live in a grand but lonely manor, guarded by a devoted nurse whose loyalty will unveil secrets hidden deep within the family’s past and…
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 B1MysteryCrossed Trails in Mexico: Mexican Mystery Stories #3A spirited group of friends embarks on a thrilling road trip from Texas to Mexico, where mysterious adventures await amid old silver mines, hidden dangers, and a boy caught between…
Level B2MysteryCrooked Trails and StraightDust and danger swirl in Dry Valley as Curly Flandrau and a rough crew navigate a secretive cattle deal teetering on the edge of betrayal.
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 B2MysteryCord and CreeseWhen a mysterious letter arrives from across the sea, two unlikely partners in a Sydney warehouse find themselves drawn into a web of secrets, tragedy, and danger spanning sunken s…
Level B2MysteryConstance DunlapA man haunted by guilt and fear reveals to his wife a desperate secret: he is an embezzler on the brink of fleeing with stolen money.
Level C1MysteryConfessions of a ThugIn the shadowy jungles of India, a hidden network of Thugs thrives, committing unspeakable crimes while eluding detection.
Level B2MysteryComrades on River and LakeAs graduation nears, a group of eager boys at Winton Hall discover unexpected gifts—four new canoes waiting to launch them into thrilling adventures on river and lake, testing thei…
Level B2MysteryColonel Thorndyke's SecretA valuable diamond bracelet stolen from a Hindu temple brings danger and mystery to the Thorndyke family in 18th century England, where highwaymen roam and dark forces pursue a dea…
Level B2MysteryCode of the MountedIn the frozen Arctic wilderness, Sergeant Hardy faces a deadly game of cat and mouse, tracking a mysterious man who seems to vanish into thin air.
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 B2MysteryCleek of Scotland Yard: Detective StoriesA string of mysterious, untraceable deaths baffles Scotland Yard, pushing its top detective, Cleek, who has vanished unexpectedly, back into the spotlight.
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.