Mystery
Read Mystery Classics in English
1,288 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 Plunderers: A Novel, The Plot That Failed; or, When Men Conspire and The Place of Dragons: A Mystery. 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.
- 1,288
- books
Level B2MysterySea Mew AbbeyA grieving sailor seeks refuge for his motherless infant at a remote convent overlooking the sea, where secrets and sorrow intertwine beneath the abbey’s solemn walls.
Level B2MysteryScott Burton on the RangeAn eager newcomer to the rugged West encounters a seasoned old rancher whose tales of fierce rivalries and vast mountain ranges reveal a land shaped by courage, conflict, and the r…
Level B2MysteryScott Burton and the Timber ThievesA determined forest patrolman arrives in Florida to track down elusive timber thieves plundering the Okalatchee woods, armed with little more than a vague letter and his own grit.
Level C1MysteryScarhaven KeepWhen the punctual star of a theatrical company mysteriously fails to appear for rehearsal, a nervous young playwright finds himself caught in unexpected intrigue behind the scenes,…
Level C1MysterySaved from herselfA neglected daughter escapes her cold, scheming mother’s shadow to explore the vibrant streets of London, risking exposure and scandal as she seeks freedom and her own place in a w…
Level C1MysterySant of the Secret Service: Some Revelations of Spies and SpyingIn the shadowy world of espionage during wartime Europe, a daring secret agent races to uncover a hidden enemy submarine base off the Spanish coast, enlisting the help of a brillia…
Level C1MysterySamuel Boyd of Catchpole Square: A MysteryIn a decayed London mansion, Samuel Boyd ruthlessly collects debts amid relics of lost grandeur.
Level C1MysterySalomy JaneIn a tense frontier standoff, two captured outlaws face a grim fate while Salomy Jane, a bold and enigmatic local beauty, defies expectations by forging a daring connection with on…
Level B2MysteryRuth Fielding on the St. Lawrence; Or, The Queer Old Man of the Thousand IslandsAt a vibrant wedding filled with flags and military honors, a spirited young woman finds herself drawn into the mysteries surrounding a quirky old man of the Thousand Islands, unve…
Level B2MysteryRuth Fielding of the Red Mill; Or, Jasper Parloe's SecretA determined young girl leaves her old home for the mysterious Red Mill, where secrets and new friendships await in the quiet town of Cheslow.
Level B1MysteryRuth Fielding in the Great Northwest; Or, The Indian Girl Star of the MoviesIn the rugged Northwest, Ruth Fielding and her friends navigate post-war challenges and lingering fears while enjoying a carefree car ride, but beneath their laughter lies a shadow…
Level B2MysteryRuth Fielding at Snow Camp; Or, Lost in the BackwoodsWhen Ruth and her friends head to a remote winter camp deep in the backwoods, a thrilling adventure unfolds amid icy rivers, mysterious signs, and the looming presence of a fierce…
Level B2MysteryRuth Fielding at Briarwood Hall; or, Solving the Campus MysteryA bright young girl, Ruth Fielding, leaves her rural home to attend school at Briarwood Hall, where she soon finds herself entangled in a captivating campus mystery.
Level B2MysteryRuth Fielding and the Gypsies; Or, The Missing Pearl NecklaceWhen a miller's errand goes mysteriously awry, quick-witted Ruth Fielding insists on rowing the dangerous river herself, setting off on a daring quest that may unravel the secrets…
Level B1MysteryRuth Fielding In the Saddle; Or, College Girls in the Land of GoldCollege girls Ruth, Helen, and Jennie embark on a daring horseback journey into the rugged Hualapai Range, blending friendship and adventure amidst the challenges of the wild land…
Level B2MysteryRuth Fielding Down East; Or, The Hermit of Beach Plum PointAs a fierce summer storm brews over a quiet riverside mill, Ruth Fielding senses more than just bad weather—a mysterious presence lurks nearby.
Level B2MysteryRuth Fielding At College; or, The Missing Examination PapersAs Ruth Fielding prepares to leave home for college, a mysterious adrift boat and the promise of missing examination papers set the stage for a thrilling puzzle.
Level C1MysteryRunning the Gauntlet: A NovelIn the bustling heart of London’s legal world, two brothers run a unique law firm: one caters to the city’s elite, the other defends the desperate criminals lurking in shadowy cour…
Level C1MysteryRun to Earth: A NovelIn the shadowy taverns of 19th-century London’s Ratcliff Highway, a seasoned sea captain and his cunning clerk navigate perilous trade and hidden dangers.
Level B1MysteryRoy Blakeley's Silver Fox PatrolA group of scouts discovers an old railroad car to transform into their secret meeting place, sparking their imaginations with mysterious secrets and thrilling adventures.
Level C1MysteryRound the Fire StoriesDive into a chilling collection where the grotesque and mysterious unfold by the fireside, centered around Lionel Dacre's eerie Parisian house filled with occult lore and dark expe…
Level B2MysteryRosalind at Red GateA mysterious telegram summons a stranger to a secluded house at Annandale, thrusting the narrator into a web of enigmatic troubles and unexpected duties.
Level C1MysteryRoom Number 3, and Other Detective StoriesIn a remote tavern shadowed by ancient woods, a young woman’s strange description of Room Number 3 clashes with chilling reality, drawing a deputy sheriff and coroner into a perple…
Level C1MysteryRoom 13Imprisoned and branded a mug, Johnny Gray endures harsh days in a grim Dartmoor prison, surrounded by hardened criminals and whispers of a master forger known as young Legge.
Level C1MysteryRomance IslandA sudden inheritance transforms a struggling journalist into a yacht owner, thrusting him into a world of wealth and mystery.
Level C1MysteryRoland Yorke: A Sequel to "The Channings"Under the eerie glow of a bright moon, a solemn crowd gathers in a cathedral town to witness the burial of a mysterious gentleman in a hastily dug grave at a crossroads—sparking wh…
Level B2MysteryRogues' HavenTwo boys caught poaching face a dangerous chase and an unexpected collision with a mysterious gentleman, Mr.
Level B2MysteryRogues and VagabondsStranded on a calm yet doomed ship far from help, survivors of the Bon Espoir face haunting isolation and a deadly secret as they await rescue that may never come.
Level B2MysteryRevenge!In a bitter marriage marked by relentless hatred, John Bodman plots a chilling scheme to murder his wife during their Alpine retreat, concealing deadly intent beneath the serene mo…
Level B1MysteryReuben Stone's discoveryLeft in charge of his father's struggling mill, a determined young miller faces mounting debts, suspicious rumors, and perilous challenges as he fights to save his family’s legacy…
Level C1MysteryRedlaw, the half-breed; or, The tangled trail. A tale of the settlementsIn a frontier town plagued by counterfeit money and stock theft, a determined group forms a vigilance committee to uncover the hidden criminals.
Level C1MysteryRed acesA young man’s passionate love turns to suspicion when he discovers his mysterious lover meeting secretly with an older man, revealing hidden secrets and testing the trust between t…
Level C1MysteryRed MoneyA tense house party near Abbot's Wood is stirred when gypsies, suspected of local burglaries, become the focus of suspicion and a daring fortune-telling outing.
Level C1MysteryRed Masquerade: Being the Story of the Lone Wolf's DaughterAt a dreary auction, a youthful art collector with a sharp eye for hidden treasures uncovers more than just dusty relics, drawn into a world where secrets and scandal mingle with p…
Level C1MysteryRecollections of a PolicemanA detective in London’s police force is tasked with uncovering a cunning gang of swindlers and forgers, navigating high society and hidden dangers to bring justice to a young victi…
Level C1MysteryRecalled to LifeA young woman awakens from a mysterious amnesia, haunted by a vivid memory of her father's murder and a shadowy figure escaping through a window.
Level C1MysteryRavensdene CourtAn expert in ancient books is invited to a remote Northumbrian manor to catalog a chaotic collection amassed over centuries.
Level B2MysteryRaspberry JamAunt Abby defies social conventions to witness a mind-reading spectacle in Newark, sparking a clash with her cautious niece Eunice.
Level B2MysteryRancho Del Muerto, and Other Stories of Adventure: by Various Authors, from "Outing"A paymaster and his cautious clerk arrive at a sinister Arizona ranch haunted by past murder and shadowed by a ruthless proprietor.
Level C1MysteryRamshackle HouseOn a crumbling Chesapeake estate, spirited Pen Broome battles neglect and decay while managing her father's failing homestead, confronting simmering tensions and the relentless dem…
Level B2MysteryRalph, the Train Dispatcher; Or, The Mystery of the Pay CarRalph, a sharp young train dispatcher, teams with veteran fireman Fogg to unravel the suspicious activities of three mysterious men targeting the Overland Express.
Level B2MysteryRalph Raymond's HeirA mysterious man buys a rare poison from a small drugstore, sparking a tense pursuit by a street-smart boy hired to uncover the stranger’s identity and motives.
Level A2MysteryRainbolt, the Ranger; or, The Aerial Demon of the MountainAs an emigrant train departs Omaha, two men conspire in secret, setting the stage for a thrilling mystery involving a shadowy figure known as the Aerial Demon of the Mountain.
Level C1MysteryRaffles: Further Adventures of the Amateur CracksmanA down-on-his-luck writer answers a mysterious ad for a male nurse to care for an elderly gentleman, stepping into a world of secrets and unexpected adventures that blur the line b…
Level B2MysteryRadio Boys Loyalty; Or, Bill Brown Listens InTwo ingenious friends enter a prestigious technical school where their skills and loyalty are tested against hazing and rivalry.
Level C1MysteryR. Holmes & Co.: Being the Remarkable Adventures of Raffles Holmes, Esq., Detective and Amateur Cracksman by BirthOn a scorching August night, a mysterious figure stealthily climbs fire escapes, sparking curiosity and suspense.
Level C1MysteryQuintus Oakes: A Detective StoryOn a scorching summer evening, an unexpected hero saves a young girl from a burning building, only to vanish into the bustling streets of Broadway.
Level C1MysteryPriscilla's SpiesA celebrated schoolboy athlete and scholar embarks on a summer fishing trip in the wild west of Ireland, where his impeccable reputation and leadership may soon be tested beyond th…