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 Daffodil Mystery, The D'Arblay mystery and The Czar's Spy: The Mystery of a Silent Love. 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 C1MysteryMartin Hewitt, InvestigatorA sharp young investigator breaks away from a prestigious law firm to start his own detective agency, tackling perplexing cases with keen observation and unorthodox methods.
Level C1MysteryManaliveA fierce wind sweeps through Beacon House, stirring dormant spirits and igniting a mysterious drama among its discontented residents.
Level C1MysteryMan and MaidA sudden inheritance forces a reluctant man to return from a carefree holiday to an eerie family estate where he must confront an enigmatic cousin and a bizarre will that threatens…
Level B2MysteryMalcolm Sage, DetectiveAn unassuming accountant-turned-detective with a bald head and restless hands must navigate post-war intrigue and hidden corruption, while the noble family that trusts him plots to…
Level C1MysteryMajor BarbaraIn a grand London home, a determined matriarch confronts her reluctant son about their complicated family and the surprising choices of her daughter Barbara, who has joined the Sal…
Level C1MysteryMademoiselle of Monte CarloAt Monte Carlo's infamous "Suicide’s Table," a striking woman known as Mademoiselle of Monte Carlo captivates gamblers with her extraordinary luck, while a young Englishman seeks h…
Level C1MysteryMadeline Payne, the Detective's DaughterRaised in loneliness and shadowed by cruelty, a young woman yearns for freedom and true happiness beyond her oppressive home.
Level C1MysteryM. or N. "Similia similibus curantur."Amid a stormy Channel night, a haunted Englishman wanders Calais sands, burdened by grief and desperate memories of love, loss, and reckless devotion.
Level C1MysteryLucretia — CompleteIn a dark tale of family secrets and moral struggle, a woman named Lucretia confronts the haunting influence of wealth and impatience on human character, revealing how early circum…
Level C1MysteryLucius Davoren; or, Publicans and sinners, vol. 3Amidst the lush gardens and genteel society of an English fête, a restless man wrestles with jealousy and discontent, haunted by love lost and a dark past.
Level C1MysteryLove and hatredIn a tangled web of friendship and unspoken desires, a sudden confession of love shatters the delicate balance between Laura, her husband Godfrey, and his enigmatic friend Oliver,…
Level B1MysteryLost over GreenlandA daring aviator enters a high-stakes endurance flight competition, backed by the legendary ace Dave Boyd, aiming to outfly seasoned rivals and set a new world record in the thrill…
Level C1MysteryLost Sir Massingberd: A Romance of Real Life. v. 2/2A young man navigates the dark intrigues surrounding the enigmatic Sir Massingberd, whose ruthless nature and shadowy past cast a sinister pall over Fairburn Hall and its loyal yet…
Level C1MysteryLost Sir Massingberd: A Romance of Real Life. v. 1/2In a quiet midland village ruled by the feared Sir Massingberd Heath, a young pupil under the local rector recalls the dark shadow cast by this ruthless despot.
Level C1MysteryLost Man's Lane: A Second Episode in the Life of Amelia ButterworthA woman of principle and keen intellect reluctantly returns to detective work when a perplexing case of mysterious disappearances haunts a remote mountain village.
Level B2MysteryLord John in New YorkWounded and recovering in a convalescent home, a talented detective and war hero faces unexpected challenges when a powerful New York magnate threatens to ruin the theatrical debut…
Level B2MysteryLinda Carlton, Air PilotA determined young woman seizes her chance for a thrilling first flight despite warnings, soaring into the skies with a daring pilot and encountering unexpected dangers that test h…
Level B2MysteryLinda Carlton's Perilous SummerA daring young aviator and her spirited friend take to the skies in their trusty autogiro, only to witness a shocking hit-and-run accident that pulls them into a perilous mystery.
Level B2MysteryLinda Carlton's Ocean FlightA daring young aviatrix faces a desperate race against time through dense fog to save a baby whose life hangs by a thread.
Level B2MysteryLinda Carlton's Island AdventureA daring young aviator, celebrated for her solo transatlantic flight, defies societal expectations to pursue a thrilling career in the skies.
Level B2MysteryLinda Carlton's Hollywood FlightWhen famed aviatrix Linda Carlton returns from a mysterious week-long flight, friends and family eagerly await news of her latest adventure.
Level B2MysteryLillian's vowOn a quiet winter night, an old man is attacked for a mysterious memorandum-book that could expose dark secrets of forgery and embezzlement.
Level C1MysteryLife and Confession of Sophia Hamilton: Who was Tried, Condemned and Sentenced to be Hung, at Montreal, L. C. on the 4th of August, 1845, for the Perpetration of the Most Shocking Murders and Daring Robberies Perhaps Recorded in the Annals of CrimeIn a tightly knit community, Sophia Hamilton faces trial for chilling murders and audacious robberies that defy societal norms, revealing a dark tale of crime, moral collapse, and…
Level B2MysteryLibrary of the World's Best Mystery and Detective StoriesA young woman of modest means receives a rare invitation to a grand ball but faces heartbreak over her lack of a suitable dress, setting in motion a tale of desire, sacrifice, and…
Level C1MysteryLaughing Bill Hyde and Other StoriesA cunning ex-convict with a sharp wit and a knack for mischief escapes his past and embarks on a restless journey through the American West, using charm and trickery to survive in…
Level B2MysteryLarry Barlow's ambitionA young machinist and volunteer fireman dreams of joining New York’s fire department and inventing a revolutionary extension ladder to fight towering infernos.
Level C1MysteryLanagan, Amateur DetectiveA seasoned San Francisco police reporter with unparalleled access to law enforcement and underworld figures navigates a tangled web of crime, corruption, and courtroom intrigue, us…
Level B2MysteryLady Molly of Scotland YardA brilliant female detective takes on a baffling murder at Ash Court, where a young woman's body is found in a secluded pond.
Level A2MysteryLady Jim of Curzon Street: A NovelCaught between financial ruin and a fracturing marriage, Jim Kaimes and his wife Leah struggle to navigate the sharp edges of love and survival in high society, where every word ma…
Level C1MysteryKitty Alone: A Story of Three Fires (vol. 3 of 3)A man haunted by crime and misfortune races against fate to secure his inheritance while grappling with guilt and suspicion.
Level C1MysteryKerfol: 1916A solitary visitor explores the eerie, ancient estate of Kerfol in Brittany, drawn by its haunting silence and mysterious tombs.
Level B2MysteryKate plus 10When a priceless pearl necklace vanishes from a high-society gathering, Lady Moya Felton suspects the household maid—but the truth may be far more tangled.
Level C1MysteryKastle Krags: A Story of MysteryIn the shadowed, moss-draped forests along the slow-moving Ochakee River, a mysterious gloom lingers over the wildlife and ancient lands.
Level C1MysteryKarl GrierA man with a mysterious sixth sense, Karl Grier navigates a world where his extraordinary mental powers clash with skeptical science and societal norms.
Level B2MysteryJust a bit too fastA notorious bank robber known as Thought-and-a-half Morgan disguises himself as a harmless old woman to outwit the police in a daring heist.
Level B2MysteryJudith LeeA young teacher with a remarkable talent for lip-reading overhears a sinister conversation about a valuable silver collection at Myrtle Cottage, pulling her into a dangerous myster…
Level B2MysteryJosie O'Gorman and the Meddlesome MajorJosie O’Gorman starts her new job at a bustling department store where thefts are on the rise, including a missing box of expensive lace.
Level B2MysteryJosie O'GormanA clever girl detective with a famously unremarkable face discovers a surprising talent for disguises, using her unusual nose to outwit villains and hide her identity.
Level C1MysteryJonah's LuckA weary traveler, burdened by unseen troubles, stumbles upon a remote inn shrouded in fog and mystery.
Level C1MysteryJohnny Ludlow, Sixth SeriesA determined group sets off to surprise a friend by renting her seaside drawing-room, only to find themselves lost in a mysterious place called Montpellier-by-Sea—an agricultural e…
Level C1MysteryJohnny Ludlow, Second SeriesWhen a fifty-pound cheque vanishes during a tense market-day negotiation, Johnny Ludlow finds himself entangled in a perplexing mystery involving family ties, rivalries, and hidden…
Level C1MysteryJohn Silence, Physician ExtraordinaryA physician with extraordinary psychic abilities tackles baffling cases that defy ordinary medicine, exploring the mysterious forces behind unseen afflictions and the fragile bound…
Level B2MysteryJoe Leslie's Wife; or, a Skeleton in the ClosetA young wife seeks the help of a New York detective to uncover the dark secret her beloved husband, Joe Leslie, hides—a secret that threatens to unravel their perfect marriage and…
Level B2MysteryJim Waring of Sonora-Town; Or, Tang of LifeIn the shadowed expanse of Agua Fria Cañon, a lone rider stakes his vigil, tracking elusive men through the desert's maze.
Level B2MysteryJim Cummings; Or, The Great Adams Express RobberyThree conspirators meticulously forge letters to execute a daring robbery on the Adams Express train, weaving a tense plan filled with deception, danger, and the threat of violence…
Level C1MysteryJewel Mysteries, from a Dealer's Note BookOn a gloomy day in Piccadilly, a mysterious man arrives at a jeweler’s shop, unveiling an extraordinary opal of dazzling beauty and intrigue.
Level B2MysteryJessica, the HeiressAmid California’s blooming ranchlands, Jessica faces whispers of betrayal and family secrets threatening her inheritance.
Level C1MysteryJessica Trent: Her Life on a RanchA spirited horseback chase through narrow canyon trails leads a stranger to the remote Sobrante ranch, where he meets Jessica Trent, a fearless rider who shares her unique life amo…