Mystery
Read Mystery Classics in English
1,733 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 Young Wallingford, Young Blood and Yollop. 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.
- 1,733
- books
Level C1MysteryThe Camera FiendA conscientious schoolboy, Pocket Upton, escapes his strict routine for a London visit that promises new friends and unexpected adventures.
Level B2MysteryThe Cabman's Story: The Mysteries of a London 'Growler'A veteran London cabman with nearly fifty years on the streets recounts a chilling night when he unwittingly ferried a dead man through the city, unveiling the eerie mysteries hidd…
Level C1MysteryThe Cab of the Sleeping HorseA tale of intrigue unfolds around a beautiful, cunning woman with a shadowy past and multiple identities, entangled in espionage and high-stakes deception.
Level C1MysteryThe Burglars' Club: A Romance in Twelve ChroniclesAmidst financial ruin and a loaded revolver, a desperate merchant encounters a charming burglar who disrupts his solitary vigil with unexpected wit and intrigue—unveiling a tale wh…
Level C1MysteryThe Burglar's Fate, and The DetectivesIn a thriving frontier town, four young men commit a crime that leads to their downfall, while a determined detective unravels the truth in a gripping account of real-life justice…
Level B2MysteryThe Burglar and the Blizzard: A Christmas StoryA series of daring robberies plagues a wealthy mountain community, with a mysterious thief slipping in unnoticed under the cover of night.
Level C1MysteryThe Bungalow Boys in the Great NorthwestTwo adventurous brothers return to their serene Maine valley, now transformed and strangely tame after past dangers, but old mysteries and new visitors hint that excitement—and per…
Level C1MysteryThe Bronze Hand: 1897In a tense Baltimore on the brink of civil war, a mysterious woman seeks help from a curious lodger after a frightening encounter, drawing him into a web of danger, loyalty, and se…
Level C1MysteryThe Broken ThreadA strikingly graceful girl in black captures the attention of two Cambridge undergraduates during a lively seaside stroll, but when her cherished dog is attacked, an unexpected con…
Level B2MysteryThe BrightenerAmidst secret gardens and whispered rumors, a young princess faces devastating news of war and loss while navigating a web of family intrigue and hidden truths.
Level C1MysteryThe Bride of the Tomb, and Queenie's Terrible SecretOn the eve of her wedding, the radiant Lily Lawrence is found dead in her bridal gown, clutching a jeweled dagger—an apparent suicide that shatters a wealthy family and ignites a w…
Level C1MysteryThe Brass BowlUnder the guise of an idle adventure, Daniel Maitland—a wealthy bachelor known as "Mad Maitland"—navigates the restless nightlife and exclusive bachelor apartments of the city, whe…
Level B2MysteryThe Bradys' Race for Life; or, Rounding Up a Tough Trio: A Detective Story of LifeIn the smoke-filled tenement of a rough New York quarter, two fearless detectives plunge into a burning building to uncover the truth behind a mysterious crime marked by blood and…
Level B2MysteryThe Bradys' Chinese Clew; Or, The Secret Dens of Pell StreetDuring a fierce New York storm, detectives Old King Brady and his companion confront a mysterious case involving a missing Albany girl who eloped with a Chinese man, sparking a tan…
Level B2MysteryThe Bradys and the Girl Smuggler; Or, Working for the Custom HouseTwo skilled detectives, Old and Young King Brady, are called to crack a cunning smuggling ring flooding the country with untaxed precious stones.
Level B2MysteryThe Bradys Beyond Their Depth; Or, The Great Swamp MysteryIn a shadowy New York night, two renowned detectives, Old and Young King Brady, stumble upon mysterious cries of murder and a suspicious coffin removal, plunging them into a grippi…
Level B2MysteryThe Bradys After a Chinese Princess; Or, The Yellow Fiends of 'FriscoIn fog-shrouded San Francisco, the legendary detective Old King Brady and his skilled partner stake out the harbor to uncover a secret opium smuggling ring aided by mysterious alli…
Level B2MysteryThe Boys of the Wireless; Or, A Stirring Rescue from the DeepInventive Tom Barnes experiments with wireless telegraphy in his small town, but when crucial equipment goes missing, he and his friends must unravel the mystery and prove their sk…
Level B1MysteryThe Boy from the Ranch; Or, Roy Bradner's City ExperiencesA skilled young cowboy from a Colorado ranch faces the challenges of a cattle roundup, confronting lazy helpers and the harsh realities of ranch life.
Level B2MysteryThe Boy Scouts with the Red CrossAmid a fierce strike and violent clashes at a cement plant, a group of determined Boy Scouts steps up to provide crucial first aid to wounded workers, risking danger to bring hope…
Level B2MysteryThe Boy Scouts with the Motion Picture PlayersFive adventurous Boy Scouts embark on a weekend hike to the eerie Randall’s Folly, a haunted castle shrouded in mystery.
Level B1MysteryThe Boy Scouts on the Roll of HonorJoin the Oakvale Troop of Boy Scouts as they embark on thrilling adventures, from daring rescues to community service, all while proving their courage, skill, and friendship in the…
Level B2MysteryThe Boy Scouts on Picket DutyA group of Boy Scouts aboard the sloop Arrow uncover a mysterious, unlit steamer lurking near Florida's coast, sparking suspicions of hostile intentions and a thrilling race to ale…
Level B1MysteryThe Boy Scouts of the Signal CorpsA lively troop of Boy Scouts embarks on adventurous days filled with camaraderie, friendly rivalries, and challenges that test their skills and spirit.
Level B2MysteryThe Boy Scouts of the Naval ReserveThree Boy Scouts from the Wolf Patrol set out to test a newly rigged wireless device atop Cedar Hill, uncovering the secrets and challenges that come with leadership, friendship, a…
Level B2MysteryThe Boy Scouts of the Life Saving CrewThree Boy Scouts journey to the flourishing town of Santario, Florida, where a spring visit to a historic coastal village sets the stage for friendship, rivalry, and unexpected adv…
Level B2MysteryThe Boy Scouts of the Geological SurveyA determined young trapper balances the rugged life of hunting with the urgent need to save his ailing mother, all while dreaming of a future in mining and uncovering hidden riches…
Level B2MysteryThe Boy Scouts of the Flying SquadronTwo determined Boy Scouts trek deep into the wilderness after Thanksgiving, testing a mysterious new invention amid the frozen forests of Stormberg Mountain—where adventure and une…
Level B1MysteryThe Boy Scouts of the Field HospitalA Boy Scout troop’s summer camp near a troubled cement factory thrusts them into the heart of a brewing strike and rising tensions.
Level B2MysteryThe Boy Scouts of the Air in Indian LandIn the rugged Southwest, a group of adventurous boys awaits the arrival of a new companion whose visit will ignite mysteries and challenges at the remote Fort Bayard.
Level B1MysteryThe Boy Scouts of Lenox; Or, The Hike Over Big Bear MountainA group of eager boys in Lenox, inspired by tales of a thriving scout troop, set out to form their own Boy Scouts patrol under the guidance of a former scoutmaster, embarking on ad…
Level B2MysteryThe Boy Scouts in the SaddleIn a rugged town shadowed by a granite quarry, a wealthy, arrogant youth scoffs at the local Boy Scouts, who ride motorcycles and earn their own way.
Level B2MysteryThe Boy Scouts in the Great FloodAs relentless rain and melting snow threaten Oakvale with a devastating flood, the resourceful Boy Scouts of the Wolf Patrol prepare to face nature’s fury and prove their courage i…
Level B2MysteryThe Boy Scouts for Home ProtectionIn a town plagued by reckless drivers and unsafe crossings, a determined Boy Scout patrol steps up to protect their community.
Level B2MysteryThe Boy Scouts for City ImprovementTwo determined Boy Scouts, Hugh and Billy, set out to tackle their town’s litter problem and inspire community pride, turning a hot September day into the start of a spirited campa…
Level B2MysteryThe Boy Scouts at Mobilization CampTwo eager Boy Scouts in Oakvale dream of visiting a bustling mobilization camp where local militia prepare for war, eager to help and uncover adventures amid the military excitemen…
Level B2MysteryThe Boy Scouts as Forest Fire FightersIn a drought-stricken town skeptical of their efforts, a determined troop of Boy Scouts sets out to prove their worth as forest fire fighters, overcoming doubt and opposition with…
Level B2MysteryThe Boy Scouts as County Fair GuidesAs the annual County Fair approaches, three Boy Scouts from Oakvale prepare to navigate thrilling exhibitions, daring aerial stunts, and community adventures, all while showcasing…
Level B1MysteryThe Boy Ranchers in Death Valley; Or, Diamond X and the Poison MysteryIn the rugged expanse of Death Valley, a group of fearless boy ranchers face thrilling challenges, from daring horseback feats to unraveling a deadly poison mystery threatening the…
Level B1MysteryThe Boy Pilot of the Lakes; Or, Nat Morton's PerilsFifteen-year-old Nat Morton, a skilled swimmer and lakefront expert, leaps into action to save a drifting rowboat from a massive steamer’s path, risking everything in a daring resc…
Level C1MysteryThe Box with Broken SealsTwo secret agents arrive in Chicago to investigate a mysterious box with broken seals, suspecting a cunning bluff hides crucial documents.
Level C1MysteryThe Borough TreasurerIn a quiet town filled with ancient buildings and bustling businesses, a new invention and a mysterious visitor set the stage for a tense game of secrets and blackmail.
Level B2MysteryThe Border Spy; or, The Beautiful Captive of the Rebel Camp: A Story of the WarIn the midst of a fierce war, a distrustful spy navigates a rugged borderland where loyalty is uncertain and every decision could mean life or death.
Level C1MysteryThe Bond of BlackIn the heart of London’s glittering nightlife, a man recounts a hidden, sinister world of love, sacrifice, and secret malice that defies belief—revealing a mysterious society lurki…
Level C1MysteryThe Bomb-Makers: Being Some Curious Records Concerning the Craft and Cunning of Theodore Drost, an Enemy Alien in London, Together with Certain Revelations Regarding His Daughter EllaIn wartime London, the daughter of a cunning German agent moves through the vibrant world of theatre and espionage, her friendships threatening to unravel dangerous secrets.
Level B2MysteryThe Boarded-Up HouseTwo lifelong friends living on either side of a mysterious, abandoned house find their summer plans spoiled by rain, but the boarded-up mansion's eerie presence and untold secrets…
Level C1MysteryThe Blotting BookIn a perfectly appointed Sussex Square home, Mrs.
Level B2MysteryThe Blonde Lady: Being a Record of the Duel of Wits between Arsène Lupin and the English DetectiveWhen a modest writing-desk disappears without a trace except for a curious encounter with a mysterious young man, a professor and his daughter find themselves entangled in a daring…