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.
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Level B2MysteryMaster tales of mystery, Volume 2 (of 3)A brilliant logician known as The Thinking Machine boldly claims he can escape any prison cell using only his intellect.
Level C1MysteryMaster tales of mystery, Volume 1 (of 3)Step into a world where every locked door hides a secret and every shadow may conceal a clue.
Level C1MysteryMaster of His FateIn a vibrant London club where art, science, and literature mingle, Julius Courtney captivates with his restless curiosity and enigmatic presence.
Level B2MysteryMaster Tales of Mystery, Volume 3In a quiet Connecticut town shaken by the mysterious poisoning of a rising actress, two determined men rush to unravel a tangled web of secrets, suspicious notes, and hidden motive…
Level C1MysteryMary ReganIn a dazzling New York restaurant where society's elite and shadowy figures collide, Clifford waits for Mary Regan, grappling with six months of silence and the blurred lines betwe…
Level B2MysteryMary Louise at DorfieldIn a town struggling to regain its prewar calm, Mary Louise and her friends confront the restlessness and shifting roles of young women eager to find purpose beyond old expectation…
Level B2MysteryMary Louise and the Liberty GirlsIn a small town struggling to meet its Liberty Bond quota during wartime, Mary Louise and her friends step up to prove that even the humblest girls can make a vital difference thro…
Level B2MysteryMary Louise and Josie O'GormanWhen a young widow faces sudden poverty, she teams up with her friend Josie, a skilled detective and laundress, to rebuild their lives through a quaint shop and a bold charitable p…
Level B2MysteryMary Louise Stands the TestAmid whispers of fortune and fading health, Mary Louise faces the challenge of her grandfather’s growing suspicion toward Danny, the scarred war hero she loves.
Level B2MysteryMary Louise Solves a MysteryAn eleven-year-old girl anxiously awaits news about her critically ill mother, whose days may be numbered.
Level B2MysteryMary Louise Adopts a SoldierAs the Dorfield Regiment returns from war, Mary Louise and her grandfather prepare to welcome the soldiers home, eager to help any displaced men find their place in a community sti…
Level B2MysteryMary LouiseAt Miss Stearne's strict boarding school, Mary Louise navigates teenage tensions and a controversial curfew that sparks a student rebellion.
Level B2MysteryMartin of old LondonIn the smoky streets of 1666 London, fourteen-year-old Martin Leake navigates the bustling riverbank and a mysterious rendezvous that hints at hidden dangers.
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.