Mystery
Read Mystery Classics in English
1,736 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.
- 1,736
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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.
Level C1MysteryClarissa Harlowe; or the history of a young lady — Volume 2Trapped in a web of family pride and cruelty, a young woman battles relentless persecution from her brother and manipulative suitors while seeking refuge and justice through a seri…
Level C1MysteryClarissa Harlowe; or the history of a young lady — Volume 1Two young ladies exchange letters revealing their virtuous friendship amid complex family intrigues, while two gentlemen plot with cunning and conflicting morals.
Level C1MysteryClara Vaughan, Volume 3 (of 3)Passion and deception intertwine when a man, consumed by love, assumes his brother’s identity to win the heart of his beloved Lily, igniting a tale of intense emotion, dark secrets…
Level C1MysteryClara Vaughan, Volume 2 (of 3)Haunted by her father’s murder, a determined woman joins a daring night stakeout to confront the elusive killer.
Level C1MysteryClara Vaughan, Volume 1 (of 3)A young girl with a mysterious childhood faces strange health episodes that worry her loving parents and lead to a pivotal meeting with a wise old physician.
Level C1MysteryCity Crimes; Or, Life in New York and BostonA wealthy young gentleman in New York resolves to abandon shallow friendships and dedicate his fortune to aiding the city's poorest and most desperate.
Level B2MysteryChronicles of Martin HewittA determined detective probes the mysterious murder of an artist found dead in his smoking-room, amid vandalism and stolen valuables.
Level B2MysteryChristopher Quarles: College Professor and Master DetectiveIn a serene London square, a seemingly peaceful death in a scholar’s study masks a puzzling mystery: a dead man surrounded by delicate ivory boxes and a rare sapphire.
Level C1MysteryChildren of the WhirlwindIn a grimy New York street, the enigmatic Duchess’s pawnshop hides tangled secrets as young Maggie Carlisle and Larry Brainard’s lives intertwine, setting the stage for a turbulent…
Level C1MysteryCheckmateAmid the shadowed grandeur of Mortlake Hall, a mysterious figure named Longcluse watches a gathering where whispered talk of a brutal murder stirs unease.
Level C1MysteryChangeling, and Other StoriesIn a drab courtroom, Anna Janssen faces murder charges amid a haze of doubt and mystery.
Level C1MysteryCecilia de NoëlIn a grand house where science and skepticism reign, a sudden eerie howl disrupts a dinner gathering, sparking whispers of a ghostly presence.
Level C1MysteryCaught in the NetIn the bitter cold of a harsh Paris winter, delicate Rose clings to hope amid the squalor of the Hotel de Perou, where secrets and hardship intertwine.
Level B2MysteryCato, the creeper; or, The demon of Dead-Man's ForestIn the eerie depths of Dead-Man’s Forest, the stealthy Cato, known as the Creeper, navigates a world of outlaws and danger under the watchful eye of the ruthless Captain Downing.
Level B2MysteryCastle of TerrorA tense flight turns deadly when a volatile criminal seizes a gun midair, trapping passengers in a terrifying struggle at 10,000 feet.
Level C1MysteryCarnacki, the Ghost FinderA seasoned investigator accepts a chilling case involving a haunted room where eerie door slams and torn bedclothes defy explanation.
Level B2MysteryCarmen's MessengerIn a rugged northern town shaken by tragedy, Jake Foster and his partner Featherstone face mysterious threats that could unravel their lumber business and lives.
Level B2MysteryCaptains of soulsA mysterious stranger with a commanding presence disrupts the quiet life of Beryl Merville, hinting at hidden connections and shadowy business dealings that unsettle her family and…
Level B2MysteryCaptain Sparkle, Pirate; Or, A Hard Man to CatchWhen millionaire Maxwell Kane's yacht is boarded by real pirates, detective Nick Carter is called in to unravel the mystery aboard the luxurious steam-yacht Goalong.