Mystery
Read Mystery Classics in English
611 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 Pocket Island: A Story of Country Life in New England, Phineas Redux and Pharos, The Egyptian: A Romance. 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 C1MysteryForty-one Thieves: A Tale of CaliforniaIn the rugged gold fields of 1879 California, a stagecoach journey turns deadly as robbers lie in wait along a dusty mountain road.
Level C1MysteryFor the DefenceA devoted retired major raises two orphaned boys from troubled backgrounds, shaping their futures with hope and care at his Surrey estate.
Level B2MysteryFor a Night of LoveIn a quiet town shadowed by an imposing mansion, shy clerk Julien Michon leads a solitary life filled with routine and secret flute melodies.
Level C1MysteryFootprintsIn a misty hotel lobby, Judith Quilter Whitefield, a wealthy widow from a famed Oregon ranching family, arrives with a secretive purpose—to confront her charming and elusive brothe…
Level B2MysteryFollowing a Chance Clew; Or, Nick Carter's Lucky FindA mysterious robbery and an unconscious woman draw detective Nick Carter into a shadowy world of clever criminals and secretive strangers.
Level C1MysteryFlying the Coast Skyways; Or, Jack Ralston's Swift PatrolTwo daring pilots, flying under aliases, embark on a secret mission from San Diego to the East Coast, navigating smoky skies and coded conversations to meet with Secret Service con…
Level C1MysteryFlower of the GorseIn a quaint Breton village, three young women navigate local traditions and hidden tensions as a mysterious bell tolls, promising fortune and stirring secrets among artists and vil…
Level B2MysteryFive Thousand Dollars RewardA desperate tramp with a dark past threatens a young woman living alone in a secluded cottage, but a mysterious hunter arrives just in time to protect her.
Level B2MysteryFirst Person ParamountA gifted mimicry artist escapes a harsh upbringing to pursue the stage, but his talent soon entangles him in a web of intrigue and danger.
Level B2MysteryFinding the Lost TreasureTwo siblings discover a cryptic family memorandum hinting at a lost treasure that might save their struggling family from foreclosure.
Level B2MysteryFinal Proof; Or, The Value of EvidenceA sharp detective and a clever amateur unite to unravel a baffling murder mystery that shocks the city and challenges the very value of evidence.
Level C1MysteryFile No. 113A daring robbery targets a supposedly impregnable bank safe, but the truth behind the heist is far more intricate than the headlines reveal.
Level B1MysteryFighting for fortuneA thrilling collection of clean, adventurous tales follows young heroes as they strive for success and fortune, embodying the spirit of fair play and determination in the great out…
Level B2MysteryFighting Byng: A Novel of Mystery, Intrigue and AdventureIn the wild Georgia turpentine woods, the fiery Howard Byng and his runaway mule collide with a surveying crew, sparking tensions and revealing a fierce spirit ready to face any ch…
Level B1MysteryFenn Masterson's Discovery; or, The Darewell Chums on a CruiseTwo schoolboys, Fenn and Bart, bond over a shared love of collecting—this time minerals—and a clever scheme to skip a tough algebra exam.
Level B2MysteryFeathers left aroundAt a Westchester estate, a sharp-witted group of friends debate the allure of locked-room mysteries, while the vivacious Anna stirs tensions and secrets beneath the surface.
Level C1MysteryFaulkner's FollyIn an elegant Georgian mansion, a mysterious cry for help shatters the night, revealing a lifeless artist in his studio and two women caught in a tense, fearful standoff—unraveling…
Level B2MysteryFatal fingersA renowned man presumed dead for eighteen years lives in obscurity, guarding a painful secret while resisting a tempting offer to return and reclaim his past.
Level B2MysteryFast as the Wind: A NovelA wealthy sportsman navigates a tangled web of loyalty, rivalry, and love amid the scenic beauty of Torquay and the looming shadows of family secrets.
Level B2MysteryFalse faceIn a dusty frontier town, an old storekeeper reluctantly accepts a deputy’s badge amid a sudden influx of hopeful settlers chasing rumors of new irrigation projects.
Level B2MysteryFalse EvidenceAmidst the brutal aftermath of a colonial battle, Lieutenant Herbert Devereux faces a court-martial for cowardice, but he insists his retreat hid a greater act of bravery—one that…
Level B1MysteryFairview Boys at Lighthouse Cove; or, Carried out to SeaThree adventurous boys celebrate the last day of school and dream of summer fun, but when one heads to a mysterious lighthouse cove, unexpected challenges and secrets await by the…
Level B1MysteryFairview Boys at Camp Mystery; or, the Old Hermit and His SecretWhen the notorious bully Jed Burr returns to school promising to behave, three friends face the challenge of his reputation while uncovering secrets at their camp—and an old hermit…
Level B1MysteryFairview Boys and Their Rivals; or, Bob Bouncer's SchooldaysThree schoolboys face rivalry, mischief, and unexpected adventure when a runaway automobile threatens to crash near their school.
Level C1MysteryEveline MandevilleA young woman defies her father's wishes, suspecting a wealthy suitor's fortune is tied to a secret gang of horse thieves.
Level C1MysteryEugene Aram — CompleteA scholar with a dark secret, Eugene Aram’s story unfolds through a blend of tragedy and mystery, exploring the fine line between genius and guilt as buried truths threaten to surf…
Level B2MysteryEmerson's Wife and Other Western StoriesIn the rugged West, Nick Ellhorn wakes drunk in a Santa Fe hotel room, drawn into a deadly mystery as the Dysert gang strikes again—murders, secrets, and danger threaten the lawles…
Level C1MysteryElusive IsabelIn the heart of Washington's diplomatic intrigue, a mysterious woman demands urgent audience with the Italian ambassador, sparking a secret that could unsettle the delicate balance…
Level C1MysteryEli: First published in the "Century Magazine"In a quiet New England town shaken by a bank robbery, John Wood, a humble storekeeper and key witness, balances daily life with the looming mystery.
Level B2MysteryEleven Possible CasesIn a remote mountain outpost, Mary Warriner, the sole telegrapher among rugged railroad workers, navigates isolation and hidden tensions as urgent messages arrive.
Level C1MysteryEleanor's victoryA radiant young girl journeys alone to the Norman coast, her innocence and cheerfulness standing out amidst the sea voyage’s bustle.
Level C1MysteryEdgar Huntly; or, Memoirs of a Sleep-WalkerIn the wild American frontier, a man haunted by the mysterious death of his friend embarks on a nocturnal journey filled with suspense and dark secrets, where sleepwalking and unta…
Level B2MysteryEarth Is Missing!In a frozen 87th Century Earth, Detective Johnny Steel faces a deadly gang led by a monstrous foe known as The Bear.
Level C1MysteryEagles of the Sky; Or, With Jack Ralston Along the Air LanesTwo daring aviators, Jack Ralston and Gabe Perkiser, are tasked by the Secret Service to dismantle a cunning smuggling ring along Florida’s Gulf Coast, using their wits and a versa…
Level B2MysteryDyke Darrel the Railroad Detective; Or, The Crime of the Midnight ExpressWhen express messenger Arnold Nicholson is brutally murdered during a daring robbery, detective Dyke Darrel vows to track down the ruthless criminals, risking his own safety to bri…
Level C1MysteryDr. Mabuse, master of mysteryIn a high-stakes gambling club, a mysterious elderly gentleman’s uncanny influence traps a wealthy heir in a web of losses and intrigue, where every move feels controlled by an uns…
Level B2MysteryDown the SlopeA young boy takes his first grueling job in a coal breaker, facing harsh labor, tough rivals, and the struggle to support his mother.
Level C1MysteryDorothy's Double. Volume 2 (of 3)A young woman faces suspicion and mystery when a series of events involving stolen jewels, secret orders, and veiled identities entangles her family and trusted friends in a tense…
Level B2MysteryDorothy's Double. Volume 1 (of 3)On a stormy night along the Thames, a secret exchange sets in motion a daring escape from a shadowy past.
Level B2MysteryDorothy at Oak KnoweA young American girl arrives alone at a remote Canadian school, only to find no one there to meet her—until a kindly old teamster offers to guide her through the unfamiliar town a…
Level B2MysteryDorothy Dale's Great SecretAt Glenwood School, Dorothy Dale and her mischievous friend Tavia await an exciting automobile ride, while Dorothy harbors a mysterious secret that tests the strength of their frie…
Level B2MysteryDorothy Dale to the rescueDorothy Dale returns to a transformed newspaper office, longing for the old days and her role in the Bugle’s legacy.
Level B2MysteryDorothy Dale and Her ChumsWhen prized pigeons vanish overnight, Dorothy and her friends vow to uncover the thief behind the mysterious disappearance, launching a spirited investigation filled with charm and…
Level B2MysteryDoris Force at Locked Gates; Or, Saving a Mysterious FortuneSixteen-year-old Doris Force’s quiet summer turns mysterious when she receives a strange invitation from two women claiming ties to her late family.
Level B2MysteryDorcas Dene, detectiveA former actress turned private detective tackles the mysterious disappearance of young Lord Helsham, navigating society secrets and scandal to uncover the truth—all while keeping…
Level C1MysteryDoors of the NightIn the opulent world of a wealthy philanthropist, Billy Kane serves as trusted secretary, guarding his employer’s fortune and secrets.
Level B2MysteryDon Hale Over ThereAmid the chaos of World War I, young American Don Hale volunteers as a Red Cross ambulance driver near Verdun, facing relentless danger and a haunting mystery surrounding the ancie…
MysteryDomesday BookIn a small town steeped in secrets, voices from the past reveal hidden truths and dark mysteries, challenging the veneer of propriety and exposing the raw realities beneath.