Looking for a novel that will keep you on the edge of your seat?  Here are ten YA mysteries that will keep you guessing as you read!

A Study in Charlotte by Brittany Cavallaro

Jamie Watson and Charlotte Holmes are the descendants of the famous Dr. Watson and Sherlock Holmes.  And now they are attending the same boarding school in Connecticut.  Jamie dreams of becoming best friends with Holmes and solving mysteries with her.  But then a student is found dead in his dorm–and the murderer seems to be copying the famous Sherlock Holmes stories.  Now Jamie and Charlotte have to clear their names before they find themselves on the murderer’s list.  A strong start to a mystery series that will appeal to fans of the Sherlock Holmes stories, but also readers who enjoy boarding school settings.

Fake ID by Lamar Giles

Nick Pearson is in the Witness Protection Program.  In fact, Nick Pearson is not even his real name. But, even though he is supposed to stay “low-key,” he finds himself drawn into solving the murder of his best friend Eli, along with Eli’s sister Reya.  A plot-driven story for readers who like their books packed with action.

Monday’s Not Coming by Tiffany D. Jackson

When Monday Charles stops showing up to school, Claudia gets worried.  But Monday’s mother and sister won’t say where she is and the people at school barely seem to remember her.  How can a girl vanish without a trace?  An intense read sure to have an emotional impact.

The Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson

Rory Deveaux has arrived in London to attend boarding school the same day a Jack the Ripper-style serial killer begins to strike.  Rory is the only one who saw the man–but she also appears to be the only one who can see him at all.  Suddenly she finds herself in a world of paranormal investigators determined to stop the killer before it is too late.  A gripping tale for those who like their mystery mixed with the supernatural.

Truly Devious by Maureen Johnson

Stevie Bell has been accepted to the prestigious Ellingham Academy in Vermont, site of one of the nation’s most infamous cold cases.  In 1936, the wife and daughter of the school’s founder were kidnapped and seemingly murdered.  No one has ever found the culprit, but Stevie intends to try.  Then one of her classmates is found dead and Stevie can’t help but wonder–is history repeating itself?  Truly Devious is the start to a riveting trilogy full of twists and turns readers will not be able to predict.  Perfect for fans of historical fiction and thrillers alike.

Stalking Jack the Ripper by Kerri Maniscalo

As the daughter of a lord, seventeen-year-old Audrey Rose Wadsworth is expected to engage in socially-acceptable activities.  Like drinking tea.  But Audrey has an interest in forensics and, soon, her work on some corpses has her embroiled in the investigation to stop a serial killer.  A creepy mystery for the stout of heart.

#MurderTrending by Gretchen McNeil

In the future, society can watch the executions of criminals through The Postman App.  But when seventeen-year-old Dee Guerrera realizes she is about to executed for a crime she did not commit, she teams up with the Death Row Breakfast Club to prove her innocence.  This fast-paced reality show-based thriller will appeal to fans of The Hunger Games.

One of Us Is Lying by Karen M. McManus

One morning, five students walk into detention, but only four walk out.  The deceased had planned to reveal juicy secrets about his classmates the following day.  Now the others are the suspects in a murder case.  But could the killer be someone else?  A contemporary take on The Breakfast Club–with a deadly twist.

In the Hall with the Knife by Diana Peterfreund

Beth “Peacock” Picach, Orchid McKee, Vaughn Green, Sam “Mustard” Maestor, Finn Plum, and Scarlet Mistry are students at Blackbrook Academy, where they get stuck with their headmaster after a storm.  But then the headmaster is found dead in the conservatory.  A contemporary reimagining of the classic board game CLUE.

Jackaby by William Ritter

It’s 1892 and Abigail Rook has arrived in New England searching for a job.  Assisting R. F. Jackaby, an investigator of the supernatural, seems like the perfect fit.  Unfortunately, a serial killer is on the loose, and the police do not believe that the culprit is, as Jackaby, suspects, not of this world.  An exciting start to a series that combines mystery and romance with the supernatural.

Staff picks are chosen by CCPL staff members and are not intended to be comprehensive lists. We’d love to hear your ideas too, so write to us and tell us what you’d recommend.