Watching a thrilling movie and sticking to it like a piece of gum is quite exciting! It can make you leave all your work and sit in front of the screen for hours. But have you ever wondered how exciting it is to read thrilling books instead of watching movies? So, Here I am at your service with a bunch of mystery books every teenager must-read.
I still remember when I started reading books a few years ago. I used to sit like a log with my books for hours, forgetting about the outer world. My love for books is so intense that I can read a book of 400 pages in a few hours. Now, being a writer, I am not only reading but also writing some thrilling books for my readers, and here I am suggesting you some.
Can you believe reading the thriller zone continuously can improve your imagination power! Yes!! This is certainly true. Your mind starts thinking and developing the assumption and stories by reading, which can sharpen your skills, and if you are a budding writer, then this genre is best for you. It will also help you judge and pretend about the good and bad characters, which will help in reading books and real life.
Knowing about a character’s aesthetic is never easy without reading everything about them. You never know when someone can change into a devil from an angel, or someone is the devil in disguise, even in your real life also. A thriller genre can help you in knowing more about someone’s nature. So, let’s dive into the pool of some classic thriller books.
17 Mystery Books Every Teenager Must-Read
So without any further ado! Lets get started.
1. A Study In Charlotte
Full Title: A Study In Charlotte
Author: Brittany Cavallaro
Publishing Year: 2016
Genre: Thriller
Subject: Murder mystery
Pages: 336
Description: This is a tale of a crime-solving duo full of suspense. The first suspenseful and witty series with some page-turner events. You will be reading about Charlotte and James, who are distinctive people. The only thing about our hero is concerned is being shifted to a boarding school where he will meet Charlotte, the heroine.
Charlotte is beautiful and witty, and soon Jamie will be under her spell. You will be witnessing how James will solve the mystery of the case and decode the cunning character of his love interest. But when they both are framed for a murder, Charlotte will be the only person who can clear their names. Danger will be everywhere, and nothing will be safe. The only person they can trust will be each other. Can they?
One of the readers considered this book the best book in mystery, while most of the readers loved the witty and cunning nature of charlotte and the little spicy romance between the leads.
Caution: Rape and Murder, Violence, Crude language, involvement of drugs and gambling.
2. The Name of the Star: Shades of London
Full Title: The Name of the Star: Shades of London
Author: Maureen Johnson
Publishing Year: 2012
Genre: Fiction
Subject: Juvenile Fiction
Pages: 372
Description: This is a paranormal thriller story where the day a teenager, Rory Will, arrives in London to start a new life at his boarding school on the same day when the number of murders will take place in the city.
It is a great unexpected story with amazing action and interesting characters. You will be thrilled to explore that her boarding school will be in the same area terrorized by Jack the Ripper in 1988. Jack is back in the city. Would you love to know more about this horror mystery?
You will be surprised to know that one of a reader of this book had read this when she was 13 and when she turned 19, she bought that book again. Few readers loved the book because it has action, horror, and a bit of romance. This book will serve you salsa of different flavors. So, grab the book and forget about the world.
Caution: Alcohol and abusive behavior, sexual content is light.
3. The Naturals
Full Title: The Naturals
Author: Jennifer Lynn Barnes
Publishing Year: 2013
Genre: Crime Fiction
Subject: Mysteries
Pages: 308
Description: This book is best for those who love criminal stories. It’s about Cassie, a seventeen-year-old fellow who is natural at reading people. She can even tell you what you are and what you want, but she never took it seriously until the FBI came at her door telling her they needed the exceptional teenagers to crack the cold cases. She will be sent to live with a group of teens who won’t be as same as they seem.
Every time the danger looms closer when a new killer arrives. This will be the saga of a cat and mouse game where all the naturals will use all of their gifts to survive.
You will be getting five series of “The Naturals.” The readers refused to give less than five stars to this book as if this a complete mixture of thriller, a love triangle, and many more and will be witnessing the real character’s development in the first and second books, and trust me. You won’t be able to wait to read the third one.
Caution: Few sexual elements, violence.
4. We Were Liars
Full Title: We Were Liars
Author: E. Lockhart
Publishing Year: 2014
Genre: Young Adult Fiction
Subject: Wealth and Greed
Pages: 256
Description: This young adult novel received Goodreads Choice Award for Best Young Adult Fiction. This featured the consequences of someone’s mistakes. You will be reading about a wealthy family in this book and spend every summer on their private island. But not every summer is as same as before. What will happen with the four liars this summer?
Ok, I am not leaving you here as a cliffhanger. Let’s peep into the main character of this fantastic book. Candence is the protagonist and the narrator of the story suffering from amnesia. It will be a complete thrill to read about the four wealthy liars and their greed. The twist and turns will keep you hooked till the end.
One of the readers enjoyed Catie as a narrator, and she loved the way the wealthy family and the stresses which comes their way even after having perfect lives as shown. Dive into this thriller book and come back to thank me!
Caution: Sexual, Sensual exploration, Drinking, Rivalry.
5. One of Us Is Lying
Full Title: One of Us Is Lying
Author: Karen M. McManus
Publishing Year: 2017
Genre: Mystery Fiction
Subject: Young Adult Fiction
Pages: 368
Description: It all started with detention. The five students of a high school were sent to detention, and one of them died due to a peanut allergy once after he drank the water from a peanut oil paper cup. This is the story from an alternate point of view.
It consists of Bronwyn, a perfect student, followed by Addy, the beautiful girlfriend of Jake. Then there is Cooper, a rising basketball player, the second last Nate, and the victim Simon who used to run a blog and certainly knew the secrets of all of them and was preparing to expose them. Do you also feel like me that any of them had killed him to protect themselves? I know the answer, but I am not generous enough to tell you all!
One reader felt like me that this was not the usual high school murder mystery but something extraordinary. It is quite thought-provoking with a twist and turns till the end. Grab the book now to find who killed Simon to protect themselves.
Caution: Sensual Exploration, Bullying, Alcohol and drugs.
6. I Am Princess X
Full Title: I Am Princess X
Author: Cherie Priest
Publishing Year: 2015
Genre: Young Adult Fiction
Subject: Juvenile Fiction
Pages: 240
Description: May and Libby are two middle schoolers who created princess X and used to live in a haunted house. Both had number of books containing her adventures written by May and drawn by Libby. But their lives took a U-turn when Libby died in a car accident with her mother.
All the princess X notebooks vanished after Libby’s father sent the cleaning staff to clean the house. A few years later, May will see some stickers and a website with the phrase “I am Princess X.” You will also wonder, along with May, how is it possible someone found the notebooks and created the character again, or is Libby alive?
Her book is not about romance but all about a strong friendship. It’s short and sweet with a lot of adventure and fun. You will love the presentation of the book, the way they designed the covers, illustrations, and chapters were mind-blowing. This book will surely love by teenage girls who love the purple color. Run and grab this book to find out is Libby alive?
Caution: Mild Violence
7. The Diviners
Full Title: The Diviners
Author: Libba Bray
Publishing Year: 2012
Genre: Paranormal Historical Fiction
Subject: Roaring twenties
Pages: 578
Description: This book is about a 17-year-old flapper named Evie O’Neill who was sent to stay with her uncle in New York and her special gift, which got her into trouble. Her uncle owns a museum named “The Museum of Creepy Crawlies.” Later she got involved in the case of a serial killer.
Interestingly, when she uses her special gift to catch a killer, it turns into a race of death and time and certainly a fight to stop the end of the world. Wow! Sounds interesting, right! I, too, felt that when I read this book and trust me, you will fall for this book, and for a surprise, let me tell you that this series contains four books.
I find this book quite scary, and yeah, that’s my genre! One of the readers finds it a perfect balance of mystery and creepiness. It will keep you at a cliffhanger at the end, but surprisingly you will be curious to read the next installment, and so was I.
Caution: Strong Language, Ritualistic Killing, Racism.
8. Pretty little Liars
Full Title: Pretty little Liars
Author: Sara Shepard
Publishing Year: 2006
Genre: Mystery Fiction
Subject: Juvenile Fiction
Pages: 286
Description: Are you also interested in reading books having more than one protagonist like me? If yes, you will surely love this book. This book contains five girls as the main characters. So the story revolves around five friends Spencer Hastings, Hanna Marin, Aria Montgomery, Emily, and Alison. They all were best friends until Ali (Alison) vanished in the evening.
They all were quite sad about her disappearance, but the interesting fact is Ali had all the secrets of all her best friends in her heart. The story leaps and they all drift apart, having different ups and downs in their lives.
Suddenly, all of them started getting anonymous texts with the letter “A,” which started revealing their past mistakes and their present knowledge. Do you also feel like me that the mysterious person is Ali? I know the answer, but you have to read to know!
The writing of this book is very easy, and you won’t feel bored as the speed is quite fast. The best thing I felt about this book is that it has written every chapter on all the characters with their names mentioned above.
Caution: Harsh language, Violence, Alcohol and drugs.
9. Pretty Girl 13
Full Title: Pretty Girl 13
Author: Liz Coley
Publishing Year: 20013
Genre: Mystery Fiction
Subject: Fiction
Pages: 352
Description: Do you love the kidnapping drama in daily soaps? They are quite predictable, but you will surely fall in love with this psychological thriller in which a girl is found who must identify herself and convince about her kidnapping to the people.
Interesting right! Talking about the character, we have Angie Chapman, who was 13 years old when she went lonely on a Camping trip. However, when she returned home, she got to know that she was now 16 and didn’t remember anything of the past three years.
Can you imagine by placing yourself in her place. What would you do? I would surely die if something happened like this to me. Getting immense courage, she went on a thrilling journey to find the missing part of her story. This book will put a choice in front of you. What will you decide if you will have the choice of forgetting the worst things or remembering the same.
Readers of this book find this book quite exciting with immense love, courage, and hope.
10. The Raven Boys
Full Title: The Raven Boys
Author: Maggie Stiefvater
Publishing Year: 2012
Genre: Mystery Fiction
Subject: Juvenile Fiction
Pages: 416
Description: This is the first book of the series “The Raven Cycle.” The story of a girl named Blue who stands next to her clairvoyant mother but cannot see them. Suddenly a boy came from the dark and started speaking to her. She discovers soon that his name is Gansey and he is a rich student in a local school name Aglionby.
She has the policy of staying away from the boys belonging there. They are also known as Raven Boys. They start coming close, but Blue has warned that her true love will die if she kiss him. Strange enough, Nah! She never knew this would be a problem, but her life got caught in the sinister world of Raven Boys. I was too excited to know what would happen with Blue. Will she get her true love he will die?
You will love this action and thrilling story where every character is unique and different. This is a completely refreshing story for thriller lovers. Grab the book and start reading about Blue’s love story.
Caution: Harsh Language and Violence, Paranormal elements.
11. Turtles All The Way Down
Full Title: Turtles All The Way Down
Author: John Green
Publishing Year: 2017
Genre: Young Adult Fiction
Subject: Juvenile Fiction
Pages: 320
Description: This is the tale of two best friends, Daisy and Aza, who got to know that the billionaire father of one of their classmates, Davis, is missing and whomsoever finds him will get a reward, and Daisy wants that. Aza suffers from OCD and anxiety.
This book is a mystery and the story of a teenager fighting mental illness. The way Aza handled her mental illness is very respectful and natural. This story contains not only mystery but also romance, friendship, etc.
The story’s narrator has quite obsessive thoughts of bacteria invading her body and killing her. Later Aza gets attracted to the son of the billionaire for whom she is searching for money. It’s quite thrilling to know what will happen with Aza and her friend, whether they will get the reward or not?
You will be witnessing how to cope with the mental illness and provoking obsessive thoughts. Like some stories, this book doesn’t have a happy ending like a fairy tale. This book is written skillfully and contains how to tackle difficult issues like pain or loss. Do give it a try and enjoy this amazing tale.
Caution: Teen Cancer, Mental Illness, brief strong sexual content.
12. Shelter
Full Title: Shelter
Author: Harlan Coben
Publishing Year: 2011
Genre: Young Adult Crime
Subject: Young Adult Fiction
Pages: 320
Description: This is the tragic story of a boy named Mickey Bolitar whose father died, and his mother is sent to rehab. He is forced to live with Myron’s uncle and switches to high school, bringing new friends and new enemies, and a new girlfriend, Ashley. Later, Ashely vanishes suddenly without leaving any trace. But the people don’t seem as they are.
Mickey will learn about the conspiracy, which will shock him. The story will revolve around the high school drama and underworld.
Reading this book will surely love the witty and clever Mickey, who is eager to save the people he cares about and go to any extent to save them. You will be witnessing the non-stop action, and the revelation will shake you to the core along with Mickey. You will be happy to know that you can also have the other series after reading this amazing, thrilling novel.
Caution: Violence, Human Trafficking.
13. Jackaby
Full Title: Jackaby
Author: William Ritter
Publishing Year: 2014
Genre: Historical
Subject: Young Adult Fiction
Pages: 320
Description: You will be witnessing the young, naïve woman names Abigail Rook who is adventurous. After traveling through Germany and Europe, she arrived in the city of New Fiddleham. She ran out of cash and began looking for a job but was refused at several shops.
Later, she finds R.F. Jackaby’s home, a detective looking for an assistant. They both have different power of observation. Abigail is trained in archeology and paleontology. Having a keen eye for details, she can often notice small things which others may miss.
On the other hand, Jackaby can see supernatural things and sense the presence of magic. When Abigail started working for Jackaby, she found herself in a serial murder case. You will love this mystery with several twists and turns.
You will be sticking to the story as the characters are too fascinating. Abigail adjusts herself to the brand new world of supernatural power is quite amazing. The wittiness of the story will make you roll on the floor with laughter. Grab this amazing book and enjoy the thriller.
Caution: Mild horror, Violence and blood.
14. Virals by Kathy Reichs
Full Title: Virals
Author: Kathy Reichs
Publishing Year: 2010
Genre: Science Fiction
Subject: Young Adult Fiction
Pages: 454
Description: The grandniece of world-famous forensic anthropologist Temperance Brennan named Tory Brennan is an adventurous girl. She is always up for a challenge. She and her friends discovered some strange things in the marshlands of loggerheads island Research Institute.
They rescued a stay wolf puppy dog from a secret lab and were exposed to a rare strain of canine parvo-virus which changed them and their DNA forever. Now, they become Virals which is dangerous to the core. Will they be able to find a cold-blooded murderer? This story sounds like a typical science fiction along with thriller and fun.
The personality and storyline are damn amazing, and you will surely love it. You will be surprised to know that this book is semi werewolf supernatural but with a scientific approach and not a paranormal fantasy.
It is the best book for those who don’t like slow-paced books. This adrenaline jumping book has witness and fun in it. You will love the tomboy and super smart Tory and a sarcastic Jewish boy Hiram while Tory will be the most developed person of their pack. Do give it a try and enjoy this scientific drama.
Caution: Violence is light, bullying
15. Paper Towns by John Green
Full Title: Paper Towns
Author: John Green
Publishing Year: 2014
Genre: Thriller
Subject: Juvenile Fiction
Pages: 305
Description: It is a tale of a quiet Florida teen named Quentin Jacobsen “Q” who has a crush on his popular neighbor Margo Roth. His life turns upside down when Margo climbs his bedroom window seeking his help for a revenge adventure. They spend the evening together getting back at people she feels hurt. Later, Margo went missing, and his friends started following the clues she had left, leading them to a hideout.
They skipped their graduation and went to New York to find Margo, who got upset with them for finding her. Isn’t this strange? I mean, someone has left his graduation to find you, and you are getting upset with him. Margo’s behavior must be some reason that you will get to know by reading this book.
I recommend this book to teenagers. Go and grab this amazing book. You will surely love it.
Caution: Sexual content
16. The Edge of Nowhere
Full Title: The Edge of Nowhere
Author: Elizabeth George
Publishing year: 2013
Genre: Paranormal
Subject: Young adult fiction
Pages: 496
Description: This is the tale of a girl Becca King. She can hear the whispers of thoughts in people’s heads. She heard her father’s thoughts about killing his business partner in San Diego.
Later she was sent by her mother with one of her mother’s friends to run away from her father to an island. But her life takes a U-turn when her mother’s friend dies as she reaches the island. She was left alone on an island to survive. She befriended 18 years old high school dropout named Seth Darrow for her luck. Later, she went to high school, where her life took ups and down and several twists and turns.
You will surely love this teenage story which was written amazingly. The mystery and twists will keep you gripped till the end. Moreover, if you love islands, you will surely like this book. You will be glad to know that this is the first part of this trilogy, and you will have two more amazing books to read.
Caution: Paranormal
17. The Clockwork Scarab
Full Title: The Clockwork Scarab
Author: Collen Gleason
Publishing year: 2013
Genre: Mystery
Subject: Juvenile fiction
Pages: 356
Description: This is the super thrilling novel with several twists and turns. You will love this saga of Evaline Stoker and Mina Holmes, who were never meant to get into the business of family. They are the sisters of Bram and Niece of Sherlock, which means mystery-solving, and vampire hunting flows in their blood. Their life took a turn when two girls of society went missing, and they had to investigate the matter by solving their rivalry.
They will solve the mystery of not one or two but three mysterious gentlemen with only one clue: A strange Egyptian Scarab.
You will surely get the cozy vibes with this thrilling tale having exciting characters. And the fans of Sherlock are going to fall for this book. The twist and turns will keep you engaged till the end, as the ending of this book is quite satisfying. It is the complete combination of science fiction, classic book, steampunk, paranormal, time travel, and ancient gods with two strong female protagonists.
Caution: violence, Vampire, Opium party
Final Words
I hope your stomach is aching now with so much suspense and curiosity. Suspense is the key element of the thriller genre. It develops your mind to create theories, anticipation, and judgment, which any other genre can lack.
It trains you to judge the character of someone and predict future events without trusting someone blindly. Grab all the books line by line and drop your views for my article.
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