Secret societies, missing jewels, mysterious islands and children who are considerably better at solving crimes than the adults around them. Welcome to the wonderful world of mystery books.
There is something rather marvellous about opening a book and discovering that, within a few pages, you’ve become involved in a mystery.
One minute you’re sitting comfortably on the sofa.
The next you’re following suspicious footprints, searching an abandoned mansion or trying to work out why somebody has disappeared from a locked room.
And the best part?
You can do all of this without leaving your house.
Morvern Moon is particularly fond of mystery books. Her shelves are crammed with detective stories, strange adventures and tales of remarkable children who refuse to accept that grown-ups know everything.
She has selected eight wonderful books and series for young readers who enjoy puzzles, adventure and a good helping of suspense.
Some are funny. Some are spooky. Others will have you turning pages long after you promised to go to sleep.
So find yourself a comfortable chair.
The investigation is about to begin.
1. Murder Most Unladylike — Robin Stevens
Suggested reading age: 9–12+
Imagine attending a rather strict boarding school where the greatest excitement is supposed to be afternoon tea and the occasional hockey match.
Then somebody discovers a murder.
And suddenly school life becomes considerably more interesting.
In the first book of the Murder Most Unladylike series, Daisy Wells and Hazel Wong establish their own secret detective society.
When Hazel discovers the body of a teacher, only for it to mysteriously disappear, the girls realise they have a very serious investigation on their hands.
The adults aren’t particularly helpful.
Which is unfortunate for the adults, because Daisy and Hazel have absolutely no intention of giving up.
Why Morvern recommends it
This is an excellent choice for readers who enjoy proper detective mysteries, with suspects, motives, clues and clever twists.
The historical boarding-school setting adds atmosphere, while the friendship between Daisy and Hazel gives the stories warmth and humour.
Perfect for: Readers who enjoy traditional whodunnits and solving clues before the detectives do.
Note: The series involves murders and some darker themes, so it is better suited to confident older readers.
2. The Highland Falcon Thief — M. G. Leonard and Sam Sedgman
Suggested reading age: 8–12
A luxurious steam train.
A collection of valuable jewellery.
A mysterious thief.
And two young investigators determined to uncover the truth.
Harrison Beck, known as Hal, is travelling aboard the Highland Falcon, a magnificent steam train making its final journey.
What begins as an exciting railway adventure becomes a mystery when valuable jewels start disappearing.
Together with his new friend Lenny, Hal begins investigating the passengers.
But how do you identify a thief when everybody is travelling on the same train?
Why Morvern recommends it
This book combines an old-fashioned detective adventure with the excitement of a remarkable railway journey.
There are illustrations, intriguing suspects and plenty of opportunities to work out the mystery alongside the characters.
And since the adventure travels through Britain, including Scotland, it feels particularly appropriate for the Raven Room.
Perfect for: Train enthusiasts, puzzle solvers and readers who enjoy fast-moving adventures.
3. The Secret Seven — Enid Blyton
Suggested reading age: 7–10
Every good detective needs somewhere to meet.
For Peter, Janet and their friends, that place is the Secret Seven’s meeting shed.
The group has its own badge, password and rules.
Naturally, they also have an extraordinary talent for finding mysteries.
Whether investigating strange noises, suspicious strangers or unexplained happenings, the Secret Seven are always ready for another adventure.
And unlike some fictional detectives, they occasionally manage to solve a mystery without getting themselves into completely ridiculous situations.
Although not always.
Why Morvern recommends it
The stories are accessible, relatively short and ideal for children beginning to explore detective fiction independently.
The secret-club atmosphere is especially appealing.
Who wouldn’t want a private headquarters and a password?
Perfect for: Younger readers who enjoy friendship, teamwork and gentle mysteries.
These are older stories, so some language and attitudes reflect the period in which they were written.
4. The London Eye Mystery — Siobhan Dowd
Suggested reading age: 9–12+
Ted and his sister Kat are enjoying a visit from their cousin Salim when something extraordinary happens.
Salim boards the London Eye.
The enormous observation wheel completes its rotation.
But when the passengers step off, Salim is nowhere to be seen.
How can somebody disappear from a sealed capsule high above London?
Ted, whose mind works in a particularly analytical way, begins examining the possibilities.
Together with Kat, he attempts to solve a mystery that has baffled the adults.
Why Morvern recommends it
This is a wonderfully unusual detective story that encourages readers to consider evidence, logic and alternative explanations.
Ted’s distinctive way of thinking is central to the investigation, making this a particularly interesting story about different perspectives and problem-solving.
Perfect for: Readers who enjoy clever puzzles, realistic mysteries and unexpected solutions.
5. The Mysterious Benedict Society — Trenton Lee Stewart
Suggested reading age: 9–12+
An unusual newspaper advertisement asks gifted children to complete a series of mysterious tests.
Only a handful succeed.
Those who do are invited to join a secret organisation and undertake an extraordinary mission.
Reynie, Sticky, Kate and Constance discover that intelligence comes in many different forms.
One is brilliant at remembering information.
Another excels at physical challenges.
And all four must learn to work together.
Their mission leads them to a strange institution where something deeply suspicious is happening.
Why Morvern recommends it
This is more than a straightforward detective story.
It’s a clever adventure filled with riddles, codes, unusual characters and questions about trust and independent thinking.
Readers who enjoy solving puzzles will find plenty to keep them occupied.
Perfect for: Curious minds who love secret missions, challenging puzzles and imaginative adventures.
6. The Clockwork Sparrow — Katherine Woodfine
Suggested reading age: 9–12+
London, 1909.
The magnificent Sinclair’s department store is preparing to open its doors.
Inside are luxurious clothes, beautiful jewellery and extraordinary treasures.
But when a priceless clockwork sparrow disappears, shop assistant Sophie Taylor finds herself caught up in a dangerous mystery.
With the help of new friends, Sophie must investigate a world of secrets, suspicious characters and hidden connections.
Why Morvern recommends it
The Edwardian setting is wonderfully atmospheric.
The grand department store, elaborate displays and mysterious theft create the feeling of stepping into another world.
There is also a strong sense of friendship and adventure.
Perfect for: Readers who enjoy historical settings, glamorous locations and exciting mysteries.
7. The House with a Clock in Its Walls — John Bellairs
Suggested reading age: 9–12+
Lewis Barnavelt moves into an old mansion to live with his eccentric uncle.
The house is full of strange objects, peculiar sounds and mysterious rooms.
But the strangest discovery is that a hidden clock is ticking somewhere inside the walls.
And finding it is rather more important than Lewis first imagines.
As Lewis learns about the house and its unusual inhabitants, he becomes involved in a supernatural mystery with potentially frightening consequences.
Why Morvern recommends it
For readers who enjoy their mysteries with a gothic twist, this is an atmospheric adventure.
The mysterious mansion, hidden mechanisms and eerie happenings make it an ideal choice for children who like slightly spooky stories.
Perfect for: Confident readers who enjoy magic, haunted-house atmospheres and supernatural suspense.
This story contains frightening scenes and may not suit children who are easily unsettled.
8. The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes — Arthur Conan Doyle
Suggested reading age: 11–12+ for accessible adaptations; older readers for the original stories
No collection of detective books would be complete without mentioning one of literature’s most famous investigators.
Sherlock Holmes lives at 221B Baker Street in London, where he solves extraordinary cases with his friend Dr Watson.
Holmes is famous for noticing details that other people overlook.
A mark on a shoe, a strange letter or an apparently insignificant object can become the clue that solves an entire mystery.
His adventures have inspired generations of detective writers.
Why Morvern recommends it
Sherlock Holmes demonstrates the importance of observation, logical reasoning and careful examination of evidence.
Although his conclusions are sometimes rather theatrical, his stories helped shape the detective fiction we know today.
Perfect for: Older children who enjoy classic mysteries, clever deductions and historical adventures.
Younger readers may prefer illustrated or abridged children’s editions, as the original Victorian language and some themes can be challenging.
Which Mystery Book Should You Read First?
Not sure where to begin? Morvern has prepared a little reading guide.
| If you enjoy… | Try… |
|---|---|
| Secret clubs and friendships | The Secret Seven |
| Trains and stolen treasures | The Highland Falcon Thief |
| Clever puzzles and logical thinking | The London Eye Mystery |
| Historical detective stories | Murder Most Unladylike |
| Secret missions and unusual challenges | The Mysterious Benedict Society |
| Grand buildings and mysterious thefts | The Clockwork Sparrow |
| Spooky houses and hidden secrets | The House with a Clock in Its Walls |
| Classic detective investigations | Sherlock Holmes |
Five Ways to Become a Better Mystery Reader
Reading detective stories is even more entertaining when you try to solve the mystery yourself.
Morvern has five suggestions.
1. Keep a suspect list
Whenever somebody behaves suspiciously, write down their name and what makes them interesting.
But remember, behaving strangely doesn’t automatically make somebody guilty.
2. Watch for tiny details
Authors sometimes hide important clues in ordinary descriptions.
An object mentioned early in a story might become extremely important later.
3. Make predictions
Before turning the page, ask yourself what you think will happen next.
Don’t worry if your prediction is wrong.
Half the fun is being surprised.
4. Question the obvious suspect
If a character seems suspicious from the very beginning, consider whether the author might be deliberately misleading you.
5. Compare your solution with the ending
When the mystery is revealed, look back at the clues.
Were they fair? Could you have solved it? Did the author cleverly distract you?
This is one of the best ways to understand how mystery stories are constructed.
Create Your Own Raven Room Reading Club
You don’t need dozens of members or a grand meeting room to start a book club.
Two friends and a shared story are quite enough.
Choose a mystery book, agree how much to read and meet to discuss your theories.
You could even keep a special notebook containing your predictions.
Here are a few questions to get your discussions started:
- Which character do you trust most?
- What has been the biggest surprise so far?
- Which clue might become important later?
- What would you do differently from the main detective?
- Would you recommend the book to another reader?
And remember one extremely important rule.
Never reveal the ending to somebody who hasn’t finished the book.
Morvern considers this one of the most serious offences in the entire literary world.
Grayson agrees.
Although he once accidentally revealed the murderer in a detective novel while serving afternoon tea.
He has never been allowed to forget it.
Why Mystery Books Are So Wonderful
Mystery stories do more than entertain us.
They encourage us to notice details, explore different possibilities and think carefully about information.
They also introduce us to unfamiliar places, historical periods and interesting characters.
Some mysteries are solved through scientific knowledge.
Others require an understanding of human behaviour.
And some simply remind us that even the smallest observation can make an enormous difference.
Most importantly, reading allows us to experience extraordinary adventures while developing our imagination.
A book can transport you to a distant country, a forgotten castle or a mysterious boarding school.
All without requiring a passport.
Or Grayson’s permission.
The Next Chapter Is Yours
Back in the Raven Room, Morvern Moon has discovered something peculiar.
An old detective novel has appeared on her desk.
Nobody remembers putting it there.
Inside the front cover is a handwritten message:
Every story contains a secret. The clever ones know where to look.
Morvern turns the page.
A small folded map slips onto the floor.
Somewhere in the corridor, the grandfather clock begins to chime.
Grayson appears in the doorway.
“Miss Moon,” he says, looking rather concerned, “I believe you may have found something that was supposed to remain hidden.”
Morvern smiles.
After all, what’s the point of a good mystery if nobody investigates it?
Happy reading, young detectives. Your next great adventure is waiting between the pages.
The Raven Room — The Scunnered Lady Retreat
For the fed up, the curious and everyone in between.