Top 5 Best Young Adult Murder Mysteries of 2024

Looking for the best young adult murder mystery books? Check out our top picks to satisfy your suspense cravings now!
Truly Devious coverOne of Us Is Lying cover

Finding the perfect book can feel like cracking a tough case. Fear not, as we have a list of the best young adult murder mystery books guaranteed to keep you guessing. We focus on plot twists, relatable characters, and suspenseful storytelling to ensure you have the ultimate page-turning experience. These stories will have you glued to the page, waiting to see who gets unmasked as the culprit. Whether you’re solving mysteries along with the characters or gasping at unexpected revelations, these picks promise a thrilling adventure.

On this list:

5 Truly Devious by Maureen Johnson

Truly Devious cover

  • Genre: Young Adult, Mystery
  • Formats: Hardcover, Kindle, Audio
  • Year released: 2018
  • Pages: 416

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In ‘Truly Devious’, Stevie Bell attends Ellingham Academy, where she faces an unsolved kidnapping from the 1930s. The dual timeline adds to the suspense, and Stevie’s obsession with crime-solving makes this a captivating read. The quirky characters and mysterious setting are a real treat!

4 A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson

  • Genre: Young Adult, Crime, Mystery
  • Formats: Paperback, Kindle, Audio
  • Year released: 2019
  • Pages: 400

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Holly Jackson’s debut keeps you on your toes! Pippa Fitz-Amobi investigates a cold case for her school project. With twists and turns, this suspenseful story will keep you guessing. It’s a modern whodunit that our young sleuths will love.

3 One of Us Is Lying by Karen M. McManus

One of Us Is Lying cover

  • Genre: Young Adult, Thriller, Mystery
  • Formats: Hardcover, Kindle, Audio
  • Year released: 2017
  • Pages: 368

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Think ‘The Breakfast Club’ meets ‘Pretty Little Liars’! When five students enter detention but only four come out alive, the secrets begin unraveling. The mix of suspense and teen drama makes this a popular favorite for mystery fans.

2 The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

The Inheritance Games cover

  • Genre: Young Adult, Mystery, Thriller
  • Formats: Hardcover, Kindle, Audio
  • Year released: 2020
  • Pages: 384

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Avery Grambs unexpectedly inherits a billionaire’s fortune, but there’s a catch! She must live in his mansion full of riddles and puzzles. This book is thrilling, with enough twists to make your head spin. Perfect for fans of intriguing riddles.

1 The Naturals by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

The Naturals cover

  • Genre: Young Adult, Mystery, Thriller
  • Formats: Paperback, Kindle, Audio
  • Year released: 2013
  • Pages: 308

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Oh boy, ‘The Naturals’ takes the cake for us! Why? Because it combines FBI-level intrigue with teen angst in a way that makes it impossible to put down. Cassie, who is a natural-born profiler, joins a top-secret FBI program that trains teens with special abilities to crack cold cases. The stakes are high as they track a real killer lurking closer than expected. The thrilling part is how relatable the characters are, despite the intense situations they face. This book is a rollercoaster of feelings and a masterclass in suspense, which is why we think this is the best of the bunch. It’s a must-read for anyone looking for the best young adult murder mystery books available on Amazon!

Steve Peterson Cartoonified
Steve Peterson

Hi there! I'm Steve Peterson, a passionate reading enthusiast who loves nothing more than getting lost in a good book. My love for literature spans across genres, from thrilling mysteries and gripping fantasy to thought-provoking non-fiction.

I hope my reviews help you find the perfect next book to dive into!