Great New Mysteries That Will Keep Young Readers on Their Toes

Trapped! by James Ponti
Florian and his best friend Margaret have helped out the FBI before, and when their FBI mentor is accused of a crime, they spring into action again, following a trail of old books and Russian spies around Washington D.C. The detecting in this series is really top notch—Florian and Margaret are great at spotting clues, and the clues are all laid out nicely so that the reader can detect right along with them! From the bowels of the Library of Congress, to car rides pursued by Russian agents, to the Folger Shakespeare Library, with a fun soccer game thrown in, this is a great adventure and a great mystery that will leave readers working on their own powers of observation, just in case the FBI comes knocking….and it’s a great one to read if you’re planning a trip to D.C.

The Great Shelby Holmes and the Coldest Case, by Elizabeth Eulberg
Eleven-year-old John Watson might be a few years older than Shelby Holmes, and considerably taller, but he’s the sidekick in their New York City sleuthing duo. In their latest case, John is forced to join Shelby undercover at the ice-skating rink, where a world-famous figure skater is being thrown off her game by hateful anonymous notes. Neither of the two can skate, but they sure can detect! John, easy going and friendly, is a great foil for obnoxiously smart Shelby, who barely knows that “people skills” are a thing, and their relationship is lots of fun. If you like reading about super smart girls, with a side of obnoxiously confident (so over the top it’s funny), this series is for you!

The Law of Finders Keepers, by Sheila Turnage
The young detectives of Tupelo Landing are up to their necks in mysteries! When a professional treasure hunter comes to town, searching for the pirate Blackbeard’s loot, Mo and her friends are determined to find it first. A search in the attic of the Mayor’s mean old mother starts them off down a twisty path of cryptic clues, but can they out-hunt the professional with his high-tech equipment, and distinct lack of professional ethics (he’s a skunk)? That’s not the only mystery. Mo, found as a baby floating in a disastrous flood, finds new clues about her past that give her hope she can find her mother, and she can’t help but follow them, even though she knows she’s loved right where she is. Tons of excitement, family dramas, and a good old-fashioned treasure await readers!

Sabotage Stage Left, by Casey Lyall
Howard and his friend Ivy have established a pretty successful detective agency, and when Ivy gets involved with the middle school spring musical, Howard is left trying to delegate some of the detecting to new recruits. And when the musical itself becomes the target of a saboteur, Howard has almost more to do than he can handle. But the sabotage is getting increasingly worse, with a potentially fatal attack on one of the actors, and he’s got to crack the case as quickly as possible. Problem is, he’s been framed as the villain, making the investigation even more complicated. Stage-struck kids will appreciate the theatrical details, while any 9-11 year old will find the drama entertaining!

Mistletoe and Murder, by Robin Stevens
It’s the 1930s, and Daisy Wells and Hazel Wong are spending the Christmas holidays at Cambridge University, where young women still can’t get degrees, or hang out at the men’s colleges. But Daisy and Hazel, partners in detection as well as best friends, don’t let that last bit stop them when a mystery threatens to take over their Christmas. When Maudlin College, where Daisy’s brother is a student, becomes a crime scene, they’re determined to crack the case. At first it looks like the dead student met with a terrible accident, but the evidence suggests otherwise, and then when a second student dies, it’s clear that a murderer is loose in the ancient halls of Cambridge! It’s a lovely blend of historical fiction, friendship, and, of course, detection! A perfect Christmas-time read for any smart reader who isn’t put off by a body or two (note for sensitive readers– the corpses are present in the story, but not disgustingly so…)