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The protagonists of these book series are clue chasers, problem puzzlers, and mystery masters. They can crack any code, they are not afraid of adventure and – if something isn't quite adding up – they're sure to get to the bottom of it, no matter what it takes.
Here are our favourite crime and mystery series for all readers aged 11 and 12.
If you're looking for more recommendations for this age-group, check out our 50 Best Book Series for 11 and 12 year olds.
One of Us is Lying is an addictive YA thriller, set at Bayview High – a high school with many dark secrets. When five students are put into detention, only four come out alive. The victim is Simon, creator of the notorious school gossip app, and his death is no accident. All four survivors have a motive for murder. And one of them is definitely lying. After enthralling readers across the world, the book was adapted into the One of Us is Lying TV series for Netflix in 2021.
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A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson is a bestselling YA crime thriller series that makes for compulsive reading. These addictive murder mysteries, full of twists, cliffhangers and drama, with a teenage super sleuth heroine, will keep you guessing till the last page. Seventeen year old Pip turns detective when she chooses to investigate a local cold case for her final project for school. Determined to find schoolgirl Andie Bell's killer, Pip becomes obsessed with finding the truth and in the process uncovers more secrets than she could have ever imagined... There are three mysteries in the series, and we recommend the books in order.
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Move over Sherlock Holmes, for we've now discovered Enola Holmes, your sister! This brilliant series is perfect for fans of all middle-grade mystery with strong, rebellious female characters taking centre stage. Enola Holmes is a really special character, and not just because she's renowned detective Sherlock Holmes' younger sister. She also has a soft spot for uncovering strange happenings, and in each book in this series she solves a new mystery, from getting to the bottom of the kidnapping of a young marquess to even tracing the famous Dr Watson, her brother's right-hand man, when he goes missing. This series follows Enola's growth in a coming-of-age story, but it also follows the evolution of her relationship with her brother Sherlock, who initially views her as a young lady needing taming, ultimately realising that she is a force to be reckoned with. The series is now a collection of major Netflix films starring Millie Bobby Brown.
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The Skulduggery Pleasant books follow twelve-year-old Stephanie and Skulduggery Pleasant, a skeleton detective, as they as they explore the weird and wonderful magical underworld, fighting the evil forces threatening the world and trying to get justice for Stephanie's uncle’s death.
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Imagine being only thirteen and losing a parent. Imagine having to solve the mystery behind your parent's disappearance. This is exactly what happens to thirteen-year-old Edie Marble, who finds a note from her dead mum in her coat, a note that says only she can bring her mother justice and shed light on her murder. So, Edie becomes an overnight supersleuth, and after solving the case of her mum's death, her detective skills are needed to help others too, as she solves a new mystery in each book that follows.
The High-rise Mystery series follow two sisters called Nik and Norva who live on a council estate in South East London called Tri. Their lives are rather ordinary, but rather strange things happen where they live, and so in each book they must put their detective skills to the test. From uncovering the mystery of their dead art teacher to a famous pop star's 'accident' on the Tri, these two sisters are sure to leave no detail amiss.
Break out of boredom with the world’s coolest teen spy! Genius code cracker, daring detective, special agent for the top-secret SPECTRUM agency and ice-cool in a crisis, Ruby Redfort is not your average thirteen-year-old girl. Ruby has always been special. Since she was a toddler, she has noticed things that others don’t, picking up on clues and mysteries in everyday life. At age 13, she is one of the smartest smart kids and is recruited to crack codes for SPECTRUM. Along with her sidekick butler Hitch, she manages to uncover plenty of crimes and fall headlong into all-action adventure along the way. The Ruby Redfort books are written by bestselling author Lauren Child. Child is most famous for the Charlie and Lola books and TV series and her books have won multiple awards including Smarties Prize (four times), the Kate Greenaway Medal and the Red House Children’s Book Award. Lauren Child first introduced the character of Ruby Redfort in her three award-winning Clarice Bean novels, fans begged her to develop Ruby’s story and a new series was born. There are now six books in the series.
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Ancient codes to crack, riddles to solve and secret messages to decipher are at the very core of this brilliant middle-grade fantasy adventure series, and it all begins with a mysterious manuscript... The Secret Breakers begins with the creation of a group of three very clever kids – Brodie, Hunter and Tusia form Team Veritas, and, as their name suggests, they are very much on the hunt for the truth. Throughout the series, they must find a way to crack the impossible code to an ancient manuscript called MS 408, and during that process they will go on so many adventures. If you're careful enough, you'll even find hidden codes in the books!
A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson (Farshore)
Ali Cross by James Patterson (Arrow)
Don’t Doubt the Rainbow by Anthony Kessel (Crown House)
Embassy Row by Ally Carter (Hachette)
Enola Holmes by Nancy Springer (Hot Key Books)
Heist Society by Ally Carter (Hachette)
High Rise Mystery Series by Sharna Jackson (Knights Of)
Knightley and Son by Rohan Gavin (Bloomsbury)
One of Us is Lying by Karen McManus (Puffin)
Ruby Redford by Lauren Child (HarperCollins)
Sally Lockhart Mystery by Philip Pullman (Scholastic)
Secret Breakers by H.L. Dennis (Hachette)
Skulduggery Pleasant by Derek Landy (HarperCollins)
Young Sherlock Holmes by Andrew Lane (Macmillan)
For more book series for readers aged 11 and 12, do take a look at our:
Best Magical and Fantasy Series for 11 and 12 year olds
Best Adventure book series for ages 11 and 12
Best Scary and Ghost book series for 11 and 12 year olds
Best Funny book series for 11 and 12 year olds
Best Family and Home book series for 11 and 12 year olds
Best Graphic Novel Series for 11 and 12 year olds
Best Non-Fiction Book Series for 11 and 12 year olds
Best Historical Fiction Series for 11 and 12 year olds
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