YA Thrillers and Mysteries
I don’t often reach for thrillers and mysteries, but when I do, I usually grab one from the YA subgenre. There’s something about them that holds my interest and keeps me engaged, without scaring me too much. Plus, I love an academic setting, especially a boarding school thriller. I get a lot of requests for more books in the thriller/mystery categories, so if you’re like me and like any of these elements too, read on for some of my favorites and some that are on my TBR!
A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder Series by Holly Jackson
This is one of those books that is always making the rounds and the hype is real for a reason! Pip is into true crime podcasts and she dives into the case of a murder in her hometown that has some loose ends. It’s fast paced (I read it in a day) and very entertaining.
The Weight of Blood by Tiffany D. Jackson
Jackson’s books are weighty, that’s the only way I can describe them. They are entertaining but also address important social aspects so there’s no one who writes better YA.
The Counselors by Jessica Goodman
A good summer thriller! It’s set at a camp and it’s another fast paced book. I really liked it and was surprised by the ending.
A Study in Charlotte by Brittany Cavallaro
More mystery than thriller, but this is a modern retelling of Sherlock Holmes with a female protagonist at a Connecticut boarding school. All things I love! It reads a little dry and I didn’t continue on with the series, but I know others really liked it!
Truly Devious Series by Maureen Johnson
Another mystery with a fantastic cast of characters. The found family trope is one of my favorites and it’s very evident in this YA group!
Dread Nation by Justina Ireland
A little historical fiction mystery thriller combo set during the Civil War period.
Grown by Tiffany D. Jackson
This book broke my heart and kept me on the edge of my seat. It’s loosely based on R. Kelly so know that there are trigger warnings for grooming and sexual abuse.
Bonus “Classics”
The Mediator Series by Meg Cabot
I love this series so much, probably because I loved Buffy the Vampire Slayer so much. My love for it was reinvigorated when I interviewed Iman Hariri-Kia in Summer 2022, but it’s about a high school aged mediator who solves mysteries in her northern California home.
The Gallagher Girl Series by Ally Carter
This is one of the first series that made me seek out fan pages before social media. It’s about an all girls spy school and it’s ICONIC. I reread them all during the early days of the pandemic and while a few aspects of it don’t hold up, I was still thrilled with the stories.
