Crime fiction books for teens
Crime novels for teens with contemporary and classic detective fiction, murder thrillers and complete criminal characters. This list contains over 30 titles to spark the reader into joining the dots, unravelling plot twists and determining the villain. There’s a range of murder mysteries, true crime, podcast sleuthing, internet & tech violations, dystopian legal stories, TikTok fueled dramas, online hate stories, gang culture novels and whodunnits – suitable for KS3, KS4 and KS5 school libraries, reading at home and teaching to KS3 and KS4 classes. This list features books by Tia Fisher, Robert Muchamore, Ashley Hickson-Lovence, Maureen Johnson, Ben Oliver, Karen M. McManus, Cynthia Murphy and Holly Jackson.
Crime fiction books for teens – our recommendations
Suddenly A Murder by Lauren Muñoz. 
Rock, Paper, Killers by Alexia Mason. 
The Naturals by Jennifer Lynn Barnes. All the Hidden Monsters by Amie Jordan
Seemingly ordinary girl Sage, who is also a werewolf, finds herself drawn into a murder investigation when her supernatural friend, Lucy, is killed. Can Sage use her unique abilities to unravel the mystery and impress the handsome investigator warlock Oren Rinallis? Blending human and magical worlds the engaging characters, strong chemistry, and seamless world-building make this mystery an immersive hit. We think KS4 fans of supernatural thrillers will eagerly anticipate the next instalment.
Crossing the Line by Tia Fisher
Written in verse, this gritty and visceral narrative follows teenage Erik who juggles a difficult home life, school work, and the consequences of being groomed by and owing money to a dangerous county lines gang. Crossing the Line is a memorable story of manipulation that will be useful to read and discuss alongside anti-exploitation resources in PSHE and book clubs. Highly recommended – read our full review.
Murder on a School Night by Kate Weston. 
A Game of Life Or Death by Triona Campbell. 
Something Terrible Happened Last Night by Sam Blake. Robin Hood: Ballots, Blasts & Betrayal by Robert Muchamore
In this latest instalment by Robert Muchamore, teen rebel Robin Hood faces off against corrupt forces bent on rigging an election in a battle to secure political justice. This is a great book to facilitate discussion. Less confident teen readers will love the accessible plot, fast action and gripping dialogue.
Firekeeper’s Daughter by Angeline Boulley
Daunis Fontaine observed a crime and when she agreed to go undercover, she had no idea how her world would disintegrate. Teen fans of crime podcasts will adore this multi-award-winning and gripping thriller about how 18-year-old Daunis bravely confronts corruption at the heart of her community. This rich and engaging novel with Native American cultural references and history, will stay with readers long after the first read.
Smart by Kim Slater. 
Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer. 
The Murder Game by Carrie Doyle. Wild East by Ashley Hickson-Lovence
14-year-old Ronny struggles as one of the few Black teens in a nearly all-white Norwich secondary. Facing new challenges after a tragedy prompts a move from East London to East Anglia, Ronny grapples with identity and ambition, finding solace and inspiration in poetry and rap. A highly accessible YA verse novel, it explores themes of city gangs, knife crime, the dangers of drugs, self-expression, and resilience, offering a relatable narrative with contemporary flair. Highly recommended for KS4.
Nine Liars by Maureen Johnson
Stevie and her gang of amateur sleuth friends travel to London to solve a perplexing cold case from 1995. When nine Cambridge graduate friends partied late into the night, only seven of them remain alive the next day. And years later, the murderer might still be active. With a simple and addictively engaging premise – ‘When Everyone Lies, Somebody Dies’, Maureen Johnson weaves a tightly plotted and unputdownable story. A compelling read for KS4 and KS5 students.
Playing with Fire by Sherry D. Ficklin. 
How to Find a Missing Girl by Victoria Wlosok. 
I Know You Did It by Sue Wallman. The Loop by Ben Oliver
Luka Kane is falsely accused of a crime and faces a grim fate in The Loop, a brutal and hi-tech juvenile prison. In this page-turning dark dystopia, he battles to survive and uses the prison’s sinister secrets to spark a daring rebellion against a society dominated by surveillance and control. It’s ideal for sparking debate in book clubs.
One of Us Is Lying by Karen M. McManus
In the deliciously twisted world of Bayview High, four students with dark secrets find themselves suspects in a murder when a fellow classmate dies during detention. As the plot unfolds, alliances shift, secrets unravel, and lies abound. It’s an electrifying thriller that will keep teen readers guessing until the final page.
Signed Sealed Dead by Cynthia Murphy
True crime enthusiast Paige Murphy travels transatlantic to her father’s unsettling hometown, only to unearth a chilling past of unsolved murders and disappearances. As she discovers the house’s secrets, Paige stumbles upon a hidden diary – perhaps the key to solving a decades-old mystery. This genuinely thrilling page-turner will appeal to teens who enjoy mystery and crime.
A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson. 
Ten Fifty-Seven by M. K Lazar. 
After the First Death by Robert Cormier. This Book Kills by Ravena Guron
Jess Choudhary has always tried to be on her best behaviour. As one of only two scholarship students at the prestigious Heybuckle boarding school, she knows that her position is precarious. With a fast-paced plot and a satisfying ending, This Book Kills would appeal to fans of Gossip Girl and Holly Jackson’s A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder. Read our full review.
Enola Holmes: The Case of the Missing Marquess by Nancy Springer
In this gripping mystery set in the Victorian East End, Enola Holmes follows in her famous brother’s footsteps to turn detective and help find her missing mother. Atmospheric and fast-moving, The Case of the Missing Marquess is a short and satisfying middle-grade novel that will be an easier read for less confident teens. It’s also available as a Netflix film.
The Boxer by Nikesh Shukla. 
Orangeboy by Patrice Lawrence. 
Lies Like Poison by Chelsea Pitcher. Needle by Patrice Lawrence
Charlene needs her knitting. It takes her mind off being in care. But when a heated argument leads to her stabbing her foster brother with a knitting needle, her whole life unravels in the criminal justice system. Should she apologize, even if she doesn’t mean it, to help secure her freedom? This emotional story takes a deep dive into the foster care system and how children struggle. Highlighting themes of racial bias and justice, ‘Needle’ is ideal for KS4 book club discussion.
Catch Your Death by Ravena Guron
Stranded in a snowstorm, three teens find themselves in the middle of a murder plot at Bramble Estate. Are they snowed in with a killer? How much danger are they in? This taut, twisty and compelling YA thriller, narrated separately by Devi, Lizzie, and Jayne, blends classic suspense with modern gaslighting in a clue-ridden plot. 12+ readers who like puzzles from cluedo to whodunnit podcasts will love this clever murder mystery that appeals to analytical minds and features an ending no one will see coming. Catch Your Death is highly recommended for secondary school libraries.
You’ll Be the Death of Me by Karen M. McManus
Skipping school for one last time, three high school friends – Ivy, Mateo, and Cal – spot another student from Carlton High and follow him. The next thing they know, he’s dead! They are all hiding something – but what? This absorbing, fast-paced web of secrets and danger features a signature Karen M. McManus ending. It’s a gripping YA crime thriller.
A Dark Inheritance by H. F. Askwith. 
Batman by Marie Lu. 
Liccle Bit by Alex Wheatle. Click the buttons below to purchase all of the books in this teen crime fiction list, as well as class sets of any of these books and many more, from Bookshop.org UK. Or buy the 20 most popular titles from this list from Amazon – ideal for gifts or your classroom library.
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Teen crime and crime fiction resources for teachers
- The Ben Kinsella Trust offers a free set of resources for teachers and practitioners that cover knife crime, with lesson plans, posters and downloads for KS3 and KS4.
- NSPCC’s page on youth criminal exploitation and gangs includes answers to common questions and explains common scenarios. A useful resource for PSHE discussion and book clubs. h
- Author Tia Fisher has created a range of resources and downloads to accompany her book Crossing The Line. These include invaluable pre and post reading activities, discussion points, personal writing ideas and empathy activities. Highly recommended.
- Safe4Me’s ‘Fearless’ resource is a goldmine of ideas for secondary teachers. Focussing on the perception of crime, Fearless explains the rationale behind Crimestoppers by examining the effects of vandalism, graffiti, arson, drugs, car crimes theft, knife crime and assault.
- The PSHE Association’s preventing involvement in crime download includes lesson plans and activities that cover coercive relationships, organised crime, and how to seek support.
- The Teaching Factory’s murder mystery lesson plan offers English teachers lots of starting points to develop a classroom or year group murder mystery – focussing on critical thinking skills, silent debate and finding supporting evidence. It’s a great alternative comprehension skills exercise.
- This listening skills crime scene activity from Teaching English will keep your students glued for clues and evidence. It’s ideal for building character descriptions, empathy skills and discussing evidence.
- If your classes hate comprehension tasks and loathe finding quotation evidence to support essay points, these mock trial activity packs provide a practical and contemporary point and rationale to this essential literature exam skill. Sign up for a comprehensive three-session pack.
