Kid Detectives Crack the Case

Need a clue about what to read next? These mysteries combine clever characters and historical settings that will have you hooked.

In 1826, Mary Shelley, the future author of Frankenstein, and Ada Byron, the world's first computer programmer, combine forces and form a detective agency in The Case of the Missing Moonstone.

Pete imitates his favorite fictional detective, Sam Spade, to figure out why everyone in his 1950's Brooklyn neighborhood thinks his dad's a Communist in Catch You Later, Traitor.

Set in 1850's Chicago, The Detective's Assistant features quick-witted female detective Kitty and her niece Nell, who chase Abe Lincoln's potential assassins. Nell also learns about the Underground Railroad from her friend Jemma, who has fled to Canada with her family to escape slavecatchers. Be sure to check out more about The Detective's Assistant by April's Author of the Month, Kate Hannigan.

You'll find two gripping historical mysteries on 2014's Best of the Best Fiction for Older Readers. Tag along on a high-speed train adventure set in the 1930's in Lantern Sam and the Blue Streak Bandits. Henry assists Sam, a genius talking cat, to find their kidnapped friend Ellie and a valuable stolen necklace.

In spooky Victorian London, horror writer Penelope Treadwell investigates why patients at the local insane asylum are acting so strangely in Twelve Minutes to Midnight. If you like Penelope's story, check out the sequel, The Black Crow Conspiracy.

All of these novels are also available as ebooks. Happy sleuthing!