YA Thriller Books
Over the past few years, there has been a rise in YA thriller books and Mysteries. Jackie and I are completely on board with this trend. Clearly, we are not in the minority, considering that the first-ever pick for the Sunnie Reads Book Club (Reese’s new YA book club) is a YA thriller.
Jackie and I both love a good thriller! We wanted to share the best YA thrillers that we have read. Sometimes, it can be hard to determine which books are worth the hype and which aren’t. That is where we come in. Jackie or I have read every book on this list. We will give you a brief summary and explain our feelings towards the book. This is the perfect way to help you find a book you want to read and enjoy!
The Best YA Thriller Books and Mysteries
Each colorful block below represents the best book in a subgenre. Click on the arrow to reveal my “best” pick in any category. You’ll also be able to use a page jump to see more books in that section.
Best YA Thriller Book
Beth is Dead by Katie Bernet – Jump to Section
Best YA Mystery Books
The Meadowbrook Murders by Jessica Goodman- Jump to Section
*Post contains affiliate links. Purchases made through links result in a small commission to us at no cost to you. Some books have been gifted. All opinions are our own.
Young Adult Thriller Books
Beth is Dead
Author: Katie Bernet
Year: 2026
Genre: YA Thriller
More: January 2026 YA Reese Witherspoon Book Club Pick
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 14+
Plot
This is a retelling of Little Women with a modern thriller twist. When Beth March is found dead, the sisters vow to find her killer. But as they search for who could do such a thing, they realize that there is more than one person who would benefit from her death, including each one of the March girls. Beth’s story is told in flashbacks next to Meg, Jo, and Amy.
Why Kirsten loves it
I’ve always loved Little Women and retellings of older classics are some of my favorite books to read. The thriller aspect gave this story such a unique spin, and I did NOT see the ending coming. I was kept on my toes in the best way with this story.
Why Jackie loves it
This modern retelling of Little Women grabbed me from the first page. Like Kirsten, I did not see the ending coming at all. I loved that the characters stayed true to the original story, but with a modern edge.
Find this book in: Classic Retellings / YA Thriller Books / Reese Witherspoon Book Club List 2026
Kill the Lax Bro
Author: Charlotte Lillie Balogh
Year: 2024
Genre: Historical Thriller
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 14+
Plot
In this ’90s thriller, the students of Hancock High are participating in a lock-in at the school the day before graduation. But before the evening can even begin, lacrosse-playing hotshot Troy is found dead by a group of unlikely friends.
In the flashbacks from the school year, readers learn why each of the people who found him could be a culprit in his murder.
Why Kirsten loves it
I don’t always love teen thrillers because I find adolescents solving mysteries unrealistic, but actually, I found this one to be a delight! They realistically acted like teenagers without being annoying, and all the ’90s references were such fun easter eggs to uncover! I didn’t see the ending coming in the best possible way.
Find this book in: Best Beach Reads 2025 / Historical Thrillers / YA Thriller Books
One of Us is Lying
Author: Karen M. McManus
Year: 2017
Genre: YA Thriller
More info: Named one of the ten best books of the year by Entertainment Weekly
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 14+
Plot
This YA locked room mystery is one of my favorites on the list. It is the breakfast club meets murder and I am obsessed. The Brain, the Beauty, the Criminal, The Athlete, and the Outcast are all in detention together. Only Simon, the outcast, is dead before he can leave the room.
With everyone holding onto secrets and everyone with a motive, can you figure out who did it?
Why Jackie loves it
This is a mystery and psychological thriller wrapped up in one. This is one book where you will not guess the ending.
Find this book in: Best Psychological Thriller Books /Locked Room Mysteries to Die For / Best Mystery Books of All Time / Books with Unreliable Narrators / Books With Numbers in the Title / YA Thriller Books
If Looks Could Kill
Author: Julie Berry
Year: 2025
Genre: YA Historical Fantasy
More info: New York Times bestselling author of Lovely War
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 13+
Plot
Set in 1888 New York, this unique Greek mythology retelling envisions a new version of Medusa, one designed to seek out the most dangerous of men – chief among them, Jack the Ripper.
Told not just by a Medusa, this story is also told by Jack the Ripper, and two Salvation Army women trying to help the underprivileged find salvation. All the aspects collide to create a story unlike any other.
Trigger Warnings
Sexual Assault
Why Kirsten likes it
I didn’t know much about Jack the Ripper before this, but this was a fun introduction to his lore. I found Berry’s use of the Medusae to be unique and a clever use for the story. I’ve never read anything quite like it! #gifted by Simon & Schuster Young Readers.
Find this book in: Greek Mythology Retellings / Fiction Serial Killer Books / Mythology Books / YA Thriller Books
Plot
Hello Dark Academia. Centered around Devon and Chiamaka, the only black students at an elite private school, this is one wild thriller. After being chosen by prefects on the first day of their senior year, Devon and Chiamaka quickly become the targets of the mysterious Aces – a dangerous gossip girl-type character out to ruin their lives.
Trigger Warnings
Racism
Why Kirsten loves it
I was on pins and needles as this thriller unraveled, addressing systemic racism in private institutions in the process.
Find this book in: Books Set in High School / Dark Academia Novels / Stalker Books / Psychological Thriller Books / Fun Books for Teens / Best Books of 2021 / YA Thriller Books
Thieves’ Gambit
Author: Kayvion Lewis
Year: 2023
Genre: YA Thriller
More info: Thieves’ Gambit #1
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 15+
Plot
Ross Quest is a thief. She is one of the best thieves in the world, along with her mother and Aunt. But Ross wants a different life. She plans to leave and live her own life.
When a job goes wrong and Ross’s mom is taken hostage, Ross must join in the Thieves’ gambit- a high-stakes heist against the best in the world to win the ultimate prize. Ross will have to decide if there is anyone she can trust.
Why Jackie loves it
I saw this book and was totally intrigued and let me say …. I was not at all disappointed by this book. It was one of my favorite books of 2023 because I was so invested in the story. What a fast-paced adventure!
Find this book in: Books About Thieves / Fun Books for Teens / YA Thriller Books
Plot
From the minute Logan lays eyes on Delilah, he thinks they are meant to be. He is certain that they are perfect for each other, even though Delilah has no idea who Logan is. He plants a camera to learn everything he can about her because it is romantic, right?
This is one stalker book that is off the charts with its creep factor. There are so many twists and turns as Delilah tries to hold onto her secrets and make Logan let go of his obsession.
Why Jackie likes it
The stalker aspect of this book is creepy, to say the least. It is a YA thriller that is perfect for fans of the Netflix series YOU
Find this book in: Books with Stalkers / YA Thriller Books
The Girl Who Knew Too Much
Author: Tiffany Brooks
Year: 2022
Genre: YA Thriller
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 14+
Plot
When a group of high school students are brought to a deserted island for a reality show like survivor, nothing is at it seems. As the competitors search for a treasure that has been lost long ago, things start to go very wrong on the set. And local curse does say 7 will die before the treasure is found.
Why Jackie loves it
Although this book does not have magic, it does have a deadly game that gave me Hunger Games vibes the minute I read it.
Find this book in: Reality TV Books / Books Like the Hunger Games / YA Thriller Books
YA Mystery Books
The Meadowbrook Murders
Author: Jessica Goodman
Year: 2025
Genre: YA Mystery
More info: From Bestselling author of They Wish They Were Us
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 14+
Plot
When Amy wakes up during senior orientation at her elite boarding school, she’s ready to talk out the fight she had with her roommate and best friend last night. She’s not expecting to find her murdered with her boyfriend in the room next door.
Now, Amy is bunking with Liz, the editor of the student paper who is determined to report on the murders. As Amy tries to grapple with the truth and uncover the secrets her bestie kept from her, she faces the stark reality that her classmates find her to be the prime suspect.
Why Kirsten loves it
I was gripped from the first chapter in this action-packed YA murder mystery. I liked both Liz and Amy as narrators and they brought wildly different perspectives to the case. Highly entertaining and totally suspenseful, this is going to be a top contender in YA fiction this year!
Find this book in: Fun Books for Teens / YA Thriller Books
Plot
Rachel Price disappeared 16 years ago without a trace. Bel, two years old at the time, was found in the abandoned car safe and warm with the engine still running. Now, Rachel and her dad, as well as the rest of the Price family, are doing a documentary about Rachel’s disappearance. Life has never been normal and some still believe Bel’s dad had something to do with Rachel’s disappearance.
Now, in the middle of filming, Rachel comes home. Bel does not believe Rachel’s story about where she has been for the last 16 years.
Why Jackie loves it
The character-building and suspense of this book are fantastic. I love that even though it is written for YA, an adult or even middle grade can read this book and love it. There are twists and turns that feel like natural story development rather than contrived.
Find this book in: Best New Mystery Books of 2024 / Fun Books for Teens / YA Thriller Books
Plot
A group of four friends spends every summer together on a private island. Money, family, love, and an accident lead to secrets and lies. Featuring complex dynamics between friends and family, this story is both a coming-of-age tale and a mystery all in one.
Trigger Warnings
Fire/Fire injury, Child death
Why Jackie loves it
This book was the perfect suspense which I did not expect. Even though I knew that the narrator was unreliable, I still had no idea where this story was going and I didn’t know it was a Shakespeare retelling of King Lear until years after I read it.
Find this book in: Books with Unreliable Narrators / Coming-of-Age Books for Teens / Best Books for a 13-year-old / Fun Books for Teens / Amnesia Books
The Inheritance Games
Author: Jennifer Lynn Barnes
Year: 2020
Genre: YA Mystery
More info: Book 1 of 5: The Inheritance Games
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 14+
Plot
I knew I had to read this YA mystery series after it was compared to one of my favorite middle-grade mystery books, The Westing Game.
In this story, Avery, a poor orphan is told she’s just inherited a billionaire’s fortune. His family is determined to get to the money, but Avery has bigger fish to fry – the riddles and puzzles the deceased Tobias Hawthorne left behind for her to solve. As she teams up with unlikely allies, she’s forced to figure out who is a friend or foe. In order to receive the money, she must follow the clues.
Why Kirsten loves it
I flew through this story and can’t wait to get my hands on the rest of the trilogy!
Why Jackie loves it
I loved everything about this series, from the characters to the plot to the mystery of “why”.
Adaptation Information
Amazon purchased the rights to this book intending to make a TV series with Lionsgate Television. This announcement comes after it had stalled in production.
Find this book in: Books for 13-year-olds / Best Mystery Books for Teens / Best Puzzle Books / Cozy Mystery Books / Fun Books for Teens / Books Becoming TV Series / Best Books About Siblings / Best Books About Siblings
Expert Tip
What is the difference between a YA thriller book or mystery, and an Adult thriller?
- Books that are YA typically have characters between the ages of 14 and 18 years old.
- The books are geared toward readers ages 12+. However, sometimes, we feel that there is content not appropriate for children. Jackie and I include trigger warnings and age recommendations.
- If you are choosing a book for a child, do your due diligence. Do not depend on just one recommendation if your child has triggers. Every child is different, and you are the expert.
- Just because a book is written about younger characters does not mean that adults cannot enjoy these books as well. Jackie and I loved these books!
Frequently Asked Questions
At what age can my child start reading young adult thriller books?
You know your child best. Young adult thriller books are written for children ages twelve and up. Because of the nature of these books, our recommendation is for ages 13+, 14+, and up. You can look at the individual book recommendations to see our thoughts.
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Epilogue
What is your favorite YA fantasy book? Did I include it on this list?
