OG Nancy Drew fan? New fan of Nancy Drew on the CW? Nancy first made her appearance in 1930, making her a feminist icon before her time. Here’s a list of the Best YA mystery books for Nancy Drew fans, all featuring fearless female detectives. Updated in 2026!
Ah, Nancy Drew. She had that blue convertible, perfect hair, a cute boyfriend, and loyal friends. But she was also independent, confident, and smart. Here’s a list of YA books featuring female detectives in the Nancy Drew mold.
This list contains affiliate links.
BEST YA MYSTERY BOOKS FOR NANCY DREW FANS:
In Case I Go Missing by R.N. Swann (2026)
Fenris “Fenny” and her best friend, Sam, search for Sarah, a member of their Scooby gang who went missing while trying to solve an unsolved mystery. Sam and Fenny comb through Sarah’s investigation notebook trying to figure out where she went, and why. Or what happened to her.
The Agathas series by Kathleen Glasgow and Liz Lawson (2023 and 2024)
A little bit Veronica Mars, a little bit Agatha Christie, a little bit Nancy Drew, you’ll love this story of a popular girl and an outcast teaming up to solve a murder!
Check out my review of The Agathas here and I also reviewed the sequel, The Night in Question.
The Black Queen by Jumata Emill (2023)
When her best friend (the school’s first Black prom queen) ends up dead, Duchess knows she needs to find justice.
Check out my Black Queen review on my YA sister site, YA All Day!
A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson (2021)
Pip needs a senior project, so she sets out to prove that a local murder isn’t what it seems. A FANTASTIC YA mystery trilogy with so many Nancy Drew vibes.
Check out my full guide to the Good Girls Guide here!
Murder on a School Night by Kate Weston (2023)
This comic mystery is an updated version of Heathers, the satiric 1990s movie, crossed with the movie Booksmart.
Really funny – read my review of Murder on a School Night here!
Best YA Mysteries from the 2010s
The 2010s was a golden age of YA and also a great time for YA Mysteries, so don’t sleep on these!
The Body Finder series by Kimberly Derting
This YA mystery series is a little bit paranormal, featuring a girl who can sense the dead … and a surprisingly steamy romance.
Find Me by Romily Bernard
Foster kid (and hacker) Wick sets out to prove that a girl’s suicide is actually a murder.
You can read my review of Find me here!
God Smites and Other Muslim Girl Problems by Ishara Deen
A good Muslim girl goes for a secret walk in the woods with her crush and they stumble on a dead body.
Hemlock by Kathleen Peacock (2013)
Yes, this is a werewolf book, but also a story about a girl trying to solve her best friend’s murder.
Read my review of the entire Hemlock trilogy here!
Monday’s Not Coming by Tiffany D. Jackson (2019)
Claudia’s friend is missing and she’s the only one who seems worried.
HIGHLY recommend this reader favorite!
Scarlett Undercover by Jennifer Latham
Scarlett runs her own detective agency and agrees to take on a case of a suicide that might be murder.
Check out my Scarlett Undercover review!
Shade Me series by Jennifer Brown
A girl with synesthesia gets drawn into a murder of a Jane Doe – free on Kindle Unlimited!
This is Our Story by Ashley Elston
Five boys went hunting but only four came back. Kate uses her internship at the DA’s office to investigate.
YES this is the same Ashley Elston who wrote First Lie Wins and Anatomy of an Alibi!
Have you read these or do you have any others to add? Tell me in comments.
Also check out my Best YA Mystery Books – a Definitive List, featuring lists of YA mysteries inspired by Sherlock Holmes, CSI, and more!
Monday’s Not Coming is high on my tbr and I need to read that one! I also remember hearing such good things about Shade Me when it came out but then forgot about it – thanks for the reminder as it sounds right up my alley.
Shade me was interesting. It is not for everyone (the synesthesia makes the book a little trippy) but I really really liked it!
I don’t read a ton of mysteries, but Monday is on my TBR, because I think Jackson’s books are great. She really wowed me with Allegedly. Good Girl’ Guide and This is Our Story have been on my radar for a while too, but the Deen book, which I had never heard of, sounds fun. Too bad the series didn’t happen.
Mysteries are my thing!! Just finished Good Girl’s Guide. I guessed the murderer right off (bummer).
I have not yet read Monday and am DYING to get my hands on the Deen – sad that this book didn’t get more traction but hope this post helps!
I love a good mystery! I like The Body Finder and Find Me too. Always meant to read Hemlock but never got a chance to.
Hemlock was sort of Veronica Mars x Oz from Buffy. If you like paranormal romance, try it!