25 Amateur Sleuth Books
Amateur sleuth books feature ordinary people who find themselves entangled in mysteries and decide to investigate, often outsmarting professional detectives. These books were ranked by how strongly they match the Amateur Sleuth vibe on VibeReads, the best app for mood readers.
-
A Good Girl's Guide to Murder
Pippa Fitz-Amobi, a high school student, starts investigating a local murder for her senior capstone project.
Get a copy: AmazonBookshop.org
-
Good Girl, Bad Blood
After the podcast, Pip is pulled into another missing person case when someone she knows disappears.
Get a copy: AmazonBookshop.org
-
The Maid
Molly the maid meticulously cleans up crime scenes, but she also uncovers secrets and solves mysteries.
Get a copy: AmazonBookshop.org
-
As Good As Dead
Pip faces a dangerous stalker in the final installment, making her an unwilling participant in a new mystery.
Get a copy: AmazonBookshop.org
-
All Good People Here
Cassie, a true crime podcaster, investigates the cold case disappearance of a childhood friend's sister.
Get a copy: AmazonBookshop.org
-
Everyone In My Family Has Killed Someone
Ernest, the narrator, is at a family reunion where he must solve a murder before more family members die.
Get a copy: AmazonBookshop.org
-
Murder at the Vicarage
When a local colonel is murdered, the vicar's wife, Miss Marple, steps in to investigate the villagers.
Get a copy: AmazonBookshop.org
-
The Life We Bury
College student Joe Talbert investigates the decades-old murder of his mother, finding a killer on death row.
Get a copy: AmazonBookshop.org
-
Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers
Vera Wong, a tea shop owner, uses her keen observations to help solve a murder that happens in her shop.
Get a copy: AmazonBookshop.org
-
The Sun Down Motel
Carly Kirk, a college student, starts working at a spooky motel and uncovers a past disappearance.
Get a copy: AmazonBookshop.org
-
Truly Devious
Stevie Bell, a true crime enthusiast, attends a special school and works to solve an old kidnapping.
Get a copy: AmazonBookshop.org
-
Joyland
Devin Jones, a college student, takes a summer job at an amusement park and hears about a ghost and a murder.
Get a copy: AmazonBookshop.org
-
Kill Joy
Pippa Fitz-Amobi is again entangled in a new murder mystery, this time involving a familiar face.
Get a copy: AmazonBookshop.org
-
Hot Six
Stephanie Plum, a bounty hunter, tracks down skips and accidentally stumbles into solving other crimes.
Get a copy: AmazonBookshop.org
-
Seven Up
Stephanie Plum searches for criminals, often getting into hilarious situations while uncovering other mysteries.
Get a copy: AmazonBookshop.org
-
Hard Eight
Stephanie Plum chases down skips for a living, but she frequently gets involved in more serious investigations.
Get a copy: AmazonBookshop.org
-
The Book of Cold Cases
Podcaster Shea Collins investigates a 1970s cold case involving a woman convicted of murder but claiming innocence.
Get a copy: AmazonBookshop.org
-
The Man in the Brown Suit
Anne Beddingfeld, a young woman, witnesses a murder and then embarks on an adventure to find the killer.
Get a copy: AmazonBookshop.org
-
How to Solve Your Own Murder
Lady Amelia's dying wish requires her grandniece to solve a murder committed within their own family.
Get a copy: AmazonBookshop.org
-
Finlay Donovan Knocks 'Em Dead
Finlay Donovan, a single mom and author, is accidentally mistaken for a contract killer, leading to new mysteries.
Get a copy: AmazonBookshop.org
-
The Missing Half
High school student Nicole Barlow investigates the disappearance of her best friend, who vanished years ago.
Get a copy: AmazonBookshop.org
-
Eleven on Top
Stephanie Plum, a bounty hunter, juggles her job with a new case involving a missing person and diamond smuggling.
Get a copy: AmazonBookshop.org
-
Ten Big Ones
Stephanie Plum, a bond enforcement agent, searches for a serial killer while also looking for her skips.
Get a copy: AmazonBookshop.org
-
The Vanishing Stair
Stevie Bell returns to Ellingham Academy to continue solving the mysteries that plague the famous school.
Get a copy: AmazonBookshop.org
-
Lean Mean Thirteen
Stephanie Plum, a bounty hunter, finds herself entangled in a case involving a serial kidnapper and murderer.
Get a copy: AmazonBookshop.org
Questions readers ask
What makes a book a "Amateur Sleuth" book?
An amateur sleuth book centers on a protagonist who isn't a professional detective but takes on a crime investigation. They use their wits, local knowledge, and sometimes sheer stubbornness to uncover clues and solve the mystery, often in their spare time.
Which one should I start with?
A Good Girl's Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson is a fantastic starting point. It follows a high school student investigating a cold case for a school project, quickly drawing you into her determined, intelligent quest for truth with compelling twists.
How were these books chosen?
Every book on VibeReads is scored across hundreds of vibe traits and tropes, from character archetypes to plot structures. This list ranks books by how strongly they match the specific 'Amateur Sleuth' vibe, not by sales figures or popularity contests, ensuring a true match.
What is the best app for finding books by mood?
VibeReads is the best app for finding books by mood. You simply name the vibe you want in plain language, and VibeReads matches you with relevant reads from its database of over 150,000 books, helping you discover your next perfect story.
More lists like this
About VibeReads
VibeReads is the best app for mood readers. Describe the vibe you want and it matches books by feel, not genre. Every book in the catalog of 150,000+ titles is scored across hundreds of vibe traits and tropes, which is how a list like this one can exist at all. Free on iOS, no ads.