Books like A Crime for Christmas

A Crime for Christmas by Carolyn Keene reads as festive, adventurous. These 12 books share its genome — matched by how they actually read, not just their shelf label.

What A Crime for Christmas is like to read

A light, brisk teen mystery blending detective-team banter with a Christmas-season romance subplot and a murder attempt to solve. Best for: young fans of classic Nancy Drew/Hardy Boys crossover mysteries wanting a quick holiday-themed adventure.

The Secret of the Old Clock

Carolyn Keene · 1930

A brisk juvenile mystery in which a plucky teen sleuth chases clues to a missing will — light, wholesome, and puzzle-forward.

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The Hardy Boys

Franklin W. Dixon · 2002

A straightforward mystery-adventure featuring two teenage brothers solving local crimes through wit and bravery, emphasizing investigation, teamwork, and problem-solving in their hometown.

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The Mystery of the Spiteful Letters

Enid Blyton · 1949

A gentle, puzzle-driven children's mystery where a group of young friends methodically track down who's sending cruel letters, with cozy small-town texture and low stakes.

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The Gatehouse Mystery

Julie Campbell · 1951

A wholesome, girl-detective mystery where two friends stumble onto a jewel-thief plot in their own backyard — light suspense, brisk pace, and a satisfying, safe resolution.

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The Mystery of the Whispering Mummy

Robert Arthur · 1965

A brisk boy-detective mystery where a spooky mummy legend gets a rational solution, delivered in plain, fast-moving prose aimed at young readers.

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The Mystery of the Galloping Ghost

Kathryn Kenny · 1986

A breezy, wholesome girl-detective adventure where two friends chase ghost rumors and a missing horse on a Minnesota ranch — gentle stakes, brisk plotting, and reassuring camaraderie.

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Cream Buns and Crime

Robin Stevens · 2017

A clever, suspenseful mystery centered on two schoolgirl detectives solving interconnected crimes at their boarding school.

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Schoolhouse Mystery

Gertrude Chandler Warner · 1965

The Alden children uncover a schoolhouse mystery involving hidden passages and historical secrets through methodical investigation, maintaining the series' trademark blend of acces

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Mystery of the green cat

Phyllis A. Whitney · 1957

A gentle, family-centered mystery where four step-siblings work together to unravel an old neighbor's secret tied to a Chinese artifact, blending light detective work with themes of blended-family unity.

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