Seeking recommendations for 12-year-old reader

[Anita]

Hi all,
I'm a new member, and I'm looking for recommendations for mysteries and thrillers that would be suitable for my son, who is 12. He loves watching the Poirot series on PBS, but many of the mystery writers I like best (P.D. James, Kate Atkinson, Dorothy Sayers), would be inappropriate for him right now. I've thought of the Flavia de Luce books, which I enjoyed, but I'm thinking he would like something closer to a "hard-boiled" detective story. I'm embarrassed to say that I've never read the old classics, like Hammett or Chandler, but I suspect they wouldn't work either.
Any ideas would be much appreciated.
Thanks,
Anita

[[deleted user]]

Hi Anita, welcome to the group.

That's a tough one. Girls are easier at the age of 12, I think. My son is now thirteen and has enjoyed reading Agatha Christie (but I'm having a hard time finding other suitable things), so if your son likes watching Poirot, he might enjoy reading them too.

Or you could try The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, if you think he might like "period pieces"; or the Jonathon Argyll series by Iain Pears, The Raphael Affair is the first, (although I don't think it would do for a 12 year old).

I'm sure everyone else will have brilliant suggestions.

Edit to Add: I forgot to suggest Dick Francis! If he's a horse fan, he might like those, although they are a bit dated.

[Rachel]

At that age I was an Agatha Christie addict. I also enjoyed Frost, Morse, and Cadfael (all long series, so plenty to get into if he likes them). I did try some Sayers at that age but found them a bit much.

[stan]

Hi Anita
You cold try the young James Bond books. There was one book that comes to mind when I was young (Emil and the Detectives) and there is a series about a young lad who joins as a midshipman in a spaceship and progresses to become an Admiral this is again a series.

[Donna, Co-Moderator]

I'm still thinking - 12 yr old boys are a challenge - but have you tried posting this question on one of the YA groups here on Goodreads?

[Elizabeth (Alaska)]

I had girls, but it seems to me 12 year old boys are thinking about sex, so if there was just the reference to the attractions of the sexes, but not really anything specific, would that work? I'm thinking Lawrence Block and his Bernie Rhodenbarr series. You might pre-read one of his "Burglar Who" books to see if they'd be OK.

[Dena]

The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart is good. A group of kids solves puzzles and mysteries each using his or her special talents. There are 3 books in the series and they probably should be read in order. My grand-daughter and I are reading them and we both enjoy them.

[[deleted user]]

Donna wrote: "I'm still thinking - 12 yr old boys are a challenge - but have you tried posting this question on one of the YA groups here on Goodreads?"

That's a good idea, Donna. Fiona and Company over at "Wild Things" will certainly have great recommendations:

http://www.goodreads.com/group/show/1...

ETA: Dena, that one looks fabulous!

[Alkmini]

I think he will like "alfred hitchcock and the three detectives" When I was twelve I loved these books...

[Creature]

Hello:
Welcome to the group. Look no farther; The Hardy Boys are great mysteries to start a young person with. They have lots of books and are still publishing new adventures today. Most bookstores have at least a few of them.
Have a Great Day!!!
The "Creature"

[Anita]

Hayes wrote: "Hi Anita, welcome to the group.

That's a tough one. Girls are easier at the age of 12, I think. My son is now thirteen and has enjoyed reading Agatha Christie (but I'm having a hard time finding o..."

Thank you for the ideas, Hayes. For some reason it hadn't occurred to me to that we could try reading some Agatha Christie. :-P Great idea!

He's already read a lot of the Sherlock Holmes stories -- he actually went through a big "Holmes period" a few years ago -- he wore a deerstalker and carried a little plastic pipe everywhere he went. :)

I've never read Iain Pears or Dick Francis -- thanks, I'll take a look at them.

[Anita]

Rachel wrote: "At that age I was an Agatha Christie addict. I also enjoyed Frost, Morse, and Cadfael (all long series, so plenty to get into if he likes them). I did try some Sayers at that age but found them a b..."

Thanks, Rachel. I've never read any Frost, Morse, or Cadfael -- I'll check them out!

[Anita]

stan wrote: "Hi Anita
You cold try the young James Bond books. There was one book that comes to mind when I was young (Emil and the Detectives) and there is a series about a young lad who joins as a midshipman ..."

Thanks, Stan. I'll check them out. He's actually read and enjoyed several books in the Alex Rider series (which are kind of like James Bond books for middle-schoolers), so I think your suggestions might be a good fit.

[Anita]

Donna wrote: "I'm still thinking - 12 yr old boys are a challenge - but have you tried posting this question on one of the YA groups here on Goodreads?"
Thanks, Donna -- great idea!

[Anita]

Elizabeth (Alaska) wrote: "I had girls, but it seems to me 12 year old boys are thinking about sex, so if there was just the reference to the attractions of the sexes, but not really anything specific, would that work? I'm t..."

Thanks, Elizabeth. He's not really there yet -- still more interested in adventure -- but I'll make a note of your suggestions, since we're bound to get there sooner or later, LOL.

[Anita]

Dena wrote: "The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart is good. A group of kids solves puzzles and mysteries each using his or her special talents. There are 3 books in ..."

Hi Dena,
Thanks for the suggestion. He's actually already read these, and really enjoyed them. :)

[Anita]

Alkmini wrote: "I think he will like "alfred hitchcock and the three detectives" When I was twelve I loved these books..."

Thanks, Alkmini -- I'll check them out!

[Anita]

Creature wrote: "Hello:
Welcome to the group. Look no farther; The Hardy Boys are great mysteries to start a young person with. They have lots of books and are still publishing new adventures today. Most book..."
Hi Creature,
I had forgotten about the Hardy Boys! Thanks for the reminder. I remember reading and enjoying a few of them myself when I was a kid, after I'd exhausted all the Nancy Drews!

[Creature]

Hello:
I think overall the Nancy Drew stories were a little better laid out than the Hardy Boys but when you're twelve they're just great, easy to read, stories. I still read them when I find ones I haven't read before.
Have a Great Day!!!
The "Creature"

[Martina]

Anita wrote: "Hi all,
I'm a new member, and I'm looking for recommendations for mysteries and thrillers that would be suitable for my son, who is 12. >
A terrific YA mystery series is written by Blue Balliett. It's great for adults too. She won an Edgar, I think, for the one with 'Vermeer' in the title. Main characters are a boy and a girl. Another is 'The Wright 3', featuring Frank Lloyd Wright. There's lots of fun and interesting material and the boy loves to play Pentanimos...

[Joe]

Anita wrote: "Hi all,
I'm a new member, and I'm looking for recommendations for mysteries and thrillers that would be suitable for my son, who is 12. He loves watching the Poirot series on PBS, but many of the ..."

I really enjoyed James Patterson's "Angel" series of books (i.e. Maximum Ride). There are several books in the series and they are targeted to young people. They are perhaps better categorized as Fantasy but, likely a great read for a twelve year old!

[Rebecca]

Dena wrote: "The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart is good. A group of kids solves puzzles and mysteries each using his or her special talents. There are 3 books in ..."

I read the first book and I enjoyed it (but I am not, nor have I ever been, a 12 year old boy). I would recommend it also.

I loved nancy drew when I was 12. So maybe (if he doesnt want to read about a girl) he can read the hardy boys? I am talking about this edition... or

I didnt like the newer stuff (actually the older it was the better. But most of the older editions are out of print.) But he may like the newer books. I did enjoy

@Martina- I think this is the book?
i really liked it when I read it.

I also love Agatha Christie's books (poirot and miss marple) and I recommend them if he can read somethinf that is not modern

[Martina]

Rebecca wrote: "@Martina- I think this is the book?"

That's it. Chasing Vermeer. I loved it.

[Judy]

Your son may also enjoy the Inkheart, Inkdeath and Inkspell ones.

[Elizabeth (Alaska)]

I've recently become aware of this series:

Brumby Plains, which is written specifically for the 10-14 age group. At this time they are not for sale in the US, but if you could find a copy, it's probably right for your request.

ETA: I see a listing at Amazon and they are available for free shipping with the adequate purchase. ;-)

[Elizabeth]

Anita wrote: "Hi all,
I'm a new member, and I'm looking for recommendations for mysteries and thrillers that would be suitable for my son, who is 12. He loves watching the Poirot series on PBS, but many of the ..."

I know you said he went through a Holmes period, but if he still likes him, how about Laurie R. King's Mary Russell series? It begins with The Beekeeper's Apprentice. There is no sex that I can think of, no cursing either, to the best of my recollection. The violence is minimal. Or maybe Elizabeth Peter's Amelia Peabody series?
Crocodile on the Sandbank
I also loved The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin..I even read it when I was about 11, I think.

[Jannene]

Does he just like mysteries? I got my nephew hooked on the "Ranger Apprentice" series by John Flanagan. It is so good! I actually read them as well...my nephew is 12 years old too. ;)

[Geevee]

Hi Anita,
People have made some very good recommendations so here's some that I hope will add to that list, especially as I read them as a young lad:
by John Buchan which includes the 39 Steps, Greenmantle, and Mr Standfast.

and by Robert Louis Stevenson

by Captain W .E. Johns

by John Meade Falkner

and I know she's not popular with everyone but I loved
by Enid Blyton

[Dave]

Hi Anita, When I was his age I really got into the following:
Perry Mason series by Erle Stanley Gardner.
Hercule Poirot by Agatha Christie
Nero Wolfe mysteries by Rex Stout.

Good luck

[Bea]

Dave beat me to it! I was just thinking the Nero Wolfe series would be perfect. Archie Goodwin is the best, and I imagine would be very appealing to a 12-year-old. I've had a crush on him for more years that that.

[Readingcureall]

It is not a thriller or mystery but have you seen the My Side of the Mountain Trilogy.I am reading it with my girls 12 and yrs. It was the book that got me reading. I hated to read until this book when I was a kid. My girls also love the American girl books. But again not a mystery sorry if that is no help.

[The Pirate Ghost]

and this was also a goodc ompliment to the Hardy Boys

Tom Swift and His Airshipby Victor Appleton

Fun, safe stories.

[Wendy]

Geevee wrote: "Hi Anita,
People have made some very good recommendations so here's some that I hope will add to that list, especially as I read them as a young lad:
[bookcover:The Adventures of Richard Hannay|144..."

Enid Blyton is REALLY good idea if you can find them. I live in the US so its hard. However they ARE very dated. If he can get past that, there are multiple series by her and equally good for both sexes.

[Wendy]

Readingcureall wrote: "It is not a thriller or mystery but have you seen the My Side of the Mountain Trilogy.I am reading it with my girls 12 and yrs. It was the book that got me reading. I hated to read unt..."

ooooh, there's a 3rd?!!!

[The Pirate Ghost]

the Adventures of Tin Tin may be good reading for him. Especially since there's an animated moving getting play now.