Best Mystery Books Like Sherlock Holmes (2026): 4 Compared

Every mystery reader has a moment when the canon runs out and the hunt begins for more of the same: clever detection, a loyal narrator, and a case that rewards attention. The best mystery books like Sherlock Holmes come in two flavors, adaptations that make the originals readable for young fans and new pastiches that put Holmes and Watson back on the case. We compared four books by page count, edition, series position and stated reading age.

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The picks

#	Product	Shelf Score	Buy
1	Sherlock Holmes Collection 1	9.7/10	Buy on Amazon
2	Sherlock Holmes Collection 2	9.7/10	Buy on Amazon
3	The Lamplighter's Mystery	9.5/10	Buy on Amazon
4	There's a Murder Afoot	9.5/10	Buy on Amazon

1

Sherlock Holmes Collection 1

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle·9.7/10 Shelf Score

i

The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A 10-book box set of adapted Sherlock Holmes stories, 1432 pages, described as an introduction for children aged 7 and up.

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Pros

• 10 adapted books in one box set
• 1432 pages, the most reading here
• Described as an introduction to classics for ages 7 and up

Cons

• No grade level is stated
• 2019 publication, the older collection
• Adaptations, not the original texts

2

Sherlock Holmes Collection 2

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle·9.7/10 Shelf Score

i

The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A 10-book box set of adapted Sherlock Holmes stories, 1200 pages, with a stated reading age of 9 to 12 years.

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Pros

• Reading age 9 to 12 years and grade 4 to 6 are stated
• 10 adapted books in one box set
• First edition from 2020

Cons

• 1200 pages, fewer than Series 1
• Adaptations, not the original texts
• British English spelling may surprise some readers

3

The Lamplighter's Mystery

Mabel Swift·9.5/10 Shelf Score

i

The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A new Sherlock Holmes and Watson case by Mabel Swift, book 5 of 10 in the series, as a Kindle edition.

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Pros

• Holmes and Watson on a new case, per the description
• Book 5 of 10 in an ongoing series
• 2024 publication, the newest here

Cons

• No reading age is stated
• Kindle edition only in this listing
• Book 5 of 10, so start earlier in the series

4

There's a Murder Afoot

Vicki Delany·9.5/10 Shelf Score

i

The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A cozy bookshop mystery by Vicki Delany, book 5 of 12 in the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop mysteries.

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Pros

• Book 5 of 12 in an established cozy series
• 336 pages from Crooked Lane Books
• Sherlock Holmes convention setting, per the description

Cons

• No reading age is stated
• Book 5 of 12, so start earlier in the series
• 336 pages, the shortest print book here

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More picks to compare

• Sherlock Holmes Collection Boxed SetA boxed set of the complete Holmes stories.Check on Amazon

Compare the picks

Book details as published on each listing, collected 21 October 2026.

How we scored them

The Shelf Score weighs fit for a reader seeking Holmes-like mysteries, contents and edition, value, and the listed reading age or grade level. Two of the four listings give a reading age, one with a grade level. How we pick explains the weights.

Scores run from 9.2 to 9.8: each book’s point total is placed on that range, so more points always means a higher score. Reading age or level counts on a list where at least one listing gives one, and a book whose listing gives none then scores zero on it. Where no listing gives one, the score is taken over the other 85 points. Books carry no warranty, so warranty is not scored.

How to choose the best mystery books like Sherlock Holmes

Adaptations for kids or pastiches for adults

The two Sweet Cherry collections adapt the original stories for children aged 7 and up and 9 to 12, while The Lamplighter’s Mystery and There’s a Murder Afoot are new stories for adult readers. Buy the adaptations for a young fan and the pastiches for yourself. Browse all thrillers and mystery for more.

Check the series position

The Lamplighter’s Mystery is book 5 of 10 in its series and There’s a Murder Afoot is book 5 of 12 in the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop mysteries. Mid-series books assume you know the setup, so start at book 1 if the reader is new. The two collections are self-contained sets of 10 books each.

Edition and format

The Lamplighter’s Mystery here is a Kindle edition, while the other three are print. The Series 2 collection notes it is published in British English, with intentional spelling differences from American English. Format and language are worth confirming before gifting. See mystery books for beginner readers for easier starting points.

Before you buy

• Confirm the reading age: the two collections are for children, the other two are not.
• Check whether the listing is print or Kindle; formats differ here.
• Mid-series books read better after the earlier volumes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a good Sherlock Holmes book for kids?

The Sherlock Holmes Children’s Collection Series 1 scores highest here: 10 adapted books in a 1432-page set from Sweet Cherry Publishing, described as an introduction to the classics for children aged 7 and up.

Are there new Sherlock Holmes stories?

Yes. The Lamplighter’s Mystery by Mabel Swift is book 5 of 10 in a series of new Holmes and Watson cases, published in 2024 as a Kindle edition.

What is the difference between the two children’s collections?

Series 1 is described as an introduction for ages 7 and up with 1432 pages. Series 2 lists a reading age of 9 to 12 years and grade 4 to 6, with 1200 pages in British English.

Still deciding? Our top pickSherlock Holmes Collection 1

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