Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, Bookish Wisdom earns from qualifying purchases. This doesn't change our picks or your price.
Quick answer: If you liked Ace of Spades, try One of Us Is Lying, A Good Girl's Guide to Murder, Truly Devious, Dear Martin, The Hate U Give and Slay. They are twisty teen thrillers with strong social themes.
Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé's 2021 thriller follows Devon and Chiamaka, two Black students at an elite prep school who are targeted by an anonymous texter called Aces. It blends mystery, racism and ambition. Readers who finish it want more dark academia and YA thrillers with substance. These 15 books deliver. Some contain violence and racism.
Table of Contents
Quick Picks at a Glance
| Book | Author | Ages | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Where Sleeping Girls Lie | Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé | 14+ | more by the same author |
| One of Us Is Lying | Karen M. McManus | 13+ | readers who like many suspects |
| Two Can Keep a Secret | Karen M. McManus | 13+ | readers who like small-town mystery |
| A Good Girl's Guide to Murder | Holly Jackson | 14+ | readers who like amateur detectives |
| Truly Devious | Maureen Johnson | 13+ | cold-case fans |
| Dear Martin | Nic Stone | 14+ | readers who want a hard-hitting story |
| The Hate U Give | Angie Thomas | 14+ | readers who want a modern classic |
| Slay | Brittney Morris | 14+ | gamers |
| The Inheritance Games | Jennifer Lynn Barnes | 13+ | readers who like puzzles |
| We Were Liars | E. Lockhart | 13+ | readers who like twist endings |
| The Cheerleaders | Kara Thomas | 14+ | readers who like creepy secrets |
| Pretty Little Liars | Sara Shepard | 14+ | TV fans |
| Gossip Girl | Cecily von Ziegesar | 14+ | readers who like glamorous drama |
| If We Were Villains | M.L. Rio | Adult | older readers who like dark academia |
| Ghost Boys | Jewell Parker Rhodes | 10-14 | younger readers |
1. Where Sleeping Girls Lie by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé
The author's next thriller, set at a boarding school with a missing girl. Another twisty read.
Best for: more by the same author.
2. One of Us Is Lying by Karen M. McManus
Five students enter detention, and one dies. Each has a secret.
Best for: readers who like many suspects.
3. Two Can Keep a Secret by Karen M. McManus
Ellery returns to a town where her aunt vanished. Twisty and atmospheric.
Best for: readers who like small-town mystery.
4. A Good Girl's Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson
Pip investigates a murder that was closed five years ago. Twisty and fast.
Best for: readers who like amateur detectives.
5. Truly Devious by Maureen Johnson
Stevie Bell investigates a cold case at an elite boarding school. Clever and funny.
Best for: cold-case fans.
6. Dear Martin by Nic Stone
Justyce writes letters to Dr. King after a violent encounter with police. Short and gripping.
Best for: readers who want a hard-hitting story.
7. The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
Starr witnesses the shooting of her friend by a police officer and decides to speak up. A powerful novel.
Best for: readers who want a modern classic.
8. Slay by Brittney Morris
Kiera creates a Black-only online game and defends it when a murder links to it. Fast and timely.
Best for: gamers.
9. The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
Avery Grambs inherits a billionaire's fortune and a puzzle-filled mansion. Fast and fun.
Best for: readers who like puzzles.
10. We Were Liars by E. Lockhart
Cadence tries to remember what happened on her family's island. Short and twisty.
Best for: readers who like twist endings.
11. The Cheerleaders by Kara Thomas
Five years after five cheerleaders died, Monica doubts the story. Dark and gripping.
Best for: readers who like creepy secrets.
12. Pretty Little Liars by Sara Shepard
Four friends are stalked by someone who knows their secrets. Soapy and addictive.
Best for: TV fans.
13. Gossip Girl by Cecily von Ziegesar
The wealthy teens of Manhattan's Upper East Side face drama. Glossy and gossipy.
Best for: readers who like glamorous drama.
14. If We Were Villains by M.L. Rio
Seven Shakespeare actors at an elite arts college face a death. Dramatic and quotable.
Best for: older readers who like dark academia.
15. Ghost Boys by Jewell Parker Rhodes
Jerome, a twelve-year-old Black boy, is killed by a police officer and becomes a ghost. Serious and moving.
Best for: younger readers.
How to Choose
For a sequel-style experience, read Where Sleeping Girls Lie. For school mysteries, try One of Us Is Lying or Truly Devious. For social issues, read Dear Martin, The Hate U Give or Slay. For puzzles, choose The Inheritance Games. A simple plan is to alternate a mystery with a social-issue novel. Some books involve racism, so read with care. A good reading plan is to start with a puzzle mystery, then move to a social-issue novel, and end with a lighter thriller like The Inheritance Games. Many of these have strong audiobook casts that make the twists more fun.
Related: 15 Books Like Wings of Fire Kids Will Love: Dragons, Quests and Animal Adventures · 12 Dystopian Books Like the Hunger Games | Best Books to Read Like Hunger Games
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Ace of Spades about?
Two Black students at an elite school are blackmailed by an anonymous texter who exposes their secrets.
Is it a standalone?
Yes, though the author's next book is a separate thriller.
Is it suitable for 13-year-olds?
It is YA for ages 14 and up, with racism, violence and strong language.
Is it like Gossip Girl?
Yes, in part, with its elite school and exposed secrets, but it is darker.
Is there a sequel to Ace of Spades?
Not directly; the author's later books are separate thrillers.
What age group is the best fit?
Ages 14 and up, since the book includes racism, threats and some violence.