10 Best Books Like 'The Inheritance Games' for Readers Who Love Deadly Puzzles and Family Secrets

If you tore through 'The Inheritance Games' and can't stop thinking about riddles and dangerous secrets hiding in mansions, stick around. Fans of Avery Grambs know the thrill of inheritance battles, eccentric billionaires, and high-stakes romance. But what if you could keep that suspense going long after the last page?

That's exactly what this list is for. Below are 10 twist-filled books like 'The Inheritance Games' that capture the same addictive mix of family secrets and shocking reveals. Each title will keep you guessing until the very end.

And while you're diving into fictional mysteries, you can sharpen your own skills too. With Headway, you'll unlock 15-minute insights from bestselling non-fiction that train your brain in strategy, logic, and psychology — the same tools Avery used to survive the Hawthorne games. It's ideal for whenever you want the thrill of learning while commuting, exercising, or just taking a break from reading.

Ready to unlock your next mystery obsession? Let's get into these books — and don't forget to download Headway to keep solving puzzles in real life.

Quick answer: What are five essential YA book recommendations for fans of 'The Inheritance Games' to read in 2025?

1. 'The Hawthorne Legacy' by Jennifer Lynn Barnes: The perfect sequel, packed with new riddles, mansion intrigue, and even darker Hawthorne family secrets.

2. 'The Final Gambit' by Jennifer Lynn Barnes: The explosive conclusion to Avery's first trilogy, full of high-stakes puzzles and shocking revelations.

3. 'One of Us Is Lying' by Karen M. McManus: A high school murder mystery where everyone has secrets, and anyone could be the killer.

4. 'A Good Girl's Guide to Murder' by Holly Jackson: A brilliant teen detective reopens a closed case and discovers small towns can hide deadly truths.

5. 'Truly Devious' by Maureen Johnson: A cold case at an elite academy mixes eccentric puzzles, a missing family, and a present-day investigation.

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Ten books like 'The Inheritance Games,' full of twists and murder mysteries

These 10 top books carry a thrill of hidden clues, high-stakes games, and dangerous romances that make every page impossible to put down. 

1. 'The Hawthorne Legacy' by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Avery thought inheriting the money was the hard part. It was not. This second book continues 'The Inheritance Games' series, where new riddles from Tobias Hawthorne surface. Avery must decide who to trust. She has to solve puzzles while figuring out the four brothers.

Similarities between the books:

• Puzzles and riddles: More complex puzzles appear. Avery must use all her wits to find the next clue.

• High-stakes romance: The drama with the Hawthorne brothers gets serious. Avery's life is filled with both danger and complicated emotions.

• Mansion intrigue: The book stays in the world of wealth. The Hawthorne family secrets get even darker.

Want to sharpen your own puzzle-solving brain? Check out 'Thinkertoys' on Headway — it's packed with creative-thinking techniques that'll help you crack riddles like Avery does, all in a quick summary you can read or listen to on the go.

2. 'The Final Gambit' by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

It is the last book of the first trilogy. The 'Final Gambit' shows Tobias Hawthorne's final plan. Avery faces her most significant danger. Everything she has — her money, love, and even life — could be lost. The truth about her mother came to the surface.

Similarities between the books:

• Ultimate danger: The plot centers on one final puzzle. Avery must win the treasure hunt or lose everything.

• The big reveal: The book answers the most significant questions from the entire series. You learn the full truth behind the family secrets.

• Resolution: It ties up the first part of Avery's story. This concludes her main journey in 'The Inheritance Games' series.

3. 'One of Us Is Lying' by Karen M. McManus

This book is a fan favorite for a reason. Five students go to detention. Only four leave. The victim, Simon, had secrets about everyone else. He was about to expose them. Karen M. McManus turns every student into a suspect. This YA novel world loves this intense mystery, and you'll, too.

Similarities between the books:

• The core suspects: The mystery is contained to four people. One of them is a killer.

• Secrets and high school: It mixes high school drama with a deadly murder mystery. The secrets are the true danger.

• Unlikely team: The students must work together to clear their names. They form surprising new friendships.

Ever wonder what people are really hiding behind their actions? If you're obsessed with uncovering secret motives like the characters in this book, dive into 'The Elephant in the Brain.' It reveals the hidden reasons people do what they do, from everyday conversations to big life choices.

4. 'A Good Girl's Guide to Murder' by Holly Jackson

Pip chooses a cold case for her high school project. Five years ago, Andie Bell was murdered. Her boyfriend, Sal Singh, killed himself. The police closed the case. Pip believes Sal was innocent. Holly Jackson shows Pip's dangerous path to the truth. She finds a web of lies in her town.

Similarities between the books:

• Smart investigator: The hero is a brilliant teen girl. She solves a crime that the police gave up on.

• Case files and clues: The story uses interviews and real-world evidence. You follow the investigation step-by-step.

• Hidden danger: It proves that small, quiet towns can hide big, dark family secrets.

5. 'Truly Devious' by Maureen Johnson

Ellingham Academy is a famed school. It was founded by an eccentric millionaire. Years ago, his wife and daughter were taken. They left behind only a note signed "Truly Devious." Stevie Bell is obsessed with true crime. She enrolls to solve this cold case. 

Similarities between the books:

• The eccentric millionaire: The founder created puzzles for the future. This detail is a direct match for the puzzle-loving Hawthorne family.

• Atmosphere and setting: The story is set at a secluded, historic location. The atmosphere is tense and mysterious.

• Past and present: The book tracks the original crime and the new investigation. Two timelines weave the mystery novels together.

Speaking of unsolved mysteries and powerful secrets, if Stevie Bell's investigative obsession resonates with you, explore 'Catch and Kill' on Headway. It's Ronan Farrow's real-life investigation into one of Hollywood's biggest cover-ups, proving that sometimes the truth is more gripping than fiction.

6. 'The Westing Game' by Ellen Raskin

This book is the classic that inspired many modern YA novels. Sixteen people inherit money from Samuel W. Westing. He was an eccentric millionaire. His will forces them to play a game. They must use clues to find their portion of the fortune.

• The original game: The story is built around a literal game for an inheritance. It is the blueprint for 'The Inheritance Games.'

• Clues and ciphers: Every clue must be solved. The entire plot is a massive treasure hunt.

• A group of strangers: Disparate characters forced to team up. Everyone has a secret motive.

For a similar, but cinematic experience, watch the 'Knives Out' film series. It has the same eccentric billionaire wills, a vast mansion, and a puzzle where everyone is a suspect. 

7. 'We Were Liars' by E. Lockhart

The rich Sinclair family summers on their private island. Cadence, the main character, had an accident two summers ago. She can't remember what happened. As she tries to recall the past, the truth hurts. E. Lockhart shows how far a powerful family will go to keep their image clean.

Similarities between the books:

• Wealth and deception: The book reveals the dark side of being wealthy. Family secrets are covered up at all costs.

• Emotional high-stakes: The high-stakes come from emotional trauma and amnesia. The big reveal is truly shocking.

• The reveal: The whole book leads to one final moment. The twist changes the meaning of everything you have read.

If you're drawn to stories where memory and reality blur together, 'The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle' takes you even deeper into the mind's mysteries — Murakami's surreal journey through a man's subconscious will satisfy your craving for psychological twists that leave you questioning everything.

8. 'Caraval' by Stephanie Garber

This is a young adult fantasy novel with the puzzle-solving spirit of a YA mystery. Scarlett and Tella go to Caraval, a legendary, week-long show. When Tella is taken, Scarlett must save her. She has to follow clues to win the game before time runs out. 

Similarities between the books:

• The grand game: The entire plot is a magical, dangerous game. It is a treasure hunt with no clear rules.

• Trust no one: Like the Hawthorne mansion, no one here is what they seem. You can't trust the clues or the people.

• Sisterly bond: The emotional plot is about a sister saving her best friend/sibling. This makes the high stakes feel real.

9. 'Red Queen' by Victoria Aveyard

This book has the same level of political drama. Victoria Aveyard's 'Red Queen' is set in a world divided by blood. Silver bloods have powers. Red bloods are common. Mare Barrow, a Red, finds she has a hidden power. She is forced into the Silver royal court. This places her at the center of a heist and a rebellion.

Similarities between the books:

• The fake role: Mare must pretend to be someone she's not to survive. This mirrors Avery's sudden entry into the world of the wealthy.

• Political danger: The tension is a matter of life and death. The stakes are massive, involving an entire kingdom.

• Intense intrigue: The court is full of betrayal. The young adult fantasy setting still has the feel of a mystery novel.

If cold cases and obsessive investigations fascinate you, 'I'll Be Gone in the Dark' brings you into the real hunt for the Golden State Killer — Michelle McNamara's relentless pursuit of justice reads like a thriller, showing what happens when someone refuses to let a mystery go unsolved.

10. 'The Book of Cold Cases' by Simone St. James

Simone St. James is a New York Times bestselling author, so intrigue is guaranteed. This book is for readers who enjoy adult murder mysteries. It has the same focus on a spooky mansion and wealth. Shea Collins is a true crime blogger. She interviews Beth Greer. Beth was the suspect in a 1970s double murder. She was acquitted, but everyone thinks she did it. 

Similarities between the books:

• Mansion and secrets: The story is set at Beth's big, mysterious family mansion. The atmosphere is tense.

• The suspect: The hero must decide if Beth is a manipulative killer or an innocent woman. It is an actual mind game.

Adult mystery: It has a darker twist on the theme of rich family secrets.

Keep the mystery alive with movies and Headway

You do not have to stop the YA mystery fun just because you finished a book. Now you can use Headway to quickly develop skills. The heroes of these mystery novels are always learning. You can too. Headway's library of 2,000 non-fiction books provides concise insights into strategy, psychology, and logic. 

You can get the skills Avery Grambs used to solve her high-stakes problems. You can also listen to Headway books like podcasts while you go about your daily activities (exercising, cleaning, commuting to university or work).

Download Headway now to always have an incredible story in your pocket.