The Top 7 Murder Mystery Shows for Preteen Girls

I love murder mysteries but they have to be a certain type. It can't be cliffhangers that go on forever; can't handle those- too stressful. They can't be too violent or have too much sexual content (although cursing doesn't bother me).

The best murder mystery has witty conversations with a plot that is just complicated enough to keep me on my toes. They are solved by the end of the show- the answer tied up neatly in a nice little bundle.

For preteens, the genre of the murder mystery should be introduced to them through well written books. That should be done first.In this article, however, I want to concentrate on murder mysteries we watch. Viewing them together as a family leads to a wonderful time with lively discussions after.

These are the ones I felt are quality murder mystery productions with intrigue and storyline appropriate for a preteen.

• Mystery Woman
• Monk
• Murder - She Wrote
• Sherlock - Season One
• Nancy Drew
• Young Sherlock
• Doctor Who (The Eleventh Doctor - Season One)

I'm glad our girls are watching less sitcoms and more detective dramas and Made-For-TV movies during their alloted screen time. In general, the scripts are better written.

All these shows wowed us from the beginning. I felt them appropriate for our daughters.

As far as movies go, our preteens have been getting into all the Anne Hathaway movies like "Princess Diaries." They are fun and well done. As far as murder mysteries, we have watched "Sherlock Holmes" with Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law, but the following shows I've listed below really 'hit the mark' for our kids.

Why are murder mysteries so appealing? It seems kind of gruesome when you first think of it. But I can see layers of meaning to why they 'hit the mark' for our brains.

• They're exciting and thrilling without getting into real danger.
• They're stimulating for the brain by getting it to think through the clues and try to come up with the answer before the main character does.
• It's compelling because it's a 'life and death' situation.
• It's escapist in a good way.

These do-it-yourself party kits and the book remind me of my Magic School Bus birthday party I put together when my daughters were little. I dressed up as Ms. Frizzle with a red wig and dress and we had activity tables which included an erupting paper mache volcano! We made giant cardboard school buses the kids could customize. We had the theme music playing and experiments kids could take home. Lots and lots of fun.