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Truly Devious

Book 1 in the series:Truly Devious

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In 'Truly Devious' by Maureen Johnson, the story follows Stevie Bell, a true crime enthusiast who gets accepted into the prestigious Ellingham Academy to pursue her dream of solving the decades-old murder and kidnapping that occurred at the school in 1936. The book alternates between the past events of 1936 and Stevie's present-day investigations, creating a compelling narrative full of mysteries and intriguing characters. However, the book ends on a major cliffhanger, leaving readers eagerly anticipating the next installment to unravel the unresolved plot threads.

Stevie finds herself caught up in a web of mysteries as she delves into the historical murder disappearance at Ellingham Academy while navigating her own challenges in the present day. With engaging storytelling that intertwines past and present events, Johnson crafts a YA murder mystery that keeps readers hooked with its blend of riddles, puzzles, and questions. Despite some readers finding the ending unsatisfying due to the abrupt cliffhanger, the book's ability to keep readers on edge and craving more sets the stage for a promising series that blends elements of historical crime with modern-day investigations.

Characters:

The characters are a mix of diverse individuals, centered around the determined protagonist, Stevie Bell, whose complexities resonate with readers, though some side characters may lack depth.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is engaging and varied, combining lyrical descriptions with realistic teen dialogue, effectively alternating between historical and modern perspectives.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot intricately weaves past and present mystery narratives, surrounding a decades-old kidnapping and an escalating modern-day murder at an elite boarding school.

Setting:

Set in the atmospheric Ellingham Academy, the story navigates both the picturesque school's present and its eerie historical background.

Pacing:

The pacing effectively engages readers, with a blend of quick progression and slower sections for character exploration, culminating in a cliffhanger that enhances suspense.
This resulted in a long pause. Stevie and her parents had had many conversations about the nature of truth and fact, and this might, on another day, have erupted into an argument. Not today. They seem...

Notes:

The main character, Stevie Bell, is a true crime aficionado with anxiety issues.
The novel is set in the mysterious Ellingham Academy, which has a dark history involving kidnappings and murders.
Flashbacks are used to reveal details about the 1936 cold case intertwined with present events.
The story features diverse characters, including LGBTQ representation.
The book ends on a cliffhanger, leading into a trilogy that is full of suspense.
The author, Maureen Johnson, is known for her engaging writing style and relatable characters.
The narrative switches between two timelines, the present and the 1930s, to enhance the mystery.
Stevie Bell is determined to solve the past crime without obstructing the official investigation initially.
The mystery at the academy is based on the unsolved disappearance of the founder's wife and daughter.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings for the book include depictions of death, murder, and anxiety, which may be relevant for sensitive readers.

From The Publisher:

New York Times bestselling author Maureen Johnson weaves a delicate tale of murder and mystery in the first book of a striking new series, perfect for fans of Agatha Christie and E. Lockhart.

Ellingham Academy is a famous private school in Vermont for the brightest thinkers, inventors, and artists. It was founded by Albert Ellingham, an early twentieth century tycoon, who wanted to make a wonderful place full of riddles, twisting pathways, and gardens. "A place," he said, "where learning is a game."

Shortly after the school opened, his wife and daughter were kidnapped. The only real clue was a mocking riddle listing methods of murder, signed with the frightening pseudonym "Truly, Devious." It became one of the great unsolved crimes of American history.

True-crime aficionado Stevie Bell is set to begin her first year at Ellingham Academy, and she has an ambitious plan: She will solve this cold case. That is, she will solve the case when she gets a grip on her demanding new school life and her housemates: the inventor, the novelist, the actor, the artist, and the jokester.

But something strange is happening. Truly Devious makes a surprise return, and death revisits Ellingham Academy. The past has crawled out of its grave. Someone has gotten away with murder.

The two interwoven mysteries of this first book in the Truly Devious series dovetail brilliantly, and Stevie Bell will continue her relentless quest for the murderers in books two and three.

Publishers Weekly Best Books of 2018 * Junior Library Guild Selection * 2019 YALSA Best Fiction for Young Adults Nomination * 2019 ALA's Best Fiction for Young Adults Nomination * Chicago Public Library Best of the Best Books 2018 * Goodreads Choice Award Nominee for Young Adult Fiction 2018 * 2018 Nerdy Book Club Young Adult Winner * Seventeen Best YA Book of 2018 * Lincoln Award Nominee * 2020-2021 South Carolina Book Awards Nominee * 2020 Pennsylvania Young Readers' Choice Award Winner

Ratings (65)

Incredible (12)
Loved It (24)
Liked It (14)
It Was OK (7)
Did Not Like (7)
Hated It (1)

Reader Stats (180):

Read It (63)
Currently Reading (2)
Want To Read (100)
Did Not Finish (8)
Not Interested (7)

1 comment(s)

Incredible
11 months

I adore these books, one of my favourite mystery series! :)

 
 
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