Devious

I picked up 'Truly Devious' on a whim after seeing so much buzz about it online, and wow, it completely sucked me in! The way Maureen Johnson blends a modern boarding school mystery with a cold case from the 1930s is just brilliant. Stevie Bell, the protagonist, is such a refreshing character—she’s sharp, quirky, and unapologetically herself. The dual timeline keeps you guessing, and the pacing is perfect—just when you think you’ve figured it out, another twist throws you off. The only downside? The cliffhanger left me scrambling for the next book immediately. If you love mysteries with rich atmospheres and clever plotting, this one’s a must-read.

What really stood out to me was the setting. Ellingham Academy feels like a character itself, with its hidden passages and eerie history. Johnson’s writing makes you feel like you’re wandering those halls alongside Stevie, piecing together clues. And the humor! Stevie’s dry wit balances the darker themes so well. I’d recommend it to fans of 'A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder' or 'One of Us Is Lying,' though 'Truly Devious' has a more vintage charm. Just be prepared to lose a weekend to binge-reading the whole series.

The finale of 'Truly Devious' ties together decades-old mysteries with present-day chaos in a satisfying yet unpredictable way. Stevie Bell, the amateur sleuth, finally cracks the 1936 Ellingham Academy kidnapping case, revealing Albert Ellingham’s wife and daughter were victims of a twisted revenge plot orchestrated by a disgruntled employee. The modern-day murder of Hayes Major is also solved—his death wasn’t linked to the past but to a jealous rivalry gone deadly. The real kicker? The mastermind behind both tragedies was hiding in plain sight, someone Stevie trusted.

The book leaves a few threads dangling, like the fate of the missing ransom money and the true motives of certain characters, setting up the next installment perfectly. Stevie’s growth shines here; her deductive skills save lives but also isolate her from peers. The blend of historical intrigue and contemporary suspense makes the ending a rollercoaster—both intellectually and emotionally.

I’ve been obsessed with 'Truly Devious' since my book club picked it last month! The best legal way to read it for free is through your local library—many offer digital loans via apps like Libby or Hoopla. Just grab your library card, search for the title, and borrow the ebook or audiobook instantly. Some libraries even have waitlists, so check neighboring branches if yours is busy.

If you’re a student, your school’s digital library might have it too. Amazon occasionally offers free trials of Kindle Unlimited, which included the series last I checked. Avoid shady sites promising free downloads; they’re often illegal or unsafe. Maureen Johnson’s twisty mystery deserves support, and libraries make that easy while keeping your devices malware-free.

I stumbled upon 'Devious Lies' during a late-night Kindle binge, and boy, did it hook me from the first chapter. At its core, it's a steamy, enemies-to-lovers romance with all the delicious tension you'd expect. The story follows Nash Prescott, a ruthless billionaire with a grudge, and Emery Winthrop, the once-privileged heiress who now works as his assistant after her family's downfall. Their chemistry is electric—full of biting insults, stolen glances, and a slow burn that makes you want to throw your e-reader across the room (in the best way). The plot thickens with buried secrets, betrayals, and a revenge scheme that blurs the line between hate and obsession.

What really sets 'Devious Lies' apart is its emotional depth. Behind all the banter and power plays, there's a heartbreaking history tying Nash and Emery together. Parker Huntington (the author) does an incredible job peeling back layers of trauma and vulnerability, especially in Nash, who's more than just your typical alpha-hole. The side characters add spice too—like Reed, Nash's brother, who's a whole mood. By the final act, the story shifts from 'I hate you' to 'I’d burn the world for you,' and honestly? I lived for every over-the-top, dramatic moment. If you love messy, passionate romances with a side of emotional wreckage, this one’s a must-read.

The killer in 'Truly Devious' is a masterfully concealed figure, revealed to be Albert Ellingham’s own secretary, Fenton. The twist is as chilling as the icy Vermont setting. Fenton orchestrated the infamous Ellingham kidnapping decades ago, disguising her motives behind loyalty. She resented Albert’s wealth and manipulated his trust, even framing others to bury the truth. Her calm demeanor masked a calculating mind—proving monsters wear polite smiles. The modern-day murders tie back to her legacy, a web of revenge and buried secrets.

What’s brilliant is how Maureen Johnson layers Fenton’s reveal. Clues hide in plain sight: her access to the family, her knowledge of the estate’s hidden passages. The story peels back her facade like old wallpaper, exposing cracks in her alibis. Stevie Bell’s detective work uncovers Fenton’s journals, where her envy drips from every page. The finale isn’t just about solving a crime—it’s about how privilege breeds resentment, and how history’s ghosts never stay buried.

Nobody asked but I’m still mad about the framing mystery from the beginning of 'Truly Devious'. It’s that original kidnapping of Albert Ellingham’s wife and daughter from the 1930s, which was never solved and basically just sits there like a huge ghost haunting the whole academy. That’s what Stevie Bell goes there to solve, and I guess the modern murder that happens is supposed to tie into it, but honestly? The real puzzle is how the 1930s crime was even physically possible.

I spent the whole first book drawing little maps of the house and the tunnel system, trying to figure out how anyone got Iris and Alice out without being seen. The book throws a ton of weird clues at you—the riddle, the 'Truly, Devious' letters, all that—but the solution for the historical part felt a bit thin to me. Like the author had this great creepy setup but the answer wasn’t as devilish as the puzzle promised. Still, I’m a sucker for a locked-room mystery in a fancy school, so I kept reading.

Reading 'Devious Lies' for free online is a tricky topic—I totally get the urge to dive into a gripping romance without breaking the bank, but as someone who adores supporting authors, I’d really recommend checking out legal options first. Sites like Scribd sometimes offer trial periods where you can access books like this, and libraries often have digital copies through apps like Libby or OverDrive. If you’re tight on cash, those are lifesavers! I’ve discovered so many gems through library waits—it feels like a treasure hunt sometimes.

That said, I’ve stumbled across shady sites claiming to host pirated copies, and honestly? They’re not worth the risk. Malware, terrible formatting, or missing chapters ruin the experience. Plus, authors like Parker S. Huntington pour their hearts into these stories, and they deserve compensation for their work. If you’re desperate, maybe hunt for secondhand physical copies or wait for a Kindle sale—I’ve snagged deals for under $5 before. The anticipation makes the read even sweeter!

Devious Desires is one of those stories that sneaks up on you—what starts as a seemingly straightforward romance quickly spirals into something far more complex. The characters are layered, especially the protagonist, whose moral ambiguity makes every decision feel unpredictable. I found myself flipping pages late into the night, torn between rooting for them and being utterly horrified by their choices. The pacing is deliberate, almost slow at times, but it builds tension like a coiled spring. By the midpoint, I was completely invested in the messy, morally gray relationships. If you enjoy stories where love isn't just sweet but downright treacherous, this might be your next obsession.

One thing that stood out to me was how the author plays with power dynamics. There's a scene where a seemingly minor betrayal reshapes the entire narrative, and it's executed with such subtlety that it took me a second read to catch all the foreshadowing. The dialogue crackles with passive-aggressive energy, and the setting—a decaying aristocratic estate—adds this gothic undertone that lingers in every chapter. It's not a light read, but if you're in the mood for something that lingers in your mind long after the last page, 'Devious Desires' delivers. I still catch myself thinking about that ambiguous ending months later.