2 Answers2026-02-12 01:31:49
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.
4 Answers2026-07-26 16:28:30
Man, I've been refreshing my Amazon pre-orders page for weeks waiting for this. The official date from the publisher is October 1st of this year. Maureen Johnson announced it on her socials a while back, and the cover's already up on Goodreads.
It feels like we've been waiting forever since 'Nine Liars' came out. The way the last book ended with that cryptic note about the final mystery at Ellingham Academy... I need to know how Stevie wraps it all up. My guess is we'll finally get the full truth about the original kidnapping, not just the modern murders.
My local bookstore is doing a midnight release party, which is kind of amazing for a YA series. I already took the day off work.
4 Answers2025-06-25 08:27:44
Absolutely, 'Truly Devious' does have sequels, and they're just as gripping as the first book. The series continues with 'The Vanishing Stair,' where Stevie Bell digs deeper into the Ellingham Academy mysteries, uncovering more twisted secrets and red herrings. The stakes feel higher, with new suspects and chilling revelations that keep you flipping pages late into the night.
Then comes 'The Hand on the Wall,' the final installment that ties everything together in a mind-bending way. Maureen Johnson doesn’t just wrap up loose ends—she delivers a payoff that’s both satisfying and surprising. The trilogy’s strength lies in how it balances a decades-old cold case with Stevie’s personal growth, making it more than just a whodunit. If you loved the first book’s blend of boarding school drama and true-crime intrigue, the sequels won’t disappoint.
4 Answers2026-07-26 23:41:32
Just finished it last night, and yeah, it's pretty spoiler-heavy for anyone who hasn't read the earlier books. The ending wraps up a lot of the long-running mysteries from the whole series—like the original Ellingham kidnapping and the modern murders at the school. If someone told you the killer's identity or how Stevie finally pieces it together, it would completely ruin the journey. The book relies on all the clues and red herrings planted since book one.
That said, the spoilers aren't just about 'whodunit.' The character arcs for Stevie, David, and Janelle reach their conclusions, and there are some significant relationship developments. Knowing those outcomes would flatten the emotional payoff, which builds slowly over the six books. I'd recommend avoiding any detailed reviews or discussions until you're caught up. The finale really is for the readers who've been following the tangled web from the start.
3 Answers2026-01-02 15:22:55
I absolutely devoured the 'Truly Devious' trilogy, and the box set is a gem for mystery lovers! The way Maureen Johnson weaves together past and present crimes at Ellingham Academy is just brilliant. Stevie Bell, the amateur sleuth, is such a relatable protagonist—neurotic, determined, and oddly charming. The first book hooks you with its atmospheric boarding school setting, the second cranks up the tension, and the third delivers a payoff that’s both satisfying and bittersweet. The box set is perfect if you love binge-reading; the hardcovers look gorgeous together, and it’s fun to spot clues across all three books.
What I adore is how Johnson plays with classic mystery tropes while keeping things fresh. The puzzles, red herrings, and twists feel like a love letter to Agatha Christie but with a modern YA voice. If you’re into slow-burn plots with rich character development, this is a must-read. The only downside? You might lose sleep because 'just one more chapter' turns into finishing half the book at 3 AM.