Truly Devious

Stevie Bell arrives at Ellingham Academy, an elite private school in Vermont where a notorious kidnapping and murder took place in 1936. The cold case involved the disappearance of the founder's wife and daughter, along with the death of a student, all connected to a mysterious figure known as "Truly Devious." As a true crime enthusiast, Stevie plans to solve the historical mystery as her senior project while navigating life at her new school. She joins a small group of students selected for their unique talents and begins investigating both the original evidence and new findings that surface during her time on campus. The story alternates between 1936 and the present day, following both the original crime and Stevie's investigation. Present-day events at the academy begin to mirror elements of the historical case, creating parallel mysteries across two timelines. The novel explores themes of truth versus perception, the lasting impact of historical events, and the complex relationship between those who investigate crimes and the crimes themselves.

Readers frequently highlight the intricate mystery plotting, atmospheric boarding school setting, and engaging protagonist Stevie Bell. The dual timeline structure keeps many readers hooked, with both past and present mysteries unfolding simultaneously. Likes: - Smart, realistic teenage dialogue - LGBTQ+ representation - Complex puzzle elements - Well-researched historical components - Audio narration by Kate Rudd Dislikes: - Cliffhanger ending frustrates standalone readers - Some find the pacing slow in the first half - Romance subplot feels unnecessary to many - Timeline switches can be confusing - Multiple plot threads left unresolved Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (98,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (1,400+ ratings) BookishFirst: 4.3/5 (200+ ratings) Reader quote: "The mystery keeps you guessing until the end, but be warned - you'll need to read the whole trilogy to get answers." - Goodreads reviewer Common feedback suggests reading all three books back-to-back for the best experience.

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🔍 The Ellingham Academy in the book was inspired by real-life progressive schools of the 1930s, including Bennington College in Vermont. 📚 Author Maureen Johnson wrote parts of the novel while staying at the Stanley Hotel in Colorado - the same hotel that inspired Stephen King's "The Shining." 🏰 The book's central mystery is based on classic "locked room" puzzles popularized by authors like Agatha Christie and John Dickson Carr. ✉️ The "Truly Devious" riddle in the story follows the structure of traditional Victorian-era ransom notes, which often used cut-out letters from newspapers and magazines. 🎓 Like the fictional Ellingham Academy, several real American boarding schools were founded by wealthy industrialists in the early 20th century as experimental educational institutions.