The Truly Devious Series

The Truly Devious Series centers on Stevie Bell, a true-crime enthusiast who enrolls at Ellingham Academy, an elite private school in Vermont with a dark history. In 1936, the school's founder's wife and daughter disappeared after receiving a threatening letter signed "Truly, Devious," launching one of America's most infamous cold cases. Stevie arrives at Ellingham determined to solve the decades-old mystery while navigating life at an unconventional school where students pursue their own unique projects and interests. As she digs into the past, present-day events at the academy begin to mirror elements of the original crime. The series alternates between two timelines: the 1930s investigation of the original kidnapping and Stevie's modern-day pursuit of answers. Each book builds upon the central mystery while introducing new complications and connections between past and present. This young adult mystery series explores themes of identity, ambition, and the weight of history on the present. The books examine how the search for truth can become an obsession, and question whether some mysteries are meant to remain unsolved.

Readers appreciate the complex mystery setup, detailed character development of protagonist Stevie Bell, and the dual timeline narrative structure. Many highlight Johnson's ability to weave historical and contemporary mysteries together. The boarding school setting and diverse cast of characters receive frequent mentions in positive reviews. Common criticisms include slow pacing in the middle of books, frustration with cliffhanger endings between installments, and some find the romance subplots unnecessary. Several readers note that the historical mystery proves more compelling than the modern-day storyline. "The author excels at creating atmosphere but sometimes gets bogged down in details," notes one Goodreads reviewer. Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: 4.2/5 (100,000+ ratings) Book 1: 4.0/5 Book 2: 4.2/5 Book 3: 4.3/5 Book 4: 4.4/5 Amazon: 4.6/5 (3,000+ ratings) Barnes & Noble: 4.5/5 (900+ ratings)

One of Us Is Lying by Karen M. McManus This murder mystery set in a high school follows five students who enter detention while only four walk out alive, combining elements of cold case investigation with contemporary teenage dynamics.

A Study in Charlotte by Brittany Cavallaro Two boarding school students, descendants of Holmes and Watson, must solve a murder on campus while navigating their complex family legacies.

The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes A teenage girl inherits billions from a stranger and must live in his mansion while solving the puzzles he left behind to uncover the truth about her inheritance.

A Good Girl's Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson A high school student investigates a closed murder case for her senior project and uncovers secrets in her small town that put her in danger.

The Box in the Woods by Maureen Johnson A teen detective takes a summer job at a camp with a dark history and investigates a decades-old murder that connects to a string of present-day deaths.

🔍 The series draws inspiration from real-life unsolved mysteries at American boarding schools, particularly the disappearance of Paula Jean Welden from Bennington College in 1946. 📚 Author Maureen Johnson wrote much of the series while living in a historic Gothic mansion in Philadelphia, which helped shape the atmospheric setting of Ellingham Academy. 🎭 The title "Truly Devious" comes from the signature left by the original kidnapper in 1936, and the phrase appears in a sinister riddle central to the mystery. 🏫 Ellingham Academy's unique curriculum, where students pursue their own passions rather than traditional subjects, was inspired by progressive education movements of the early 20th century. 🔎 Johnson consulted with modern-day true crime experts and cold case detectives while developing the intricate mystery plots that span both past and present timelines.