( Log Out /  That said, I liked the historical scenes and the cold case elements on the plot much better than I did the present-day mystery where a bunch of annoying teens were fucking off around the school. I may not have 1st hand experience, but Nate made me wonder about real-life authors and they would feel if they were just treated as a word machine and not a person. But I digress. My thoughts? Did someone speak to her in private after Stevie left and scared her off? I think because this series is specifically set up to be a continuing story between installments, where the author knew she was ending this first novel on a cliffhanger, that more time than I like was sunk into building up the setting and the timelines, instead of moving the mystery forward at a pace that agreed with my bad attitude. 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 … I think both David and Ellie know something about Truly Devious. Change ), You are commenting using your Facebook account. It reminds of when Stevie started to believe that everything was off about Ellingham, that everything was an act. And the main character, Stevie, is…. Change ), You are commenting using your Google account. She was just too much. In Truly Devious, Maureen Johnson crafts a mystery driven by its strong characters and a setting that makes you feel at home and on edge all at once. Seriously, let’s go. Hahaha loved your review. And I think I’m too old for that shit. There are actors, singers, big brain smarty-pants(es?) But then that would make Iris an antagonist…Whatever the case, there’s a deeper reason for the Ellingham case, which made the reveal at the end of this book truly floor me! Truly Devious Publisher's Summary New York Times best-selling 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. I guess it’s supposed to be a real game-changer; an unexpected kick to the crotch, so to speak. It weaves together two different mysteries–one a cold case from the 1930s, the other a modern-day murder at a prestigious boarding school. She has anxiety and is possibly on the autism spectrum and still remains honest to herself. In the present, 16-year-old Stevie Bell is obsessed with true crime (and often beset by panic attacks), and she feels a bit … Get the fuck out of here. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – INJECT IT INTO MY VEINS!! Will Ellie be found and the Truly Devious case finally solved? This school is supposed to be for the most talented kids out there. Truly Devious takes place at Ellingham Academy, which is on a mountain in Vermont. It was founded by Albert Ellingham, an early twentieth century tycoon, who wanted to make a wonderful … ( Log Out /  Truly Devious by Maureen Johnson is an amazing young adult mystery novel. I’m also pretty tired of the trope in YA mystery/thrillers where the main character is the only person alive who is interested in or has knowledge of true crime. It became one of the great unsolved crimes of American history. When the academy had originally opened, Ellingham's wife and daughter were kidnapped and the only clue that was left behind was a riddle signed Truly Devious. Could it all just be one big show with Stevie as the secret hero of the story? I loved the parallels between Dottie’s character (though small) in 1936 and Stevie’s character in the present day. Superhero Black Magic Witch. But then I read books like this and the difference between being a teenager and being in your 30s is so visceral that I literally get a brand new pain in my back to go along with my side part and skinny jeans. Whatever. Ugh. The book is full of riddles and puzzles, twists and turns. In gaslit Garner County, women and girls are said to harbor diabolical magic capable of manipulating men. Truly Devious makes a surprise return, and death revisits Ellingham Academy. What will Stevie do with more involvement from her parents? 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. A waste of my precious reading time. But, whatever. Truly Devious tells its story in two interweaving timelines, one that follows the original mystery of 1936 and one that follows the school — and its new mysteries — in present day. All three feature as aspiring detective and high school student Stevie Bell who, along with her boarding school classmates, … I’m not sure why I keep reading them other than the plot summaries and beautiful covers continue to reel me. Change ), You are commenting using your Google account. Anyone trying to leave asshole comments can eat a bag of dicks. In the present, a student is also found dead. I know a lot of people love this series, but I’m not really one of them. However, rude, hateful, insulting or purely antagonistic comments will  not be approved by the admin (that’s me!) There were some aspects of Stevie that were felt honest and that I liked. “This one will be a good one!” I think to myself about a book I will end up not liking at all 🤡. I have a sneaking suspicion that Larry isn’t his real name and that he’s connected to the Ellingham’s somehow. Someone has gotten away with murder. Then there’s the ending. I don’t know if Ellie really killed Hayes, or why she ran. A rebellious 16-year-old is sent to an isolated island for her grace year, when she must release her seductive, poisonous magic into the wild before taking her proper place as a wife and child bearer. Literally none. I think Nate might have been the only other genuine character in the book. Was it only because he was ashamed of being Edward King’s son? Kind of like Dottie Epstein, may she rest in peace. But soon after it opened in 1936, Ellingham received a mysterious threat written in rhyme (and signed "Truly, Devious"), Ellingham's wife and daughter were kidnapped, and a student was killed. But there’s no motive? Change ), You are commenting using your Twitter account. Someone has gotten away with murder. Multiple murders on the same property spanning decades? Truly Devious makes a surprise return, and death revisits Ellingham Academy. Ellingham Academy is a famous private school in Vermont for the … Change ), You are commenting using your Twitter account. ( Log Out /  There’s a… Youtuber? Truly Devious makes a surprise return, and death revisits Ellingham Academy. She has a shameless interest in mysteries and solving crime and is often thought weird for it. He gave me the creeps the whole book. Brief Summary of Book: Truly Devious (Truly Devious #1) by Maureen Johnson. When the academy had originally opened, Ellingham's wife and daughter were kidnapped and the only clue that was left behind was a riddle signed Truly Devious. Why? I found myself reading huge chunks at a time. She’s just listened to too many true crime podcasts. But here, you’re given zero answers. Whatever the case, it’s things like this that make books addictive and make you just want to pick up the next one. Truly Devious makes a surprise return, and death revisits Ellingham Academy. In 1936, shortly after the school opened, Ellingham’s wife and daughter, Iris and Alice, were kidnapped. The two interwoven mysteries of this first book in the Truly Devious series dovetail brilliantly, and Stevie Let’s go with it. Shortly after the school opened, his wife and daughter were kidnapped. The past has crawled out of its grave. 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. David was an ass. But then, why would she be involved at all. When will something happen? Truly Devious (Book) : Johnson, Maureen : 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. I’m not old. A huge chunk of the plot basically sees nothing happen but boring teen relationship drama, tedious teen friendship drama, atmosphere building and a shit ton of jumping between timelines that I found choppy and lacklustre.