Truly Devious: A Mystery

This book is awesome. It’s well written and pulls you into the story. It takes place in a boarding school that’s tucked away on a mountain. The setting just makes the story even more intriguing. The first part of the book focuses on the mystery from 1936. The main character Stevie loves true crime and is determined to solve the mystery which is how she ended up at Ellingham Academy. About halfway through the book a student is killed. It looks like an accident but Stevie discovers some evidence that makes it look like murder.

This is the first book of the trilogy so it ends without a conclusion to either mysteries. It held my attention the whole time and I can’t wait to read the second book.

In a market inundated with thrillers and fantasy, Truly Devious is a original and much needed gulp of fresh air. Johnson has her usual and beloved quirkiness, but also crafts a novel that is equally plot and character driven. The dual mysteries are intriguing and had me guessing wildly, having me cheering for the truths revealed in this book but also making me go insane waiting for the ones to be revealed in the sequel due to release in January ( the first thing I did after finishing Truly Devious was preorder it). The characters are strong and relatable, without being stereotypical, and Johnson’s descriptions of anxiety are accurate and relevant without being cliched. There is truly something for everyone in this gem of a novel and I recommend it to all readers who enjoy truly great books and don’t mind having one stuck in their head for weeks and weeks! ( omg that riddle at the end?!?!?!) STOP READING REVIEWS AND GO READ THE DANG BOOK!

Stevie is high school student who excels at detecting and solving mysteries. Where better than to go to a school founded on the philosophy that learning is best when it is played as a game and a puzzle to be solved? Stevie, inspired by the mystery surrounding the kidnapping, disappearance and murder of the daughter and wife of the school's founder in 1938, writes a passionate application and finds herself accepted at the exclusive and isolated Ilingham Academy. Stevie is determined to find out what really happened and solve the crime. But reality intervenes, the present imitates the past and Stevie finds herself in the midst of a new - or is it a continuing - series of events that will put both her resolve and her abilities to the test.

As a High School Librarian, I consider this a very readable book, just enough relationship story-line to appeal to teens and events that move along well. I could not put this down and cannot wait for the sequel.

Barbara Kelly

Maureen Johnson has come a long way from her first several (also wonderful, to be clear) contemporary novels. Her spooky ghost stories were un-put-down-able, and while I probably wouldn't have predicted her writing a mystery novel after having read her earlier books, she certainly has grown into an adept detective story writer. Truly Devious has a magnetic main character, Stevie, who doesn't always make good choices, but you root for her anyway. It's set at a mysterious boarding school on the side of a mountain, and this fast-paced story keeps developing more interesting layers as you go. I was addicted and finished it in two days. Cannot wait for the next one!

I've been addicted to a true crime podcast lately, so this murder-mystery was right up my alley. I've loved reading Maureen Johnson's novels ever since I picked up SUITE SCARLETT, and I really enjoyed the Shades of London series. I honestly can't wait until the next novel in the series comes out, because TRULY DEVIOUS was such a thrilling ride; I loved the dual stories and how well they worked together. The mystery hooked me from the very beginning, and Stevie was fantastic as well.

Maureen Johnson doesn't disappoint as an author until you get to the last page and there are no more pages and you realize the book is over and the next one isn't even finished yet let alone published and you'll have to wait FOREVER to find out what happened and why do you do this to yourself every time you pick up one of her books?

See first 4 words above. (This book is amazing. This book will make you love mysteries and twisty storylines.)

Truly Devious is an excellent murder and missing persons mystery novel. Maureen Johnson has created a believable world that is filled with strong characters and snappy dialogue. The protagonist is real and has faults, and these are dealt with honestly. I admire that the author has addressed Panic Disorder so accurately in this novel as well. Just a really great story and I don't usually like mysteries! I can't wait to find out what happens next.

Stevie Bell is one of my new favorite YA detectives! The alternating stories of the mystery from the past and the mystery from the future was not confusing but just added to the story all the more. Unique characters and an ending that was a surprise for me. There is a huge cliffhanger but I will forgive the author for that because the story was so good and I would want more anyways. Put me in mind of a type of "Clue".

Stevie is one of my favorite characters lately. She is both charmingly awkward and weird, while also being incredibly smart and flawed. Her drive and desire to make something of herself, while attempting to solve a decades old crime give her a purpose that is sometimes at odds with her own best interests. In a scene where she's caught snooping, she wrestles with (a very relatable) pull to find answers to questions, while still knowing it's crossing a line. I can't wait to find out more about her, and her investigation in the next book!

This should be titled, "Buy the Next Book, Too." Very much wanted to like this, and might have, except for the really, really bad ending. The characters were flat, despite the author's attempts to make them quirky (part of the storyline?). I'm just not interested enough to take the time to read the "next" one.

Teacher review: This book was a page-turner and has a perfect mix of intrigue, plot twists, interesting characters, humor, shifting timelines, and drama. The setting--a progressive, remote Vermont boarding school with an unsolved mystery--and all the references to famous crimes and mysteries set the mood, and the unique main character is very compelling but also a hot mess. I loved it, and young adult readers will love it, too.The ending left many loose threads that will hopefully be answered in the next book . . . at least they better be. I will be recommending this to teens who like mysteries and good writing.

3.5 stars. This raises more questions than it answers, leaving the answers for future books. I didn't click with any of the characters in this which is crucial for me as a reader if I am going to enjoy a book. I will definitely try book 2 when it comes out to see if that ties some things up and leaves me feeling more satisfied. The ending of this had a nice punch, which is what will get me to try book 2.

This is a wonderfully intricate mystery, spreading across two timelines that were equally intriguing. I easily could have read it in one sitting! I also loved the characters, Stevie was a great main character and all the supporting characters felt so well fleshed out. I can't wait for the next one!

After reading the first chapter of this book, I was hooked! I don't usually read murder mystery type books, but this one was excellent! And so much more than I expected going in! I absolutely love Stevie and can't wait for the sequel!!

Most authors are inconsistent - some of their books are not as good as others. But Maureen Johnson is reliably consistent, every book is well-written, entertaining, and incredibly relatable. Truly Devious may be her best yet, and that is saying a lot. It is impossible not to love Stevie Bell, the main character, who devoted her life to mysteries, and knows “Where her books were, she was. Get the books right, and the rest will follow.” (p.40)
The characters are believable, the plot is well-paced and gripping, and I cannot wait for the next books in the series.

All I can say is, Wow. Maureen continues to outdo herself with each new book she publishes, and Truly Devious is no exception! Once I started reading, I couldn't stop and had to read it all in one sitting. Her writing style brings her characters to life with an intensity that is rarely matched. While I'm not great with words and am struggling to put into words how much I love this book, I promise you won't be disappointed. Now on to wait for book two!

An addictive, contemporary YA mystery that I couldn't stop reading. I can't believe the next book in the series doesn't come out for a year. Guess I'll just have to reread this a million times til then.

Truly Devious has dug into my top 5 favorite books of all time. I was hanging on every word and every twist. It made me never want to put it down. You instantly fall in love with Stevie and her love of solving mysteries. My love of Sherlock just increased my admiration for this book. It left me wanting...no needing...the sequel now.

But I accidentally finished in a day. I literally THREW the book across the room screaming for more. This book is so real and the characters feel so genuine and the story just GRABS you!! I cannot WAIT for the second one and I’ll just die in the meantime

Do you long for the feeling of reading Nancy Drew or Miss Fisher mysteries? Have you been longing for a new mystery, a new strong willed female detective, a new adventure? Look no further than Maureen Johnson's triumphant new book, Truly Devious.

Greatest Hits:

Not only is this book a love letter to the mystery genre, it winds itself around your soul until you are compelled to finish it in a single sitting. The pacing is phenomenal, the prose has a cinematic quality that is executed flawlessly, and the characters are so lovable it's almost impossible not to get attached to them.

Possibly my only complaint is that the love interest doesn't have much chemistry with the protagonist and actually is the only character I had a hard time rooting for. If I had to guess I'd say that at some point in a later book the protagonist is going to realize she's not into this character at all, but perhaps I'm reading too much into that.

In any case the protagonist herself is so utterly delightful that she lifts the book into the stratosphere of my all time favorite few. Her voice rings off the page with such believability that I wondered briefly if she might be a real person. I got lost in this book, and that is owing largely to the fact that it is so character driven.

My conclusion:

This book is a must read for mystery fans and those just dipping a toe into the genre. If you like character driven stories with suspense, this is absolutely for you.

Happy reading!

-Kat

I truly (get it lol :) ) loved this book. I'm sure my followers must be getting tired of me always saying how much I love the books I read, but hey, what can I say, I only read stuff that I love lol.

WARNING: This is book 1 in a 3 part series so don't expect every detail to be all wrapped up pretty with a bow on it. I've already seen complaints online from people that didn't like that all of their questions  were not answered - it's called a cliffhanger, people. Read book 2 & 3!! That being said....

I really enjoyed the intertwined mysteries that the author spun together. The main character, Stevie, is an aspiring detective who is obsessed with true crime and particularly in the Ellingham crimes. This passion is what caused her to be selected for the elite private school. Once at the school, it's like a dream come true for her to actually be able to see and explore the areas where the Ellinghams lived. While the separation from her family and living somewhere with people she doesn't know is overwhelming to her, she focuses on her passion and pushes on. 

When her housemates encourage her to work on a project with them concerning the Ellingham mystery, she is a little hesitant but when they tell her they are going to explore an area of the property that was previously off-limits, she can't help to say yes. When something happens to one of them one night after working on their project, Stevie sets out to figure out exactly what happened with the Ellinghams and what happened to her classmate. 

The transition from past to present was done perfectly with flashbacks and interviews from the Ellinghams and people in their circle in the 1936 as we learn what Stevie knows about the kidnappings. The present revolves around Stevie and her classmates and the relationships they are building in their new setting.

The story definitely didn't end the way that I expected and I appreciate the author making sure to keep her reader's tripped up so things didn't become predictable. Do I wish everything had been resolved at the end? Of course! But now I'm just all that more excited for the 2nd book to come out!

With mystery, a little romance and lots of plot twists this book will have something for everyone. 

Maureen Johnson has come a long way from her first several (also wonderful, to be clear) contemporary novels. Her spooky ghost stories were un-put-down-able, and while I probably wouldn't have predicted her writing a mystery novel after having read her earlier books, she certainly has grown into an adept detective story writer. Truly Devious has a magnetic main character, Stevie, who doesn't always make good choices, but you root for her anyway. It's set at a mysterious boarding school on the side of a mountain, and this fast-paced story keeps developing more interesting layers as you go. I was addicted and finished it in two days. Cannot wait for the next one!

This is a wonderfully intricate mystery, spreading across two timelines that were equally intriguing. I easily could have read it in one sitting! I also loved the characters, Stevie was a great main character and all the supporting characters felt so well fleshed out. I can't wait for the next one!

I LOVED this series starter: smart and twisty and clever and atmospheric, combining a contemporary setting with period flashbacks. I seriously cannot guess how Johnson is going to wrap it all up in the next books, but I'm very excited to find out.

"I'm a pretty, pretty girl," Stevie said. "Who likes to be comfortable."

Maureen Johnson's first book in this series is great. I started reading it casually because I like Maureen Johnson's books, and I couldn't put it down.

Truly Devious follows Stevie, a young aspiring detective with a love of Sherlock Holmes, as she embarks on a journey to a new school, a fancy school full of interesting people (or as her mother calls them, "others"). It's not just a fancy school, but it's home to a great unsolved murder mystery that consumes Stevie's interests.

Maureen Johnson does a great job of weaving the story from present day at the school, to 1936, when the original mystery occurred. She gives just enough details to keep you thinking about what could've happened, and enough suspicion to realize you have no idea who the guilty party is. She does a great job including a myriad of different characters at this eccentric school, that makes you wish it existed in real life and that you were going there.

There is a bit of a cliffhanger at the end, and we are left with 2 unsolved mysteries, more questions... and eager anticipation of the next book in the series! Highly recommend this book to anyone that enjoys mysteries, intriguing characters, and escaping into a good book.

In the 1930s Ellingham Academy had three people disappear in one day. One was a student, while the other two were the wife and daughter of the rich Mr. Ellingham who founded the school. Two bodies were found, the third person disappeared without a trace, and later a fourth person died. Just prior to the deaths, Mr. Ellingham received a threatening note in rhyme made of pasted letters from magazines signed Truly, Devious. Though a man was tried for the crime, many aren't really convinced he did it. Eighty years later Stephanie (Stevie) Bell is headed to Ellingham Academy as a student. Stevie is a true crime enthusiast and wants to work for the FBI some day. She would love to solve the decades old mystery while at the academy. But after years of silence, Truly Devious has decided to reappear at Ellingham. Another student is found dead just days into the new school year. Stevie is right in the middle of this new investigation as one of the witnesses. And though the authorities think it is an open and shut case of an accident, Stevie's mind won't stop turning over the evidence and thinking they are missing something.

What's truly devious about this book is the ending. I totally thought this was a stand alone book and the mystery would be wrapped up by the last page, but nope. Even if it were a series, you'd expect these cases to be wrapped up and the next book would pick up a new case, right? But no. Stevie gets tantalizingly close to answers and then bam...To Be Continued. Arrghh!!! I really liked the way the old case was presented in sections every now and then so that the old case unfolds just as the new case is also unfolding. I actually preferred the old case sections of the book. They read like a classic film noir mystery and I do love mysteries from back then. The modern sections followed Stevie around as she adjusts to life at Ellingham, living in a dorm with five other Juniors and Seniors (1 Youtube star, 1 shy and sullen writer guy, 1 guy who dresses like he's poor but is obviously rich and who Stevie can't figure out if she likes or not, 1 bubbly lesbian, and 1 emotional artsy girl), trying to puzzle out the secrets her classmates and dorm residents are hiding, and figuring out how to be social. And then once the murder happens in Stevie's time, she becomes obsessed with figuring out that puzzle. I definitely appreciated the well done and tantalizing laid out mystery aspects to this book. That gets 5 stars. I could have done without some of the teenage hormones and drama (thus 1 lost star). (And I definitely did not feel like the guy Stevie is attracted to is good for her at all, but we'll have to see if my mistrust is validated in the next book.) I would definitely recommend waiting on reading this till the second book comes out unless you enjoy prolonged torture (and thus the other lost star). Those who like a mix of classic mysteries and modern college dorm stories should enjoy this (I know, it is a high school campus but it feels more like a college campus).

Notes on content: Occasional mild to moderate language with 2 uses of strong language towards the end. No sex scenes. There's kissing of both heterosexual and homosexual couples. There's some heavy kissing that almost goes further but the teens get interrupted. It is implied others meet up for making out or more. There is one bloody description of a shooting. Other deaths just mention finding the bodies and not much description of wounds. The teens casually joke about doing drugs (you can't tell if they are serious or not, several of them aren't entirely reliable). Right after going over the school rules, one of the Seniors informs Stevie and the other new Junior girl all the ways to break the rules including how to get alcohol which she immediately provides for them to consume (and she constantly has champagne and wine throughout the book, but she isn't necessarily admired).