Truly Devious by Maureen Johnson
What’s it’s about: Ellingham Academy is a private school for the most elite, creative thinkers. Albert Ellingham, who was the richest man in America, founded it to create a special place of learning, games, and riddles. During its first year, Albert’s wife and daughter are kidnapped. Only one real clue from the case is ever connected, a creepy poem that was previously mailed to Albert signed “Truly, Devious”. The crime was never solved. Decades later, crime-lover Stevie Bell is beginning her first year at Ellingham Academy. She has one goal: solve the Ellingham Case. But it’s not so simple, she has her hard curriculum and strange housemates to figure out too. But then, Truly Devious returns to The Academy, and so does death. The two mysterious start to connect and Stevie is determined to figure out the truth.
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My thoughts: I cannot begin to express how perfect this mystery is. The setup of the story with the duel timelines is unreal. The author brilliantly reveals twist after twist and secret after secret. I feel as though I can’t trust a single character and it’s glorious. The characters are amazing. I love how unique and developed each of their personalities are, they come alive on the page.
Stevie is so interesting as a character. Her anxiety representation was so well done too. She is very relatable and I love that her struggles and feelings are so authentic. I loved seeing her reach out to make friends and how all of her housemates slowly slipped under her shell.
I must also hand it to David’s character. I haven’t felt this way about a book boy in a while. At first, he irked me, just like Stevie. But later on, I found myself smiling at my book because of his lines. He snuck right up on me!
The setting is incredible! A remote academy with secret passages and tunnels. Sign. Me. Up. The writing style is so magical i was no expecting such stunning imagery and description.
I don’t have a single complaint about this story. It’s perfect mystery and I NEED to know how this all ends!
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Rating: ★★★★★
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