The Velvet Knife
Return to the world of Truly Devious as Stevie Bell and her friends travel to New York to solve a murder in the next standalone mystery from New York Times bestselling author Maureen Johnson.
Stevie might be the greatest teenage detective Ellingham Academy and the world has ever seen, but even she can’t figure out what happened with her boyfriend, David. What she needs is a distraction: a good old-fashioned murder. Stevie is much happier dealing with dead people. They’re a lot less confusing—they don’t send cryptic texts and make out with other girls in British pubs.
But then Stevie gets exactly what she wanted when a dead body turns up in the middle of a Manhattan apartment complex, and this one is . . . complicated. Caught in a web of messy alive-people feelings, Stevie finds herself questioning all human connection. Is magnetism only manipulation? Can you trust anyone? Does anyone realize that they’re joining a cult—before it’s too late? And are things with David really over?
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Maureen Johnson
Maureen Johnson is the author who has turned the art of crafting thrilling, witty, and deeply engaging mysteries into a trademark style all her own. Known for her sharp wit and her knack for creating characters that feel instantly alive, Johnson’s books resonate with readers who crave both adventure and emotional depth. Whether delving into high-stakes mystery or the labyrinths of the teenage heart, her stories never fail to surprise, delight, and challenge expectations.
Born in Philadelphia and raised in New Jersey, Maureen’s writing journey has taken her from a love of quirky mysteries to becoming a voice for a new generation of readers. Her breakthrough came with The Key to the Golden Firebird, but it was her Suite Scarlett series, with its unforgettable characters and sophisticated humor, that really captured the imagination of her audience. Known for creating narratives that blend suspense with elements of the everyday, her books like 13 Little Blue Envelopes and the Truly Devious series explore not only the twists and turns of a good mystery but also the self-discovery that often accompanies growing up.
Truly Devious
In the Truly Devious series, Maureen Johnson masterfully blends suspense, wit, and a touch of dark academia to create a gripping mystery that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. At the heart of this atmospheric tale is Stevie Bell, a brilliant, quirky teenager with an obsession for unsolved crimes. When she arrives at the prestigious Ellingham Academy, a school for gifted students, she’s determined to crack the long-unsolved mystery of the Ellingham kidnapping and murder—a crime that has haunted the academy for decades.
Truly Devious consists of five books and series is set to expand with the upcoming release of two more books. The current recommended reading order for the series is provided below.
