Truly Devious
Ellingham Academy is a famous private school in Vermont for the brightest thinkers, inventors, and artists. It was founded by Albert Ellingham, an early twentieth century tycoon, who wanted to make a wonderful place full of riddles, twisting pathways, and gardens. “A place,” he said, “where learning is a game.”
Shortly after the school opened, his wife and daughter were kidnapped. 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.
True-crime aficionado Stevie Bell is set to begin her first year at Ellingham Academy, and she has an ambitious plan: She will solve this cold case. That is, she will solve the case when she gets a grip on her demanding new school life and her housemates: the inventor, the novelist, the actor, the artist, and the jokester. But something strange is happening. Truly Devious makes a surprise return, and death revisits Ellingham Academy. The past has crawled out of its grave. Someone has gotten away with murder.
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 books two and three.
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.
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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 one more book. The current recommended reading order for the series is provided below.
