Truly Devious · #2
The Vanishing Stair
All Stevie Bell wanted was to find the key to the Ellingham mystery, but instead she found her classmate dead. And while she solved that murder, the crimes of the past are still waiting in the dark. Just as Stevie feels she’s on the cusp of putting it together, her parents pull her out of Ellingham academy.
For her own safety they say. She must move past this obsession with crime. Now that Stevie’s away from the school of topiaries and secret tunnels, and her strange and endearing friends, she begins to feel disconnected from the rest of the world. At least she won’t have to see David anymore. David, who she kissed. David, who lied to her about his identity—son of despised politician Edward King. Then King himself arrives at her house to offer a deal: He will bring Stevie back to Ellingham immediately. In return, she must play nice with David. King is in the midst of a campaign and can’t afford his son stirring up trouble. If Stevie’s at school, David will stay put.
The tantalizing riddles behind the Ellingham murders are still waiting to be unraveled, and Stevie knows she’s so close. But the path to the truth has more twists and turns than she can imagine—and moving forward involves hurting someone she cares for. In New York Times bestselling author Maureen Johnson’s second novel of the Truly Devious series, nothing is free, and someone will pay for the truth with their life.
The series
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.
Read full series description
As Stevie digs deeper into the past, unraveling clues and confronting long-buried secrets, she becomes entangled in her own modern-day mystery, one that is as chilling and perplexing as the one that first brought her to Ellingham. The series takes readers on a rollercoaster of twists and turns, with suspense that lingers in every page, drawing them into a world where every answer only seems to lead to more questions.
Set against the backdrop of the eerie, almost cinematic beauty of the school, Truly Devious explores themes of genius, obsession, and the search for truth—blending historical intrigue with contemporary mystery. Stevie's intelligence, determination, and unique outlook on the world make her an unforgettable protagonist, navigating both the past and the present with a sharp mind and a strong will.
With its richly drawn characters, haunting atmosphere, and an ever-present sense of tension, Truly Devious is a series that will appeal to anyone who loves a good mystery, particularly those who enjoy intellectual puzzles layered with personal stakes. Each book deepens the mystery, drawing Stevie—and the reader—closer to discovering the truth behind the Ellingham crime... and potentially uncovering an even more dangerous conspiracy in the process. A thrilling, page-turning adventure that captivates from start to finish, Truly Devious is the perfect series for those who crave suspense, intellect, and a touch of the eerie.
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