The Hand on the Wall
Ellingham Academy must be cursed. Three people are now dead. One, a victim of either a prank gone wrong or a murder. Another, dead by misadventure. And now, an accident in Burlington has claimed another life. All three in the wrong place at the wrong time. All at the exact moment of Stevie’s greatest triumph . . .
She knows who Truly Devious is. She’s solved it. The greatest case of the century.
At least, she thinks she has. With this latest tragedy, it’s hard to concentrate on the past. Not only has someone died in town, but David disappeared of his own free will and is up to something. Stevie is sure that somehow—somehow—all these things connect. The three deaths in the present. The deaths in the past. The missing Alice Ellingham and the missing David Eastman. Somewhere in this place of riddles and puzzles there must be answers.
Then another accident occurs as a massive storm heads toward Vermont. This is too much for the parents and administrators. Ellingham Academy is evacuated. Obviously, it’s time for Stevie to do something stupid. It’s time to stay on the mountain and face the storm—and a murderer.
In the tantalizing finale to the Truly Devious trilogy, New York Times bestselling author Maureen Johnson expertly tangles her dual narrative threads and ignites an explosive end for all who’ve walked through Ellingham Academy.
New York Times bestselling author Maureen Johnson delivers the witty and pulse-pounding conclusion to the Truly Devious series as Stevie Bell solves the mystery that has haunted Ellingham Academy for over 75 years.
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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.
