Review: Truly Devious by Maureen Johnson
by Sophia Downey
Our Youth Literacy Ambassador Sophia Downey shares her thoughts on Truly Devious, written by New York Times bestselling YA author Maureen Johnson.
About 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.
Borrow a copy of Truly Devious on our catalogue.
Sophia's review:
Truly Devious is a mystery book with themes of justice perseverance and loyalty. The story is told through the eyes of the lovable high school girl, Stevie, who is super intelligent and courageous.
This book sees Stevie starting at Ellingham academy a posh boarding school in the beautiful mountains of Vermont. She is trying to adjust to being at a new school and having to make friends, but she is glad that she is far away from her rather odd parents.
Having always wanted to be a detective, Ellingham academy offers Stevie an irresistible opportunity to try and solve the historical case of the murder of the school founder's wife and daughter, which remains a mystery.
Truly Devious is full of suspense and drama and I would definitely recommend it and the rest of the series to anyone who enjoyed A Good Girls Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson and The Naturals by Jennifer Lynn Barnes.
Love books? Want to discuss them in a reading group? Find out how to get started →