NINE LIARS By Maureen Johnson

December 24, 2022 by Leave a Comment

I received this book for free from Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

NINE LIARS By Maureen JohnsonNine Liars by Maureen Johnson
Series: Truly Devious #5
Published by Katherine Tegen Books on 12/27/22
Genres: Contemporary, Mystery & Detective, Thrillers, Young Adult
Pages: 457
Format: eARC
Source: Publisher
Buy on Amazon

Senior year at Ellingham Academy for Stevie Bell isn’t going well. Her boyfriend, David, is studying in London. Her friends are obsessed with college applications. With the cold case of the century solved, Stevie is adrift. There is nothing to distract her from the questions pinging around her brain—questions about college, love, and life in general.

Relief comes when David invites Stevie and her friends to join him for study abroad, and his new friend Izzy introduces her to a double-murder cold case. In 1995, nine friends from Cambridge University went to a country house and played a drunken game of hide-and-seek. Two were found in the woodshed the next day, murdered with an ax.

The case was assumed to be a burglary gone wrong, but one of the remaining seven saw something she can’t explain. This was no break-in. Someone’s lying about what happened in the woodshed.

Seven suspects. Two murders. One killer still playing a deadly game.

Short and Sweet Review

It’s senior year at Ellingham Academy for Stevie and its not going well, she needs to start thinking about colleges but she’d rather not. So when her boyfriend in David who is currently in London invites Stevie and her friends to London it’s a welcome distraction. In London David introduces Stevie to Izzy who just happens to mention a double murder from 1995 that was never solved and involves her aunt and her remaining six friends.

In 1995 a group of nine friends decided to play hide and go seek late at night and sometime in the morning it was discovered that two of them were murdered with an ax, also this group of friends have been hiding the truth about what actually happened that night.

When Stevie hears about this the wheels start turning and when she meets Angela, Izzy’s aunt, Stevie starts to wonder what really happened that night, but the thing is Stevie is supposed to be in London for a cultural immersion and learning things that she’ll eventually have to report back to Dr. Quinn who is keeping close tabs on the group. The rest of the group, especially Janelle is trying to stick to the schedule, but when Angela goes missing Stevie feels compelled to solve this case.

This was actually a pretty interesting case, a game of hide and seek a group of friends, an axe murderer, and now a missing woman. I will say the book started off slow but once the case was told to Stevie things start to pick up. This one was a little more complicated because Stevie had to make sure Dr. Quinn didn’t know what she was up to and Stevie kind of felt constricted by her friends because she didn’t want them to get in trouble because she felt the need to stray from their original plans. I will say Stevie made some bad decisions when it came to her friends, on one hand I understand why she did what she did, but on the other she really ended up hurting her friends. Also there was a bigger focus on Stevie and her relationship with David and all I’ll say is I still don’t understand why she likes him and everything I’ve said about him in my other reviews for the previous books in the series just made me see that I was right about him all along. Anyway Stevie is still determined to solve mysteries and catch culprits and we see in this book how much it may lead to her detriment. The ending was okay I was expecting some arrests, a few cop cars, and satisfaction. The book left off on a cliffhanger and I really want to know what Stevie’s next moves are because things seem pretty crappy for her at the moment.

The Truly Devious series is perfect for anyone who likes mysteries and Nine Liars is as compelling as the previous four books in the series. Join Stevie as she solves another mystery and also puts her heart on the line.

Filed Under: Reviews

THE BOX IN THE WOODS By Maureen Johnson

June 16, 2021 by Leave a Comment

I received this book for free from Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

THE BOX IN THE WOODS By Maureen JohnsonThe Box in the Woods by Maureen Johnson
Series: Truly Devious #4
Published by Katherine Tegen Books on 6/15/21
Genres: Mystery & Detective, Young Adult
Pages: 400
Format: eARC
Source: Publisher
Buy on Amazon

Amateur sleuth Stevie Bell needs a good murder. After catching a killer at her high school, she’s back at home for a normal (that means boring) summer.

But then she gets a message from the owner of Sunny Pines, formerly known as Camp Wonder Falls—the site of the notorious unsolved case, the Box in the Woods Murders. Back in 1978, four camp counselors were killed in the woods outside of the town of Barlow Corners, their bodies left in a gruesome display. The new owner offers Stevie an invitation: Come to the camp and help him work on a true crime podcast about the case.

Stevie agrees, as long as she can bring along her friends from Ellingham Academy. Nothing sounds better than a summer spent together, investigating old murders.

But something evil still lurks in Barlow Corners. When Stevie opens the lid on this long-dormant case, she gets much more than she bargained for. The Box in the Woods will make room for more victims. This time, Stevie may not make it out alive.

Short and Sweet

In 1978, at Camp Wonder Falls four camp counselors were murdered and the case was never solved. In comes Stevie, the new owner invites Stevie to come to the camp to help him with his true crime podcast about the podcast, Stevie agrees to this as long as her friends can come along. Now Stevie is spending her summer with her friends and investigating a decades old murder. In a small town like Barlow Corners people know more than they’re sharing and Stevie is in for more than she bargained for.

Characters

Stevie: Our favorite mystery solver is back! I love Stevie, seeing her thought process is amazing I like seeing how she thinks of different pieces of the case. We see Stevie get stumped a few times but we also see her figure things out she’s like a modern day Nancy Drew.

My Thoughts

In 1978, four teen camp counselors went into the woods at night and didn’t come back out and the case was never solved. Stevie is recruited to come because she just recently solved the Ellingham case. I was so happy that she was able to bring Janelle and Nate, we also see David later on. Anyway we meet the townspeople and a few of the people who were actually at the camp when the murders happened so anyone of them could be the suspects but they all have alibis but the police investigation back then wasn’t so great. Stevie tries to do some interviews but some of the people aren’t happy she’s there so they aren’t really willing to talk and then out of nowhere one of the townsfolk is murdered so the plot thickens! Now Stevie knows for sure someone has something to hide and she’s getting closer to finding out what it is. Stevie being Stevie ended everything in a way only she could and I loved it.

Overall

I really enjoyed this book. The setting was great maybe because its summer right now so the camp vibes were perfect. I was hooked until the very last page trying to figure out what could of happened back in 1978 and I was not disappointed. I’m just so happy that I got to read this book and I would read it again. If you haven’t read this series, do it!


Filed Under: Reviews

THE HAND ON THE WALL By Maureen Johnson

March 23, 2020 by Leave a Comment

I received this book for free from Reviewer Purchase in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

THE HAND ON THE WALL By Maureen JohnsonThe Hand on the Wall by Maureen Johnson
Series: Truly Devious #3
Published by Katherine Tegen Books on 1/21/20
Genres: Contemporary, Mystery & Detective, Young Adult
Pages: 375
Format: Ebook
Source: Reviewer Purchase
Buy on Amazon

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.

Short and Sweet Review

Stevie Bell has solved the crime of the century, but accidents are still plaguing Ellingham Academy and after the latest accident Ellingham is evacuated. The Hand on the Wall takes place right where the last book ended and now Stevie is just trying to figure out how the three deaths that recently occurred are connected. Stevie is so smart just watching her piece things together was amazing because just reading the book I had no idea how everything could have happened. The book still alternates between the past and the present and in this book I appreciated looking into the past more than I did in the previous books, it showed what happened in the original case and how that case became what it was. I’m glad that Stevie had friends like Janelle and Nate around I also enjoyed Hunter’s presence. When all of the other students are evacuated, Stevie and her friends decide to stay at Ellingham by hiding and they obviously get to stay because of the massive storm. During that time our dear friend David comes back… I still don’t like him I still don’t know what Stevie sees in him but that’s none of my business. In the end everything is laid out and its amazing how everything came together. This was a great trilogy and the mystery was great not once over the course of these three books did it become obvious as to who the culprit was or what was causing the accidents. I love these books and this was a great ending and I would read these books all over again. If you love mysteries and crime solving pick this trilogy up, you won’t be disappointed!


Filed Under: Reviews

THE VANISHING STAIR By Maureen Johnson

February 4, 2019 by Leave a Comment

I received this book for free from Reviewer Purchase in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

THE VANISHING STAIR By Maureen JohnsonThe Vanishing Stair by Maureen Johnson
Series: Truly Devious #2
Published by Katherine Tegen Books on 1/22/19
Genres: Contemporary, Mystery & Detective, Young Adult
Pages: 384
Format: Ebook
Source: Reviewer Purchase
Buy on Amazon

ReviewedbyDani

The Truly Devious case—an unsolved kidnapping and triple murder that rocked Ellingham Academy in 1936—has consumed Stevie for years. It’s the very reason she came to the academy. But then her classmate was murdered, and her parents quickly pull her out of school. For her safety, they say. She must move past this obsession with crime.

Stevie’s willing to do anything to get back to Ellingham, be back with her friends, and solve the Truly Devious case. Even if it means making a deal with the despicable Senator Edward King. And when Stevie finally returns, she also returns to David: the guy she kissed, and the guy who lied about his identity—Edward King’s son.

But larger issues are at play. Where did the murderer hide? What’s the meaning of the riddle Albert Ellingham left behind? And what, exactly, is at stake in the Truly Devious affair? The Ellingham case isn’t just a piece of history—it’s a live wire into the present.


Short and Sweet

After leaving Ellingham Academy because of her parents worrying all Stevie wants is a way to go back. When Edward King offer to take her back to Ellingham Stevie knows it comes with a price but she’s willing to make a deal with him if that means she gets to go back. Now that Stevie is back she gets right back to trying to solve the Truly Devious case.

Characters

Stevie: Stevie is the same I don’t really feel like she had much character growth. Stevie is put in a hard situation she’s only back at Ellingham Academy courtesy of Edward King and he wants Stevie to keep an eye on David and make sure he doesn’t get in trouble which is easier said than done mainly because he purposely gets in trouble. Stevie is also still trying to solve the Truly Devious case while juggling everything else.

Nate: Nate is socially awkward but he’s still a likable character and a good friend to Stevie he understands her and tries to help her when he can.

Janelle: Janelle is one of Stevie’s best friends at Ellingham and I love how she is always willing to help Stevie and push her out of her comfort zone.

David: Edward King’s son, Stevie’s love interest, my least favorite character. I’m sorry but I can’t with this kid. I get it that he lost his friend but he was the worst in the first book too even before Ellie went missing. I just don’t understand what his problem is, like I said earlier its like he purposely tries to be infuriating and I can’t stand scenes with him. He makes it hard for Stevie to make sure he’s okay he just goes off and does things for who knows what reason and I’m going to stop now because if I don’t I can go on forever about how I don’t like him. If you like him I’m sorry…

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Romance

Stevie and David: Y’all I just looked at my review for Truly Devious to see what I wrote about Stevie and David and I said, “I didn’t like the two of them together it just didn’t feel right.” After reading this book I still don’t like them together I honestly don’t know what she sees in the kid I think he’s trash. Once he finds out how Stevie was allowed to go back to Ellingham he wasn’t the least bit understanding just because it involve his dad. I think he’s the worst and she can do better.

My Thoughts

~ I was so excited to dive back into this mystery and find out if Stevie could finally solve the Truly Devious case and I was not disappointed. She’s smart and she has a way of viewing things and looking at clues that helps her see things that others haven’t and its amazing to picture. Stevie is like a modern day Nancy Drew.

~ One of my favorite characters is Larry the security guard, he looks out for Stevie and is someone she can go to and I liked that, he’s one of the main adult figures that she often goes to for advice.

~ So not only is Stevie trying to solve the Truly Devious case, but she’s trying to find Ellie, and she starts helping an author whose interest is also in the Truly Devious case.

~ I also thought that Janelle and Nate are great friends honestly I like their group dynamic they’re all so different but it works.

~ By the way I still don’t like David honestly he’s just a menace and it’s gross. This isn’t a spoiler so I’ll just say it he likes to cause trouble and started doing screaming meditation early in the morning ugh.

Overall

I love mysteries and this is one of my favorite series and I’m kind of upset that I have to wait another year for the next book, because this one just ended on a cliffhanger and I need to know what’s going to happen! I definitely recommend this series its a good mystery and I personally don’t think its one that is predictable it always keeps me guessing I love it.

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Filed Under: Reviews

TRULY DEVIOUS By Maureen Johnson

February 17, 2018 by Leave a Comment

I received this book for free from Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

TRULY DEVIOUS By Maureen JohnsonTruly Devious by Maureen Johnson
Series: Truly Devious #1
Published by Katherine Tegen Books on 1/16/18
Genres: Contemporary, Mystery & Detective, Thrillers, Young Adult
Pages: 432
Format: eARC
Source: Publisher
Buy on Amazon

ReviewedbyDani

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.


Short and Sweet

Albert Ellingham created Ellingham Academy a private school in Vermont for students who were bright. Tragedy struck when a mysterious person going by the name Truly Devious leaves a riddle for Ellingham, not only that but Ellingham’s wife and child were kidnapped and a student was murdered. Now in present day Stevie Bell is ready to attend Ellingham Academy. Stevie loves crimes, mysteries, and is determined to solve the infamous Truly Devious case, but things get complicated when strange things start to occur at Ellingham.

Characters

Stevie: Our main character. I loved Stevie, we don’t see many protagonist that are into true crime. Stevie looked at things from all angles and she pieced things together. I was rooting for Stevie to finally solve the case that no one else has been able to.

Janelle: One of Stevie’s roommates. Janelle was an inventor and someone Stevie had correspondance with online before they both arrived at Ellingham Academy. Janelle was supportive of Stevie and her interest in solving the murder and I love how sweet she is to everyone she meets.

Nate: One of Stevie’s roommates. Nate was a writer and he liked to stay to himself. He was interesting in the fact that you really had to get things out him, but he was a good friend to Stevie when she needed it.

Hayes: One of Stevie’s roommates. Hayes was a youtube star and was looking for some new ideas. He didn’t mind the attention because any publicity is good publicity.

Ellie: One of Stevie’s roommates. Ellie was a second year student and she was very out there. Ellie is an artist and she wasn’t shy.

David: One of Stevie’s roommates. David was considered the jokester of the group. He was also a second year student.

Romance

Stevie and David: Opposites attract and thats what happened with these two. David got on Stevie’s nerves and to retaliate she would come up with sly remarks. I didn’t like the two of them together it just didn’t feel right.

Janelle and Vi: We don’t get to know the details of their relationship but we do see them in a few scenes and it was cute.

Quotes

~ “Games are not fun when you don’t know you’re playing.”

~ “Stevie had no fears of the dead. The living, however, sometimes gave her the creeps.”

My Thoughts

~ Truly Devious, goes back and forth between the present and when the school first opened, so we get an insight on Albert Ellingham’s life and what occurred the day his wife and child went missing. It also helps to understand more about the past to understand what Stevie sees and knows about the mystery.

~ We don’t get enough clues to solve the mystery on our own but its understandable especially if this is a trilogy and this first book is building up to something.

~ I loved the characters but Stevie, Janelle, and Nate were my favorite. Probably because those three were first year students so they could bond about that.

~ I was more invested in the Truly Devious mystery than the mystery occurring in the present mainly because there was more information on that than on the one currently taking place.

~ One aspect I loved was the police reports from the past, we also get different POVs when reading the chapters about the first mystery. In the present chapters we get Stevie’s POV only

Overall

This book was exactly what I needed to get out of my reading slump! I loved it and I need book two right now! The book just ended when things were starting to come together and left me with a major cliffhanger. I definitely recommend this book if you love mysteries and crime, you even get two mysteries for the price of one!

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Filed Under: Reviews