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 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…

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.