Truly Devious : A Mystery
Truly Devious: A Mystery by Maureen Johnson is published by KATHERINE TEGEN and was released on March 9, 2021. This 448-page book is written in English and introduces readers to Ellingham Academy, a prestigious private school in Vermont known for its innovative environment created by founder Albert Ellingham. The narrative centers around a historical kidnapping that remains unsolved, involving a chilling riddle signed by the enigmatic “Truly, Devious.” The story follows Stevie Bell, a true-crime enthusiast, as she embarks on her first year at the academy with the goal of unraveling this cold case while navigating her new life and diverse housemates.
As the plot unfolds, readers will encounter the resurgence of the Truly Devious mystery, leading to new developments and threats at Ellingham Academy. The intertwining of past and present mysteries creates a complex narrative that challenges Stevie as she seeks to uncover the truth behind the original crime and its modern implications. This edition serves as the first installment in the Truly Devious series, setting the stage for Stevie’s ongoing pursuit of justice in subsequent books.
Official synopsis Publisher
New York Times bestselling author Maureen Johnson weaves a delicate tale of murder and mystery in the first book of a striking new series, perfect for fans of Agatha Christie and E. Lockhart.
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.
The two interwoven mysteries of this first book in the Truly Devious series dovetail brilliantly, and Stevie Bell will continue her relentless quest for the murderers in books two and three.
Publishers Weekly Best Books of 2018 * Junior Library Guild Selection * 2019 YALSA Best Fiction for Young Adults Nomination * 2019 ALA’s Best Fiction for Young Adults Nomination * Chicago Public Library Best of the Best Books 2018 * Goodreads Choice Award Nominee for Young Adult Fiction 2018 * 2018 Nerdy Book Club Young Adult Winner * Seventeen Best YA Book of 2018 * Lincoln Award Nominee * 2020-2021 South Carolina Book Awards Nominee * 2020 Pennsylvania Young Readers’ Choice Award Winner
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