Truly Devious by Maureen Johnson is a young adult mystery novel about Stevie Bell, a teenager that loves solving crimes and she got admitted to Ellingham Academy, a prestigious boarding school in Vermont. The school is famous for an unsolved kidnapping and murder from the 1930s, known as the Truly Devious case. Stevie hopes to solve the cold case, but soon after she arrives, a new crime suggests that the mystery is far from over.
One of the novel’s strengths is its use of two timelines, switching between the past and the present. This keeps the story interesting and slowly reveals important clues. Stevie is a relatable main character who struggles with anxiety and fitting in, which makes her feel realistic and easy to connect with. The setting of Ellingham Academy adds to the suspense, with its isolated location and secretive atmosphere.
Although the mystery is engaging, the book does not fully solve the case by the end since it is the first in a series. Overall, Truly Devious is an exiting and well-written YA mystery that would really appeal to readers who enjoy suspense, mysteries, and crime stories.