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3.9 AVERAGE
3.9 AVERAGE
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I got an e-ARC from EpicReads Insiders
It was kinda boring... And I didn't like the characters... I almost DNFed the book.
I was bored the entire time before someone died. It felt like Maureen Johnson wanted to make a super deep mystery that would completely entrance you and completely puzzle you, but it wasn't really like that at all. It was kinda predictable, and I didn't like the romance either. One of them was too insta-love, and the other too cliche, or at least for me. The couple hated each other, but one actually liked the other one, and look now they're kissing. I dunno if I'll continue with this series, but probably only to find out what happens.
Also... THERE WERE SO MANY DOUBLE NEGATIVES. Now, I don't mind one or two double negatives, as they're kinda interesting and give some 'spunk' to the book, (I dunno what I'm trying to say here), but there were maybe 10 or even 15 double negatives. I know it doesn't sound like a lot, but if you read it, it'll make more sense. It just confused me and completely stopped my flow of reading, because I had to explain to myself how double negatives worked. Every. Single. Time. It got annoying.
It was kinda boring... And I didn't like the characters... I almost DNFed the book.
I was bored the entire time before someone died. It felt like Maureen Johnson wanted to make a super deep mystery that would completely entrance you and completely puzzle you, but it wasn't really like that at all. It was kinda predictable, and I didn't like the romance either. One of them was too insta-love, and the other too cliche, or at least for me. The couple hated each other, but one actually liked the other one, and look now they're kissing. I dunno if I'll continue with this series, but probably only to find out what happens.
Also... THERE WERE SO MANY DOUBLE NEGATIVES. Now, I don't mind one or two double negatives, as they're kinda interesting and give some 'spunk' to the book, (I dunno what I'm trying to say here), but there were maybe 10 or even 15 double negatives. I know it doesn't sound like a lot, but if you read it, it'll make more sense. It just confused me and completely stopped my flow of reading, because I had to explain to myself how double negatives worked. Every. Single. Time. It got annoying.
This was super engaging, but I'm also glad that I'm binge-reading the books because I don't know how happy I'd be waiting for the next one to come out. I get why the book ends on a cliffhanger but it definitely feels unfinished - it really doesn't work unless you're invested in the characters. I'm enjoying the story but it's also not super memorable.
I liked this one but didn't love it. I really enjoyed the school setting and found the mystery to be compelling enough. Though it wasn't a favorite, I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the series and solving the mystery!
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
adventurous
dark
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I came into this book from a reading slump and a dnf.
I started it not expecting anything.
I finished it amazed. Wanting the sequel. The suspense is terrible. Not terrible bad, addictive terrible.
Truly Devious:
The plot twists were unexpected and jolting. 5/5 on that front. I thought I knew the murderer. But the lists of suspects grew longer and longer. With Hayes dead, there were even more suspects and suspicion. Marie, or was it Gabrielle, Gretchen even? Who was David? And Security Larry? Was he George Marsh? Was Mr. Ellingham alive somehow? Or had he killed Iris, Alice and Dottie.
David's father was Edward King... and Ellie had something to do with the murder.... George Marsh and Mr. Ellingham died from a bomb... The riddle on the wall....
'Riddle, riddle, on the wall
Murder comes to pay a call
a body in a lonely field
will it's secrets be revealed?
or the lady in the lake?
will she give the lucky break?
alice, alice, where are you?
won't you give a single clue?
The detective's here
it's time to play!
Truly Devious
Lives another day!'
The romance was a subplot and added a bit of warmth. I have a soft spot for David. But I still would've put Nate and Stevie together. Maybe they're better as friends?
The dual timeline- for me it was really cool. You needed it, of course. I wondered if the first Truly Devious attack era- when Dottie, Iris, and Alice died- could've been in a prequel, just to help the story go more smoothly. But, it probably wouldn't have worked. Also I did wonder what year it was in the present? So maybe that could've been mentioned.
The map, interviews and newspaper cuttings were a very good add on. And it was easy to imagine and get yourself lost in the story. The chapters left on cliffhangers. And the writing was a decent size- very easy to read.
Overall, I have to say this was the best mystery book I've read this year. And fights with the Murder Most Unladylike series for best murder mystery I've read in my life...
4.92⭐.
'These walls probably had stories'
I started it not expecting anything.
I finished it amazed. Wanting the sequel. The suspense is terrible. Not terrible bad, addictive terrible.
Truly Devious:
The plot twists were unexpected and jolting. 5/5 on that front. I thought I knew the murderer. But the lists of suspects grew longer and longer. With Hayes dead, there were even more suspects and suspicion. Marie, or was it Gabrielle, Gretchen even? Who was David? And Security Larry? Was he George Marsh? Was Mr. Ellingham alive somehow? Or had he killed Iris, Alice and Dottie.
David's father was Edward King... and Ellie had something to do with the murder.... George Marsh and Mr. Ellingham died from a bomb... The riddle on the wall....
'Riddle, riddle, on the wall
Murder comes to pay a call
a body in a lonely field
will it's secrets be revealed?
or the lady in the lake?
will she give the lucky break?
alice, alice, where are you?
won't you give a single clue?
The detective's here
it's time to play!
Truly Devious
Lives another day!'
The romance was a subplot and added a bit of warmth. I have a soft spot for David. But I still would've put Nate and Stevie together. Maybe they're better as friends?
The dual timeline- for me it was really cool. You needed it, of course. I wondered if the first Truly Devious attack era- when Dottie, Iris, and Alice died- could've been in a prequel, just to help the story go more smoothly. But, it probably wouldn't have worked. Also I did wonder what year it was in the present? So maybe that could've been mentioned.
The map, interviews and newspaper cuttings were a very good add on. And it was easy to imagine and get yourself lost in the story. The chapters left on cliffhangers. And the writing was a decent size- very easy to read.
Overall, I have to say this was the best mystery book I've read this year. And fights with the Murder Most Unladylike series for best murder mystery I've read in my life...
4.92⭐.
'These walls probably had stories'