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3.79 AVERAGE
3.79 AVERAGE
I don’t even know what to think?? I am thrilled that we have another mystery with Stevie and the gang and that we got a chance to travel to London for all of the British mystery vibes. It was a good fast-paced read like we have come to expect. However, I thought the mystery was a little bit less developed than the previous books. It felt squashed into such a short time period (1 week) and was never fully explained. This left the ending not quite as satisfying as the others. And the last couple pages just has me mad! All of that being said, it was still a fantastic book and everything we hoped for out of another Truly Devious mystery. Thanks to NetGalley for the super early ARC!
Omg I loved this so much!! It totally lived up to what Maureen Johnson created with the original Truly Devious trilogy. I love the returning characters, and even though there was a group of 9 new characters in the 1995 timeline, it wasn't overwhelming. They were each individual enough that I had no problem keeping them straight.
I loved everything about this book. I wasn't expecting a cliffhanger and I don't think there's news about a sixth book yet though!!
I loved everything about this book. I wasn't expecting a cliffhanger and I don't think there's news about a sixth book yet though!!
Well - I love Stevie and her whole Ellingham Crew, so while there were a few Moore hoops or issues with this book than the others, I’m still giving it 5 stars because you really need to read the others, to have a grasp on things. So I do agree with the other readers who felt that the mystery was a bit more out of focus here, and personal drama played a bigger role.
As far as the mystery its-self goes, I liked it, and I didn't quite grasp who the killer was until the reveal and thats always fun.
This book seems like an homage into mystery books of the past (like Agatha Christie, or Sir Arthur Conan Doyle) so I enjoyed getting to see Johnson’s take on that.
I’ll continue to follow along with dear Stevie as long as she chooses to write her, but I do see how soon “the fame” could effect our heroine, adding another element to the plot.
As far as the mystery its-self goes, I liked it, and I didn't quite grasp who the killer was until the reveal and thats always fun.
This book seems like an homage into mystery books of the past (like Agatha Christie, or Sir Arthur Conan Doyle) so I enjoyed getting to see Johnson’s take on that.
I’ll continue to follow along with dear Stevie as long as she chooses to write her, but I do see how soon “the fame” could effect our heroine, adding another element to the plot.
adventurous
mysterious
tense
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:
Yes
I've loved all the Stevie Bell mysteries so far and I love this tight-knit friend group Stevie is surrounding herself with.
the murder mystery was *chef's kiss* and I enjoyed the flashback chapters from 1995.
Stevie was a really shitty friend in this one and David is just ugh. an even shittier boyfriend.
so far this is my least favorite in the series. nonetheless definitely worth the read.
I also didn't expect a cliffhanger. definitely need the sixth book immediately!
the murder mystery was *chef's kiss* and I enjoyed the flashback chapters from 1995.
Stevie was a really shitty friend in this one and David is just ugh. an even shittier boyfriend.
so far this is my least favorite in the series. nonetheless definitely worth the read.
I also didn't expect a cliffhanger. definitely need the sixth book immediately!
i enjoy the complexity of the mystery,but lets get real…Stevie is not a good friend. i will continue with this series!
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
*swings fist* WHY I AUGHTA OMFG DAVID!!! not to jump on a hate train but he always gave me sus vibes.
but seriously i love stevie and all the side characters (other than d*vid) so much. i rarely have this visceral of a reaction to a book, i just deeply care so much…
how long do i have to wait for the next ;-;
but seriously i love stevie and all the side characters (other than d*vid) so much. i rarely have this visceral of a reaction to a book, i just deeply care so much…
how long do i have to wait for the next ;-;
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
Previous to picking up the Stevie Bell books, I had never read any Maureen Johnson - I was aware of her, but she was primarily publishing YA in a time I felt I had outgrown it as an audience. However, listening to her talk about her books on her podcast, Says Who, around the time The Box in the Woods was coming out, finally got me to pick them up. I started with Box in the Woods and then moved back to Truly Devious. It's possible to read the series this way, but I don't recommend it.
This is the 5th Stevie Bell book, and the second stand alone novel, although characters and more importantly relationships between characters develop from book to book. So while you could pick this up without reading any other Stevie Bell, you'll might get a little lost as to who's who.
Without spoilers for this book, or character dynamics for other books, this was a fun murder romp, told in Johnson's now consistent style for these mysteries, part flashback/transcript, part present day. I read it in one sitting, about 4 1/2 hours (Sorry Maureen, I know it took a very long time to write and edit), on a rainy Sunday afternoon, which was the perfect setting to read it in. Personally, I'm quite happy about the very end of the book, although I think I might be in the minority on that one.
It was a little slow for Stevie to start getting involved in things, because we had to get to the setting first, but once things picked up, they went along at a good clip. I'm enjoying seeing the character growth between each book, and I'm glad we got some more time with Nate, although more Janelle and Vi please! I especially liked the red herring/not red herring put in about a classic mystery, which foreshadowed part of what happened, without giving the whole thing away.
Looking forward to Stevie Bell 6!
This is the 5th Stevie Bell book, and the second stand alone novel, although characters and more importantly relationships between characters develop from book to book. So while you could pick this up without reading any other Stevie Bell, you'll might get a little lost as to who's who.
Without spoilers for this book, or character dynamics for other books, this was a fun murder romp, told in Johnson's now consistent style for these mysteries, part flashback/transcript, part present day. I read it in one sitting, about 4 1/2 hours (Sorry Maureen, I know it took a very long time to write and edit), on a rainy Sunday afternoon, which was the perfect setting to read it in. Personally, I'm quite happy about the very end of the book, although I think I might be in the minority on that one.
It was a little slow for Stevie to start getting involved in things, because we had to get to the setting first, but once things picked up, they went along at a good clip. I'm enjoying seeing the character growth between each book, and I'm glad we got some more time with Nate, although more Janelle and Vi please! I especially liked the red herring/not red herring put in about a classic mystery, which foreshadowed part of what happened, without giving the whole thing away.
Looking forward to Stevie Bell 6!