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3.79 AVERAGE
3.79 AVERAGE
I had high hopes for this book and it fell short. I absolutely loved the original trilogy of this series. Things started to go downhill for me in the fourth installment but there were still elements I enjoyed in that story. Sadly, I can’t say the same for Nine Liars. The Stevie and David romance plot line started taking up more space in book four and it completely took center stage in this book. The mystery here was half-baked and confusing and the romance plot overshadowed it to the point it was nearly impossible to follow. I would’ve preferred more focus on the mystery, detective work and even the friendship/group dynamic aspect present in the previous books. Janelle, Nate and Vi are what keep this stories afloat for me and there seemed to be very little of them in this story. Nate and Janelle are present to some extent but played very little part in the plot. Vi was basically nonexistent here. I literally forgot they existed at one point. Which is sad because I loved the dynamic of their relationship with Janelle in the previous books. The previous books feel like classic mysteries with a fun supporting romance plot to keep things interesting. This book felt like a toxic teen romance with a not fully fleshed out mystery unfolding in the background. Overall, pretty disappointed in this book. It feels like a complete departure from the rest of the series. But will I read the next installment? Of course.
I LOVE the Truly Devious series! The gang is back together and the cold case is intriguing. Johnson's witty writing is thoroughly enjoyable. A great installment in the series I hope will continue!
I always enjoy Stevie Bell mysteries, and while the original Truly Devious trilogy has yet to be matched, the other books in the series, including this one, are still enjoyable. At this point though, I enjoy the mysteries way more then the personal drama between Stevie and her friends. For some reason in this book, that seemed to weigh it down. But like I said, the mystery itself is super fun! So still a great read overall!
Waffling on my rating here, it’s certainly not my favorite amongst these books but pretty good nonetheless. absolutely looking forward to the next one though!
Thank you so much to HarperCollins and Netgalley for providing an advanced copy of this. All thoughts and opinions are still my own.
2.5⭐️
I really enjoyed the first 4 books in this series. While I didn't find them exceptional I had good time following the mysteries and shenanigans of these teens. However, the fun of those first 4 books was completely missing in this one for me.
I held off on reading this due to the strike and then just let it slip off my radar. But Summerween gave me the push to pick it up and unfortunately I think this is where my time with the series ends.
This one follows the same main characters when they return to school after the happenings of The Box in the Woods. They're in their final year and everyone is preparing for college. Except for Stevie.
Instead Stevie does nothing but wade through her life thinking about her boyfriend, David, who is attending Cambridge.
When David sets up a plan for a 1 week study abroad for Stevie and her friends, they all find themselves reunited in London. And Stevie's friends are determined to keep the trip murder free.
But of course, murder finds them anyways.
When David's best friend Izzy reveals that her aunt may have witnessed a murder, Stevie drags her best friends into the chaos despite their reluctance.
And that is where my main issue with this book lies. Stevie was quite honestly, the absolute worst. She lied and manipulated her friends into all these situations that made them highly uncomfortable with little to no regard for their feelings.
And when she was caught, she "apologized" in the way that white women love to do - by attempting to justify her actions.
Look I understand that Stevie is 18. But we're 5 books in and she still treats everyone like they are her side kicks. While simultaneous belittling herself on page and every turn. And frankly it was exhausting.
Not to mention the hot mess that was her romance with David.
I think that the side characters are the one shinning light in this book and they didn't get nearly enough page time.
And the mystery itself, while not bad, felt lackluster and almost like an afterthought to the character work.
Overall this one just didn't work for me. And even though there is at least 1 final books in this series, I don't think I'll be picking it up.
2.5⭐️
I really enjoyed the first 4 books in this series. While I didn't find them exceptional I had good time following the mysteries and shenanigans of these teens. However, the fun of those first 4 books was completely missing in this one for me.
I held off on reading this due to the strike and then just let it slip off my radar. But Summerween gave me the push to pick it up and unfortunately I think this is where my time with the series ends.
This one follows the same main characters when they return to school after the happenings of The Box in the Woods. They're in their final year and everyone is preparing for college. Except for Stevie.
Instead Stevie does nothing but wade through her life thinking about her boyfriend, David, who is attending Cambridge.
When David sets up a plan for a 1 week study abroad for Stevie and her friends, they all find themselves reunited in London. And Stevie's friends are determined to keep the trip murder free.
But of course, murder finds them anyways.
When David's best friend Izzy reveals that her aunt may have witnessed a murder, Stevie drags her best friends into the chaos despite their reluctance.
And that is where my main issue with this book lies. Stevie was quite honestly, the absolute worst. She lied and manipulated her friends into all these situations that made them highly uncomfortable with little to no regard for their feelings.
And when she was caught, she "apologized" in the way that white women love to do - by attempting to justify her actions.
Look I understand that Stevie is 18. But we're 5 books in and she still treats everyone like they are her side kicks. While simultaneous belittling herself on page and every turn. And frankly it was exhausting.
Not to mention the hot mess that was her romance with David.
I think that the side characters are the one shinning light in this book and they didn't get nearly enough page time.
And the mystery itself, while not bad, felt lackluster and almost like an afterthought to the character work.
Overall this one just didn't work for me. And even though there is at least 1 final books in this series, I don't think I'll be picking it up.
I’m sorry….. but you could not end a book like that!
This book was very Agatha Cristy, which I love in mysteries. Thinking everyone’s a possible murdered, no one is who you expect. It’s always the quite ones.
Now in to David, this man needs to get his life together and I need the next book like today!! I thought we were making progress everyone’s grow up making better decisions and then this book happens. I know I know there needs to be plot and intrigue, but like we are nearing the end of high school for them and I need a HEA!
Overall a Great book by Maureen Johnson, I have loved this series and I’m glad it’s not over yet. The mystery was well written, the side charters had their own intrigue. Some parts were a bit long and difficult to keep up with but over all a good 3⭐️ read. Perfect for the fall.
This book was very Agatha Cristy, which I love in mysteries. Thinking everyone’s a possible murdered, no one is who you expect. It’s always the quite ones.
Now in to David, this man needs to get his life together and I need the next book like today!! I thought we were making progress everyone’s grow up making better decisions and then this book happens. I know I know there needs to be plot and intrigue, but like we are nearing the end of high school for them and I need a HEA!
Overall a Great book by Maureen Johnson, I have loved this series and I’m glad it’s not over yet. The mystery was well written, the side charters had their own intrigue. Some parts were a bit long and difficult to keep up with but over all a good 3⭐️ read. Perfect for the fall.
2,5 ale z sentymentu do niektórych postaci zaokrąglam do 3. niestety kolejna część też będzie czytana
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I quite enjoyed the interior British plot, but the Stevie stuff was so much relationship drama. It would have been a better book if the author had not made it part of this series that should have been a trilogy.