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3.79 AVERAGE
3.79 AVERAGE
Thank you to NetGalley for sending me this arc! I was so excited to read the latest installment in Stevie’s ongoing detective adventures.
First off, I absolutely loved the setting of this book. The mystery aspect of the story was set at an English manor in the country, and Stevie’s sleuthing takes place there and in London. I could perfectly envision every place they went to and the manor seems like something out of a period film or tv series. I loved it.
Secondly, are we done with David yet? I find his character absolutely useless. I understand that he gets Stevie and the way her mind works out a mystery/is consumed by murders and true crime- but honestly, this series doesn’t need him. It doesn’t need romance at all- the main draw of the books is always Stevie and the mystery she’s unraveling. David’s story really needs to pick up in the next book or I’m writing him off completely.
The murder mystery in Nine Liars was so good! I had a few guesses throughout the story (one of which did prove to be right) but I seriously wasn’t convinced of anyone’s guilt the entire time. The author keeps you guessing about what really happened until the very end! I love the way Maureen writes mystery.
Overall, another solid addition to this series and I look forward to reading the next! Recommend to anyone who loves Agatha Christie/Sherlock detective stories.
First off, I absolutely loved the setting of this book. The mystery aspect of the story was set at an English manor in the country, and Stevie’s sleuthing takes place there and in London. I could perfectly envision every place they went to and the manor seems like something out of a period film or tv series. I loved it.
Secondly, are we done with David yet? I find his character absolutely useless. I understand that he gets Stevie and the way her mind works out a mystery/is consumed by murders and true crime- but honestly, this series doesn’t need him. It doesn’t need romance at all- the main draw of the books is always Stevie and the mystery she’s unraveling. David’s story really needs to pick up in the next book or I’m writing him off completely.
The murder mystery in Nine Liars was so good! I had a few guesses throughout the story (one of which did prove to be right) but I seriously wasn’t convinced of anyone’s guilt the entire time. The author keeps you guessing about what really happened until the very end! I love the way Maureen writes mystery.
Overall, another solid addition to this series and I look forward to reading the next! Recommend to anyone who loves Agatha Christie/Sherlock detective stories.
Another great installment of Truly Devious. I loved the mystery and was glad to see it wrapped up with no(t too many) outstanding details.
The story is told in alternating perspectives, much like earlier installments in the series, alternating between 1995 and modern day. I enjoyed The Nine and was invested in their story as much as Stevie's.
Spoilers below...
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David is a very hard character to like, especially after that ending. Stevie needs to get her life together and get him out of it. I loved Izzy though - I hope we can see her again in Truly Devious #6. There were a lot of unresolved parts of Izzy, hopefully by design.
The story is told in alternating perspectives, much like earlier installments in the series, alternating between 1995 and modern day. I enjoyed The Nine and was invested in their story as much as Stevie's.
Spoilers below...
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.
.
David is a very hard character to like, especially after that ending. Stevie needs to get her life together and get him out of it. I loved Izzy though - I hope we can see her again in Truly Devious #6. There were a lot of unresolved parts of Izzy, hopefully by design.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
mysterious
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
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
As a fan of Truly Devious, this is probably my least favorite book of the series. It places much more emphasis on everyone’s fear of change and the future (hitting a little too close to home for my comfort) while the mystery itself takes a backseat for a majority of the story.
As far as the main character Stevie, she is prone to poor decision making, but on at least three occasions I kept thinking, don’t do this terrible idea, and then she would do it. It was especially irritating because she received little to no long-term consequences for anything. I guess when you’re a teen detective, rules and common decency don’t apply.
As far as the mystery, I found nine people to be a bit too many to keep track of. Either they had very little personality outside of a one adjective label (flirty, loud, motherly) or I completely forgot they existed until their name popped up several chapters later. It also seemed like Stevie had very little incentive to solve the case as she hadn’t fixated on it for years, had no personal or financial stake, and was only in the country for a week. And yet, she became obsessed with solving it.
Despite these weaker points, it was a relatively enjoyable read with a mostly satisfying conclusion (except for that last page which leads me to expect a sequel). I would read a future sequel, but even if you enjoyed the original 4 books, I wouldn’t call this a must-read.
3.5/5
As far as the main character Stevie, she is prone to poor decision making, but on at least three occasions I kept thinking, don’t do this terrible idea, and then she would do it. It was especially irritating because she received little to no long-term consequences for anything. I guess when you’re a teen detective, rules and common decency don’t apply.
As far as the mystery, I found nine people to be a bit too many to keep track of. Either they had very little personality outside of a one adjective label (flirty, loud, motherly) or I completely forgot they existed until their name popped up several chapters later. It also seemed like Stevie had very little incentive to solve the case as she hadn’t fixated on it for years, had no personal or financial stake, and was only in the country for a week. And yet, she became obsessed with solving it.
Despite these weaker points, it was a relatively enjoyable read with a mostly satisfying conclusion (except for that last page which leads me to expect a sequel). I would read a future sequel, but even if you enjoyed the original 4 books, I wouldn’t call this a must-read.
3.5/5
For the mystery and for Stevie’s crime solving skills a 4, for the way Stevie felt out of character clingy and overly David focused to the point of neglecting her friends, a 2. So the three stars are my average.
The Nine and there intertwined and deep connections were very interesting. The mystery of the two deaths at Merryweather immediately drew me in and I liked that the book was interspersed with not only flashbacks but investigation notes like police interviews. Keen eyes readers should have picked up on clues throughout these parts. When the case jumps to present, with one of the Nine going missing and Stevie on the case, the events from 1995 become integral to finding Ange.
Walking Stevie piece cases together is always so interacting, as her attention to detail is what helps her the most. Even if it seems insignificant, Stevie can find the importance and connection.
The Agatha Christie and Clue vibes were strong with this book and Stevie does her best Poirot in the final chapters as she lays out the evidence. The London setting was also very cool especially with the group being forced to do touristy things to justify the study abroad they sell the trip as.
The Nine and there intertwined and deep connections were very interesting. The mystery of the two deaths at Merryweather immediately drew me in and I liked that the book was interspersed with not only flashbacks but investigation notes like police interviews. Keen eyes readers should have picked up on clues throughout these parts. When the case jumps to present, with one of the Nine going missing and Stevie on the case, the events from 1995 become integral to finding Ange.
Walking Stevie piece cases together is always so interacting, as her attention to detail is what helps her the most. Even if it seems insignificant, Stevie can find the importance and connection.
The Agatha Christie and Clue vibes were strong with this book and Stevie does her best Poirot in the final chapters as she lays out the evidence. The London setting was also very cool especially with the group being forced to do touristy things to justify the study abroad they sell the trip as.
