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3.79 AVERAGE
3.79 AVERAGE
These people are crazy. Stevie is at it again solving crimes on the international level. I’m assuming this series is just going to keep going so I’m down for the next one.
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Although not as tightly plotted as the previous books, a fun read to start the new year
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
IM NOT EVEN GOING TO RATE THIS BC I DONT KKOW HOW I TRULY FEEL. THAT GODDAMN STUPID ENDING DAVID YOU ANNOYING STUPID DUMB LITTLE BOY GET YOUR ACT TOGETHER
I want to start a petition to have David excluded from the next book of this series
3.5 rounded up to a 4 out of loyalty. I was very excited about this installment’s release, and was not worried about the reviews which said this release was far less exceptional than previous installments. However, I found the main criticism, that this installment forgoes the mystery for bland personal drama, to be true by the end.
I don’t necessarily object to the personal drama taking center stage, especially in a YA murder mystery series where a key time in the characters’ lives is approaching. However, and maybe because I’m an Old, I’m over the whole David-Stevie relationship, especially considering how toxic it makes them both (which might be true to a first time relationship, but still). There were a lot of interesting sun plots (Nate’s reveal, the issue of colleges and majors) that didn’t get the attention of the plot because of the relationship drama.
And because of this, the mystery unfortunately takes a backseat as well. The conclusion feels rushed, and almost an afterthought, despite building us into the world of The Nine. There was no sense of red herring, nor were all of the Nine really developed aside from being plot devices (Julian especially!)
The opportunities to connect it to other English locked room mysteries (Poirot, Midsommer, etc) or detectives (seriously? They’re in LONDON and not a single person mentioned Sherlock Holmes) went by the wayside, too. I thought this was especially odd, given Johnson’s other book. It was also odd that this was not used for Stevie’s reasoning to the headmistress as to why travel would be engaging—considering forensics and detective work are why she’s at the school?!
I think the fact I listened to it as an audiobook really helped keep me engaged, and my hope is that the magic of the previous books will return. Not even Agatha Christie wrote engaging murder mysteries every time, so I have faith Johnson will return to what works!
I don’t necessarily object to the personal drama taking center stage, especially in a YA murder mystery series where a key time in the characters’ lives is approaching. However, and maybe because I’m an Old, I’m over the whole David-Stevie relationship, especially considering how toxic it makes them both (which might be true to a first time relationship, but still). There were a lot of interesting sun plots (Nate’s reveal, the issue of colleges and majors) that didn’t get the attention of the plot because of the relationship drama.
And because of this, the mystery unfortunately takes a backseat as well. The conclusion feels rushed, and almost an afterthought, despite building us into the world of The Nine. There was no sense of red herring, nor were all of the Nine really developed aside from being plot devices (Julian especially!)
The opportunities to connect it to other English locked room mysteries (Poirot, Midsommer, etc) or detectives (seriously? They’re in LONDON and not a single person mentioned Sherlock Holmes) went by the wayside, too. I thought this was especially odd, given Johnson’s other book. It was also odd that this was not used for Stevie’s reasoning to the headmistress as to why travel would be engaging—considering forensics and detective work are why she’s at the school?!
I think the fact I listened to it as an audiobook really helped keep me engaged, and my hope is that the magic of the previous books will return. Not even Agatha Christie wrote engaging murder mysteries every time, so I have faith Johnson will return to what works!
The second time that an ending to a Truly Devious book has made me want to throw it across the room. (In both a good and bad way.) I read it in ebook form, otherwise I probably would have.
I have been firmly entrenched in this series for a while now and I always remain to have one foot in it. It captured me right from the beginning and I love returning back to them. Back with Stevie and friends, this time, with an English twist! I loved it. As a English gal, I also appreciated all the research the author did to get the British lingo down. The references and slang were spot on.
This one was just as epic as all of the others and I can never put them down. This one was the same and every time I read them, I’m always hoping for another to follow. Such a clever plot!
As David is studying in England, Stevie & gang manage to wrangle themselves an educational trip abroad, and of course, Stevie manages to find herself in the midst of intrigue and murder …
A cold case, 9 friends and 2 murders (with more to come?) Can Stevie solve the case in time before she returns home? I devoured this story and couldn’t read it fast enough. And now yep, I definitely need more. After that ending! GAH. I need the next one now.
This one was just as epic as all of the others and I can never put them down. This one was the same and every time I read them, I’m always hoping for another to follow. Such a clever plot!
As David is studying in England, Stevie & gang manage to wrangle themselves an educational trip abroad, and of course, Stevie manages to find herself in the midst of intrigue and murder …
A cold case, 9 friends and 2 murders (with more to come?) Can Stevie solve the case in time before she returns home? I devoured this story and couldn’t read it fast enough. And now yep, I definitely need more. After that ending! GAH. I need the next one now.