Reviews

The Hand on the Wall by Maureen Johnson

wombifat's review against another edition

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dark mysterious slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.5

Overall I think if the story were condensed into one or two books it might have been a good story, but the way it was written felt way too stretched out and padded and this book felt a bit pointless. There wasn't really much of a build up to the final reveal of what had happened, there were only a few clues and the rest was pointless padding. The central romance is really stupid and the guy goes from liking to hating her for apparently no reason and is one of the most unlikeable romantic leads possible. Overall I finished this book because I wanted to finish the series but it just felt like this series didn't need three books.

softclquds's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging funny mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

alli_maj's review against another edition

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5.0

“the hand on the wall” by maureen johnson is the third book in the “truly devious” series. while reading it i found out there is a fourth book which i’m about to read right after i post this. i urge you to read this goddamn series! i cannot stop talking about it and i will not stop talking about it. you can’t make me. i’ll bite you if you dare to try.

similar vibes: check out: truly devious, and the vanishing stair.

i give this book ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ five out of five stars because wow wow wow.

cw: death, murder, child death.

absbia777's review against another edition

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4.0

Stevie has solved the Ellingham case, but still has a long way to go with the string of current deaths. But a snowstorm at the school provides the perfect opportunity to get to the bottom of the case, especially if the murderer is trapped there with her. I thought this book wrapped up the whole mystery very well. It did great bouncing back and and forth between the two crimes and explained everything that happened to where it made sense and left the reader satisfying. Good job on this series, Maureen! Now can we please go back to writing Shades of London?

chelseatheting's review against another edition

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5.0

Such a cute series. Been a pleasure

naenaebug's review against another edition

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4.0

3.5***

I enjoyed this one much more than the second one. There was not any wasted space in this book, everything served its purpose. I really liked how the mystery was tied up, bouncing back and forth between present in the order that it was. A sad mystery but well thought out. Would recommend!

jamiepatterson's review against another edition

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adventurous mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

cgalvi's review against another edition

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4.0

Satisfying ending to a solid, entertaining trilogy.

katshark's review against another edition

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5.0

*screaming*

OH MY GOD.

Maureen Maureen Maureen Maureen I love you. I just finished this book in less than 18 hours and I am still shaking with adrenaline but also smiling so hard because this. This story. This was exactly what I needed and wanted.

I said this last year, and I stand by it though many will probably disagree: No one, NO ONE in our modern era writes mystery like Maureen Johnson. Murder and crime and mystery are Maureen's *thing*, and the way she crafts a story is like nothing else. From the beautiful imagery to the real life conversations to the full, rich characters. And of course, of COURSE still injected with bits of humour because Maureen. Is. INCREDIBLE.

On a more personal note, I have to say that I can't thank Maureen enough for the way she has written about Stevie's anxiety over this series. As someone who has lived with anxiety her entire life, I can say that Maureen's descriptions of Stevie's anxiety are 100% real and true. Maureen and Stevie make me feel less alone with my own anxiety in this way, and that is a beautiful thing to discover in any work of fiction.

In conclusion: Maureen Johnson is incredible (and still and forevermore my friend on the internet), and EVERYONE needs to read this series. Please.

Thank you, Maureen.

heyjude2017's review against another edition

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3.0

It was okay, I guessed the storyline as it was happening so meh