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A review by lily1304
Truly Devious by Maureen Johnson
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
The thing that kept me off guard was the utter lack of concern about the police in this book? All these kids talking to police left and right without their parents present, let alone lawyers? Is that not very obviously a bad idea?? Every single character is like "yeah of course these teens should talk to the police, alone, immediately" literally WHAT
I get that the main character is really into true crime, but it seems like she never took a second to think about the negatives of true crime? You'd think if it's something you've dedicated your life to, even if you're a teenager, you'd read the Wikipedia section called "Criticisms" and think about the glorification of police and the distraction from the everyday, un-podcast-worthy violence that kills many more people than serial killers ever did? A character name-checks J Edgar Hoover! Was that supposed to be ironic??
In the same vein, "anarchists" are this vague shadowy group that operates in the 1930s murder the main character is investigating. The book is clear that the anarchists likely aren't actually responsible, but it's weird they're thrown in there as a Boogeyman without ever examining why they might have had beef with Mr. Rich who founded the school. "He was a philanthropist! A good guy! He funded the town's schools and fire departments and police officers!" HMMM.
That said... I mean, I did stay up late to finish it and i immediately put a hold on the sequel. There's a chance that the series is self aware about these things and will develop some more complex ideas about crime and justice in the later books. I'm genuinely very curious where the story is going.
I get that the main character is really into true crime, but it seems like she never took a second to think about the negatives of true crime? You'd think if it's something you've dedicated your life to, even if you're a teenager, you'd read the Wikipedia section called "Criticisms" and think about the glorification of police and the distraction from the everyday, un-podcast-worthy violence that kills many more people than serial killers ever did? A character name-checks J Edgar Hoover! Was that supposed to be ironic??
In the same vein, "anarchists" are this vague shadowy group that operates in the 1930s murder the main character is investigating. The book is clear that the anarchists likely aren't actually responsible, but it's weird they're thrown in there as a Boogeyman without ever examining why they might have had beef with Mr. Rich who founded the school. "He was a philanthropist! A good guy! He funded the town's schools and fire departments and police officers!" HMMM.
That said... I mean, I did stay up late to finish it and i immediately put a hold on the sequel. There's a chance that the series is self aware about these things and will develop some more complex ideas about crime and justice in the later books. I'm genuinely very curious where the story is going.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Kidnapping and Murder
Minor: Alcohol