A review by booksawyer
Truly Devious by Maureen Johnson

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

4.5

I’ve heard so many great things about Truly Devious, and I am glad to say it did not disappoint! 

Truly Devious follows Stevie Bell, a true crime and mystery novel enthusiast, as she begins her first year at Ellingham Academy, a private school for gifted students known for a series of murders that occurred in the 1930s. Stevie arrives at the school, determined to finally solve the case, but does not expect that another crime may take place right in front of her.

This mystery is solved over the course of a trilogy, so the pacing of this book is slower than standalone mysteries I have read. Although I typically don’t enjoy slower placed books, I actually really loved this choice! It was really great to get to know Stevie, her peers, and the school as a whole.

This novel kept me engaged the whole way through, and I am so happy the sequel is out so I can read it very soon!
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