Maureen Johnson – Truly, Devious Audiobook

Unraveling the Past: A Guide to Maureen Johnson’s Truly Devious Series

For lovers of intricate puzzles, atmospheric settings, and a detective with a sharp mind and a touch of anxiety, Maureen Johnson’s Truly Devious series is a modern classic in the young adult mystery genre. Blending a historic cold case with contemporary murders, the series creates a compelling narrative that keeps readers guessing until the very end.

The Premise: A School for the Gifted and a Riddle Wrapped in a Mystery

The story centers on Stevie Bell, a teenager with a passion for true crime. Her singular obsession is the Ellingham case, one of America’s most famous unsolved mysteries. In 1936, industrialist tycoon Albert Ellingham founded Ellingham Academy, a unique school for the “brightest, thinkers, inventors, and artists” located on a remote Vermont mountain. Shortly after it opened, his wife and daughter were kidnapped. The only clue was a taunting, rhyming letter signed “Truly, Devious.” The case was never solved.

Decades later, Stevie manages to get accepted into the prestigious and eccentric Ellingham Academy with one goal: to solve the cold case. But shortly after she arrives, history seems to repeat itself. A student is found dead, and the dark secrets of Ellingham Academy begin to surface once more. Stevie finds that the past and the present are dangerously intertwined, and the killer might be closer than she thinks.

Main Characters

• Stevie Bell: The brilliant, determined, and anxiety-ridden protagonist. She sees the world through the lens of a detective and is relentless in her pursuit of the truth, even when it puts her in danger.
• Nate Fisher: A cynical, grumpy writer who becomes one of Stevie’s closest friends. He provides dry wit and unwavering loyalty.
• Janelle Franklin: A creative engineer and maker, Janelle is the warm, steady, and supportive heart of Stevie’s friend group.
• David Eastman: A mysterious and troubled fellow student with whom Stevie has a complicated romantic relationship. His father is a controversial and powerful politician.
• Vi (Violet) Harper: A fashionable and popular YouTube celebrity who initially appears shallow but has hidden depths.

The Books in the Series (In Reading Order)

The series is composed of a main trilogy followed by standalone sequels that continue Stevie Bell’s adventures.

The Main Trilogy

1. Truly Devious (2018)
   • Introduces Stevie Bell and the world of Ellingham Academy. The book sets up the dual mysteries—the 1936 Ellingham case and the new murder on campus—and ends on a shocking cliffhanger.
2. The Vanishing Stair (2019)
   • Picking up after the events of the first book, Stevie is pulled back into the Ellingham mystery. She digs deeper into the school’s secrets and the lives of the original students, uncovering clues that were missed for decades.
3. The Hand on the Wall (2020)
   • The thrilling conclusion to the original trilogy. As a massive storm bears down on the mountain, Stevie is trapped at Ellingham and must finally piece together the full truth of what happened in 1936 and who is responsible for the modern-day crimes.

Standalone Sequels

4. The Box in the Woods (2021)
   • After solving the Ellingham case, Stevie and her friends are invited to a summer camp to crack another cold case: the “Box in the Woods” murders of four camp counselors in the 1970s. It’s a fresh mystery that proves Stevie’s talents extend beyond Ellingham.
5. Nine Liars (2022)
   • Stevie and her friends travel to London, where she is asked to investigate a cold case involving nine friends and a death that was ruled an accident in the 1990s. The case is a classic “locked room” puzzle full of secrets and deception.

Key Themes

• The Past’s Influence on the Present: The series masterfully shows how old secrets, lies, and tragedies can echo through generations.
• Anxiety and Mental Health: Stevie’s anxiety is a core part of her character. It’s portrayed realistically not as a weakness, but as something she manages while still being incredibly capable.
• Found Family: The deep, supportive bond between Stevie, Nate, and Janelle is the emotional anchor of the series.
• The Nature of Truth: The books explore how truth can be manipulated, hidden, and subjective, forcing Stevie to sift through lies to find what’s real.

Why You Should Read It

The Truly Devious series is perfect for fans of classic Agatha Christie mysteries, the movie Knives Out, and dark academia settings. With its atmospheric Vermont backdrop, a genuinely brilliant and relatable protagonist, and intricately plotted puzzles, Maureen Johnson has crafted a series that is both intellectually satisfying and emotionally engaging. It’s a must-read for any fan of the mystery genre.