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Maureen Johnson’s Truly Devious begins an intriguing young adult mystery series, blending historical intrigue with a chilling modern-day investigation at a unique boarding school.
The story revolves around a teenage true-crime enthusiast determined to solve a decades-old mystery and bring closure to a legendary case that has haunted Ellingham Academy for years.
The Plot
The story of Truly devious is set in Ellingham Academy which was founded in 1936 by Albert Ellingham, a millionaire dedicated to creating a place where education would be exciting and unconventional.
However, the Academy is surrounded by tragedy. Ellingham’s wife and daughter were kidnapped, and a student was found dead. A sinister letter with only the signature Truly, Devious was the sole clue left behind, casting a shadow over the school.
Many years later a student named Stevie Bell joins the Academy hoping to solve this cold case. However, as Stevie begins her investigation, strange events unfold, leading her to realize that the Truly Devious crimes may not have ended in the past.
With the mystery spanning two eras, Johnson keeps readers guessing as to how past and present connect.
Themes and Characters
The story has a strong backstory and brilliantly connects the past and present. The dual-timeline approach also allows readers to piece together clues from both timelines, gradually revealing connections that bind the two eras.
Truly Devious also incorporates discussions around mental health, especially through Stevie’s experiences with anxiety and panic attacks. Johnson handles these topics with care, presenting Stevie’s struggles as a natural part of her character, not something to overshadow her abilities or define her.
This adds depth to the protagonist's character and offers a positive message about resilience and acceptance to the readers.
The book is set in somewhat of a gothic boarding school setting adding a layer of mystery and a touch of eeriness to the environment of the book. The school, with its hidden rooms, twisting passageways, and foggy woods, provides an atmospheric setting that perfectly suits a mystery.
The school’s unique approach to education, which caters to students with specific gifts, enhances its mystique. The exclusive nature of the academy, combined with its tragic history, makes it an ideal backdrop for a story filled with suspense and secrets.
The characters in the book are also quite relatable and realistic. They are formed in a way that shows their unique nature and personality while having characteristics of normal teenagers with relevant issues, struggles and insecurities that every teenager faces.
Stevie Bell is a well-developed character who feels both realistic and endearing. She’s smart, inquisitive, and deeply invested in solving the Ellingham mystery, but she also struggles with anxiety, insecurity, and social awkwardness.
Through Stevie, Johnson examines themes of self-acceptance and finding one’s place. Stevie’s journey isn’t just about solving a mystery; it’s also about coming to terms with her own insecurities and challenges. Her growth in the book offers readers a story about courage and embracing one’s unique qualities.
The supporting characters at Ellingham bring color, humor, and complexity to Stevie’s world. Her friends, like Janelle, her tech-savvy and creative roommate, and Nate, her introverted writer friend, each add their own perspectives and quirks to the story.
The diverse personalities and their interactions enrich the plot, providing friendship, drama, and tension. They aren't just side characters but are vital to the storyline, creating subplots and helping to ground Stevie in the social environment of the academy.
Criticisms for The Series
The story might seem a bit slow to some readers as it takes time for the author to form the setting and introduce characters in a way the make it apparent that the story moves in two timelines.
While this foundation is necessary to establish the mystery and immerse readers in Ellingham’s world, those who prefer a faster-paced thriller may find the start a bit sluggish.
The story is left of cliff hangers as it's a part of a trilogy so readers who prefer a short read with closed endings might find it a bit unsatisfying. However, for readers willing to follow Stevie’s journey across multiple books, this ending hints at even deeper mysteries and twists to come.
Final Thoughts
Truly Devious by Maureen Jhonson is a perfect read for anyone looking for a young adult book filled with mystery and intrigue with its vivid setting and characters full of depth. The book is a part of a trilogy that uncovers the mystery behind the deaths and disappearances at the Ellingham Academy.
Although the pacing may be slow initially, it allows Johnson to create a richly detailed world and a memorable series foundation.The unresolved ending may leave some questions unanswered, but it also builds anticipation for the sequels, promising that Stevie’s journey is far from over.
So if this is something that intrigues you, grab on your comfy pillows and a steaming cup of coffee and start your journey to this mysterious adventure.
Written by Suhaanei
This article has been authored exclusively by the writer and is being presented on Eat My News, which serves as a platform for the community to voice their perspectives. As an entity, Eat My News cannot be held liable for the content or its accuracy. The views expressed in this article solely pertain to the author or writer. For further queries about the article or its content you can contact on this email address - suhaanei2765@gmail.com
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