The past has crawled out of its grave.
Someone has gotten away with murder.
Someone has gotten away with murder.
Also me two seconds later: oh it's a series... g i v e m e t h e n e x t b o o k n o w
Hey y'all! It's Elan, one of many faceless blog users on the webosphere. Welcome to a most unmemorable book review of an unforgettable book!
Today's review will be on the book Truly Devious by Maureen Johnson, and I have to say, it is a shocker. Like many other good books, it begins with a murder.
So, what is Truly Devious about?
Truly Devious weaves between two "storylines" - one, of teenage girl Stevie, and another, of the events surrounding Truly Devious.
In the main storyline, we are introduced to Stevie. Stephanie "Stevie" Bell is a girl not quite like any other. She has conservative parents, panic attacks, problems with political and industrial tyrants, and one very unique hobby.
So, what is Truly Devious about?
Truly Devious weaves between two "storylines" - one, of teenage girl Stevie, and another, of the events surrounding Truly Devious.
In the main storyline, we are introduced to Stevie. Stephanie "Stevie" Bell is a girl not quite like any other. She has conservative parents, panic attacks, problems with political and industrial tyrants, and one very unique hobby.
Stevie's dream was to stand over a dead body.
No, she's not a serial killer or the murderer all along. She's an amateur detective, with her share of favorite crime podcasts and mystery theories. After writing and submitting a passion-fueled essay about true crime to Ellingham Academy, a prestigious and reclusive school, as a joke, she expects nothing short of rejection. After all, why would Ellingham take someone as un-special as her?
She is wrong. Ellingham Academy accepts her, and to her parents' chagrin, she happily attends, and next thing she knows, she's on the carriage ride up to the campus, on her way to new friends, a new life, and above all...
A chance at solving the notorious Ellingham Academy murder.
A chance at finding Truly Devious.
A decades-old kidnapping that remains unsolved, further shrouded in enigma by the chilling letter sent to Albert Ellingham the day his wife and daughter disappeared. Signed Truly, Devious, the letter describes common methods of murder with the cheery rhyme of a children's riddle.
However, as she digs her way into answers, tragedy strikes. As a housemate's body is carried away, Stevie must reconcile that not all is as it seems, and Truly Devious has made its return.
However, as she digs her way into answers, tragedy strikes. As a housemate's body is carried away, Stevie must reconcile that not all is as it seems, and Truly Devious has made its return.
Schools may be famous for many things:
academics, graduates, sports teams.
They are not supposed to be famous for murders.
academics, graduates, sports teams.
They are not supposed to be famous for murders.
I would heavily recommend Truly Devious and its subsequent series. It is a very engaging, interesting, and well-written series. It is, however, a little odd for me in some parts (although that can definitely be attributed to my lack of reading in this genre). I really liked how the author made Stevie somehow both a relatable girl, while the style and structure makes the intermingling storylines all the more chilling and real.
Regardless of whether you like your mysteries served cold and dark or long and entangling, Truly Devious has a spot for you.
And for those like me, more on the easily-scared side, rest easy.
Truly Devious's humor and plotlines make up for the unmistakable chill of a mystery novel.
Regardless of whether you like your mysteries served cold and dark or long and entangling, Truly Devious has a spot for you.
And for those like me, more on the easily-scared side, rest easy.
Truly Devious's humor and plotlines make up for the unmistakable chill of a mystery novel.
Happy reading, and please let me know what you think!
Elan P
Elan P
This review was very well formed in a way that I knew a lot about the novel so I could decide if I would be interested in it, but not too much so that I became uninterested. I also liked the amount of personal opinion you included because it allowed the reader to make their own conclusions about the book, but with a little help from someone who already read the book. Great review!
ReplyDeleteHallo Elan! :D
ReplyDeleteFirst off - I know you probably also did this in all your other blog posts ("probably" cuz I'm too lazy to check) but I really like how you include direct quotations from the book into your post. Also the way you began the post was a great way to start because it 1. drew my attention and 2. informed me that there was a horrific plot twist (gaaasp) at the end of this novel.
Your synopsis of the book was the perfect mix of information and suspense. Honestly, I may even go as far to say that it was close to a professional book blurb.
I am definitely interested in reading this book after reading your review. I mean, you did a great job of summarizing the book as a whole as well as drawing in my interest. Stevie seems to be a great main character, very different from the usual stern, dark and superintelligent detectives (who also always seem to have problems). I will make sure to add this book to my loooong list of to-reads.