Truly Devious

New York Times bestselling author Maureen Johnson crafts a captivating tale of murder and mystery in the first installment of a new series, ideal for fans of Agatha Christie and E. Lockhart. Ellingham Academy, a prestigious private school in Vermont, was established by tycoon Albert Ellingham in the early twentieth century as a haven for thinkers and creators, filled with riddles and enchanting gardens. However, shortly after its opening, Ellingham's wife and daughter were kidnapped, leaving behind a chilling riddle signed by the enigmatic "Truly, Devious." This case remains one of America's greatest unsolved crimes. As true-crime enthusiast Stevie Bell embarks on her first year at Ellingham, she is determined to crack the cold case, all while navigating her new life and diverse housemates: an inventor, a novelist, an actor, an artist, and a jokester. However, the past resurfaces when Truly Devious makes an unexpected return, bringing death back to the academy. With the haunting mystery rekindled, Stevie's quest to uncover the truth intensifies. The intertwining mysteries in this series opener set the stage for Stevie's relentless pursuit of justice in the subsequent books.