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, appealing to fans of Agatha Christie and E. Lockhart. Ellingham Academy, a prestigious private school in Vermont, was founded by tycoon Albert Ellingham, who envisioned a place filled with riddles and gardens, where learning is a game. However, shortly after its opening, Ellingham's wife and daughter were kidnapped, leaving behind a chilling riddle signed by the enigmatic "Truly, Devious." This incident became one of America's great unsolved crimes. True-crime enthusiast Stevie Bell arrives at Ellingham Academy, determined to crack this cold case while navigating her new life and diverse housemates: an inventor, a novelist, an actor, an artist, and a jokester. As she settles in, the past resurfaces with the return of Truly Devious, and death strikes again at the academy. The intertwining mysteries of this first book in the Truly Devious series unfold brilliantly, setting the stage for Stevie's relentless pursuit of the truth in subsequent installments. This work has earned numerous accolades, including selections for Best Books of 2018 and nominations for prestigious awards, highlighting its impact and appeal.