When Stevie Bell, a true-crime aficionado, arrives at the prestigious Ellingham Academy, she doesn't just plan to excel in her studies - she's come to solve one of America's greatest unsolved mysteries.
Founded by tycoon Albert Ellingham, Ellingham Academy was meant to be "a place where learning is a game." But shortly after opening, his wife and daughter were kidnapped, and the only clue was a chilling riddle listing methods of murder, signed with the frightening pseudonym "Truly, Devious." The crime became one of history's greatest unsolved cases, and now Stevie is determined to crack it.
Stevie's investigation plans are complicated by the demanding school life and her colorful housemates: the inventor, the novelist, the actor, the artist, and the jokester. But when Truly Devious makes a surprise return and death revisits Ellingham Academy, Stevie realizes she's stumbled into something far more dangerous than she ever imagined. The past has crawled out of its grave, and someone has gotten away with murder.
Maureen Johnson weaves a delicate tale of murder and mystery in this first book of a striking new series. The two interwoven mysteries - the cold case from decades ago and the new threat to the academy - dovetail brilliantly, creating a story that will keep readers on the edge of their seats. Perfect for fans of Agatha Christie and E. Lockhart, this novel delivers the intellectual puzzle-solving you crave with characters you'll quickly come to love.
As Stevie Bell continues her relentless quest for the truth, you'll find yourself equally invested in solving both mysteries. Can she uncover what really happened all those years ago, and will she survive the current threat that has reawakened at Ellingham Academy?
