The Vanishing Stair by Maureen Johnson Series: Truly Devious #2
Published by HarperCollins on January 22, 2019
Genres: Young Adult Fiction / Mysteries & Detective Stories, Young Adult Fiction / School & Education / Boarding School & Prep School, Young Adult Fiction / Thrillers & Suspense / General
Pages: 400
Format: Audiobook
Source: Library
New York Times and Publishers Weekly bestseller!
In New York Times bestselling author Maureen Johnson’s second novel in the Truly Devious series, there are more twists and turns than Stevie Bell can imagine. No answer is given freely, and someone will pay for the truth with their life.
The Truly Devious case—an unsolved kidnapping and triple murder that rocked Ellingham Academy in 1936—has consumed Stevie for years. It’s the very reason she came to the academy. But then her classmate was murdered, and her parents quickly pull her out of school. For her safety, they say. She must move past this obsession with crime.
Stevie’s willing to do anything to get back to Ellingham, be back with her friends, and solve the Truly Devious case. Even if it means making a deal with the despicable Senator Edward King. And when Stevie finally returns, she also returns to David: the guy she kissed, and the guy who lied about his identity—Edward King’s son.
But larger issues are at play. Where did the murderer hide? What’s the meaning of the riddle Albert Ellingham left behind? And what, exactly, is at stake in the Truly Devious affair? The Ellingham case isn’t just a piece of history—it’s a live wire into the present.
* Junior Library Guild Selection * Chicago Public Library's Best of the Best Books of 2019 * Hypable's Best Books of 2019 *
Praise for Book One:
“The Agatha Christie-like ecosystem pairs with lacerating contemporary wit, and alternating past and present scenes makes for a multilayered, modern detective story.” —New York Times Book Review
“Remember the first time reading Harry Potter and knowing it was special? There’s that same sense of magic in the introduction of teen Sherlock-in-training Stevie Bell.” —USA Today (four stars)
“Be still, my Agatha-Christie-loving beating heart.” —Bustle
My Review
Maureen Johnson knocked it out of the park again with another fantastic book. I absolutely loved the first book in the series Truly Devious and I have to say that I loved this one just as much. I definitely need to pick up the third book in the series now because book number 2 ended on a huge cliffhanger. I have come to realize that Maureen Johnson has a talent for such things…cliffhangers.
This book picks right up where the first one left off with Stevie being back in her hometown. She is ticked off with not only her situation but also with David the boy she had been crushing on. You see Stevie had just discovered who David really was and well she was shocked. It turns out David is the son of the politician Stevie despises most and he didn’t even bother to tell her. Her parents however have no idea about any of this they just want her home. After the death of Haze Major and the disappearance of Ellie Stevie’s parents decided enough was enough and they hauled her out of Ellingham Academy. They wasted no time in enrolling Stevie back into her old school. Stevie finds herself bored and awkward back in her hometown and she is desperately missing her friends.
One day the dreaded politician Edward King shows up at her home with a deal that she can’t refuse. He will convince Stevie’s parents to allow her to go back to Ellingham Academy and he will even take her there himself under one condition she must be friendly to his son David. David has been a bit off since Stevie left the school and it is Edward’s belief that if she returns he will straighten out. Does he straighten out or do things go from bad to worse?
When Stevie returns to the school she picks right back up on trying to solve the Ellingham Case. She also can not seem to get Ellie out of her head. I mean where did she go that night when she disappeared? Oh and the antique tea box who are the people in the picture and are they related to the Ellingham Case? Stevie has so many questions that she is trying to find the answers to and then the story takes another spin. A dead body is found at the school and it is Stevie who finds it.
I have to say it was great getting back to Ellingham Academy with Stevie and her friends. I enjoyed meeting the new characters and learning a bit about their story. I loved the new twists that took place and I am super eager to read the third book in the series. Maureen Johnson has a way with cliffhangers that really leaves a person in awe. I think that the series so far has been great and I would absolutely recommend it to anyone who loves YA books with some mystery and a bit of bodies piling up. Of course, this book doesn’t just have to be for young adults I think adults would get something from it as well.