The Vanishing Stair
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4.7 • 193 Ratings
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- $13.99
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- $13.99
Publisher Description
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
Customer Reviews
4.5 stars for the second installment in the Truly Devious series!
Wowzers! 4.5 stars! Thus far, I am enjoying this series! Essentially, this installment of the series follows Stevie, the main character, around as she continues to try to solve the original Ellingham Academy murders, and figure out what could have happened to the student who was currently missing (after that student took off running after Stevie called her out on the things that didn’t add up with her stories, surrounding the student who had died at Stevie’s time there.)
While I had been a bit slow to warm to the second installment, it was because the author had added a few new characters into the flashback scenes of the 1930’s. However, once some more context/information was given, I couldn’t put it down!
Normally, I rate a book lower if I am able to guess who the villain in a murder mystery happens to be, but in the case of “The Vanishing Stair,” I believe me accurately guessing who was behind the 1930’s kidnapping made me love it more. Simply because even though I had a hunch, there were so many instances where I would have some doubt.
I do have a feeling that my hunch as to who is behind the “accidents”/murders in current times is going to be correct, and that there may be two things going on at once, only reading the third book, “the Hand on the Wall,” will tell.
For anyone who loves a murder mystery, and who enjoys reading a quick & easy read, this series might be for you!
It was good
I liked it.
Torturous Cliffhanger
AhhhhhhI can’t believe that I have to wait until January to read the next book!!