Titles in This Set:
Nine Liars
Truly Devious
The Vanishing Stair
The Hand on the Wall
The Box in the Woods
Condition: BRAND NEW
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9789124242527
Overview:
Step into the twisted paths and hidden rooms of Ellingham Academy with this complete five-book set. Maureen Johnson's Truly Devious collection guides you through the gripping mysteries faced by Stevie Bell, a gifted detective in training. As Stevie navigates senior year dilemmas, long-distance romance, and college anxieties, she never stops hunting for answers about the academy's darkest secrets. This Young Adult paperback series blends smart puzzles with heartfelt coming-of-age moments. You will follow Stevie as she unpacks clues left by the school's founder, Albert Ellingham, and confronts a legendary attack from 1936. The set offers seamless reading momentum, letting you jump from one intrigue to the next without interruption. Paperback editions provide excellent readability and portability for students, casual readers, and mystery devotees alike.
What Makes This Collection Special:
This set shines by pairing cerebral riddles with real emotional stakes. Stevie Bell solves crimes while managing the pressures of friendship, identity, and future plans. Each book presents challenges rooted in the academy's history, inviting readers to think alongside the heroine. The stories expand beyond simple whodunits, exploring how trauma shapes communities and how truth demands courage. Owning the full stack rewards dedicated fans with a continuous journey of growing tension and deeper mysteries. The collection captures the distinct charm of dark academia fiction, featuring sprawling campuses filled with traps and secrets. Paperbacks deliver a classic tactile experience, perfect for libraries or gift shoving. You get cohesive storytelling that respects the intelligence of YA audiences.
Books Included in This Collection:
Nine Liars
Stevie begins her senior year facing distance from her boyfriend David and intense competition for college spots. With a historic cold case already solved, she feels directionless and searches for new purpose. Old suspicions linger, reminding her that peace often masks underlying lies. Stevie must balance her own questions about love and survival against the shadowy realities that still haunt the school grounds.
Truly Devious
Stevie joins Ellingham Academy, a renowned Vermont institution built by tycoon Albert Ellingham using riddles and secret routes. Her enrollment focuses on the terrible night in 1936, marked by abduction and loss. She aims to catch the person responsible for the tragedy that echoes through generations. Classes become investigations as Stevie detects unusual behaviors hiding behind polished facades and learned manners.
The Vanishing Stair
The wounds from the 1936 incidents remain fresh when a classmate ends up dead at the academy. Panic rises, drawing Stevie back into the center of danger despite her desire to move forward. Fearing for their children, her parents rush to pull her out of school permanently. The events prove that some histories cannot be escaped, demanding action even outside the campus gates.
The Hand on the Wall
Ellingham faces mounting tragedies involving three different deaths. Investigations suggest a range of causes, from mishaps to calculated acts. Stevie connects dots that others ignore, spotting a pattern in how victims encountered harm. She works quickly to expose whatever force orchestrates these losses, knowing the wall between prank and poison is dangerously thin.
The Box in the Woods
Seeking respite, Stevie spends a summer in residence near Sunny Pines, known by another name tied to the infamous Box in the Woods murders. An incoming alert pulls her toward the unsolved killings that defined local folklore. She uncovers disturbing updates linked to the original crime scene, proving that some mysteries survive decades and draw in anyone who dares to ask questions.
Who This Set Is Perfect For:
This collection suits readers aged thirteen and up who adore mystery series driven by intelligent heroes. Teens navigating school transitions will empathize with Stevie's goals and hurdles. Fans of locked-room mysteries and escape-style puzzles will enjoy decoding hints woven into the narrative. Educators may appreciate how the books model deduction skills and ethical reasoning. Parents buying gifts will find a series that stays engaging without inappropriate content. Collectors of Young Adult crime fiction gain maximum value by owning every volume together. The set also makes a thoughtful pick for book clubs discussing themes of justice and resilience.
Key Benefits:
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Full-Series Continuity: Receive all five novels to experience Stevie's complete evolution from freshman to resolved investigator.
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Puzzle Integration: Engage actively with riddles embedded naturally within the plot progression.
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Campus Atmosphere: Immerse yourself in a richly depicted private school environment filled with architectural secrets.
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Relatable Themes: Connect with conversations around college stress, peer dynamics, and finding your voice.
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Portable Format: Grab lightweight paperbacks ideal for travel, backpack storage, or bedside relaxation.
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Binge Potential: Seamless narrative flow encourages back-to-back reading without losing plot threads.
About the Author:
Maureen Johnson writes award-winning fiction praised for its vivid worlds and layered characters. Her portfolio includes the Laundry files, Strangeness, and the beloved Truly Devious universe. Drawing inspiration from true crime archives and Gothic architecture, she crafts stories that feel scholarly yet urgent. Johnson won the World Fantasy Award and received a Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor, establishing her reputation among top tier YA writers. She shares insights into bookmaking through blogging and interviews, fostering strong engagement with readers. Her prose balances wit with tension, ensuring each chapter rewards attention while moving swiftly.
Why You'll Love This Set:
Purchasing this collection guarantees uninterrupted access to one of the standout YA mysteries of recent years. Every book reinforces why Stevie Bell remains such a compelling detective to follow. Paperbacks offer durability and comfort for repeated reads or sharing within friend circles. The blend of cold cases, campus life, and personal bravery creates lasting appeal across seasons. Whether you seek adrenaline, intellect stimulation, or pure entertainment, this assortment delivers consistently. Add it to your cart today to secure the full elliptical journey through Ellingham's deceptive halls.
Please Note: The individual books included in this listing will be dispatched as per the original UK ISBN and UK edition cover image shown in the image.
