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The Crooked Series

This young adult series plunges readers into a world of thrilling mysteries and dangerous secrets. Follow the intertwined fates of three teenagers caught in a web of intrigue within their seemingly quiet hometown. They must race against time to uncover a dark conspiracy before it consumes them all. It's a gripping adventure filled with unexpected twists and suspenseful revelations.

The Box in the Woods
The Hand on the Wall
The Vanishing Stair
Truly Devious

Recommended Reading Order

  1. 1

    Truly Devious

    4.0(4294)Add rating

    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.

    Truly Devious
  2. 2

    The Vanishing Stair

    • 373 pages
    • 14 hours of reading
    4.2(87452)Add rating

    In the second novel of the Truly Devious series by New York Times bestselling author Maureen Johnson, Stevie Bell faces more twists and turns than she could ever anticipate. The unsolved Truly Devious case—a kidnapping and triple murder at Ellingham Academy in 1936—has haunted her for years and is the reason she enrolled at the academy. However, after a classmate is murdered, her parents pull her out for her safety, insisting she move on from her obsession with crime. Determined to return to Ellingham, Stevie is willing to make a deal with the corrupt Senator Edward King. Upon her return, she reunites with David, the boy she kissed, who happens to be the senator's son and had deceived her about his identity. As she delves deeper into the case, questions arise: Where is the murderer hiding? What does Albert Ellingham's riddle mean? And what are the stakes in the Truly Devious affair? The Ellingham case transcends history, becoming a dangerous connection to the present. The book has received praise for its clever writing and engaging storytelling, likening it to a modern detective story infused with wit and layered narratives.

    The Vanishing Stair
  3. 3

    The Hand on the Wall

    4.1(76516)Add rating

    After another death, Stevie must navigate mysterious riddles and track down a missing David at the same time a massive storm forces her to confront a killer.

    The Hand on the Wall
  4. 4

    The Box in the Woods

    • 400 pages
    • 14 hours of reading
    4.1(5087)Add rating

    "Stevie Bell did it. She solved the greatest unsolved mystery of the century. So, what now? Figuring it all out-the truth behind Truly Devious and what exactly happened in the Ellingham Affair-has granted Stevie Bell a bit of celebrity in the true crime community. So she's not surprised when she gets an email from the man who owns Camp Bounty Lake (now called Camp Wonder Falls), the site of the infamous Box in the Woods murders from the 1970s. Weird things are happening at the camp again, although nothing as sinister as before. No murders, no bodies posed by the mysterious figure they called The Doll Collector. But there is a threatening message chalked across a wall. And a box has appeared, with three grisly dolls inside it. Stevie accepts a job as a camp counselor so she can figure out what's going on. She recruits her friends from Ellingham-Nate, Janelle, and Vi-to become counselors, too, and even Germaine Batt turns up. Not long after they arrive, the owner of the camp dies in a suspicious hiking accident. Once again, Stevie will have to solve a cold case from the past before a killer catches up with her in the present.

    The Box in the Woods