Bookbot

The CrookedSeries

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.

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

Recommended Reading Order

  1. 1

    Truly Devious

    • 432 pages
    • 16 hours of reading
    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, ideal for fans of Agatha Christie and E. Lockhart. Ellingham Academy, a prestigious private school in Vermont, was established by tycoon Albert Ellingham in the early twentieth century as a haven for thinkers and creators, filled with riddles and enchanting gardens. However, shortly after its opening, Ellingham's wife and daughter were kidnapped, leaving behind a chilling riddle signed by the enigmatic "Truly, Devious." This case remains one of America's greatest unsolved crimes. As true-crime enthusiast Stevie Bell embarks on her first year at Ellingham, she is determined to crack the cold case, all while navigating her new life and diverse housemates: an inventor, a novelist, an actor, an artist, and a jokester. However, the past resurfaces when Truly Devious makes an unexpected return, bringing death back to the academy. With the haunting mystery rekindled, Stevie's quest to uncover the truth intensifies. The intertwining mysteries in this series opener set the stage for Stevie's relentless pursuit of justice in the subsequent books.

    Truly Devious
  2. 2

    The Vanishing Stair

    • 400 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 finds herself entangled in a web of mystery and danger. The unsolved kidnapping and triple murder from 1936 at Ellingham Academy has haunted her for years, driving her to the academy in search of answers. However, after a classmate's murder prompts her parents to withdraw her for safety, Stevie is determined to return, even if it means striking a deal with the unscrupulous Senator Edward King. Upon her return, she confronts David, the boy she kissed who deceived her about his identity as King's son. As Stevie delves deeper into the Truly Devious case, she grapples with critical questions: Where is the murderer hiding? What does the riddle left by Albert Ellingham signify? The case isn't merely historical; it has profound implications for the present. With a blend of contemporary wit and a gripping detective narrative, the story promises twists that challenge Stevie's resolve and intellect, echoing the magic of beloved mystery classics.

    The Vanishing Stair
  3. 3

    The Hand on the Wall

    • 384 pages
    • 14 hours of reading
    4.1(76516)Add rating

    New York Times bestselling author Maureen Johnson delivers a gripping conclusion to the Truly Devious series as Stevie Bell confronts a mystery that has haunted Ellingham Academy for over 75 years. With three recent deaths—one possibly a murder, another a tragic accident, and a third linked to a storm—Stevie's triumph in identifying Truly Devious seems overshadowed by these tragedies. As she grapples with the implications of these events, she realizes they may be interconnected with the historical deaths at the academy and the disappearances of Alice Ellingham and David Eastman. With Ellingham Academy evacuated due to an impending storm, Stevie decides to stay behind, determined to uncover the truth and confront a potential murderer. In this thrilling finale, Johnson weaves together past and present narratives, creating an explosive conclusion for all who have experienced Ellingham Academy. Praise for the series highlights its intricate storytelling and contemporary wit, drawing comparisons to Agatha Christie and capturing the magic reminiscent of beloved classics. Readers can expect a captivating and suspenseful ride as Stevie unravels the final pieces of the puzzle.

    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