Scan barcode
betweentheshelves's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I don't think this is the strongest book in this series, but I liked the idea of Stevie going abroad to solve a mystery! It's a fun way to expand the series, and I'm assuming that there will be another book because this one kind of just feels like it ends. The mystery is solved, but the drama in Stevei's personal life is not.
I will say, I don't like David as a love interest. Personally, I don't think he and Stevie have good chemistry and I think Stevie can do better. But that's just my opinion! The mystery in this one was a good twisty one, which is one of the main reasons to read this series, anyway.
All in all, a fun addition to the series, and I'm sure that will be another coming at some point!
I will say, I don't like David as a love interest. Personally, I don't think he and Stevie have good chemistry and I think Stevie can do better. But that's just my opinion! The mystery in this one was a good twisty one, which is one of the main reasons to read this series, anyway.
All in all, a fun addition to the series, and I'm sure that will be another coming at some point!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Violence, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Sexual content, Child death, and Infidelity
Minor: Cursing, Drug abuse, and Alcoholism
jillkaarlela's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Maureen Johnson strikes again with a great Ya mystery!! I loved the whole London Country house Murder vibe, it was definitely such a cozy mystery!! The murder was also well woven into the original stories and characters while still being new and fresh. I love how the books 4-6 have their own standalone murders, it keeps it new and interesting!! (Although I definitely loved books 1-3). I think “box in the woods” (book 4) might be a tiny bit better, and the plot of this one was a tiny bit more predictable than book 4, but this one was still great. I love how Maureen Johnson is exploring different settings with book 4-6, as the first 3 books were boarding school mysteries, but book 4 and 5 were completely different yet somehow worked so well. (Book 4 was a summer camp slasher-esque setting, book 5 was a London country house Cozy mystery) even with these complete setting shofts, Johnson still manages to make the story fit so effortlessly. It’s very rare to see further books in a series/spinoff series that are as good as the original, but these definitely hold up in quality to the originals. I am excited to see what setting Johnson explores next, but whatever it ends up being, I know it will be great.
Just like the previous books, you will probably just want to binge the whole thing in one sitting. If I wasn’t working and at school, I definitely would’ve done that!! Just get some tea and hang out by the fire with this Maureen Johnson twist on a cozy mystery!
We got to see a lot of the character growth of the main characters as they are getting ready to graduate and start their lives apart from Ellingham. We got to see all of their relationships grow deeper and more complex as the individual characters grow and change, which I love. I have loved this journey of growing and maturing with the characters over the past few years!
Again, like I have said in every book, I love how prominent and unapologetically Stevie’s anxiety and panic disorders are portrayed. Stevie is such a well developed, complicated, flawed but still extremely lovable character. I love how we get to see all sides of her and how her brain thinks through mysteries but also how it copes with these mental health issues. Such amazing mental health awareness, as well as so much LGQBTQIA+ rep, which is amazing!!
Overall, I really enjoyed this book and am looking forward to the sixth (but hopefully not final) Truly Devious book!!
Age rating: 13+, closed door, just violence
Thank you Netgalley for providing this ebook advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
Just like the previous books, you will probably just want to binge the whole thing in one sitting. If I wasn’t working and at school, I definitely would’ve done that!! Just get some tea and hang out by the fire with this Maureen Johnson twist on a cozy mystery!
We got to see a lot of the character growth of the main characters as they are getting ready to graduate and start their lives apart from Ellingham. We got to see all of their relationships grow deeper and more complex as the individual characters grow and change, which I love. I have loved this journey of growing and maturing with the characters over the past few years!
Again, like I have said in every book, I love how prominent and unapologetically Stevie’s anxiety and panic disorders are portrayed. Stevie is such a well developed, complicated, flawed but still extremely lovable character. I love how we get to see all sides of her and how her brain thinks through mysteries but also how it copes with these mental health issues. Such amazing mental health awareness, as well as so much LGQBTQIA+ rep, which is amazing!!
Overall, I really enjoyed this book and am looking forward to the sixth (but hopefully not final) Truly Devious book!!
Age rating: 13+, closed door, just violence
Thank you Netgalley for providing this ebook advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Murder, and Violence
Minor: Cursing
More...