emily_brekker's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
3.75
3.75/5
I am really unsure about what I think of this book. I loved the murder mystery case from the past, since the character constellation was interesting and the setting in the manor great and spooky. In fact, I enjoyed the story of the nine more than the story surrounding Stevie and her friends. Something about their group and their friendship felt off, and the same goes for the subplot romance between Stevie and David - like what the hell was that ending??????????????????
I am really unsure about what I think of this book. I loved the murder mystery case from the past, since the character constellation was interesting and the setting in the manor great and spooky. In fact, I enjoyed the story of the nine more than the story surrounding Stevie and her friends. Something about their group and their friendship felt off, and the same goes for the subplot romance between Stevie and David - like what the hell was that ending??????????????????
scott_thelibrarian's review against another edition
4.0
I really love this series. This book is not as good as the other books in the series in my opinion, but I love the characters so much. The ending had me screaming. I cannot wait for book 6!
siobhanward's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
I'm a little miffed that this series is going to be at least six books long, yet the Shades of London series never got completed (this is not critique aimed at Johnson, mostly just at the publishing world in general). All I know is that I hope this series actually gets an ending, because I've yet to recover from Shades of London.
Anyway, that aside, this was an ok addition to the series. Not as strong as the first few books, honestly. The stories are getting a bit further and further "out there." I get that Johnson can't keep Stevie and her friends in the mountains of Vermont forever, but a group of underage students just being allowed to go abroad alone for no real reason seemed a bit much for me. I'm curious to see if Johnson will continue the series past the end of Stevie's time at Ellington. It's already hard enough to keep the gang together, much less explain how that's possible when they're at different universities. Anyway, that's an aside. I'm curious to see what the next book will hold.
Anyway, that aside, this was an ok addition to the series. Not as strong as the first few books, honestly. The stories are getting a bit further and further "out there." I get that Johnson can't keep Stevie and her friends in the mountains of Vermont forever, but a group of underage students just being allowed to go abroad alone for no real reason seemed a bit much for me. I'm curious to see if Johnson will continue the series past the end of Stevie's time at Ellington. It's already hard enough to keep the gang together, much less explain how that's possible when they're at different universities. Anyway, that's an aside. I'm curious to see what the next book will hold.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder and Death
sopco's review against another edition
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
achaperonwrites's review against another edition
5.0
I don’t even know where to begin.
When we found out David was headed off to London in THE BOX IN THE WOODS, I just KNEW Maureen was going to give us some Stevie Bell in England action.
I was not disappointed. I absolutely loved the unraveling of this murder mystery, and I was utterly shocked when it came time for the big reveal.
Stevie is one of my favorite YA characters for a number of reasons. I love the anxiety rep. I love her dogged pursuit of finding a solution or answers to problems that are weighing on her. I love her friendships, especially with Nate. Nate should be protected at all costs. And of course, I love her and David.
This book…threw me for an absolute loop. HIGHLY recommend.
When we found out David was headed off to London in THE BOX IN THE WOODS, I just KNEW Maureen was going to give us some Stevie Bell in England action.
I was not disappointed. I absolutely loved the unraveling of this murder mystery, and I was utterly shocked when it came time for the big reveal.
Stevie is one of my favorite YA characters for a number of reasons. I love the anxiety rep. I love her dogged pursuit of finding a solution or answers to problems that are weighing on her. I love her friendships, especially with Nate. Nate should be protected at all costs. And of course, I love her and David.
This book…threw me for an absolute loop. HIGHLY recommend.
backshelfbooks's review against another edition
2.0
The mystery was fine. The friendships were fine. The romance twist was NOT FINE. I am NOT OKAY. Really don't like David and Stevie together and need them to see that they are better off apart. Ughlahrieosm.
whatyoutolkienabout's review against another edition
4.0
I want to start by thanking Harper365YA for an ARC of this title to review. My reviews are always honest and all opinions are my own. #Harper365ya #TrulyDeviousSeries #NineLiars #MaureenJohnson #BookReview
Nine Liars is the fifth instalment in the Maureen Johnson Truly Devious mystery thriller series and while I did love it, particularly being set in England, I have to say I don’t think it had me hooked as much as Truly Devious and the Box in the Woods (my two favourites in the series so far). It’s still a solid four stars from me though.
In the fifth instalment Stevie Bell is back and in her Senior year at Ellingham Academy but it isn’t going well. Her friends are obsessed with college applications, her boyfriend, David, is studying in London and with the cold case of the century solved Stevie is left adrift. With nothing to keep her focused and distract her she finds her mind focusing on questions plaguing her brain about college, love and life in general.
But it’s not all bad, David invites Stevie and her friends to join him for study abroad and his new friend Izzy has just the thing Stevie needs, a double-murder cold case from 1995. Nine friends from Cambridge University went to a country house, played a drunken game of hide and seek and two were found in the woodshed next day, murdered by an axe. With the case ‘solved’ as an assumed burglary gone wrong but one of the seven survivors saw something they can’t explain. It’s clear to Stevie that someone is lying about what happened in the woodshed.
In Nine Liars we still get that mystery we have come to enjoy from the Truly Devious series and while I understand we have grown with Stevie and she is experiencing very real thoughts and conflicts in her life I did find, personally, her relationship with David got in the way of the story a little bit for me. The moments shared and the will they won’t they dynamic just left me a bit frustrated since I was more interested in the solving the mystery than that but in defence of the novel I have never been overly one for romance be it the main plot or subplot, particularly in genres were it just doesn’t seem to add much to the mystery element.
That said this is by no means a bad book or a romance one at that. We have plenty of mystery solving and I have to say the way Stevie confronted the remaining seven was amazing. Definitely a scene I am still thinking about. I am really hoping we get more in this series and continue to see Stevie grow and her mystery solving develop. She’s almost like a Nancy Drew of a new generation and I am loving that! If you love contemporary mystery thrillers aimed at a young or new adult audience you will love this one but I highly recommend the whole series!
Nine Liars is the fifth instalment in the Maureen Johnson Truly Devious mystery thriller series and while I did love it, particularly being set in England, I have to say I don’t think it had me hooked as much as Truly Devious and the Box in the Woods (my two favourites in the series so far). It’s still a solid four stars from me though.
In the fifth instalment Stevie Bell is back and in her Senior year at Ellingham Academy but it isn’t going well. Her friends are obsessed with college applications, her boyfriend, David, is studying in London and with the cold case of the century solved Stevie is left adrift. With nothing to keep her focused and distract her she finds her mind focusing on questions plaguing her brain about college, love and life in general.
But it’s not all bad, David invites Stevie and her friends to join him for study abroad and his new friend Izzy has just the thing Stevie needs, a double-murder cold case from 1995. Nine friends from Cambridge University went to a country house, played a drunken game of hide and seek and two were found in the woodshed next day, murdered by an axe. With the case ‘solved’ as an assumed burglary gone wrong but one of the seven survivors saw something they can’t explain. It’s clear to Stevie that someone is lying about what happened in the woodshed.
In Nine Liars we still get that mystery we have come to enjoy from the Truly Devious series and while I understand we have grown with Stevie and she is experiencing very real thoughts and conflicts in her life I did find, personally, her relationship with David got in the way of the story a little bit for me. The moments shared and the will they won’t they dynamic just left me a bit frustrated since I was more interested in the solving the mystery than that but in defence of the novel I have never been overly one for romance be it the main plot or subplot, particularly in genres were it just doesn’t seem to add much to the mystery element.
That said this is by no means a bad book or a romance one at that. We have plenty of mystery solving and I have to say the way Stevie confronted the remaining seven was amazing. Definitely a scene I am still thinking about. I am really hoping we get more in this series and continue to see Stevie grow and her mystery solving develop. She’s almost like a Nancy Drew of a new generation and I am loving that! If you love contemporary mystery thrillers aimed at a young or new adult audience you will love this one but I highly recommend the whole series!
emilyctrigg's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
sprinklesofspooky's review against another edition
4.0
What a cliffhanger!!! Don’t mind me, I’ll just be anxiously awaiting the next book.