The Vanishing Stair by Maureen Johnson

The Vanishing Stair (Truly Devious, #2)

by Maureen Johnson

New York Times and Publishers Weekly bestseller!

In New York Times bestselling author Maureen Johnson's second novel in the Truly Devious series, there are more twists and turns than Stevie Bell can imagine. No answer is given freely, and someone will pay for the truth with their life.

The Truly Devious case-an unsolved kidnapping and triple murder that rocked Ellingham Academy in 1936-has consumed Stevie for years. It's the very reason she came to the academy. But then her classmate was murdered, and her parents quickly pull her out of school. For her safety, they say. She must move past this obsession with crime.

Stevie's willing to do anything to get back to Ellingham, be back with her friends, and solve the Truly Devious case. Even if it means making a deal with the despicable Senator Edward King. And when Stevie finally returns, she also returns to David: the guy she kissed, and the guy who lied about his identity-Edward King's son.

But larger issues are at play. Where did the murderer hide? What's the meaning of the riddle Albert Ellingham left behind? And what, exactly, is at stake in the Truly Devious affair? The Ellingham case isn't just a piece of history-it's a live wire into the present.

* Junior Library Guild Selection * Chicago Public Library's Best of the Best Books of 2019 * Hypable's Best Books of 2019 *

Praise for Book One:

"The Agatha Christie-like ecosystem pairs with lacerating contemporary wit, and alternating past and present scenes makes for a multilayered, modern detective story." -New York Times Book Review

"Remember the first time reading Harry Potter and knowing it was special? There's that same sense of magic in the introduction of teen Sherlock-in-training Stevie Bell." -USA Today (four stars)

"Be still, my Agatha-Christie-loving beating heart." -Bustle

Reviewed by Stephanie on

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This review was originally posted on Once Upon a Chapter



I loved The Vanishing Staircase by Maureen Johnson so much! It had a typical Maureen Johnson cliffhanger which I don't love but I'm beginning to question that stance.

Not much time has passed between the two books. Stevie ends up back at Ellingham Academy but she made a deal with the devil to get there. She is assigned to work with Dr. Fenton, a woman who wrote a book abut the Truly Devious kidnapping, as a part of her big project.

Stevie continues to work the Ellingham case on her own time and is so much smarter about it than I would have been. I would have been telling anyone who would listen about my theories and anything I had found to support my theories in my quest of not only being right but the first person to be right!

During her investigation Stevie ends up finding a few things. Some good and some not so good. It's hard to get into without spoiling plot points so I won't. The cliffhanger was enough to make me instantly long for the conclusion of this story. In a few months I'll be able t finish it!

I really do love how Johnson is still telling us the tale from the past as well as the story from Stevie's timeline. Like Stevie I have my own theories but in order to avoid some major spoilers, I'll keep them to myself!

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Reading updates

  • Started reading
  • 23 May, 2019: Finished reading
  • 23 May, 2019: Reviewed
  • Started reading
  • 23 May, 2019: Finished reading
  • 23 May, 2019: Reviewed