The Hand on the Wall by Maureen Johnson

The Hand on the Wall (Truly Devious, #3)

by Maureen Johnson

New York Times and USA Today bestseller!

New York Times bestselling author Maureen Johnson delivers the witty and pulse-pounding conclusion to the Truly Devious series as Stevie Bell solves the mystery that has haunted Ellingham Academy for over 75 years.

Ellingham Academy must be cursed. Three people are now dead. One, a victim of either a prank gone wrong or a murder. Another, dead by misadventure. And now, an accident in Burlington has claimed another life. All three in the wrong place at the wrong time. All at the exact moment of Stevie’s greatest triumph . . .

She knows who Truly Devious is. She’s solved it. The greatest case of the century.

At least, she thinks she has. With this latest tragedy, it’s hard to concentrate on the past. Not only has someone died in town, but David disappeared of his own free will and is up to something. Stevie is sure that somehow—somehow—all these things connect. The three deaths in the present. The deaths in the past. The missing Alice Ellingham and the missing David Eastman. Somewhere in this place of riddles and puzzles there must be answers.

Then another accident occurs as a massive storm heads toward Vermont. This is too much for the parents and administrators. Ellingham Academy is evacuated. Obviously, it’s time for Stevie to do something stupid. It’s time to stay on the mountain and face the storm—and a murderer.

In the tantalizing finale to the Truly Devious trilogy, New York Times bestselling author Maureen Johnson expertly tangles her dual narrative threads and ignites an explosive end for all who’ve walked through Ellingham Academy.

Praise for the Truly Devious series:

“Readers, hang tight: there’s one more round to come, and if the signs are right, it’ll be to die for.” —Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“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 alindstadtcorbeax on

4 of 5 stars

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Star Rating: —> 4.5 Stars

So... The Truly Devious conclusion was Truly Delightful!
(Get it? Get it? I know, the wit, how can you all even take it?) Anyway, my outstanding wit aside...

Surprised? I was too! The finale of this book trio not only wasn’t in the 3 star range, but I enjoyed it so much that it scored 4 and a HALF stars from me! That kind of bump up in overall enjoyment was an amazing gift, especially because I can’t NOT read the rest of the books ffcin a series, even if i don’t LOVE the first book. Theres always SOMETHING to like and that something hooks me and thats it. I am OCD about finishing books that I start, and finishing series I start**.:-D

I really loved this, guys!

If you’re in the middle of the series but stopped at book 2 because you felt truly devious wasn’t for you, i urge you to keep reading! If you haven’t read any, well, you can binge all 3 and you’ll probably be way more satisfied with the first two books as well ! The ending was truly satisfying and actually GREATLY enjoyable... and everything FINALLY MAKES SENSE! Plus... non stop action & adventure! Revelations aplenty!

Definitely recommend. Fast paced, really fun, quick read. Well worth it all, IMO! Everything was more than alright by me, in the end!

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Reading updates

  • Started reading
  • 25 January, 2020: Finished reading
  • 25 January, 2020: Reviewed