The Vanishing Stair | Review

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Synopsis

All Stevie Bell wanted was to find the key to the Ellingham mystery, but instead she found her classmate dead. And while she solved that murder, the crimes of the past are still waiting in the dark. Just as Stevie feels she’s on the cusp of putting it together, her parents pull her out of Ellingham academy.

For her own safety they say. She must move past this obsession with crime. Now that Stevie’s away from the school of topiaries and secret tunnels, and her strange and endearing friends, she begins to feel disconnected from the rest of the world. At least she won’t have to see David anymore. David, who she kissed. David, who lied to her about his identity—son of despised politician Edward King. Then King himself arrives at her house to offer a deal: He will bring Stevie back to Ellingham immediately. In return, she must play nice with David. King is in the midst of a campaign and can’t afford his son stirring up trouble. If Stevie’s at school, David will stay put.

The tantalizing riddles behind the Ellingham murders are still waiting to be unraveled, and Stevie knows she’s so close. But the path to the truth has more twists and turns than she can imagine—and moving forward involves hurting someone she cares for. In New York Times bestselling author Maureen Johnson’s second novel of the Truly Devious series, nothing is free, and someone will pay for the truth with their life.

Review

I enjoyed this book much more than the first. It still had the same twisty clues and almost emotionless narrative, but it felt different for a couple of reasons.

One, I think I’m familiar with the writing style now. I was surprised with the first book and getting to know the characters at the same time so it made things less enjoyable for me. But for this book, I was familiar with the characters, already in the thick of the multiple crimes, and invested in the story in general.

Second, the pace was much quicker which made the book more enjoyable. It felt like it took forever for things to happen in the first book. This book jumped into things pretty quick. Stevie was back to solving crime, she was working with others, and new secrets were already being revealed towards the beginning.

Overall, it was just a better book in my opinion. I’m really excited for the third book now!

Rating

To check out my other reviews, click here. Or to check out more books by Maureen Johnson, go to her Goodreads profile or her website.