Truly Devious
Maureen Johnson
Christian Pheiffer
Book Review
Truly Devious by Maureen Johnson is an exciting mystery book for teens. The main character Stevie Bell, a smart detective, goes to a fancy school to solve an old case. The story switches between the past and present. With interesting characters. It’s a must-read for fans who live mystery’s
The book shows how Stevie uses her curiosity, with the help of her friends, to solve a hard case of Truly Devious.
There were some parts if the book that I didnt realy enjoy but those were a rare when I read it.
“She had to know the truth. It was the only thing that mattered. She would find out who Truly Devious was, and everything else would fall into place." -pg#336
This shows Stevie's commitment to finding the truth about Truly Devious, which shows the main idea of her search for truth.
4.5/5 Stars
The Beginning of Stevie Bell
Stevie is tough and enjoys solving mysteries. She goes a nice school for wealthy kids but doesn't fit in because she isn't one of them. She uses her intelligence to help in the first part of "Truly Devious" in order find out the school's past. With her courage, the mystery sometimes makes her nervous. Overall, she is a person who constantly looks for the truth. Stevie likes imagining herself as a detective in a movie because she really likes the crime scenes. She puts on leather gloves when she's trying to solve a mystery. She doesn't do it to just protect her hands, she also does this because it makes her feel like a skilled a detective.
"Stevie couldn't help feeling a surge of excitement as she looked around the abandoned building. This was exactly the kind of place where a crime could happen." - Pg#134
This line from Chapter 8 shows Stevie's interest with crime scenes and her excitement to solve this mystery. Her excitement for being a detective comes from it.
Theme
There are multiple themes in the book like a search for the truth, or the thrill and suspense the book has. But I believe the main focus of Truly Devious is all about exploring with connected mysteries. The book tells us that in order to understand the big picture, the truth must be taken seriously because it is separated. It shows how the characters must put together what they know in order to understand it. To find the whole truth, you have to use the mind and be patient.
"Each mystery was separate, but formed a constellation, a pattern, with Ellingham at the center." -Pg#113
How a Puzzle Piece Relates to This Books Theme
This item represents how things fit together. It shows that the mysteries in the book are connected, and the characters try to solve them. It reflects the idea that the truth is spread out and needs careful thinking to see the whole picture.
Theme Statement
Searching for the truth shows mysteries that are connected. It shows that it takes careful thinking to see the whole picture.
How Has Stevie Bell Grown?
In the second half of Truly Devious, Stevie keeps investigating the mysteries at Ellingham Academy. She's smart, and always looking for the truth. Stevie connects the clues and takes risks to reveal secrets. She grows as a detective, becoming more confident and curious. Stevie plays a big role in solving the mysteries and moving the story forward.
This item represents how Stevie is determined to find the truth even in the shadowy and secretive places. It shows her strong commitment to uncover hidden truths and solve the mysteries she comes across.
"Stevie leaned in close, examining the tiny details. She couldn't shake the feeling that there was something significant about them, something that would lead her closer to the truth." -Pg#238
This quote shows that Stevie is really good at noticing things and paying attention to small details. It shows that she believes even the little things can be important in solving the mysteries. It also shows that she thinks carefully and works hard to find the truth.
Conflict
The unsolved mystery behind the Truly Devious case and the crimes happening at Ellingham Academy are the main causes of conflict in "Truly Devious." The problem happens when Stevie Bell starts to investigate both the most recent crimes at the school and the old missing crimes from 1936. Stevie has to get past many challenges, like studying difficult clues, dealing with lost data, and trying to avoid an evil killer. Stevie also finds out unexpected mysteries along the way, making the conflict worse
A torn notebook paper could represent missing or incomplete information that is important for solving the mystery in Truly Devious. This conflict makes the plot move forward as the characters search for clues and try to piece together the information they have in order to solve the mystery of the murders at Ellingham Academy.
Author's Style
In Truly Devious, Maureen Johnson's attention to detail also adds to the mystery of the story, keeping readers more interested. By using this writing style, Johnson makes a stronger connection with readers and her characters, making the story feel more personal.
Maureen Johnson's writing is like a camera that captures tiny moments and details, making her stories and characters feel more real. This helps make the readers feel like they are in the story.
"Stevie noticed the girl's eyes, the hazel flecks that swirled in the green. She had pretty eyes, but they were darkened with something." -Pg#13
This quote shows how the writing style focuses on small details, like the hazel flecks in a character's eyes. By putting these details, she makes the characters feel more real.
