Truly, Devious: A Rant Wrapped in a Mystery
Ah, Truly, Devious by Maureen Johnson, the book that had everyone buzzing and begging me to dive in. With its vibrant cover and that intriguing premise, it felt like a siren call to my inner detective. I expected a gripping mystery, perhaps something akin to Agatha Christie’s clever plots. But after finishing, I find myself wondering if I’m the only one who wandered into a literary trap, leaving me with more questions than answers.
Plot and Characters
Let’s talk about the plot. It starts off promisingly enough: a classic, unsolved mystery revolving around the famous Ellingham Academy. However, I quickly found myself questioning the pacing. By the time I reached the 200-page mark, I felt like I’d been stuck in an unending procedural of character introductions and atmospheric descriptions. If I wanted to read about building timelines, I’d just scroll through my social media feed about life updates.
The main character, Stevie Bell, is set up as a modern-day Sherlock Holmes, but oh boy, she’s more of a wannabe. Sure, she’s bright and inquisitive, but her actions left me perpetually annoyed. All I could think was, “Use your brain, girl!” Countless times, she appeared to have the opportunity to unravel the mystery, but instead, she turned towards teenage distractions—like making out in a crime scene! Honestly, it felt as if I was rooting for her brain to catch up with her ambitions.
Then there’s David, a character that had my head spinning with psychopathy. He seemed to exist solely for creating drama rather than enriching the story. I found myself rolling my eyes more often than not at how overly dramatic his backstory was. And the rest of the cast? Boringly robotic, with no emotional depth. It’s crucial to connect with characters, but I felt like I was reading several paragraphs dedicated to teens discussing their homework rather than unraveling mysteries.
Themes and Representation
On representation, the book includes a non-binary character, Vi, which initially sparked hope. However, the lack of depth in their development left me disappointed. Also, the random introduction of a girl wearing a hijab who disappears as quickly as she appears felt more like a token gesture than thoughtful inclusion. Just like the Agatha Christie nods littered throughout the book—six mentions that felt as unrelated as cheese on apples!
Writing Style and Pacing
The writing, while not unbearable, lacks the tension I expected from a thriller. It felt as though Johnson tried to create suspense but inadvertently weighed the story down with unnecessary details. The narrative jumped timelines without seamless transitions. I kept waiting for the moment when it would all tie together and make sense, but it left me even more frustrated. The ending? Predictable and almost laughable; I was expecting a mind-blowing twist, but all I got was a shrug.
Conclusion
Truly, Devious had all the ingredients for a thrilling young adult mystery but sadly fell flatter than a two-day-old soda. I’d suggest this book may work for readers who prioritize character-driven stories and can handle a leisurely pace, but if you’re looking for that gripping narrative that keeps you awake at night, I’d say shoo, move along.
For those curious about the sequel, The Vanishing Stair, you may want a strong cup of coffee before diving in—my rating sits at a disappointing 1.75/5. As for Hand on the Wall, it’s slightly better, at 2.5/5, but I’ll save that for another rant. Ultimately, this experience has reminded me that not every hyped novel can live up to its expectations, but hey, that’s part of the literary journey!
Discover more about Truly, Devious (Truly Devious, #1) on GoodReads >>