The Vanishing Stair

In the second novel of the Truly Devious series by New York Times bestselling author Maureen Johnson, Stevie Bell faces more twists and turns than she could ever anticipate. The unsolved Truly Devious case—a kidnapping and triple murder at Ellingham Academy in 1936—has haunted her for years and is the reason she enrolled at the academy. However, after a classmate is murdered, her parents pull her out for her safety, insisting she move on from her obsession with crime. Determined to return to Ellingham, Stevie is willing to make a deal with the corrupt Senator Edward King. Upon her return, she reunites with David, the boy she kissed, who happens to be the senator's son and had deceived her about his identity. As she delves deeper into the case, questions arise: Where is the murderer hiding? What does Albert Ellingham's riddle mean? And what are the stakes in the Truly Devious affair? The Ellingham case transcends history, becoming a dangerous connection to the present. The book has received praise for its clever writing and engaging storytelling, likening it to a modern detective story infused with wit and layered narratives.