The only real clue was a mocking riddle listing methods of murder, signed with the frightening pseudonym “Truly, Devious.” Title: The Vanishing Stair Author: Maureen Johnson Series: Truly Devious #2 - Truly Devious (2018) - The Vanishing Stair (2019) - The Hand on the Wall (2020) Add it: Goodreads Goodreads Summary: All Stevie Bell wanted was to find the key to the Ellingham mystery, but instead she found her classmate dead. True-crime aficionado Stevie Bell is set to begin her first year at Ellingham Academy, and she has an ambitious plan: She will solve this cold case. The only real clue was a mocking riddle listing methods of murder, signed with the frightening pseudonym “Truly, Devious.” It became one of the great unsolved crimes of American history. The story takes place at a school for gifted students in Vermont where a kidnapping and murder happened in the 1930s. Maureen Johnson is the bestselling author of several novels, including 13 Little Blue Envelopes, the Truly Devious series, the Suite Scarlett series, and the Shades of London series.She has also written collaborative works such as Let It Snow with John Green and Lauren Myracle and The Bane Chronicles with Cassandra Clare and Sarah Rees Brennan. About Truly Devious. In the present, a student is also found dead. It was founded by Albert Ellingham, an early twentieth century tycoon, who wanted to make a wonderful place full of riddles, twisting pathways, and gardens. It’s the very reason she came to the academy. The only real clue was a mocking riddle listing methods of murder, signed with the frightening pseudonym “Truly, Devious.” It became one of the great unsolved crimes of American history. But then her classmate Hayes Major was murdered, and though she identified his killer, her parents quickly pull her out of school. . The Truly Devious case—an unsolved kidnapping and triple murder that rocked Ellingham Academy in 1936—has consumed Stevie for years. True-crime aficionado Stevie Bell is set to begin her first year at Ellingham Academy, and she has an ambitious plan: She will solve this cold case. Ellingham Academy is a famous private school in Vermont for the brightest thinkers, inventors, and artists. “A place,” he said, “where learning is a game.” Shortly after the school opened, his wife and daughter were kidnapped. It's the very reason she came to the academy. . Maureen Johnson is the bestselling author of several novels, including 13 Little Blue Envelopes, the Truly Devious series, the Suite Scarlett series, and the Shades of London series.She has also written collaborative works such as Let It Snow with John Green and Lauren Myracle and The Bane Chronicles with Cassandra Clare and Sarah Rees Brennan. The basics. But then her classmate was murdered, and her parents quickly pull her out of school. Ellingham Academy is a famous private school in Vermont for the brightest thinkers, inventors, and artists. About Truly Devious. The Truly Devious case--an unsolved kidnapping and triple murder that rocked Ellingham Academy in 1936--has consumed Stevie Bell for years. For her safety, they say. It was founded by Albert Ellingham, an early twentieth century tycoon, who wanted to make a wonderful place full of riddles, twisting pathways, and gardens. She must move past this obsession with crime. True-crime aficionado Stevie Bell is set to begin her first year at Ellingham Academy, and she has an ambitious plan: She will solve this cold case. Parents need to know that Truly Devious is the first book in a trilogy by the author of the Shades of London series. tycoon, who wanted to make a wonderful place full of riddles, twisting pathways, and gardens. The only real clue was a mocking riddle listing methods of murder, signed with the frightening pseudonym “Truly, Devious.” It became one of the great unsolved crimes of American history.