The Vanishing Stair

By: Maureen Johnson

Narrated by: Kate Rudd

New York Times and Publishers Weekly bestseller!

In New York Times bestselling author Maureen Johnson’s second novel in the Truly Devious series, there are more twists and turns than Stevie Bell can imagine. No answer is given freely, and someone will pay for the truth with their life.

The Truly Devious case—an unsolved kidnapping and triple murder that rocked Ellingham Academy in 1936—has consumed Stevie for years. It’s the very reason she came to the academy. But then her classmate was murdered, and her parents quickly pull her out of school. For her safety, they say. She must move past this obsession with crime.

Stevie’s willing to do anything to get back to Ellingham, be back with her friends, and solve the Truly Devious case. Even if it means making a deal with the despicable Senator Edward King. And when Stevie finally returns, she also returns to David: the guy she kissed, and the guy who lied about his identity—Edward King’s son.

But larger issues are at play. Where did the murderer hide? What’s the meaning of the riddle Albert Ellingham left behind? And what, exactly, is at stake in the Truly Devious affair? The Ellingham case isn’t just a piece of history—it’s a live wire into the present.

* Junior Library Guild Selection * Chicago Public Library's Best of the Best Books of 2019 * Hypable's Best Books of 2019 *

Praise for Book One:

“The Agatha Christie-like ecosystem pairs with lacerating contemporary wit, and alternating past and present scenes makes for a multilayered, modern detective story.” —New York Times Book Review

“Remember the first time reading Harry Potter and knowing it was special? There’s that same sense of magic in the introduction of teen Sherlock-in-training Stevie Bell.” —USA Today (four stars)

“Be still, my Agatha-Christie-loving beating heart.” —Bustle

Completely sucked me in

In reading the reviews of these books, I wasn't sure whether to try reading the series or not. All the reviews say over and over that the first two books ended with horrible cliffhangers. What they often neglect to mention is that this book(as well as the last one) has an excellent plot, good characters, and a stellar narrator. And notably, the "cliffhangers" are not bad at all. Just a little something to keep you motivated to read the next book.

Even more engrossing and suspenseful than the first

So good !! Cliff hangers galore and more suspenseful than the first novel. Can’t wait to read the next one !!

I am hooked

I love this books. I watched book tuber talk about those books and tho to give it a try. Then I got hooked

Murder mystery

the Narrator was good
for this who done it book.That lasts three books apparently.

2nd verse same as the first

This has a very similar feel to the first one. Some questions are answered and still more are left hanging for the third book. I was so enamored with this series that I'm writing this review after finishing the third book because I didn't take any time between books two and three. Definitely worth the investment.