The Vanishing Stair

Truly Devious Series, Book 2

By: Maureen Johnson

Narrated by: Kate Rudd

Length: 9 hrs and 13 mins

Publisher's summary

New York Times and Publishers Weekly best seller!

In New York Times best-selling 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 *

©2019 HarperCollins Publishers (P)2019 HarperCollins Publishers

Critic reviews

“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

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.

Murder mystery

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

This better have a sequel!

Good book but ending is terrible. I NEED to know more! When you become invested in the characters you cannot just end on that note.

Great mystery

Very easy to follow even with the going back and forth through time. Can't wait to read the next book

I am so glad I didn’t go by others reviews.

I expected all the bad reviews. I expected just a repeat of the first book. I am so glad all that wasn’t what happened. New twists and more information to solve the mystery. I love the historical nature of the series. I am looking forward to book three.

The Meat of The Story

If the first book in this series is the bread or mayo of the whole story, the introductory paragraphs thrown together to give origin then this story is the meat. If you stuck around after the slow burn of Truly Devious and are deciding to read this I’m so proud of you. This part of the story and book in the series was phenomenal. Like a young Perry Mason Stevie is at it again trying to figure out not only the Ellingham mystery of the past, but the current one playing out in front of her. Creative and captivating this always keeps you guessing. For once a mystery novel; especially for young adults; was not overly predictable. The ending was even more cliffhanging than the first and I cannot wait to continue with the third installment. Maureen Johnson is doing a fantastic job at distracting and pivoting so that you never know what is coming. This was very good.

Read this book

If you like mystery this book is perfect, it makes you think and guess and try to figure it out on your own. Highly recommend it