Truly Devious (Truly Devious #1) by Maureen Johnson - Restarting Restarting May 11th 2024

[Aaron]

35%
(view spoiler)[ There’s something dodgy about Larry. I think he knows something about what really happened. (hide spoiler)]

[Bayan]

Ryn wrote: "Bayan wrote: "Ryn wrote: "Her mother gave her that look again. We kind of wanted the going-out, shopping, prom-going type, and we got this weird, creepy one, and we love it but what is it talking a..."

I planned on reading the whole series this month so hopefully I’ll be exploring a lot of her writing!

[Bayan]

Aaron wrote: "35%
[spoilers removed]"

I’m not caught up on names I’m on audio and I’m relating more to the narration than the names mentioned, is he the FBI friend or the secretary?

[Aaron]

Bayan wrote: "Aaron wrote: "35%
[spoilers removed]"

I’m not caught up on names I’m on audio and I’m relating more to the narration than the names mentioned, is he the FBI friend or the secretary?"

He is the current security guy. He was acting weird when Stevie spoke about the case.

[Aaron]

Bayan wrote: "46%
[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ hmm. You might be right. I hadn’t thought about that. I reckon they could have been a big part of it but I think there was someone else who was really behind it with them. There could’ve been an affair going on or something. (hide spoiler)]

[Ryn]

Yeah I have trouble keeping all the names straight too. Is it terrible that I wish she'd spend less time writing about all of Stevie's housemates?

Security Larry could just be a fan of the case like Stevie. I mean, the kidnapping/murder took place in 1936 and the contemporary story is roughly present day... to have really been involved, someone would have to be insanely old in Stevie's time.

[Aaron]

Ryn wrote: "Yeah I have trouble keeping all the names straight too. Is it terrible that I wish she'd spend less time writing about all of Stevie's housemates?

Security Larry could just be a fan of the case l..."

He doesn’t have to be directly involved. I think he’s either a relative of someone or has uncovered information that nobody else knows.

[Ryn]

Aaron wrote: "Ryn wrote: "Yeah I have trouble keeping all the names straight too. Is it terrible that I wish she'd spend less time writing about all of Stevie's housemates?

Security Larry could just be a fan o..."
Good point. I've decided I simply just don't like David... and he certainly acts suspicious but that would be far too easy, I suppose. I'm very interested to hear more of Dottie's story.

[Aaron]

64%
(view spoiler)[ This has to be a murder because of the note.
So the person who killed Hayes has to be a student or they wouldn’t have needed someone else’s access card. It also has to be a character we have heard quite a bit from or it would be a bit anti climactic. The group helping Hayes and Janelle couldn’t have done it. That only leaves a handful of suspects and some seem to obvious. I have a main suspect but I can’t think of a motive. Unless they’re a relative of someone. (hide spoiler)]

[Bayan]

Aaron wrote: "Bayan wrote: "Aaron wrote: "35%
[spoilers removed]"

I’m not caught up on names I’m on audio and I’m relating more to the narration than the names mentioned, is he the FBI friend or the secretary?..."

right! He sounded fishy but I thought he was just creeped out at Stevie being interested in crimes and stuff

[Bayan]

Aaron wrote: "Bayan wrote: "46%
[spoilers removed]"

[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[that's why I was talking about the FBI agent or the secretary, the both kind of came out suspicious to me, but now I'm kind of suspicious about the guy who made the invisible ink and that girl, they seemed to be hiding something.. But then when the bodies were found, now I'm so confused but super curious!! I'm most suspicious of the nanny who knows Alice best, who knows what she is hiding? Also what if she was also involved with the secretary? (hide spoiler)]

[Bayan]

Ryn wrote: "Yeah I have trouble keeping all the names straight too. Is it terrible that I wish she'd spend less time writing about all of Stevie's housemates?

Security Larry could just be a fan of the case l..."
I feel like something is going to come out of the roomies!

[Bayan]

Ryn wrote: "Aaron wrote: "Ryn wrote: "Yeah I have trouble keeping all the names straight too. Is it terrible that I wish she'd spend less time writing about all of Stevie's housemates?

Security Larry could j..."

same! I'm really curious about Dottie, but I wish (view spoiler)[she hadn't died (hide spoiler)]

[Bayan]

Aaron wrote: "64%
.."

I read the first two sentences without noticing that you're 64% ugh, I'm only 51% and I was spoiled aaaaagh lol

[Aaron]

Bayan wrote: "Aaron wrote: "Bayan wrote: "46%
[spoilers removed]"

[spoilers removed]"

[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ literally anything could’ve happened in that case. It was definitely someone in the house but everyone is suspicious. I don’t think the guy and girl were involved as they’re playing the fact that they’re hiding something up. They probably just did something unrelated that they don’t want the police to know. (hide spoiler)]

[Aaron]

Bayan wrote: "Aaron wrote: "64%
.."

I read the first two sentences without noticing that you're 64% ugh, I'm only 51% and I was spoiled aaaaagh lol"

You were just slightly too early opening that. That’s unlucky.

[Bayan]

Aaron wrote: "Bayan wrote: "Aaron wrote: "64%
.."

I read the first two sentences without noticing that you're 64% ugh, I'm only 51% and I was spoiled aaaaagh lol"

You were just slightly too early opening that..."

yea but he just disappeared so it wasn't too early lol

[Bayan]

69%
(view spoiler)[a few things are kind of weird for me:
David wasn't very likable before, but now he's kind of suspicious, what if he was trying to distract Stevie from writing down what had happened? What if he was trying to get her confused to change her story? But what if he was just a problematic boy and was just simply a player and was toying around with Stevie?
What Leo said: The two kids who were interested in poetry?? But Leo's lighter? I already guessed that something was up with Leo because he didn't care about Iris and Alice's disappearance.. But at the same time, Flora was hiding something with him too..
About Hayes, I don't think it had anything to do with the ex girlfriend really, but I can't guess who.. (hide spoiler)]

[Bayan]

Aaron wrote: "64%
..."

(view spoiler)[I think you may be insinuating that it could be David and he could be related to someone who Hayes has hurt? (hide spoiler)]

[Aaron]

Bayan wrote: "Aaron wrote: "64%
..."

[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ I’m thinking David (potentially with the help of Ellie) and I think it has more to do with the Truly Devious project because of the poem on Stevie’s wall that probably wasn’t a dream. Like a relative from someone in the 30’s parts of the book. (hide spoiler)]

[Aaron]

Bayan wrote: "69%
a few things are kind of weird for me:
David wasn't very likable before, but now he's kind of suspicious, what if he was trying to distract Stevie from writing down what had happened? What if h..."

(view spoiler)[ it’s interesting that there were 2 kids interested in poetry there at the time. I wonder how many people could’ve been involved in this. Leo could just have been trying to throw them off though.
I don’t trust anyone on this. (hide spoiler)]

[Bayan]

Aaron wrote: "Bayan wrote: "Aaron wrote: "64%
..."

[spoilers removed]"

[spoilers removed]"
Wow, Ellie didn’t strike any suspicion for me but I guess that’s the awesome thing about mystery lol

[Bayan]

Aaron wrote: "Bayan wrote: "69%
a few things are kind of weird for me:
David wasn't very likable before, but now he's kind of suspicious, what if he was trying to distract Stevie from writing down what had happe..."

True lol

[Bayan]

87%
(view spoiler)[ Hayes' murder: I'm not really as suspicious of David as I am of Nate.. Hayes asked Stevie to ask Nate to write the script with her, Gretchen said Hayes had a lot of people do stuff for him, and he couldn't have had written his show, a part of me guessed David might have written it? He had this book in his room about writing.. I'm so beyond confused..
Iris, Alice and Dottie's disappearance: I'm still guessing it could be the secretary or the FBI agent, no one else makes sense, unless the author twists us and Ellingham was the criminal?? (hide spoiler)]
I CAN'T PUT THIS DOWN

[Ryn]

Bayan wrote: "87%
Hayes' murder: I'm not really as suspicious of David as I am of Nate.. Hayes asked Stevie to ask Nate to write the script with her, Gretchen said Hayes had a lot of people do stuff for him, an..."

It really is good. That much I remember from the last read. And I remember that I didn't like the end ;) But that's all I'll say.

[Ryn]

It had not occurred to me to be suspicious of Nate. He seems like an accident, like he's so wrapped up in himself he doesn't have time or energy for anything else. But I've always been terrible at solving mysteries.

Perhaps the real question we should be considering is... is there anyone around old enough to possibly BE Alice?

[Bayan]

Ryn wrote: "Bayan wrote: "87%
Hayes' murder: I'm not really as suspicious of David as I am of Nate.. Hayes asked Stevie to ask Nate to write the script with her, Gretchen said Hayes had a lot of people do stu..."

Oh no! That means it’s someone completely unexpected or we never find out lol

[Bayan]

Ryn wrote: "It had not occurred to me to be suspicious of Nate. He seems like an accident, like he's so wrapped up in himself he doesn't have time or energy for anything else. But I've always been terrible at ..."

I guess she would have to be like 40 years old if I’m getting this right.. so maybe one of the teachers or parents??

[Bayan]

I’m literally 34 minutes away from finishing this book (view spoiler)[and they’re all piled up in Charles’ office and Stevie is accusing Ellie (what is her name! Element???) -that the only thing annoying about audiobooks. Spelling- and I’m still very suspicious of David and Nate or maybe both?? Or what if it were Jenelle? That is highly unlikely but I’m so upset that I can’t figure it out so I’m trying to put anyone in the circle lol (hide spoiler)] and my AirPods ran out of charge and I’m in a big busy gathering and I’m so upset ugh

[Aaron]

Ryn wrote: "It had not occurred to me to be suspicious of Nate. He seems like an accident, like he's so wrapped up in himself he doesn't have time or energy for anything else. But I've always been terrible at ..."

You’re right. I hadn’t even thought about that. Someone could be.

I hadn’t suspected Nate either. I’m more suspicious of the second year students since one of them must have written Hayes’s show. David and Ellie are still sticking out to me.

[Bayan]

Finished
(view spoiler)[ well that was so disappointing!! I guess it was some sort of plot twist that he ended up being King’s son but that’s not what I was waiting on! I hope we figure out really early in the second book all about Ellie
I’m guessing she could be those kids’ daughter??? Also even if she was, I get that Hayes’ wasn’t the best but why kill him?? (hide spoiler)]
Excited to get into the second later but I’m catching up on other reads at the moment so I won’t start now..
Thanks for reading with me, will catch up later to see what you guys thought!

[Ryn]

Bayan wrote: "69%
a few things are kind of weird for me:
David wasn't very likable before, but now he's kind of suspicious, what if he was trying to distract Stevie from writing down what had happened? What if h..."

Thought the same about David. I was not ready for that sudden 180 at ALL and I didn't really buy it...

[Bayan]

Ryn wrote: "Bayan wrote: "69%
a few things are kind of weird for me:
David wasn't very likable before, but now he's kind of suspicious, what if he was trying to distract Stevie from writing down what had happe..."

I feel like it’s going to be a love at first sight thingy.. I guess we’ll find out as it progresses with the other books, he might become likable too

[Aaron]

Done
(view spoiler)[ I quite liked the ending. The David thing was a bit weird. I couldn’t remember who King was until they kept talking. I’m surprised those kids really were involved and Ellie is definitely a relative of them. I don’t know if I still think she killed Hayes though. She clearly had involvement but Hayes may actually have organised everything and made an error that lead to his death. I can see why Ellie would’ve run even if she didn’t murder him if something looked bad on paper. I hoped we would find out exactly what happened in both times by the end of this book but I can wait until the next one. I just really hope this storyline isn’t dragged out over all the books. (hide spoiler)]

[Ryn]

Bayan wrote: "I’m literally 34 minutes away from finishing this book [spoilers removed] and my AirPods ran out of charge and I’m in a big busy gathering and I’m so upset ugh"

This is exactly my frustration with ebooks. I ALWAYS run out of charge right when I CAN'T PUT IT DOWN.

So I'd forgotten most of the end. I only remembered that (view spoiler)[ nothing was 100% solved, because what the heck with mysteries that you don't find out who did it by the end? Still not really sold on the whole David + Stevie thing and did not suspect Ellie even a little. Although we don't have a full confession so who knows? And of course we have two more books in the series so I'm still hoping Alice will turn up somewhere. (hide spoiler)] I think it said somewhere in the book in an article that it had been eighty years since three-year-old Alice had disappeared, so she'd be 83.

Are you all joining for the next book starting the 7th? I have it on my shelf and it's going to be really hard to wait that long but I will do it.

[Bayan]

Ryn wrote: "Bayan wrote: "I’m literally 34 minutes away from finishing this book [spoilers removed] and my AirPods ran out of charge and I’m in a big busy gathering and I’m so upset ugh"

This is exactly my fr..."

I agree the ending was so vague and underwhelming but I suspect from her writing style that she will wow us in the next books, I will be joining on the 7th, I’m juggling a few series together so I don’t mind the little break from this one

[Aaron]

I’m also joining on the 7th. Currently distracting myself with a 650 page book until then.

[Jenn]

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Date changed. Restarting May 15th 2023. Happy Reading ☺

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[Courtney]

Starting this today.

[Courtney]

Prologue (view spoiler)[ Dottie's reading space sounded really good until she came face to face with her killer. (hide spoiler)]

[Courtney]

Chapter 2 (view spoiler)[ Holy crap! I would freak out receiving a call like that. (hide spoiler)]

[Courtney]

Chapter 8 (view spoiler)[ So far I really like Stevie so far. She is definitely good at the detective part. She was able to figure out David quite fast. I like that they switch between present day and the past but sometimes it gets confusing. (hide spoiler)]

[Courtney]

Chapter 9 (view spoiler)[ Sounds like Stevie might be right thinking it was someone in the house. It sounds like Leo and Flora had something to do with it, and they seem to work for the Ellingtons. (hide spoiler)]

[Courtney]

Chapter 11 (view spoiler)[ Are we suppose to know who Hayes is? I dont remember meeting him yet. Anyways, he has managed to get Stevie and Nate to work with him for their projects. It is a little weird he knows so much about the tunnel and that its currently open, but hopefully nothing bad happens. (hide spoiler)]

[Courtney]

Chapter 12 (view spoiler)[ I would have freaked if I found that note too, especially waking up. Thats freaking creepy. (hide spoiler)]

[Courtney]

Chapter 15 (view spoiler)[ Hayes is dead. I wonder if he was killed because of the project or what he does in his personal life. (hide spoiler)]

[Poppy]

We are starting today right?

[Poppy]

How many chapters are we doing per day?

[Poppy]

Courtney wrote: "Prologue [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[it was kind of suspicious though
Like it was too good to be true because of the way the book began with the line about fate coming for her (view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

[Courtney]

Poppy wrote: "We are starting today right?"

Yes. I started early because I finished my last book early. Im just reading while I can so not really doing chapters.