Mini-Review

In the 1930s, some mysterious murders take place at Ellingham Academy, a boarding school for gifted & talented students, heralded by a cryptic letter signed “Truly, Devious”. In the present time, Stevie Bell, a crime aficionado, has been accepted to Ellingham, and is keen to investigate and solve this cold case. What she doesn’t anticipate is the suspicious death of one of her own classmates leading to a much more current mystery.

I really enjoyed this detective novel (with a touch of romance). Well written, alternating between present & past cases, lots of intertextuality and different text types (excerpts from books, interview transcripts, letters). The ending is a bit “to be continued”, which is a bit frustrating, but certainly made me immediately download the second audiobook. Audiobook narrator is good and non-annoying.

Very little swearing. Subtle allusions to minor characters having sexual relationships. A bit of kissing & rolling. A bit of underage drinking – not welcomed by protagonist.

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