The Vanishing Stair (Truly Devious Book 2)

In this second installment of the Truly Devious series, amateur detective Stevie Bell finds herself forced to leave Ellingham Academy just as she's making progress on solving the school's infamous cold case. The 1936 kidnapping and murder that has haunted the Vermont boarding school for decades seemed tantalizingly close to resolution, but Stevie's investigation is cut short when she's sent home. Desperate to return and continue her work, she must navigate both the mysteries of the past and the complications of her present, including her feelings for the enigmatic David and the political machinations that threaten her future at Ellingham. Johnson weaves together dual timelines with skill, alternating between the original 1930s crime and Stevie's contemporary investigation. The novel explores themes of obsession, truth-seeking, and the lengths people will go to uncover secrets long buried. Fans will appreciate the deepening character development, particularly Stevie's growth as both a detective and a young woman finding her voice. The atmospheric setting of the isolated mountain academy adds to the noir-tinged mystery, while the pacing keeps readers engaged even as larger questions remain tantalizingly unanswered. This middle book successfully builds on the foundation of the first while propelling the overarching mystery forward, making it essential reading for anyone invested in solving the Ellingham case.