I have been following this series since it's inception and the way that the mysteries unfold is just perfect. I view them as the Nancy Drew of the modern age. I am constantly drawn in by Johnson's writing and just can't put the books down! This one was no exception. I enjoyed the way that the romance keeps creeping in as well and the way that Johnson handle's Stevie's anxiety makes her all the more relatable. Cannot wait for the next installment.

I love the Truly Devious series, but this installment seemed to be missing something. I didn't enjoy it as much. While the other books in the series balanced the mystery and Stevie's relationships pretty well, this one seemed to put the relationships in the foreground and would sometimes come back to the mystery. And the mystery itself is so bloated (9 suspects???) that it was just too much to enjoy. Thanks to the less than stellar cliffhanger, I think there's another book coming. I will still read it and hope that Johnson is able to rekindle the Bell magic.

I have enjoyed this series so much. The characters are so fun and the mysteries are always captivating. I did enjoy Nine Liars, but I did not like the ending. The ending made me so mad!!

I’ve really enjoyed this series and the situations that Stevie finds herself in… but what did I just read? I was very intrigued by the backstory of The Nine in the beginning, but as the book continued, there was just too much going on. And don’t even get me started on the ending. I know these are young adults, but I hate the miscommunication trope and felt like the present day story was just one, long, drawn out miscommunication. I'm still holding out hope that this isn't the last book in the series and that the next one will be better!

"Now a senior at Ellingham Academy, Stevie Bell should be focused on college applications along with her friends, but her mind is far away in London where her boyfriend David is attending school. Her mystery-solving adventures are currently at a standstill after solving two cold cases that rocked their respective communities. There’s nothing but time for her mind to ponder her relationship and future and where to go from here. When an invitation opens the door to go to England, Stevie jumps at the chance to be reunited with her boyfriend and travel with her friends Janelle Nate, and Vi. Thanks to David’s new friend Izzy, the Ellingham crew finds themselves confronting yet another cold case. Nine friends stayed in a country house to celebrate graduation; only seven walked out alive. The police assumed it was a burglary gone wrong, but that doesn’t seem to be the right solution to two deaths by axe in a woodshed. With seven suspects to look at, why is the trail still cold? Perhaps too much time has passed, but somebody is still lying, and five high school seniors are on the case, determined to find answers that have alluded local police for two decades. This is a story about the fate of The Nine.”

*Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from Katherine Tegen Books, imprint of HarperCollins Children's Books, through NetGalley in exchange for a review. All opinions are my own.

I read “Truly, Devious” for the first time in August 2021 and have had one of the best reading adventures these past few years, catching up to the fifth and latest Stevie Bell mystery. If there’s one thing Maureen Johnson has mastered with this series, it’s atmosphere. Stevie and her friends have investigated cold cases and present-day murders at their boarding school in the mountains of Vermont and a summer camp in the woods of western Massachusetts. Wherever they’ve been, I’ve been right there with them, seeing everything they see and feeling everything they feel. “Nine Liars” is no different, adding a new story set during autumn in both Vermont and London, the cold case an English country manor mystery from 1995. Even though I had to power through an awful reading slump for two months, my final twenty-four hours of reading involved staying up until 2am and waking up seven hours later to finish. As I suspected, the ending was worth it.

The biggest problem I can pinpoint is the sexual content which I’m not a fan of in books. I do understand it in the context of the cold case because nine female and male college students lived together and . . . well, experimented together; and yes, alcohol and drugs were involved along the way. I can tentatively accept all of that when I look at the big picture, but I draw the line at Stevie and her boyfriend David, Stevie being a senior in high school and David a first-year college student. I know that particular age gap is typical, but I really don’t want to read about a couple that young trying to initiate their “first time.” Thankfully, this aspect of their relationship is not a major part of the plot, although I’d argue it still took up too much time and didn’t add anything to the story. Adding more wood to the fire, I’ll add that I’ve never been the biggest fan of David and Stevie’s relationship and found it especially annoying in this book. I think it has a lot to do with their age and immaturity so I won’t dwell.

Even though I have strong opinions about what I didn’t like, the strength of the mystery shone through which is most important. The autumn season spoke to my November soul, and the country manor setting was truly a main character. As the kids say, the atmosphere was atmosphering. My rating is 4 stars, and this series is still consistent in my eyes, consistent to a fault. I am dying (figuratively, not literally) to get my hands on book six, which has been confirmed to be in the works. Maureen Johnson, I need you to hurry up, but also, take your time because quality craftsmanship cannot be rushed. I can’t wait to see where Stevie Bell goes next!

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Content Breakdown: A conversation about eating animal bones & meat (chapter 1), Alcohol, Blood, Cheating (on a significant other), Cigarettes, Drugs & a near overdose, Historical conversations about executions, plagues, stolen artifacts, etc., Intoxication, Kissing, Language (cursing & taking God’s name in vain), Murder (descriptions & conversations), Pubs, Sexual Language & Situations (involving teens & college students), Smoking, & Violence

Mentions of Addiction, Contraception, Crystals, Divorce, Nudity, Prostitution, Rehab, & Therapy

Having a mystery revolve around nine people is just too many people. I found myself caring about none of them, didn't care who died, so I just wasn't that invested in the mystery.

**Book Review: "Nine Liars" by Maureen Johnson**

Maureen Johnson's "Nine Liars" is a captivating and clever mystery that combines intricate plotting with sharp wit and memorable characters. Set against the backdrop of a prestigious boarding school, the novel follows a group of students who become embroiled in a high-stakes game of secrets and deception.

One of the standout features of "Nine Liars" is its ensemble cast of characters, each with their own unique quirks and motivations. Johnson excels at creating distinct voices and personalities, which adds depth to the narrative and keeps the reader engaged throughout. The interactions and relationships between the students are dynamic and multifaceted, providing plenty of twists and turns as the mystery unravels.

The plot is skillfully constructed, weaving together multiple timelines and perspectives to gradually reveal the truth behind a series of mysterious events. Johnson's use of suspense and tension is effective, building steadily towards a satisfying and surprising conclusion. Each revelation feels earned and contributes to the overall intrigue of the story.

The setting of the boarding school adds a compelling layer to the novel, evoking a sense of claustrophobia and isolation that heightens the suspense. Johnson's descriptions are vivid and atmospheric, immersing readers in the world of elite academia while also exploring the darker undercurrents lurking beneath the surface.

Johnson's writing style is sharp and witty, infused with humor and clever dialogue that enhances the reading experience. The narrative moves at a brisk pace, keeping readers on their toes as they try to unravel the truth alongside the characters.

Overall, "Nine Liars" is a compelling mystery that will appeal to fans of suspenseful storytelling and intricate plotting. Maureen Johnson delivers a thought-provoking exploration of deception and betrayal, wrapped in a gripping narrative that holds the reader's attention from beginning to end. For those looking for a thrilling and intelligent read, "Nine Liars" is a book that delivers on its promises and leaves a lasting impression.

It's amazing that Johnson can keep up the momentum in this series. I could read 10 more Stevie Bell books.

Stevie Bell and a double-murder cold case? Yes, Please!
This book was as delightful to read. I appreciate that Stevie was taken to a new environment in this book and that we got to meet more fun characters!

I absolutely recommend this book!

I have loved the other books in this series, but I felt like this one fell flat. I tried very hard to like it but I kept having to force myself to get back to it. About halfway through it picked up, but it was not as good as the others in the series.

Stevie Bell is a teen sleuth I keep coming back to for comfort and to see how her mind works. It's truly fascinating seeing how Maureen Johnson can weave such intricate stories that are complete, succinct, and also completely genius.

This is the English countryside mystery you have been waiting for! Stevie and friends head to London, but get stucked into a missing person case via David's friend Izzy. Stevie can't resist the mystery, and chance to avoid talking about her relationship with David. All of the characters grow. Nate makes a bold admission, Janelle and Vi are relationship goals and David is a louse. And there will be more. Johnson has signed on for two more volumes. We are truly lucky!

In "Nine Liars," Maureen Johnson brings back detective extraordinaire Stevie Bell for another thrilling adventure. This time, Stevie and her friends travel to England, where they get tangled up in a cold case from the 1990s. A group of friends on a weekend getaway turns deadly when two are found murdered. Stevie, ever the curious sleuth, dives into the past, uncovering secrets and lies amongst the remaining suspects.

The book is packed with Johnson's signature humor and witty dialogue, making for a fun and engaging read. The large cast of characters, the "nine liars" of the title, can be a bit overwhelming at first. However, the mystery itself is well-crafted, keeping you guessing until the very end.

If you're a fan of the "Truly Devious" series or enjoy YA mysteries with a touch of humor, "Nine Liars" is a great pick.

Great thriller that will keep you on your toes. I loved the way the author made the twists and turns happen in the storyline.

This was a really fun direction to take Maureen Johnson's Truly Devious series. The isolated English manor house setting, a group of friends who cannot trust each other, and Stevie trying to unweave it all. As always, I wish she would dump David and move on with her life, but overall a very fun mystery.

The Truly Devious series is so much fun; I was really curious to see what this book would be like since it was a new mystery and setting. Overall, it was fun to return to these characters and see what adventures they got up to in London. It didn't feel as strong as the original mystery but was still a quick, fun read.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I love the Truly Devious series and so I am so happy she extended it beyond the trilogy and that we get to see Stevie and everyone in other places. This was an interesting case and I really enjoyed it.

My only complaint is that the author had to check a box and make Nate some sort of nonsexual something, don't even remember what it was but it made me roll my eyes. It doesn't add anything to the series and it has to come up in the latest book all of a sudden.

I do hope there will be more because of how things were left with Stevie and David and I just like Stevie's sleuthing.

Another great Truly Devious title. I enjoyed the London setting, new characters, and the chapters flipping back through different points of time.

Maureen Johnson’s “Nine Liars” takes Stevie Bell and her Ellingham friends to England in a story that features a cold case of two college students murdered in 1995. Similar to one-off narrative of “The Box in the Woods,” this story favors telling the story of a different group of people while only providing some marginal character development for the original cast of her Ellingham trilogy. Despite her friends getting sidelined for much of the book, the mystery at the heart of the story provides for some intrigue though the “liars” at the center of the mystery tend to be more sympathetic caricatures than conniving plotters in a typical British-style murder mystery. The London setting provides for an interesting backdrop for Stevie to continue her adventures, though at times it does not seem as if the book takes full advantage of the setting.

Not my favorite in the series, but still super enjoyable. That ending was cruel though and I would like the next book now please.