Honestly, between Maureen Johnson and Holly Jackson (aka A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder), I can’t tell you whose main character is my favorite. Stevie Bell is so quirky and fun and awkward that you can’t help but to love her. One of the things that I liked best about this novel, though, (besides the characters, of course) is the fact that it is a standalone novel. I’m not sure if I would have had the attention span to follow another trilogy no matter how much I like the books.

As for the mystery itself, it definitely wasn’t as intriguing as Truly Devious, but I mean, that’s hard to live up to. However, it all tied together well and I enjoyed it through all of the near-death experiences. It reminded me a little of The Broken Girls though, by Simone St. James (one of my all-time favorite ghost-mystery writers).

Spoilers ahead.

As for spoilers, I was a little confused towards the end because the whole thing with the journal really threw me for a loop. I was super surprised because it is really hard to surprise the reader with actions that the main character takes especially when the book is written from their point of view. I was surprised, though, but I’m not sure if I feel impressed by the writing, or cheated by the fact that she still made Stevie seem frantic about the journal when she fell into the water.

Overall, though, I will continue reading these novels with Stevie because, I mean, who wouldn’t? As long as they are standalone mysteries, I am all in for another round with these characters and this beautiful prose by Maureen Johnson.

Source: Audiobook from Audible