read for Popsugar 2019 Reading Challenge: a book revolving around a puzzle or game

This book took everything I loved from the first book and ramped it up. This was a fantastic sequel, and I am so excited for the final book to see how this trilogy ends!

In [b:Truly Devious|29589074|Truly Devious (Truly Devious, #1)|Maureen Johnson|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1498501619i/29589074._SX50_.jpg|49916452], I was so much more engaged in the cold case of the Ellingham murders than the contemporary mystery. I mean it was interesting but it didn't quite reach its potential for me. This time around, Johnson had me just as engaged in both of the timelines. Stevie returns to Ellingham within 10 pages (thank god, because while I'm a native and love Pittsburgh, Stevie would just be trashing it the whole time, and my heart couldn't take it), and is refreshed into searching for clues to solve the Ellingham murders. While the events of the past book still haunt her and she is certainly determined to discover what really happened to Hayes & Ellie, Stevie's dive back into solving the cold case was thrilling. Sure the audience knows more as we get flashbacks to the 30's, but watching Stevie make conclusions and put the story together was so much fun. And there were some nice resolutions with still a ton to mystery left for the final book.

My main issue was David and Stevie's relationship with him. He felt as though any development from the previous book had disappeared. His choices were erratic, which didn't seem to just be because of his concern over Ellie. It all felt really bizarre and not in a good way. Factor in Stevie's decision to just lie for no reason... I was annoyed. It's pretty lazy for characters to just not tell each other the truth without a good reason. Sure now you have tension and conflict, but i don't think it was justified.

Just tell David you're using his dad to return to Ellingham!!! Literally everyone would understand!!!! Also no fucking way a politician of Trump/Ted Cruz type fame would have an ex-wife and kid that no one knows about. Not in this day and age.

It's something YA and romance novels do a lot, and I would love to not have to see it anymore, personally.

Like the last book, I did like the anxiety representation. Stevie has a lot of methods for coping with it which i liked seeing (someone who employs therapy techniques!). And she herself has grown more confident which i think lends itself to her renewed determination to solve the Ellingham murders.

Also that dedication to Murderinos made me smile. Hope Stevie remembers to SSDGM in the final book!