This was actually good? Like, a good YA mystery???
I was doubtful at first because the way the protagonist was presented kind of sounded like "I'm weird, I'm a weirdo, I don't fit it and I don't want to fit in, have you ever seen me without this stupid Hercule Poirot book? That's weird" but I eventually grew to appreciate her. Quite.
I really liked that a large part of the book focused on the discovery of the school and the characters before coming down to the actual murder, because then it didn't feel rushed or gratuitous like some other stories.
Last but not least, the mystery itself is exciting. I am very fond of enigmas and riddles, and it truly delivered.

Still, I won't lie and say there weren't some elements that ticked me off a little. For instance, the way the past crime was told. It was sometimes accounted through later records, sometimes through the witnesses' point of view at the time of the incident, and not in a linear way, I think? It all felt a bit messy.
Plus, the few characters from marginalized groups did not really have an impact on the plot and served more as token diversity imo (but maybe that will change in the next books). And I'm not that invested in the side love story. Yet. But it was overall a nice read!

Also, for some reason I thought it'd be a standalone and I rushed the last bits hoping to find all the answers and was so surprised to read that there was a sequel! I can't wait to meet Stevie again :)