The Hand on the Wall

Stevie thinks she's solved the decades-old cold case that brought her to Ellingham Academy. She's still working on the murders (or were they accidents? Stevie doesn't think so) that have happened since her arrival. A third death cements her suspicions -- but when the school closes just as the storm of the century is about to roll in, Stevie may never have a chance to prove her theories. And then David shows up again...

This book makes a satisfying conclusion to the trilogy. The setting is a really strong feature in this series, and it's accompanied by great, quirky characters. I think that the pacing of the whole trilogy is a little strange; it might have been better as two books, rather than three. However, if you've been waiting for show more the conclusion of the series so you can binge all three without cliffhangers and the agonizing wait between books, now you can read the whole thing in a weekend, and I promise it will go down smoothly. I did find one part of the conclusion a little bit implausible, but all in all I enjoyed this, and if you like both YA and mysteries, you probably will, too. show less

The mystery, or mysteries, are solved but not before Stevie and her friends deal with a lot of danger.

There have been three deaths that could have been murder or could have been accidents. You, know which way Stevie is leaning! Looking into them is distracting her from the seventy-five year old mystery of the kidnapping of three-year-old Alice Ellingham which has never been solved. Failing to solve the crime could have big financial implications for the Ellingham Academy and for the person who solves the case.

Stevie is pretty sure that she has solved the case. She knows who Truly, Devious is and who was the mastermind behind the kidnapping but the voluntary disappearance of David Eastman is very distracting to her.

Events come together show more when parents and administrators decide to evacuate all the students and staff in the face of an on-coming maga blizzard. Stevie decides that would be a perfect time to stay behind and work on the case. Some of her friends stay too including David who has come back with political dirt on his father that he wants his friends to help him read for evidence.

With a storm raging outside, all of the various plot threads come together to let Stevie solve the mystery that has been her obsession since even before she set foot on the grounds of Ellingham Academy.

I liked the way the events of the past and present were woven together in the story. I enjoyed Stevie's obsessive personality and the acceptance she found among the other unique individuals at Ellingham Academy. show less

Ms. Johnson finally wraps up the mystery, but not before giving nods to the many mystery stories that have gone before with groups trapped by weather with a murderer in their midst! Stevie finally works out the Ellingham mystery as the reader gets to read the motivations behind the kidnapping gone wrong. But at the same time, Stevie becomes convinced that there is something tying the current deaths together. I loved the way her friendships evolve and yet continue to be her anchor.

Satisfying conclusion to a compelling trilogy. This had a bit more suspense to it but still had great characterization and two engaging mysteries.

I think this was my favorite of the series— mainly because we got answers!!! And also because I am so happy it’s over. This convoluted mystery with an implausible teen genius knowing things she couldn’t possibly know needed to end. I really wish it was just the 1930’s mysteries. That timeline was why I kept reading.

One good thing I will say is, this book backed off the politics a bit and THANK GOD. I feel we’re all sick of people’s political options at this point (even if we agree with them).

The mystery- very anticlimactic. Kind of a huge let down. We already knew who set up the kidnapping, but knowing what happened to Alice was what kept me reading. When I got those answers it was very much disappointing. So, even though I show more loved the 1930’s parts and wanted the story to just take place there, the actual answers that came from that time period didn’t hold up to the lead up it got.

Also- David sucks. show less

I really blew through this one. It was a satisfying end to this mystery trilogy, and it makes me want to go back and read Johnson’s older books, just because she writes such fun characters. Nate is my favorite, but Stevie and the gang were all very easy to like and root for.
There are two mysteries to solve, and the narration switches back and forth between the past and present. I was more interested in the present narration, and I wasn’t always ready to jump back in the past when I got to those chapters. But I think the overall story needed both to get the goods on the cold case Stevie was obsessed with and how it tied into the present mystery on her school campus.
The first book was my least favorite of the three, but I’m glad I show more continued with the books. It ended up being a solid mystery trilogy and something I’ll recommend. show less

3.5 stars. This was the best one in the series, mainly because we finally get all the answers we've been waiting for since book 1. I always thought this mystery didn't work well as a series & I still think that, but I'm glad we finally got the answers and a somewhat satisfying ending. "Satisfying" in the fact that we finally have all the answers and everything is wrapped up, but the actual reveal left much to be desired. There were parts in the middle that were a little slow, and I was more invested in the past timeline than I was in the present, but overall not bad.