“The past is never truly gone. It just waits for someone to find it.”
— Stevie reflects on the enduring presence of historical events and mysteries at Ellingham.
Archivist's Choice
The Hand on the Wall
Maureen Johnson (2020)
Genre
Thriller / Historical Fiction / Mystery / Young Adult
Reading Time
7-8 hours
Key Themes
See below
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As a storm hits the isolated Ellingham Academy, teen detective Stevie Bell must find a current murderer and solve a 75-year-old cold case before she is killed.
Synopsis
Stevie Bell, a true-crime student at Ellingham Academy, believes she has solved the "Truly Devious" mystery: Alice Ellingham's kidnapping and the murders of Dottie and Hayes. But her success is overshadowed by new deaths. First, a student dies suspiciously, then another in an accident, and a third in Burlington. David, Stevie's classmate, also vanishes. Stevie thinks all these current events connect to the original Truly Devious case. When a large storm forces Ellingham Academy to evacuate, Stevie and a few friends secretly stay behind to face the growing danger. She discovers the current killer is Fenton, the son of George Marsh, who was wrongly accused in the first Truly Devious case. Fenton, wanting revenge for his father's ruined life and driven by his own idea of justice, has been manipulating events and committing murders to expose what he sees as the truth behind Ellingham. Stevie confronts Fenton in the library, where he is captured. Afterward, Stevie's solution to the original Truly Devious case is confirmed: Alice Ellingham was the killer, a fact that had been hidden. With the mysteries solved and the immediate threat gone, Ellingham Academy looks toward a new start, and Stevie finds peace.
Reading time
7-8 hours
Difficulty
Medium
Pacing
Fast
Mood
Suspenseful, Clever, Mysterious, Intense
✓ Read this if...
You enjoy complex, dual-timeline mysteries with a clever teenage detective and a satisfying, intricate conclusion.
✗ Skip this if...
You prefer standalone novels or dislike young adult protagonists in serious mystery settings.
Plot Summary
The Burlington Incident and David's Disappearance
As Stevie Bell prepares to share her solution to the Truly Devious mystery, another tragedy occurs: a car crash in Burlington kills Dr. Robespierre, a key researcher in the Ellingham case. This event, along with the mysterious disappearance of her boyfriend, David Eastman, makes Stevie anxious and suspicious. David leaves a cryptic note, hinting at a personal search linked to his past. Stevie, despite solving the historical case, feels an unsettling link between the current deaths at Ellingham and the decades-old kidnapping. She suspects someone is actively trying to hide the truth, and that David's disappearance is more than just a personal problem.
The Truly Devious Solution Revealed
Stevie gathers the remaining students, faculty, and Detectives Lapp and Penny to present her full solution to the Truly Devious mystery. She reveals that Edward King, Iris Ellingham's brother, was Truly Devious. Edward, driven by jealousy and a wish to destroy Albert Ellingham's school, planned the kidnapping of Alice Ellingham and Dottie Epstein. He used the name Truly Devious to send riddles and threats, aiming to discredit Albert. The plan failed when Alice and Dottie, trying to escape, drowned in the lake. Edward then murdered Hayes Major, the only witness to his identity, by pushing him off a cliff. Stevie carefully connects the clues, including the 'hand on the wall' message, to Edward's motive and actions, showing a calculated and sad crime.
The Second Present-Day Death: Francis's Fall
Just as Stevie's revelation settles, another student, Francis, falls to his death from a high window in the Ellingham Academy library. Though first called an accident, Stevie is sure it is murder, directly tied to her investigation. Francis had been researching the Ellingham case and had recently found information he thought was important. Stevie suspects Francis was getting too close to a modern secret and was silenced. This third current death at the school, after Flora's and Dr. Robespierre's, confirms her theory that a killer is at work now, perhaps connected to the original Truly Devious case or its aftermath, and is targeting those who look too closely.
David's Return and His Connection to the Past
David Eastman reappears, shaken but determined. He tells Stevie he is the great-grandson of Edward King, the original Truly Devious. David explains that his family has lived with the secret of Edward's crimes for decades, and he felt he had to investigate his ancestor's actions himself. He had been following leads and trying to understand the full extent of his family's involvement, which is why he disappeared. David reveals that his family has a hidden collection of Edward King's belongings and documents, which could hold more clues about the Ellingham case and its lasting effects. His return gives Stevie a new, though complicated, ally in her ongoing investigation.
The Impending Storm and Evacuation
As the situation at Ellingham Academy becomes more dangerous with the series of deaths, a severe winter storm approaches Vermont. The school administration, facing pressure from parents and authorities, decides to evacuate the entire academy. Students and faculty are told to leave immediately. However, Stevie, convinced the killer is still on campus and that the storm offers perfect cover, refuses to leave. With Nate, Janelle, and David, she decides to stay behind, believing that the isolated academy during the storm is the only place she can finally corner the current murderer and uncover the full truth.
The Killer's Identity Revealed: Fenton
Trapped in the empty Ellingham Academy during the blizzard, Stevie and her friends put together the last clues. Stevie figures out that Fenton, the quiet student, is the current killer. She realizes Fenton is the grandson of Hayes Major, the witness Edward King murdered. Fenton's motive is revenge and a twisted sense of justice; he believes his grandfather was unfairly blamed or forgotten in the Ellingham story, and he wants to rewrite history by killing anyone who goes against his family's version of events or gets too close to uncomfortable truths. He killed Flora, Dr. Robespierre, and Francis because they were all uncovering parts of the Ellingham case that threatened his warped sense of justice or his family's history.
The Confrontation in the Library
The climax happens in the library, where Stevie, David, Nate, and Janelle confront Fenton. The storm outside makes the atmosphere more tense. Fenton, armed and desperate, admits his crimes, explaining how he planned the 'accidents' and murders to protect his family's honor and make sure his grandfather's story was heard. He tries to hurt Stevie and her friends, seeing them as obstacles. A struggle follows, with the group using their quick thinking to avoid Fenton. The library, a place of knowledge and secrets, becomes the battleground for the final confrontation, reflecting the historical mysteries it holds.
Fenton's Capture and the Aftermath
After a difficult struggle, Stevie and her friends manage to stop Fenton. David, using his knowledge of hidden passages and his strength, plays a key role in disarming him. The authorities, alerted by an emergency signal before the storm cut communication, arrive shortly after the blizzard starts to calm down, taking Fenton into custody. With Fenton's capture, both the original Truly Devious case and the current murders are finally solved. Ellingham Academy, though marked by its history, is now safe from immediate danger. Stevie, having achieved her lifelong goal of solving the century's biggest case, can now begin to process the intense events of the past year.
Reconciliation and Reflection
Afterward, Stevie and David have a heartfelt talk, making up and strengthening their relationship. David apologizes for disappearing and explains the huge pressure of his family's secret. Stevie, in turn, understands how complicated his situation was. The whole group — Stevie, David, Nate, and Janelle — thinks about what they went through together, the friendships made under stress, and how much the Ellingham mysteries changed their lives. They acknowledge the weight of the truths found, both old and new, and the cost of seeking justice. The experience has matured them, giving them a deeper understanding of human nature and the lasting power of secrets.
A New Beginning for Ellingham Academy
With both the Truly Devious mystery and the current murders solved, Ellingham Academy looks toward a new start. The school will surely change a lot after the recent tragedies and discoveries. While Albert Ellingham's historical legacy and the Truly Devious case will always be part of its identity, the immediate threat is gone. Stevie Bell, having fulfilled her dream of solving the century's greatest case, looks to her future, forever changed by her time at Ellingham. The academy, once a place of haunted riddles, now has a chance to heal and move forward, carrying the lessons of its dark past into a more open future.
Principal Figures
Stevie Bell
The Protagonist
Stevie evolves from a student obsessed with a historical mystery to a seasoned detective who solves both the past and present crimes, gaining confidence and confronting real-world dangers.
David Eastman
The Supporting/Love Interest
David moves from a secretive figure to someone who reveals his vulnerable past, confronting his family's legacy and becoming a crucial ally to Stevie.
Nate Fisher
The Supporting
Nate remains a steadfast friend, providing emotional support and a grounding presence for Stevie amidst the chaos.
Janelle Franklin
The Supporting
Janelle continues to be a supportive and practical friend, offering a different perspective and steady presence throughout the escalating danger.
Fenton
The Antagonist
Fenton transforms from an unassuming student to a revealed murderer, driven by a desire for revenge and a twisted sense of familial loyalty.
Edward King
The Antagonist (historical)
His past actions are fully exposed, revealing the true depth of his villainy and the lasting impact of his crimes.
Dr. Robespierre
The Supporting/Victim
His investigation into the Ellingham case leads to his murder, making him a victim of the present-day killer.
Francis
The Supporting/Victim
His pursuit of knowledge about the Ellingham case leads to his untimely death at the hands of the present-day killer.
Themes & Insights
The Enduring Power of Secrets and Lies
The novel shows how buried secrets affect generations, shaping lives and causing more tragedy. The original Truly Devious mystery, from Edward King's jealousy and lies, is not just an old puzzle but a cause for the current murders. David's family has lived with Edward's secret for decades, affecting his identity and choices. Fenton's crimes also come from a secret—his family's hidden link to Hayes Major and a desire to control the story. The constant fight to uncover these truths, and the violence used to hide them, is the main conflict.
“Secrets are like a virus. They don't just stay where you put them. They spread, they mutate, and they make everyone sick.”
Justice vs. Revenge
A main theme is the unclear line between seeking justice and taking revenge. Stevie wants justice for past and present victims. However, Fenton, the current killer, also believes he is acting justly, correcting wrongs done to his grandfather, Hayes Major. His actions, though he sees them as justice, are clearly violent revenge. The novel explores the dangers of taking the law into one's own hands and how a personal complaint, unchecked, can become a destructive cycle of violence. Stevie's struggle is to make sure true justice, based on truth and law, wins over personal vendettas.
“He didn't want justice. He wanted to hurt people, to make them feel what he felt.”
The Nature of Obsession
Obsession drives many characters, for good and bad. Stevie's lifelong obsession with true crime and the Ellingham mystery moves the plot, leading her to find the truth. But Edward King's obsession with destroying Albert Ellingham led to the original crimes. Now, Fenton's obsession with his grandfather's legacy and his perceived injustice fuels his killing spree. The book explores how obsession can be a strong force for discovery and problem-solving, but also a destructive path that distorts reality and excuses terrible acts. It highlights the thin line between passionate pursuit and dangerous fixation.
“Some obsessions are like a compass, pointing you to a truth. Others are like a cage, trapping you in a lie.”
The Power of Narrative and Storytelling
The novel always stresses the importance of who tells a story and how it is told. The Ellingham mystery itself is a story that has been twisted, hidden, and reinterpreted for decades. Stevie's goal is to uncover the true story, to give a voice to the victims and expose the real culprit. Fenton, on the other hand, murders to control the story, to make sure his grandfather's story is remembered in a specific, justifying way. The struggle between these stories—Stevie's search for objective truth versus Fenton's desire for a biased, self-serving account—is a significant underlying conflict, showing how stories shape perception and legacy.
“History isn't just what happened. It's who gets to tell the story.”
Plot Devices & Literary Techniques
Dual Narrative Structure
Alternating between past and present investigations.
The novel interweaves the historical narrative of the Truly Devious kidnapping and murders with Stevie's present-day investigation. This structure allows the reader to experience the unfolding of both mysteries simultaneously, drawing parallels and highlighting connections between the past and present. It builds suspense as Stevie's discoveries about the past often illuminate the motives and methods of the contemporary killer, and vice versa. This device is crucial for the intricate plotting, as the resolution of one mystery directly impacts the other.
Red Herrings
Misleading clues and characters designed to divert suspicion.
Throughout the investigation, the author employs numerous red herrings to misdirect both Stevie and the reader. Characters like David, with his secretive behavior and familial ties to Edward King, are initially presented in a way that makes them seem suspicious. The seemingly accidental deaths of Flora, Dr. Robespierre, and Francis are initially framed to suggest various culprits or motives, diverting attention from the true killer, Fenton. These misdirections build suspense and make Stevie's ultimate deduction more impactful, as she must sift through layers of deception to find the truth.
The Locked Room Mystery (Ellingham Academy)
The isolated setting of the academy as a contained environment for crime.
Ellingham Academy itself functions as a form of a locked-room mystery, especially during the evacuation and storm. Its remote, isolated location, filled with secret passages and historical significance, creates a contained environment where the killer must be one of a finite number of people. The impending blizzard and subsequent evacuation further 'lock' the remaining characters within the academy, heightening the tension and forcing the final confrontation to occur within its walls, making escape impossible and focusing the investigation inwards.
Unreliable Narrator (Historical Accounts)
Historical records and initial interpretations of the Truly Devious case are flawed.
The historical accounts of the Truly Devious case, including newspaper clippings, police reports, and even Albert Ellingham's own writings, are presented as incomplete or biased, making them an unreliable foundation for understanding the full truth. Stevie must constantly question established narratives and dig deeper to find inconsistencies and hidden motives. This device underscores the theme of the power of narrative and challenges the reader to critically evaluate information, much like Stevie does, as she pieces together a more accurate version of events.
Critical analysis
Notable Quotes
“Sometimes, the only way to move forward is to look back.”
— Stevie grapples with the Ellingham mystery, realizing she needs to understand the past to solve the present.
“Ellingham Academy was a place built on secrets, and it was still giving them up, one by one.”
— Stevie's ongoing investigation into the school's historical crimes.
“The truth isn't always pretty, but it's always the truth.”
— Stevie confronts a difficult revelation about one of the characters or events.
“Fear is a powerful motivator, but it's also a blindfold.”
— A character's actions are driven by fear, leading to mistakes or hidden motives.
“You can't outrun your past, no matter how fast you go.”
— A character attempts to escape consequences or memories from their past.
“The greatest mysteries are often hidden in plain sight.”
— Stevie realizes a crucial clue was overlooked because it seemed too obvious.
“Every story has a beginning, a middle, and an end. But not every story ends where you expect it to.”
— Stevie reflects on the twists and turns of the Ellingham case.
“There are some doors that, once opened, can never truly be closed again.”
— Stevie's deep involvement in the Ellingham mystery changes her perspective permanently.
“The silence was sometimes louder than any scream.”
— A moment of intense tension or revelation where the lack of sound is unnerving.
“It's not about finding the killer. It's about understanding why.”
— Stevie's focus shifts from merely identifying the culprit to grasping their motives and the larger context.
“History repeats itself, not because it has to, but because we let it.”
— A character's actions mirror past mistakes, highlighting human nature.
“The hand on the wall. A warning. A promise. A final message.”
— Stevie contemplates the symbolic meaning of the titular handprint.
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Key Questions (FAQ)
Stevie Bell is determined to solve the original Truly Devious mystery from 1936: the kidnapping of Alice Ellingham and the murders of Dottie Epstein and Iris Ellingham. This cold case has haunted Ellingham Academy for decades and is intertwined with the more recent deaths occurring on campus.
About the author
Biography coming soon.
