“There are some things you can't outrun, even if you keep moving.”
— Ellingham Academy's troubled past.
Archivist's Choice
The Vanishing Stair
Maureen Johnson (2019)
Genre
Thriller / Historical Fiction / Mystery / Young Adult
Reading Time
450 min
Key Themes
See below
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Pulled from the enigmatic Ellingham Academy, true-crime sleuth Stevie Bell is forced to choose between unraveling a decades-old mystery that has already claimed one classmate and protecting a fragile, forbidden romance with the son of a powerful, manipulative politician.
Synopsis
Stevie Bell, still processing one solved murder but frustrated by the lingering Ellingham mystery, is pulled out of Ellingham Academy by her parents for her safety. Disconnected from her friends and obsessed with the unsolved historical crime, she also avoids David, the son of despised politician Edward King, whom she recently kissed. Edward King arrives at Stevie's home with an offer: he will reinstate her at Ellingham if she agrees to 'play nice' with David, ensuring his son remains at school during King's political campaign. Back at Ellingham, Stevie restarts her investigation, finding a hidden room and Ellingham's journals, which hint at a cult. She discovers the cult's influence and Dottie's involvement, leading to David's confession about his family's secrets and the cult's ritual on the night of the original murders. Stevie learns the truth about Alice's death, confronting the cult's lingering danger as she realizes uncovering the truth comes at a cost, potentially hurting those she cares about.
Reading time
450 min
Difficulty
Medium
Pacing
Moderate
Mood
Suspenseful, Mysterious, Intriguing, Dark
✓ Read this if...
You love intricate historical mysteries intertwined with a modern-day investigation, enjoy a quirky cast of characters, and appreciate a strong, intelligent female protagonist.
✗ Skip this if...
You prefer standalone novels, dislike cliffhangers in a series, or are not a fan of young adult perspectives on serious crimes.
Plot Summary
Stevie's Abrupt Departure and Forced Home Life
After her classmate Hayes's murder and David's identity as Edward King's son are revealed, Stevie Bell is pulled from Ellingham Academy by her parents. They believe the school is too dangerous and her focus on the Ellingham mystery is unhealthy. Back home in Pennsylvania, Stevie feels isolated, struggling with a 'normal' life without her friends or the constant intellectual challenge of the mystery. She avoids David, still upset by his lies and their kiss. Her attempts to investigate from afar are difficult due to a lack of resources and her sense of loss for the case and the school.
Edward King's Unexpected Offer
Stevie's life changes when Edward King, the politician and David's father, arrives at her home. King, in a close political campaign, offers Stevie a deal: he will arrange for her return to Ellingham Academy if she 'plays nice' with David and ensures he stays at the school. King fears David's behavior could harm his campaign if he leaves Ellingham. Stevie is torn between her dislike for King and David's deception, and her strong desire to return to the mystery and her friends. The offer is her only way back to the Ellingham case, so she finds it hard to refuse.
Return to Ellingham and Renewed Investigation
Stevie accepts King's offer and returns to Ellingham Academy, surprising and relieving her friends. Her reunion with David is tense; their past closeness is replaced by cold politeness, a condition of King's deal. Despite the personal drama, Stevie immediately returns to the Ellingham mystery. She re-examines old clues, reviews documents, and talks with her friends Janelle and Nate, who have been watching the case. She is more determined than ever to solve the decades-old kidnapping and murder, feeling the weight of the unsolved case.
The Vanishing Stair and a Hidden Room
During her renewed investigation, Stevie notices the odd architecture of Ellingham Hall, especially the 'vanishing stair' – a staircase that seems to go nowhere. Curious, she explores the area more, finding a hidden room behind a wall section near the stair. Inside, she finds organized papers, journals, and items belonging to Edward Ellingham. This discovery is a big step, giving her direct access to Ellingham's thoughts and clues hidden for decades. The room feels like a message from the past.
Ellingham's Journals and the Cult Connection
The hidden room contains Edward Ellingham's personal journals, showing a previously unknown side of the millionaire. Stevie learns that Ellingham was involved with a mysterious cult called the 'Eye of God,' a group with unusual beliefs and rituals. His writings suggest he was trying to understand or join the cult, thinking they held answers to universal truths. This discovery broadens the Ellingham mystery, suggesting the kidnapping and murders might be connected to this secret group, not just a random act.
The Cult's Influence and Dottie's Involvement
Stevie looks deeper into the 'Eye of God' cult, researching its history and influence. She discovers that Dottie Ellingham, Edward's wife, was also involved with the cult, possibly more than Edward. Dottie's connection to the cult becomes a key focus, as Stevie thinks her involvement could be linked to the kidnapping and murders. Stevie also learns that the cult was active near Ellingham Academy, making their activities and possible motives more relevant to the case. Ellingham's writings describe the cult's symbols and ideas.
David's Confession and the King Family Secrets
Despite their strained relationship, David eventually tells Stevie things. He reveals that his father, Edward King, was a student at Ellingham Academy during the original murders and was a close friend of Dottie Ellingham. This information adds complexity to the mystery, connecting King directly to the historical events. David also admits that his father has always been secretive about his past, especially the Ellingham tragedy. This confession helps Stevie understand why David has been guarded and why his father wants to control David's actions.
The Fateful Night and the Cult's Ritual
Through Ellingham's journals, Dottie's notes, and David's revelations, Stevie starts to piece together the events of the night the Ellingham kidnapping happened. She finds that Dottie, influenced by the 'Eye of God' cult, had planned a ritual in the tunnels beneath the school to 'purify' Alice Ellingham, the kidnapped daughter. Edward King and other students were there, thinking it was a harmless, if strange, game. However, the ritual went wrong, leading to Alice's death and a cover-up by the cult members and those involved, including Edward King, to protect themselves and the cult's standing.
The Truth About Alice's Death
Stevie finally learns the truth: Alice Ellingham was not murdered by an outside force but died during the failed cult ritual organized by her mother, Dottie. In a moment of panic, Dottie accidentally caused Alice's death while trying a 'purification' rite. The adults present, including Edward King, helped Dottie hide the true events of Alice's death, making it look like a kidnapping by the mysterious 'Truly Devious' figure. This revelation shocks Stevie, as it dismantles the long-held story of the Ellingham mystery and reveals the extent of the deception.
Confrontation and the Impending Danger
With the full truth, Stevie confronts David, who confirms her findings and expresses his guilt and fear about his father's involvement. Stevie realizes that Edward King has been trying to suppress the truth for decades, and her discovery puts her in danger. She understands that King's initial offer to bring her back to Ellingham was not just about controlling David, but also about watching her and possibly silencing her if she got too close. The revelation turns the historical mystery into a current threat, with Stevie's life potentially at risk.
Principal Figures
Stevie Bell
The Protagonist
Stevie begins as an obsessive amateur detective and develops into a more confident and capable investigator, willing to face personal truths and dangers for the sake of justice.
David Eastman
The Supporting/Love Interest
David struggles with his identity and family legacy, moving from deception to a reluctant acceptance of his past and a desire to help Stevie, even against his father.
Edward King
The Antagonist
King remains a manipulative figure, his attempts to control the narrative and suppress the truth intensify as Stevie gets closer to his secrets.
Janelle Franklin
The Supporting
Janelle consistently supports Stevie, offering unwavering friendship and practical assistance throughout the challenges.
Nate Fisher
The Supporting
Nate remains a loyal and supportive friend, providing emotional and intellectual support to Stevie.
Edward Ellingham
The Mentioned/Historical
His character is revealed posthumously through his writings, showing his progression from eccentric founder to a man entangled in a dangerous cult.
Dottie Ellingham
The Mentioned/Historical
Her character is revealed posthumously as the true orchestrator of the tragic events, moving from a mysterious victim to the unwitting antagonist.
Alice Ellingham
The Mentioned/Historical
Her story is posthumously revealed, transforming her from a simple victim of kidnapping to a casualty of a cult ritual and subsequent cover-up.
Themes & Insights
The Weight of Secrets and Lies
The novel shows how secrets, both personal and historical, shape lives and corrupt justice. David's secret identity and his father's lies about the Ellingham incident show how hidden truths can be destructive. The Ellingham mystery is based on a decades-long cover-up, where influential figures like Edward King hid the truth to protect themselves. Stevie's journey is a battle against these deceptions, showing the moral cost of keeping such falsehoods.
“Secrets are like mountains, Stevie. They just keep getting bigger.”
Obsession and the Pursuit of Truth
Stevie Bell's character is defined by her strong interest in true crime and the Ellingham mystery. This theme explores the line between dedicated investigation and unhealthy preoccupation. Stevie's parents pull her from Ellingham because of this focus, worried about her safety and mental health. However, it is this drive that lets her find clues others missed. The theme questions if seeking truth, no matter the cost, is always good, especially when it puts one's life in danger and causes painful confrontations.
“I can't just stop. It's like a song stuck in my head, only the song is a murder.”
Family Legacies and Intergenerational Trauma
The novel explores how past actions of one generation impact the next. David King struggles with his father, Edward King, and his family's connection to the Ellingham murders. Edward King's attempts to control David and hide the truth are direct results of his own involvement in the cover-up. The Ellingham family is defined by Alice's death and the secrets that followed. Stevie's investigation uncovers these family traumas, showing how unresolved historical events continue to affect the present.
“My father built his life on a lie, and I'm living in the rubble.”
The Nature of Justice and Morality
As Stevie uncovers the truth behind Alice Ellingham's death, the novel explores questions of justice and morality. The revelation that Alice died accidentally during a cult ritual by her mother, not by a clear murderer, complicates assigning blame. The cover-up by those involved, including Edward King, raises questions about complicity and the willingness of individuals to sacrifice truth for self-preservation. Stevie deals with how to find justice when the lines between victim, perpetrator, and accomplice are blurred, and when powerful individuals want to bury the past.
“What is justice when the truth is this messy?”
Plot Devices & Literary Techniques
The Vanishing Stair
A physical architectural feature that symbolizes hidden truths and pathways to the past.
The 'vanishing stair' is a literal staircase within Ellingham Hall that appears to lead nowhere, becoming a physical manifestation of the hidden aspects of the Ellingham mystery. Its discovery by Stevie leads her to a secret room containing Edward Ellingham's journals. This device serves as a direct plot catalyst, moving Stevie from theoretical investigation to concrete discovery, and symbolizes the idea that the truth is often obscured but accessible to those who look beyond the obvious.
Edward Ellingham's Journals
A primary source document that provides direct access to the historical truth.
The journals of Edward Ellingham are a crucial plot device, acting as a direct conduit to the past. They provide Stevie with firsthand accounts of Ellingham's involvement with the 'Eye of God' cult, his observations, and his personal struggles. Without these journals, Stevie would be unable to piece together the complex motives and events surrounding Alice's death. They function as an 'unreliable narrator' of sorts, requiring Stevie's interpretation and critical analysis, but ultimately providing the backbone of her historical findings.
The 'Eye of God' Cult
A mysterious organization that serves as the hidden force behind the Ellingham tragedy.
The 'Eye of God' cult is a central plot device that introduces a layer of esoteric mystery and a new set of suspects and motives to the Ellingham case. Initially hinted at through Ellingham's writings, the cult's influence is gradually revealed to be the true catalyst for Alice's death. It transforms the mystery from a simple kidnapping to a more complex narrative involving misguided spiritual beliefs, ritual, and a subsequent cover-up. The cult provides a compelling, dark background that explains the otherwise inexplicable actions of Dottie Ellingham and others.
David's Dual Identity
A personal secret that mirrors the larger historical deceptions of the plot.
David's dual identity as David Eastman and David King (son of Edward King) serves as a significant plot device, creating personal conflict for Stevie and mirroring the broader theme of hidden truths. His deception initially strains his relationship with Stevie but also provides a direct link to Edward King, a key figure in the Ellingham cover-up. This device not only adds a layer of romantic tension and betrayal but also strategically connects Stevie to the modern-day antagonist, making the historical mystery deeply personal and dangerous.
Critical analysis
Notable Quotes
“The past is never really past. It just waits.”
— Stevie Bell investigating the cold case.
“Every mystery has a lock, and every lock has a key.”
— Stevie's determination to solve the case.
“Sometimes the most obvious answer is the one you don't want to see.”
— When a clue points to an uncomfortable truth.
“People are the scariest monsters, because they're real.”
— Reflecting on human nature and crime.
“You can't solve a mystery if you're afraid of what you'll find.”
— Stevie pushing past her fears.
“The world is full of beautiful, terrible things.”
— Observing the contrast at Ellingham Academy.
“Secrets have a way of festering, like wounds.”
— The long-hidden truths of Ellingham.
“History isn't just dates and names; it's people and their choices.”
— Understanding the human element of historical events.
“The most dangerous thing about a story is believing it's finished.”
— Realizing there's more to the mystery.
“Sometimes, the key to the present lies buried deep in the past.”
— Connecting the historical and modern mysteries.
“The truth doesn't care if you're ready for it.”
— Facing an unexpected revelation.
“Every grand design has a flaw, a crack where the light gets in, or the darkness.”
— Considering the imperfections of a seemingly perfect plan.
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Key Questions (FAQ)
"The Vanishing Stair" is the second book in the Truly Devious series, continuing the story of true-crime enthusiast Stevie Bell at Ellingham Academy. Stevie is pulled out of school by her parents after solving a modern-day murder, but a deal with politician Edward King, David's father, sends her back to unravel the historical Ellingham mystery while navigating complex relationships and the lingering dangers of the past.
About the author
Biography coming soon.
