“Tyrants and those who ascribe to tyrannical beliefs are always weak at heart because they build their world on fear.” The story has a half-historic past and half-mysterious present, a ragtag group of kids in a boarding situation, and a crime from one hundred years ago and similar present crime unfolding at the same creepy old estate. There wasn't a lot of actual detective work or hunt for clues. It was more about the tragic back story and the feeling of foreboding. Bottom line: there were the good tropes, there were the bad tropes. I really loved the queer representation and the characters. I felt connected to the quirky, smart, and peculiar Marlowe Wexler. The sulking goth girl Riki and the flamboyant, easy-going Van. Overall, it’s an entertaining, fast-paced, smartly executed YA mystery. But it DOES NOT even come close to Maureen's Truly Devious series. In case you can't tell I love Stevie Bell with all my heart!

I love everything Maureen Johnson writes! And despite being an absolute scaredy cat I can't stopp reading everything she writes (even though I have to read them when I'm visiting friends because I can't sleep alone after reading spooky stuff 😅) because it's just so good!!! And fun!! Even tough it is very eerie and spooky!