Truly Devious by Maureen Johnson

This book captivated me from the start!  I stayed up late to read it and woke up early to finish it because I just had to know who was the mastermind behind the kidnappings and murders.  Unfortunately, the book ends on a cliff hanger.  To place the pieces together, I would have to read the entire trilogy since book number two also ends on a cliff hanger!!
Stevie Bell applies to the famous Ellingham Academy where students can pursue their passions and talents all for free!  Stevie's passion?  Mysteries, especially murder mysteries.    Her biggest obsession is a kidnapping and murder which involved the founder Albert Ellingham of Ellingham Academy- his wife and three-year-old daughter Alice.  To her surprise, Stevie is accepted and begins to investigate the 1936 cold case.  As she interacts with other students, she realizes that there may be more mysteries to solve in this modern era. 

I loved the boarding school setting in Vermont, Stevie's interest in murder mysteries, the 1936 mysterious cold case, the suspense, and the clever development of both story-lines (1936 and modern day).

I did not appreciate how the author portrayed Stevie's parents and a state senator negatively because of their more conservative political views.  The Republican Party is never mentioned in the book, but because of their view about global warming and other views, the reader can easily infer she means "Republican".  It is very clear she despises that political party and people who believe similarly. 

Although this is labeled "YA", readers should be aware of: underage drinking, a seventeen year old who is drunk a couple of times, a drinking game, using pot is mentioned, Stevie's close friend, Janelle, is a lesbian and finds a girlfriend at Ellingham Academy, a make out scene and urges to do that again,  references to sex.
-Borrowed from the library.