Which Truly Devious Character Are You? Take my Truly Devious Character Quiz to find out and get YA mystery book picks matched to your result.

Which Truly Devious Character Are You? Truly Devious Character Quiz + Book Picks

If you’ve spent six books wandering the halls (and secret tunnels) of Ellingham Academy with Stevie Bell and her friends, you’ve probably wondered which of them you’d be. Are you the one up at 2 AM with a murder board and a theory? Or the one who shows up with a flashlight and some hard truths?

With The Velvet Knife, the sixth Truly Devious book, out now, it felt like the right time to find out. Answer five quick questions and the quiz will match you with Stevie, Janelle, Nate, or David. Every result comes with YA mystery picks I’ve reviewed, so you’ll walk away knowing what to read next.

Need a refresher before you start? My quick Truly Devious series recap has you covered, and my spoiler review of The Velvet Knife goes through everything that happens in book 6.

Meet the Ellingham Scooby Gang

No spoilers here, just a quick refresher on the four characters in the quiz.

Stevie Bell: A true crime obsessed kid from Pittsburgh. Now a student at Ellingham Academy, she cracked the most famous unsolved case in American history. She's anxious, intense, and stubborn, and she's usually right.

Janelle Franklin: Stevie's best friend, an artist and inventor who can build almost anything. She's creative, organized, fiercely loyal, and very honest, even when Stevie would rather she wasn't.

Nate Fisher: A teen fantasy author who published a hit book and is always avoiding writing the next installment ever since. He's dry, a little spacy, and would rather be left alone, but he always comes through for his friends.

David Eastman: Charming and evasive, David is the son of a powerful politician and the most complicated person in Stevie's orbit. How you feel about him probably depends on which book you just finished. Or whether you're me, as I saw red flags in him from book one.

Book Picks for Every Result

Each quiz result comes with three or four YA mysteries. Here's a little more about each one and why it matches. But ALL these picks are perfect for fans of YA mysteries set in boarding schools and featuring a Scooby Gang of teen detectives.

If You Got Stevie:

A Good Girl's Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson

Pip picks a five-year-old murder case from her small town for her school project. She isn't convinced the boy everyone blames actually did it. If you're a Stevie, you already know the feeling of not being able to let a case go.

The Agathas by Kathleen Glasgow and Liz Lawson

An Agatha Christie loving rich girl and the scholarship student who tutors her team up to look into a classmate's disappearance. Two amateur sleuths, lots of snark, and a small town full of secrets.

Difficult Girls by Veronica Bane  

Greta, the main character of this book,  can be divisive. Greta is socially awkward, messy and a bit … difficult. As most teenage girls can be.

Books Like Veronica Mars: my full list

Besides Nancy Drew, Veronica is THE iconic young female detective. Here’s a list of books with main characters just as fierce and fearless as she is.

If You Got Janelle

One of Us Is Lying by Karen M. McManus  

Five students walk into detention and only four walk out alive. They are a whole Breakfast Club of personalites who could use a truth teller like Janelle to help them stop bickering and figure out what really happened.

Nothing More to Tell by Karen M. McManus

Brynn comes back to her old private school to dig into the death of a teacher, and has to work with the former friend she never really got over. Private school secrets plus a friendship that needs repairing.

Ace of Spades by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé  

Two students at an elite academy become the targets of an anonymous texter who starts spilling their secrets. Janelle would be the first to see that something bigger is going on.

Where Sleeping Girls Lie by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé 

A new student at a British boarding school is pulled into a mystery when her roommate disappears. Atmospheric and tense, with a very “Ellingham” setting.

If You Got Nate

The Naturals by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Cassie has a gift for reading people, which lands her in a secret FBI program for teens. A smart, fast read for the observer who notices more than they let on.

When We Were Monsters by Jennifer Niven

A writers group at a boarding school, which is basically Nate's dream and nightmare at the same time. Their teacher is talented but her teaching methods are controversial. The students must make videos, answer tough questions, and confront their personal demons.

Liar's Beach by Katie Cotugno

Linden doesn’t belong in wealthy Martha’s Vineyard. But when his roommate invites him to spend the end of summer at his massive beachfront home, August House, Linden tries his best to fit in.  Linden wouldn’t call it lying, exactly. Though it turns out August House is full of liars. Thi

If You Got David

We Were Liars by E. Lockhart

A wealthy family, a private island, and a summer one girl can't remember. 

Wander in the Dark by Jumata Emill

A thriller with a main character dealing with complicated family issues on top of being the main suspect in a murder. Can he count on his half-brother to back him up?

Friends Like These by Jennifer Lynn Alvarez

A toxic relationship, a party gone wrong, and a murder. Perfect for readers who like their characters messy and their mysteries twisty.

Truly Devious FAQ

How many books are in the Truly Devious series?

There are six: Truly Devious (2018), The Vanishing Stair (2019), The Hand on the Wall (2020), The Box in the Woods (2021), Nine Liars (2023), and The Velvet Knife (2026).

Do you need to read the Truly Devious books in order?

Yes for the first three, which tell one story about the Ellingham case. Books 4 through 6 each have their own mystery, but the friendships and relationships carry over, so reading in order makes them much more fun.

Tell Me: Which Truly Devious Character are YOU?

Which character did you get, and do you agree with it? Tell me in the comments. (I'm curious how many David results we get. Sorry in advance if that's you!)

If you're new to the series, start with my review of Truly Devious, or read my author spotlight on Maureen Johnson to find out more about the writer behind Stevie Bell.