The Steps

by Wendelin Van Draanen

Riverdale meets The Queen’s Gambit in this fun, twisty thriller by an Edgar Award-winning author, featuring a deliciously dysfunctional family with dark secrets and shifting alliances.

Fourteen-year-old chess whiz Ruby Vossen tries to keep to herself. She refuses to be a pawn in her wealthy family’s web of deception.

But ever since Ruby’s mother and aunt died in a car wreck, the battle lines drawn within the Vossen clan have ruled her life. Ruby’s father and uncle became irreparably estranged, and within months, Ruby’s cousin/BFF was banished from her life, her father remarried, and she wound up with a gold-digging stepmom who has two teens of her own—The Steps.

So when strange and dangerous things begin happening on the Vossen estate, Ruby sees only one logical explanation: The Steps are scheming to inherit the Vossen fortune. And as things get more and more intense, it seems like killing is in their playbook.

Luckily, Ruby has her own playbook, and she’s not about to go down without a fight. She’ll even break her dad’s rules to get her cousin back on her side of the chessboard . . . It’s time to check-mate The Steps before they can finish the Vossens off.

Secrets, lies, and lethal threats abound in this clever, quirky thriller by the award-winning, bestselling author of Flipped and the Sammy Keyes mysteries.

Genres: Young Adult, Mystery, Thriller, Audiobook, Middle Grade, Fiction, Friendship

256 pages, Hardcover

First published September 2, 2025

About the author

Wendelin Van Draanen has written more than thirty novels for young readers and teens. She is the author of the 18-book Edgar-winning Sammy Keyes series, and wrote Flipped which was named a Top 100 Children’s Novel for the 21st Century by SLJ, and became a Warner Brothers feature film with Rob Reiner directing. Her novel The Running Dream was awarded ALA’s Schneider Family Award for its portrayal of the disability experience.

Van Draanen's latest book, Hope in the Mail, is part memoir, part writing guided, designed to encourage aspiring writers to pursue their dream.

Van Draanen is also the author of two short chapter-book series. The Gecko & Sticky books, are fun read-alouds, perfect for reluctant readers, and the Shredderman books—featuring a boy who deals with a bully—received the Christopher Award for “affirming the highest values of the human spirit” and became a Nickelodeon made-for-TV movie.

Van Draanen was a classroom teacher for fifteen years. She and her husband reside in California and have two sons.

Reviews

[Heather~ Nature.books.and.coffee · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a fast paced YA thriller and the audiobook was excellent. The narration was really well done. This is a short book with family secrets and drama, and was entertaining and suspenseful. This one does feel more YA than some recent YA books I've read, but that isn't necessarily a bad thing, just wanted to mention that. Be warned that there are some triggers like a parent and animal death. I'm happy I got to listen to this one.

Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for the gifted copy. All opinions are my own.

[Debbie De Salvo · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is meant for middle school/high-school readers?! Seriously?!
I am gobsmacked this book was ever published.
Before my critique, I need to say that I have long followed and admired the author, Ms. Van Draanen. She wrote one of my all time favorite novels, “Flipped” that I used in my unit studies when I taught middle school for many, many years and the students LOVED it!!! Unfortunately, I cannot recommend this novel.
My question to her would be: Why did you write such a negative and hated filled novel?! Nearly every page is filled with hate-filled words or actions by loathsome family members. Really disturbing.
Telling anyone the plot, at this point, is senseless.
So many sickening behaviors & much abuse.

In the novel you will find on almost every page some form of:
-Family trauma
-Child abuse
-Emotional child abuse
-Parental verbal abuse toward a child
-Child abandonment
-Family cruelty
-School bullying
-Severe mental disorders
-Teen pregnancy and subsequent decisions
-Unwarranted hate and abuse toward others
-Severely harsh & uncharacteristically unkind behavior by a teacher toward a student
-Multiple attempted murders and one completed murder by a seriously disturbed teenager
-The murder of a wife/mother, and her sister, by the husband/father
-Abuse and murder of a dog by owner who is a grandmother. And an all around horrific human who was verbally abusive to her granddaughter.

[Mitzi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wendelin is both an amazing person and an amazing author. I especially have enjoyed her Sammy Keyes series and most recently her Mr. Whiskers book as well as The Peach Rebellion. But while I loved the gorgeous cover for this new book, the story just didn't meet my expectations this time. The Steps is a mystery embedded within the trials and tribulations of a very wealthy but dysfunctional family. Maybe part of my disillusionment was that I didn't get a good feel for where this book fell in terms of middle grade versus young adult. In my opinion it seemed a little 'harsh' for middle grade yet not quite complex enough for young adult (for which the book was intended, I believe.) It won't keep me from reading more of Wendelin's books, however, because I have loved her other books that I have read.

[Lyon.Brit.andthebookshelf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book Report: The Steps

4.5 ⭐️

At First Glance: I love how eerie this cover is 🖤

The Gist: Riverdale meets The Queen’s Gambit in this fun, twisty thriller by an Edgar Award-winning author, featuring a deliciously dysfunctional family with dark secrets and shifting alliances.

My Thoughts: As someone who has really enjoyed Wendelin Van Draanen’s past work…I was excited to dive into The Steps. This YA mystery didn’t disappoint. Van Draanen brings her trademark charm and character-driven storytelling…but this time with a twisty plot set against the backdrop of a wealthy family and their sprawling estate. One of the highlights for me was the setting…it’s rich (not just in terms of money) but in atmosphere. The dynamics within the family were intriguing…with plenty of surprises along the way that kept me turning the pages. While it's marketed as a YA novel I can easily see middle grade readers enjoying it too…especially those who like mysteries with heart, humor, and a bit of drama. The Steps is another solid read from Van Draanen. One that blends mystery, family and self-discovery in a way that both new readers and longtime fans will appreciate.

My Question for Wendelin: The estate in the book feels so vivid and almost like a character itself. Was it based on a real place, or purely imagined?

Thank you Holiday House for the gifted copy

Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Lyon.brit.A...

[Alissa BC · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to libro.fm and the publisher for the educator ALC!

3.5 This book is special in that it is filling the niche for upper middle grade/young YA that we desperately need, but otherwise it is pretty unmemorable. Still, I can think of a couple of my own middle school students who would eat this up just for it being a mystery suited to their age group.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a good mystery for middle school! The intensity was there, the plot was intricate, and the characters were interesting. I was fully invested the whole way through, and it was a quick read. I'm excited to recommend this to students!

Much better than Blood in the Water by Tiffany D. Jackson (the highly praised middle grade mystery that came out in July) in my opinion.

[DaNae · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ruby lives on a family compound with a family straight out of a bonkers soap opera. There were truly terrible people involved, so terrible they didn’t seem remotely genuine. However, I was entertained and I enjoyed the chess stuff.

[Lydia · Rating 5 out of 5]

thoroughly enjoyed this!! it was giving succession (maybe cause I’ve been watching that), but it was also just giving family drama with a young heroine that played perfectly into childhood fantasies

which I’m like is probably her go-to, what with Sammy Keyes and such

anyways, it was indeed over-the-top, and not at all plausible in many instances, but it lets you get swept away in the magic of self-reliance in the midst of a hostile world, and of course, it has a bit of true friendship thrown in to save the day

so, all in all, a very lovely read, and yes, I finished it in one sitting

p.s. just like the running propaganda, the chess propaganda is strong, and maybe I need to take a look at Uncle David’s books

[Jan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I felt sorry for Ruby, the only person who seemed at all likable in this extremely dysfunctional family. Her father has forbidden her to speak to or have any contact with her cousin/best friend because he's fighting over money and property with her cousin's father. Her rich grandmother requires her to do menial labor at her mansion on the hill every day, and she's been taken out of her school and away from all her friends and sent to a new school where she knows no one. Her mother and aunt recently died in a car crash, and she's been missing her terribly ever since and feeling quite alone. Oh, and her father remarried right away and moved her stepmom, and step siblings in with them. The stepmom hates her, the stepsister bullies her, and the stepbrother ignores her. There are also tons of secrets, lots of lying, murder, attempted murder, and just some really awful, evil, and non-redeemable people. I'm really not sure who this book would be suited for. It seems too grown up for middle grade readers and not quite there yet for YA readers. I've loved all of Wendelin's previous books, especially her Sammy Keyes series which I totally adore. I just really don't know what to think about this one.

[PinkAmy loves books, cats and naps · Rating 4 out of 5]

***Thanks to NetGalley for providing me a complimentary copy of THE STEPS by Wendelin Van Draanen in exchange for my honest review.***

Looks can be deceiving.

Ruby and her cousin Sterling are as close as sisters until their mothers are killed in an accident. Now their estranged fathers ban communication between the cousins speared in by Ruby’s manipulative, wealthy grandmother. When her grandmother’s three million ring goes missing, everyone is suspect. Ruby begins investigating, soon realizing her life may be in danger from those in her family.

THE STEPS involves young high school students, though probably appeals more to middle grade readers due to lack of character complexity. Most of the bad characters have no redeeming qualities or sympathetic motivations for their actions.

I do recommend THE STEPS, despite the murder of a dog by his owner. I don’t think pet murder is ever necessary to tell children and teen stories.

[Beatriz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book 37 of 2025 - ✅! Thank you to NetGalley, Dreamscape Media and Wendelin Can Draanen for an ALC of The Steps by Wendelin Van Draanen and narrated by Rachel Yong in exchange for my honest review.

The Steps by Wendelin Van Draanen instantly reminded me of the sort of book I would have been drawn to in middle school - the mystery, the family dynamics, a female-centric cast.

With Riverdale & The Queen’s Gambit constantly being used as comps, this YA family drama-mystery about a young chess prodigy and her step-family moves quickly, as our protagonist, Ruby Vossen, thinks they’re trying to steal her family’s money. What starts off as more of an interpersonal drama becomes a mystery-thriller as the story culminates. The ALC was beautifully read by Rachel Yong - she truly brought the story off the page.

A spice rating is not relevant since this is YA, and I’d give it 3.5/5⭐️ overall. ♟️🎒💰 #NetGalley #TheSteps

[Charly Troff (JustaReadingMama) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just what I was expecting from a middle grade thriller, I loved it. I listened to it in about a day. I think my 11 year old daughter will really like it as well.

[Carla · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a quick, engaging YA mystery. This story has a lot of characters and a lot going on there. There are so many people who could be responsible for the crimes that were committed. I enjoyed the setting of the old mansion. Old mansions are always creepy!

Ruby was a likable character, but I found her to come across young for her age. Her friendships were all so complicated. Made me happy to not be in high school anymore. Poor girl had all the friendship drama to go along with the endless amounts of family drama too.

Overall, an interesting YA mystery. I thought the ending was great, a little quick, but still good. If you pick this one up, I definitely recommend the audiobook! The narration was great!

[Lisa Welch · Rating 4 out of 5]

OverallI enjoyed this YA mystery, but I felt that at times the plot could have been fleshed out a bit more to generate a little more suspense along the way. Van Draanen is an eclectic writer, writing across genres and ages, but what remains consistent is her development of character and setting. I am a fan of all the characters she creates.....even those that I love-to-hate. In this particular book, I enjoyed the relationship between Ruby and her aunt. The wrap up for this one came on fast, and it felt a bit out of left field to me (but not completely out of the realm of possibility - I just wish the plot had developed a bit more ahead of time so that I could buy into in a bit more). The audio was well done, and I think this one would be equally enjoyed whether in print or audio.

[Kathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Steps earns four stars for atmosphere, suspense, and for being that hard-to-find blend of older kid protagonist that I can hand to my middle school horror-lovers. VanDrannen is a good writer and kids will sympathize with the main character (regardless of her rather outrageous backstory), but so much is rushed, glossed over, and assumed in the development of this thriller. The reader just needs to go with it to enjoy the ride.

[Suzanne Dix · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was the BEST mystery until it wasn't. Such an interesting premise, a great protagonist, a loyal group of friends...and then just such an unlikely awful family that the reader just loses the plot. Such a shame because mysteries are the rage right now.

Grades 7 and up.

[Christy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another 3.5. It was a decent young teen mystery but there were some holes in the plot/parts that were underdeveloped. I’d recommend though because it’s clean (a few curse words) but a little edgy which we need more of for upper middle grade.

[Anna Juline · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars rounded up to 4! As a lifelong Sammy Keyes fan, I loved reading a new mystery from Wendelin. It was fast-paced and engaging but a little too over the top and rushed at the end for me.

[Brandy Alegria · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was so excited to read this book and it brought me back to the sleuthing that Sammy Keyed would get up to. Wendelin does a fantastic job of making you feel connected to her characters and their situations which allows her to guide you through the story. I own this book but also listened to it through an audio book which was beautifully narrated. Although my step family isn't like Ruby's. I can completely relate to her feelings and thought processes she goes through. This was a fantastic story and I would definitely recommend it to others who love a good mystery with twists and turns.

[Shelley · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good middle grade mystery.

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Could.Not.Stop.Reading.

[Jen Nishi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such an awesome twisty book! I just wanted to wrap Ruby up in a blanket and tell her she is safe and loved! Holy crap there’s some messed up family drama in here and a great mystery that had me reading and forgetting everything else!

[Bethe · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars!
Narrator Rachel Yong
Crazy, are they gaslighting Ruby?
Love the little twists, the story is going very quickly
Wish they had brought up the chess playing a bit sooner in the book
Little bit of a locked door mystery
Longest day of my life
Epic chess setup with a board & pieces of Twinkies and DingDongs, might be able to get her back to life
There are things money can’t buy
Sleeper hit status
Fantastic ending!

[Blurb It Down Official · Rating 4 out of 5]

I approached The Steps with modest expectations for what I assumed would be a straightforward middle-grade mystery, only to find myself completely absorbed by Wendelin Van Draanen’s sophisticated exploration of how adolescent minds process trauma and betrayal. This is young adult fiction that respects its audience’s intelligence while never forgetting to deliver the emotional satisfaction that makes the genre so enduring. Van Draanen has crafted something that operates successfully on multiple levels—as family drama, psychological thriller, and coming-of-age story—without sacrificing depth for accessibility.

Ruby Vossen immediately commands attention as a protagonist who defies the typical mold of YA heroines. Rather than relying on romantic entanglements or social hierarchies for dramatic tension, Van Draanen grounds Ruby’s character in intellectual pursuits that feel authentic rather than merely quirky. Her passion for chess serves as more than characterization flourish—it becomes a genuine framework for how she processes the increasingly complex and dangerous situations surrounding her. I found myself impressed by how Van Draanen uses Ruby’s strategic thinking as both strength and potential weakness, showing how the same analytical skills that help her navigate family politics can also lead her toward paranoid overthinking.

The family dynamics Van Draanen creates feel disturbingly plausible, rooted in the kinds of financial and emotional complications that tear real families apart. The aftermath of the car accident that killed Ruby’s mother creates a landscape of grief that manifests differently in each character, leading to conflicts that feel inevitable rather than contrived. Van Draanen demonstrates a sophisticated understanding of how trauma can fracture family systems, how financial disputes become proxies for deeper emotional wounds, and how children often bear the brunt of adult failures to process loss constructively.

What struck me most about the novel’s structure was how Van Draanen balances the mystery elements with genuine character development. The theft of the pink diamond serves as catalyst rather than mere plot device, forcing Ruby to confront not just external threats but internal questions about trust, loyalty, and her own perceptions. The way Van Draanen reveals information feels organic rather than manipulative—each revelation emerges naturally from Ruby’s investigations while simultaneously deepening our understanding of the family’s psychological landscape.

The introduction of the stepfamily creates tension that extends beyond typical evil stepmother tropes. Van Draanen is too skillful a writer to rely on simple antagonism; instead, she explores how blended families navigate competing loyalties and conflicting interests in ways that feel nuanced and realistic. Ruby’s suspicions of her stepsiblings feel both paranoid and justified, creating the kind of narrative ambiguity that keeps readers guessing while forcing the protagonist to examine her own motivations and biases.

Van Draanen’s prose strikes an effective balance between accessibility and sophistication. She writes with the kind of clarity that serves younger readers while never talking down to them, incorporating complex themes of grief, financial manipulation, and family betrayal without overwhelming the narrative’s momentum. Her dialogue feels authentic, particularly Ruby’s internal monologue, which captures the rhythm of adolescent thought patterns without becoming either precious or artificial.

The chess metaphor threading through the novel deserves particular recognition for how seamlessly it integrates with both character and plot. Rather than feeling forced or overly clever, Ruby’s strategic thinking becomes a legitimate lens through which to examine the power dynamics and hidden motivations surrounding her. Van Draanen uses the game’s language and logic to illuminate aspects of family relationships that might otherwise remain abstract, making complex emotional dynamics accessible to readers who might struggle with more traditional psychological analysis.

I was particularly impressed by how Van Draanen handles the novel’s darker elements—including financial fraud, emotional manipulation, and genuine physical danger—without sanitizing them for younger readers or exploiting them for cheap thrills. She maintains appropriate boundaries while still acknowledging the real stakes involved, creating suspense that feels earned rather than manufactured. The threats Ruby faces feel genuinely concerning without becoming overwhelming or inappropriately intense for the target audience.

The supporting characters avoid the flatness that often plagues mystery novels focused primarily on plot mechanics. Sterling, Ruby’s cousin and closest friend, feels like a genuine person rather than a convenient ally, with his own motivations and emotional responses that complicate rather than simplify Ruby’s situation. Even the adult characters carry enough complexity to avoid pure villain or victim categorization, creating a world where moral choices exist in shades of gray rather than stark black and white.

Van Draanen’s exploration of wealth and privilege adds another layer of sophistication to what could have been a simple mystery. She examines how financial security can become both protection and prison, how inherited wealth creates obligations and expectations that shape family relationships in destructive ways. Ruby’s position as heir to the Vossen fortune becomes a source of vulnerability rather than pure advantage, illustrating how privilege operates in more complex ways than typical YA fiction often acknowledges.

The pacing maintains excellent momentum throughout, building tension through character revelation rather than relying solely on external plot developments. Van Draanen understands that the most effective suspense often comes from watching characters make difficult decisions under pressure rather than from pure action sequences. Each chapter advances both the mystery and Ruby’s emotional journey, creating the kind of page-turning experience that serves story rather than mere sensation.

What makes this novel particularly effective for its target audience is how it validates the intelligence and emotional complexity of young readers while providing genuinely satisfying resolution. Van Draanen doesn’t offer easy answers or neat conclusions, but she does provide the kind of character growth and plot resolution that feels both realistic and hopeful. Ruby’s journey toward greater self-understanding and family connection feels earned rather than convenient.

For readers who like:
- Young adult fiction
- Family mysteries
- Character-driven mysteries

Final Verdict
The Steps represents middle grade and young adult mystery fiction at its most sophisticated and engaging, proving that books for younger readers can tackle complex themes without sacrificing either accessibility or entertainment value. Wendelin Van Draanen has created something genuinely impressive—a novel that works as pure page-turner while offering deeper insights into family dynamics, grief processing, and adolescent psychology. This is the kind of book that might inspire young readers to think more strategically about their own relationships and challenges, while providing the kind of satisfying reading experience that creates lifelong genre fans.

Grateful to NetGalley, Dreamscape Media, and Wendelin Van Draanen for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this story in exchange for an honest review.

[Leonard Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5* Van Draanen is a good writer, but it’s hard to do anything fresh in this genre.

[Emily Joy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This young adult mystery/thriller contains a lot of what makes Wendelin Van Draanen’s Sammy Keyes series so successful while appealing to an older audience. The chapters are short and action-packed, perfect for reluctant readers looking for something that will keep them turning pages. Most of the characters are well-written but pretty terrible people, almost comically so. Some of their schemes and neglectful behavior are over-the-top, making some events or reveals feel unrealistic. Ruby and her chess club friends are by far the most likable characters. You’ll spend the whole book rooting for them. While perhaps not for every school, this is a great book to fill that young-adult-mystery-with-little-to-no mature-content-or-language gap some schools might have.

[Lily Cigan · Rating 1 out of 5]

I found this book after I saw someone recommend it as the best YA of this year. Having never heard of it before I quickly picked it up.
While, incorporating chess into the process of figuring out a mystery was interesting the story was very heavy handed. Even though I felt bad for the main character, she isn’t particularly likable.
But the real reason I wouldn’t recommend this book is the very carefully slipped in anti-abortion messaging.
And then the bizarre story highlighted recap at the end of the story where it reminds you of this in case you didn’t get the author’s right wing views.

[Elyse · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5
This was so gripping and kept me on the edge of my seat. I needed to know what was happening and why. I did feel like the twists were predictable, but it was still a fun ride. My main issue was that I don't think the motives were that strong or built up well. I definitely wanted more. And the step family didn't play as big as a role as I wanted from the title. Definitely a fun ride though.

[Cara · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have consistently loved Van Draanen’s books. This one did not speak to me. I also wasn’t a fan of the Inheritance Games so take that into consideration as you decide whether or not to read this one.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a 2025 favorite!