Adventures In Bookland discussion

How many chapters do u wanna read a day??

I can do a maximum of eight chapters per day since I'm reading other books as well, but how much do you want us to read each day ?

also when do you want to start ?

How about 5 chapters a day?? Is that fine by you?

Shall we start today?

Yes, I was about to suggest that 😄

We can both post our thoughts with spoiler tags and then we can discuss right ?

So 43 chapters right ? Including the sections that aren't labelled as chapters in this book

Surya wrote: "We can both post our thoughts with spoiler tags and then we can discuss right ?"

Yep

okay, I'll start the book now ☺️

Surya wrote: "So 43 chapters right ? Including the sections that aren't labelled as chapters in this book"

Uh should we just not include those sections since they're not meant to be chapters?

Surya wrote: "okay, I'll start the book now ☺️"

👍🏾

Also what timezone are u in?

Hannah:) wrote: "Surya wrote: "So 43 chapters right ? Including the sections that aren't labelled as chapters in this book"

Uh should we just not include those sections since they're not meant to be chapters?"

That's fine with me, so we have 30 chapters, so we might finish this book in 6 days.

Hannah:) wrote: "Surya wrote: "okay, I'll start the book now ☺️"

👍🏾

Also what timezone are u in?"

GMT +5:30

Your timezone ? So that we can make sure to discuss when we are both awake lol

Surya wrote: "Hannah:) wrote: "Surya wrote: "So 43 chapters right ? Including the sections that aren't labelled as chapters in this book"

Uh should we just not include those sections since they're not meant to ..."

Mhmm, I thought that might work well:)

Surya wrote: "Hannah:) wrote: "Surya wrote: "okay, I'll start the book now ☺️"

👍🏾

Also what timezone are u in?"

GMT +5:30

Your timezone ? So that we can make sure to discuss when we are both awake lol"

Oh lol same! U must be living in India? I'm from Sri Lanka:)

Phew, I thought you must be from some western country and I would have to stay up late to discuss 😂😂

I am from India, nice to meet you neighbour 😄

Nice to meet u too:D

Yeah lol same 😂😂

Have you started yet ? I'll be starting now. Hope you have a great day ☺️

Just did during one of my online school breaks:D You too!

Just finished the first 5:)
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Wow, so this is interesting... I didn't read the blurb since I didn't want spoilers so I'm guessing that Stevie digs up this mystery and solves who the kidnapper was?? Obvi it's not Flora since tho Stevie thinks she's sus she clearly has no clue what's going on... but then why would she have access to the secret compartment and the compact case in the handbag... fishy... I'm guessing that girl in the bit before chapter 1 met the kidnapper and was killed by him?? But how would the kidnapper know about the existence of the secret passage - he has to be someone close to Ellingham that means... or someone who's worked there are something to know where things are... anyway, it's very interesting...

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Chapter 1-5 (view spoiler)[
I honestly never read a book before which got me hooked on to the story in just the first chapter. And it wasn't even labelled as a chapter lol. I loved the part where Ellingham gave the architects some freedom to come up with interesting designs, even though it's scary thinking about it. I didn't read into the Fiona bit, it looks too simple and it's supposed to be an unsolved mystery, so I'm not buying that theory. I don't understand why death of Dottie or anything about Dottie wasn't mentioned by Stevie. In a way it's related to Ellingham family's abduction and possible murder. And i don't know what the newspapers refer as murder. Dottie or the disappearance of Ellingham family ?

My theory for how the kidnappers came to know about that area is through Dottie. She might have been followed before and I think he was truthful when he said you weren't supposed to be here that day. But he's definitely someone Albert already knows since Dottie can remember seeing him before in the campus. I had some suspicion whether it could be Marsh ? But it's a wild theory 😂

Fiona looks like someone who's jealous of her friend ? Maybe that's why she stole that compact case. We still don't know the contents of that case, so no ideas there.

I loved the dictaphone shout out 😂 Readers of Agatha Christie might have felt nostalgic about its appearance lol

Vi and Janelle are becoming a couple ( you heard it first here 😁 ) and I like Stevie and her obsession with Sherlock 💚 I think she's going to figure this mystery out. Also do you have any guesses on what their ages are ? I have no idea how old the students of Ellingham are. (hide spoiler)]

Yesss I loved the Agatha Christie + Sherlock references!! I think Stevie and them are 17 (juniors) but Ellie and the jerk of a youtuber are both 18 since it mentioned the school was fr juniors and seniors - which is what 17 and 18yr olds's school years are called in the US... so that was my guess... interesting theories:D

Oh thank you, I had no idea how old these people are 😂

You were right, She was 16 ( I think I found that somewhere in today's chapters )

Can't wait to get to them!

Chapter 6-10
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So the characters are more fleshed out today. I really think it's odd that Hayes didn't know about Monroeville Mall. I already dislike Germaine even though I don't care about Hayes or his relationship with that YouTube star. I'm glad I don't have to listen to Roota lol. I had a suspicion yesterday that Stevie's family are conservatives and I was right ☺️ I don't see the people's interest on Hayes. It seems like he had created an average show on YouTube, why are people always drawn to him ? Just because he's a celebrity ? I thought Ellingham let's in people who are smart and focused on their thing, not people who gape at some YouTube star 😂

I feel bad for Nate and Dr Quinn sounds like a tough person. I don't understand David, he's really mysterious and random ( Ellie as well ) Finally we get a Dottie reference, I actually thought last night maybe Dottie wasn't found still and maybe rotting somewhere in the campus 😬

Is it just me or Marsh being connected with the kidnappings sounds less wild with each day 😂 Also is there by any chance it's a group of people and not just one kidnapper doing everything 🤔

Leo and Fiona's part in the past is confusing. They are obviously not the kidnappers, and they could very well be worrying about some other thing connected to Alice, fearing a investigation would bring up some facts they don't want it revealed. But Leo seems less interested and maybe it's not something they should even worry about. I definitely want to know what's up with them and how they come in to this story.

Also I loved the short exchange between Stevie and Janelle. It's nice to know Stevie won't be alone in her pursuit, it's important that she needs someone to support her in that school. Looking forward to next chapters

Also I forgot to mention this yesterday, that part where Stevie explains to Ellie about what Nate does and when Ellie's asks what about you and she replies "I read it" 😂😂😂 best reply ever
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Yeah really enjoying the book!

So:
I actually think Hayes was accepted for more than his celebrity status... I think he's acc suspicious - that thing about not knowing Monroeville Hall despite being a zombie actor is just downright fishy... A wild theory - but does he have a twin?? Just that comment abt how he was out of a 3D printer that got me thinking there 😂

Ur theory of Marsh IS becoming more probable y'know since he makes SURE that he's the one who gets the money... I also think it is a grp of ppl - since for them to be collecting the money but at the same time monitoring the house as well as the police station clearly tells that...

I also find David a bit suspicious - I don't like that Rolex, suggests that maybe he's hiding his background somehow... And which teen doesn't have a SINGLE social media account?! He's clearly deleted it for some reason... Another wild theory: since Stevie seems to recognize him so much, maybe he's somehow related to the Ellingham house or one of the ppl living there?? Maybe he's like a grandchild of one Marsh or Robert or SOMEONE there?!!!! And like come to get revenge or something! Maybe he's like Alice's kid?? Lol, anyway, Hayes and David seem really suspicious...

I think the principle is pretty cool - how he showed Stevie that house and all... Ellie is just bonkers probably just a random character... but Germaine seems up to something - maybe she also wants to write about the case?? since she's observing everything as well...

I also think that Iris might have been hiding a secret - no clue what but still... and she might have confided in Leo and Florie and it's probably something that could get her into trouble/danger which is why Florie is thinking that it is the cause of her kidnapping...

Yeah lol was relieved to see that Dottie had been found... I love how Stevie is trying to solve the case and her method of doing it with all the research and all... The caretaker Larry might know something useful to help Stevie I feel...

Also, Robert seems a tiny bit suspicious - just how he keeps forcing Ellingham to do stuff... Ellingham never listens... but I still find him sus...

I love how everyone is described as soon as we meet them so we can start coming up with crazy theories lol. I'm really curious as to what happened next after Ellingham sends the money!

I loved that too, the way the author describes everyone immediately and when that's not enough, we got Stevie who can pretty much notice everything that's odd with a person 😂 I think she's the best character I've ever read in a YA mystery books.

Your theory sounds probable too, it ticks every boxes but he has to be someone who's giving orders to others because he was with Albert almost all the time. The story keeps getting interesting each chapter and I love it.

I thought the same about Iris. Your theory sounds more realistic and it bodes well with how Leo gave a little care about it. Taking all that into account, I think they are just a red herring for readers to mistakenly assume as bad people.

Wow, he could be a twin 😂 like his actions so far doesn't convince me that he's Ellingham material. And I want to know the story behind that Rolex 😄

Yep - that Rolex... furthers my theory on him - he's trying to hide his richness with the poor clothes... but why not leave the rolex at home?!! Unless it was like a method he needed to identify himself by??? idk.... lol this is a wild theory

yeah, I have that suspicion too. Even Stevie was stumped by seeing that Rolex 😄 we will see what he brings to the story in the next chapters

Chapter 11 - 15
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😨😨😨 The story seriously picked up pace. I like the way academic side of the story is handled, like the way librarian knew about Stevie's interest the moment she got enrolled to the school. I wish Dottie had marked some passages in pencil to define the person who was with her at the observatory then, Stevie might decipher those clues if she had done that. I loved the project idea by Hayes, even though he was a jerk, he did come up with an cool idea.

Your Robert theory did sound plausible after reading today's chapters. Also could David have some part in projecting that message into Stevie's room ? I highly doubt the original "Truly Devious" has come back again, it could be someone else who are trying to replicate it, some kinda fan maybe. We still have to read more chapters to get to any conclusions about this.

Okay, I have a theory about missing pass. Someone might have used that when it was "missing" and then left it on the ground. In future chapters, I feel like people are going to blame Janelle for something and this missing pass might contribute to the Mystery. Or it could be just a harmless prank 😂

Something's not right about Gretchen and Hayes. Did he steal credit of someone's work or something ? The fact that Gretchen's threats didn't worry him makes me feel whatever she's hiding isn't that big a deal for him or it could be his character to not worry about anything. But I'm still wary of Gretchen. Also how come Stevie finds David attractive 🙁 ( he feels like a bad guy 😂 )

Now to the famous cliffhanger, I knew it's going to happen but right until the reveal I thought it would be Maris ( because that would have become a good twist, since everyone's anticipating the death of Hayes, when he disappeared ) The skin colour was purple blue which means he was either suffocated to death or it could be hypothermia ( and a lot of other things like drug overdose, heart conditions etc ) I'm too excited to read the next chapters lol. Hope they didn't corner Stevie at the tunnel to ask questions, she might have a panic attack just looking at his body.
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Hmmm... Hayes... That crazy thing I had about the twin theory - maybe one of them is an actor who has nice ideas and one is a jerk who palms all the responsibility on others?? Idk - since for them to start filming and acting Hayes disappeared for some time...

I also think Hayes was working with many ppl... Like Gretchen AND David... Or maybe Gretchen found out something about him... I think David and Hayes are working together because they both weren't there that dinner and both are equally sus... idk lol my theories are crazy... 😂

Yeah I agree with u abt Janelle's pass - I also think David might have stolen Janelle's pass and then returned it on the floor in the morning - which was why he was awake...

I hv no clue how the Truly Devious message was put up in Stevie's room... It seemed almost suspicious how Janelle completely blocked it out - but could be just a red herring... I don't think it was a prank... since what happened to Hayes (inside the tunnel) was what the message said...

I wished Stevie could have explored that room where Dottie was killed a bit more! and yeah it would hv been cool if Dottie could have written something on the book!

I wonder whether Hayes was poisoned or something... since in the first Truly Devious poem some of the methods were used to kill ppl but some weren't used yet... I'm wondering whether the ppl who die in this book will die in the remaining ways...

Also, Im so curious to know what happened to Alice and whether she's alive!

Haha you're not relinquishing your twins theory 😂 but it does make me wonder whether that's what happened 🤔 David not being at Dinner won't look good on him when there's investigation. Even though the murder happened, I still have no idea how the rest of the book would go. Would they send the kids back to their homes ? Unless the investigation proves it was a accident, ( which I doubt they can prove, since the hatch was unlocked when Larry opened, so there's no way he would just die without any external influence in the tunnel ) the students should be send home or kept in a safe place.

I don't think the message on Stevie's wall is a prank too. I actually thought about Janelle being sus since she's the only person I know other than David who knows enough engineering to pull that off.

Poison might work too, but if that's the case, then everyone would be on high alert because the murderer could still be in campus or it could be anyone in school ( honestly lot of people feels like suspects 😂 )

Honestly I'm glad Hayes was dead, atleast we can now see Stevie in action 😁

Alice could be more than 80 years old right ? If she was indeed alive, it would be a major twist 😄

Yep - that would be crazy 😆 but I think maybe it would be more likely if one of her grandchildren was enrolled in the school secretly maybe?? and then reveals her?? iddk?! Lol yeah same Hayes being dead means that the investigation takes a new turn - I doubt they'd close the school coz this book is all abt how she solves the murder, so she has to be there to do that!

That seems plausible. We still don't know about David and he doesn't have any social presence in Internet, maybe he's Alice's grandson and that Rolex could be Albert Ellingham's 😂

THAT is a good theory 😄

Chapter 16-20
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I read through today's chapters in an hour lol. Even though people were mourning and being downcast, the story is getting interesting, especially after that dry ice reveal The one thing I couldn't understand is why are they not suspecting if it's a murder. The whole event happened in less than six hours and even though Hayes could have been stupid enough to get dry ice into a fog machine in a closed tunnel, why didn't the detectives and security people and even Stevie didn't think about foul play ? Also David was lying when he said he was with Ellie when Hayes went missing. Stevie saw Ellie at the dining hall with some new people, but David wasn't there. So why did he lie ? I think our predictions could become true 😂😂

Also about the events happened in 1936, I have two new suspects. Hear my wild theory out 😂 The two kids that Nair talked about to the FBI could be in on the whole kidnapping scheme ( yeah, I'm not making sense here lol ) but when Nair talked about that two kids asking him about Dorothy Parker, I sensed it's weird and also so random, especially in a investigation about kidnappings of Iris and Alice. The Truly Devious note was modelled after Dorothy Parker's style of poem, so I feel like there's some connection there. I don't know how they would tie in to the story, but I'm sure they will play a huge part in the story 😄

I did not expect that David scene at Stevie's room. Yeah she was attracted to David, but that was so out of the blue. Also Larry is really cool. And I hope Stevie's parents let her stay at the school atleast until she can work out who was/is "Truly Devious" 👀

Also I have some suspicion on Nair as well. He seems like the sorta guy who doesn't let things bother him much and yet he doesn't want to reveal what Fiona did at Iris's room to the FBI, so there's that. Only two more days to finish this book and I'm buzzing with excitement right now 😁 (hide spoiler)]

Oh that's a good point abt the Dorothy Parker - I never made the connection to the poem!

Yeah ikr - that scene with David was so unexpected, I think it was just because Stevie's emotions were running riot after seeing Hayes dead... I'm sure she'll find some way to stay so she can solve the case...

That's true, Nair and Fiona ARE hiding something but I'm not entirely sure it's to do with the murder... they all met at that speakeasy all those years ago so maybe Mrs Ellingham and the 2 of them were doing some illegal alcohol smuggling or something?? idk??

I also find David still suspicious... just his "intensive gaze" makes me feel like he's hiding something... he's also trying to get close to Stevie and find out what she knows about the case...

I also find Dash a bit suspicious (but not as much as my other suspects) since he makes sure there is dry ice left in the workshop and says to use the fog machines instead... idk...

Finally - last suspect for these few chapters - u'll definitely think me crazy but I still suspect Hayes! His death is TOO suspicious! But then there's the body... hmmm... I wonder whether my twin theory is too wild?? I still think it's possible tho lol 😆 since it's all like he's putting on a show... STILL he's caused sooo much drama... I don't think this was a murder... I think Hayes caused it... after all, his agent was after him to film something... so he filmed this - and everything after... I mean even the idea of him inviting Stevie to do the documentary is so unlike his character - he HAS to be benefiting somehow!! Lol this theory has so many loopholes but it's the only one I can come up with for his behaviourXD

Yeah me too - can't wait to get to the bottom of this mystery!

haha your twin theory is crazy but also crazy enough to actually pull it off without any suspicion 😂 I never saw Dash like that, but he could be in on this too. The only person I don't suspect until now is Nate ( even though he had a weird laugh after investigation 😁 )

David is lying about where he was during Hayes's disappearance. He has to be, because we know he wasn't there at the dinner and Stevie's smart enough to realise who are not at dinner ( since the school only admits around 50 people ) and she only noticed Hayes and David not at dinner. I'm not sure whether he had a direct part in his death, he could be missing for some other reason as well ( since it's well established he's mysterious like that ) 😂

Yep 😂

Chapter 21-25
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Wow, I feel so sorry for David... and honestly, Stevie shouldn't have gone through his room like that... It would have made him feel like she was just using him to get info abt his past to help with her case...

I still find Hayes so suspicious!! His entire death... I actually didn't find what Gretchen said suspicious, it totally fits with his nature... what I don't understand is why he was nice enough to allow Stevie to be involved etc... Ig to make sure that someone wrote the script for him... I wonder who did write the script for the end of it all... what if it was David? Idk?

It could have been the person who wrote the script who killed Hayes... OR (I'm still not giving up on my theoryXD) Hayes is playing everyone in his own cruel joke in some funny scheme he's come up with... like mystery books often have these crazy plots! I just find how he died and how he left his fingerprints on Janelle's tag so suspicious... He was ASKING for the attention... I mean even normal ppl know that if you're planning to steal something important, the last thing you're going to want to do is leave fingerprints!

I hope Janelle and Stevie's friendship mends... and also whatever she had with David, tho I must admit it was really weird since I'd more expected her to fall for Nate than David...

Ellie is crazy - either crazy or hiding something... coz other than Gretchen, she's also known Hayes for a long time and been with him a lot...

Idk!!

All I DO know is that I'm so excited to read the remaining chapters!

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Chapter 21-25
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First off, I have to say this, I don't like reading Stevie x David plotline. I don't like reading Stevie worrying about what David thought of her. Maybe it's something she will grow out of, but in a murder mystery it's actually quite painful to read storylines like we read today. Even though what Stevie did was bad, it was expected. David knew Stevie's love for deducting things and is it really a big ask to realise she would do that, since he hasn't told anything about him to her, even though they kissed twice and hinted to her parents they are kinda seeing each other. I mean, if David died tomorrow and if people starts asks questions to Stevie, what would she even say ? His last name was Eastman and he has nice stuffs at his room. Honestly so far that's the only thing she can say about David. ( rant over 🤣 )

Your twin theory might still work out, because going by the stuffs in his room, it feels like Hayes's is a fanboy of himself 😅 I guess we are both right in assuming Hayes zombie work might not be his idea. This does throw a wench in the deduction, since anybody could have did that if he was cheating so many people at the same time and some people from outside the campus too. ( also do you think the security guy who was threatened by Hayes might have killed Hayes ? ) 😂

I'm also intrigued by Ellingham's last riddle. His death was pretty suspicious and since I already suspect George Marsh, it feels possible that George might have did the kidnapping and something went wrong on the way. Also do you think Iris and Ellingham had a fight before and she took Alice and just drove away until she got killed by someone on the way. My mind's buzzing with new theories every hour 🤣 I'm also curious about the dinner party that was happening the day after Ellingham's death. Another theory, did it strike you odd when George asked about Dottie's book when he was under investigation. He said wrong place, wrong time which was somewhat close to what Dottie's killer said to her. Also in the first chapters, through the narration, we knew the person who was with her in the observatory that day was someone Dottie had already seen at School. And George Marsh does occasionally come to the school. He's close enough to the school to actually pull of the killing of Dottie and then getting back to his home in Burlington. It's a wild theory again, but it seems plausible 😄

Hayes being someone who steals other people's work was already documented through the way he handled the shooting with Stevie, Nate and his friends. I'm anxious to know who came up with that Zombie idea and are they related to his death now. Can't wait for next chapters for the reveal and I would absolutely hate it if they end it on a cliffhanger. I have the next books but I would be annoyed if they don't solve atleast one Mystery in this book 😂 (hide spoiler)]

I mean, David was pretty sure of what Stevie was thinking at any given moment before that incident. So how come he didn't anticipate that ? I anticipated that and I don't even know how her eyes look 😂😂 It's okay to dislike Stevie for what she did, but I don't think it was out of the blue. Stevie was like that and if he didn't know that already, maybe he didn't know who Stevie is

Surya wrote: "I mean, David was pretty sure of what Stevie was thinking at any given moment before that incident. So how come he didn't anticipate that ? I anticipated that and I don't even know how her eyes loo..."

Yeah that's true, it's her detective nature:D I really hoped she would fine more in Hayes's room tho, it shows that he was definitely hiding stuff...

Surya wrote: "Chapter 21-25"

First off, I have to say this, I don't like reading Stevie x David plotline. I don't like reading Stevie worrying about what David thought of her. Maybe it's something she will grow ..."

Yesss! I forgot to write abt how I thought the riddle was important as well! I agree with you - I think the fact that Ellington DIDN'T write an answer to this riddle is important, he's hinting something to whoever finds it...

I also agree with ur theory about George Marsh - since everyone else had no clue abt what happened to Dottie, he was the only one who went near the truth!

Yes, that dinner party is so suspicious! We've hardly been told enough about it though - I think we need to learn more about the party and what happened that day...

And yeah you're right about David and Stevie, it's completely instalove which I dislike... I still feel sorry about his parents though! But I wonder how he's so rich... why no social media accounts?? What else is David hiding?? And how/why did he come to Ellingham! I think it IS a possibility that David could be one of Ellingham's descendants... he IS very rich obvi... but also tries to hide it - and does that job well! Maybe Alice's grandchild?? But his parents got killed? Idk...

Wow, how I didn't think about that 🤦 Yeah, it does seem suspicious that David owns all those great wardrobes and good gaming systems. He can't be famous yet, since it would have come up with Stevie's search, maybe he does come from a long line of Ellingham descendants, from Alice. Also I want to know who Allison is ? 😂

Ooh yes same - could be an insignificant person, but the way it's mentioned I doubt it! Also Alice and Allison sound similar right?? What if it's one of his cousins or something?? Idk?? Lol I love how we've got so many crazy theories 😂🤣😂