In Maureen Johnson’s book, the vanishing stair, a girl named Stevie Bell is forced return to her old school, Ellingham Academy under a secret deal with a politician named Edward King. He wants her to keep an eye on his son, David in exchange for her return to school. While away, Stevie tries to forget about her obsession with the “Truly, Devious” case but finds it impossible, leading her to accept King’s offer when her parents pull her out of Ellingham after she solves the murder of her dead classmate [in the previous book]. ]
” You get to go back to a place I think you very much want to be, and you have a very simple job – make sure David stays there too.” [p. 47]
Stevie feels uncomfortable with the situation because she has to lie to David about the reason that she came back. On the other hand, Stevie is eager to come back and continue solving the “Truly, Devious” case and disappearance of her friend, Ellie.