“Definitely not,” Nate said as Stevie vanished in the direction of the classroom buildings, earbuds already in her ears. “Let her have her moose.”
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
OVER THE PAST THREE YEARS AS I WROTE THESE BOOKS, I HAVE DONE a lot of puzzling, reworking, pacing, and internal screaming. In short, it was incredible fun, like doing a word problem for thirty-six months or more. There are many people to thank.
First, my incredible editor, Katherine Tegen—I could not have had a better advocate and editorial voice. And to everyone at Katherine Tegen books for their hard work and support. My agent, Kate Schafer Testerman, is beside me always. (And in times of extreme duress, on top of me, when I try to escape from my desk.) Beth Dunfey provided an editorial eye and helped shape the world of Ellingham Academy. My assistant, Kate Welsh, prevents me from running with scissors.
My writing life would be a flaming pile without the help of Holly Black, Cassie Clare, Robin Wasserman, Sarah Rees Brennan, and Kelly Link. My day-to-day life belongs to my beloved Oscar and my beautiful Zelda and Dexy. To all my family and friends, I am deeply grateful that you put up with me.
And thank you, most of all, for reading.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Photo credit Angela Altus
MAUREEN JOHNSON is the bestselling author of many novels, including 13 Little Blue Envelopes, the Suite Scarlett series, the Shades of London series, and the first two books in the Truly Devious series. She has also written collaborative works such as Let It Snow with John Green and Lauren Myracle and The Bane Chronicles with Cassandra Clare and Sarah Rees Brennan. Maureen lives in New York and online on Twitter @maureenjohnson or at www.maureenjohnsonbooks.com.
Discover great authors, exclusive offers, and more at hc.com.
BOOKS BY MAUREEN JOHNSON
The Shades of London series
The Suite Scarlett series
On the Count of Three
Devilish
Let It Snow
The Key to the Golden Firebird
Girl at Sea
13 Little Blue Envelopes
The Last Little Blue Envelope
Truly Devious
The Vanishing Stair
The Hand on the Wall
BACK AD
DISCOVER
your next favorite read
MEET
new authors to love
WIN
free books
SHARE
infographics, playlists, quizzes, and more
WATCH
the latest videos
www.epicreads.com
COPYRIGHT
Katherine Tegen Books is an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers.
THE HAND ON THE WALL. Copyright © 2020 by HarperCollins Publishers. All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. By payment of the required fees, you have been granted the nonexclusive, nontransferable right to access and read the text of this e-book on-screen. No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, downloaded, decompiled, reverse-engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereafter invented, without the express written permission of HarperCollins e-books.
www.epicreads.com
Cover art © 2020 by Leo Nickolls
Cover design by Katie Fitch
Library of Congress Control Number: 2019953178
Digital Edition JANUARY 2020 ISBN: 978-0-06-233813-6
Print ISBN: 978-0-06-233811-2
2021222324PC/LSCH10987654321
FIRST EDITION
ABOUT THE PUBLISHER
Australia
HarperCollins Publishers Australia Pty. Ltd.
Level 13, 201 Elizabeth Street
Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia
www.harpercollins.com.au
Canada
HarperCollins Publishers Ltd
Bay Adelaide Centre, East Tower
22 Adelaide Street West, 41st Floor
Toronto, Ontario, M5H 4E3
www.harpercollins.ca
India
HarperCollins India
A 75, Sector 57
Noida
Uttar Pradesh 201 301
www.harpercollins.co.in
New Zealand
HarperCollins Publishers New Zealand
Unit D1, 63 Apollo Drive
Rosedale 0632
Auckland, New Zealand
www.harpercollins.co.nz
United Kingdom
HarperCollins Publishers Ltd.
1 London Bridge Street
London SE1 9GF, UK
www.harpercollins.co.uk
United States
HarperCollins Publishers Inc.
195 Broadway
New York, NY 10007
www.harpercollins.com
The Hand on the Wall Page 27