Historical Fiction
![Maureen Johnson - [object Object] author](https://res.cloudinary.com/readsomnia/image/upload/authors/a_B001IODMSY.jpg)
The Box in the Woods
After solving the case of Truly Devious, Stevie Bell investigates her first mystery outside of Ellingham Academy in this spine-chilling and hilarious stand-alone mystery from New York Times bestselling author Maureen Johnson.
Amateur sleuth Stevie Bell needs a good murder. After catching a killer at her high school, she's back at home for a normal (that means boring) summer.
But then she gets a message from the owner of Sunny Pines, formerly known as Camp Wonder Falls-the site of the notorious unsolved case, the Box in the Woods Murders. Back in 1978, four camp counselors were killed in the woods outside of the town of Barlow Corners, their bodies left in a gruesome display. The new owner offers Stevie an invitation: Come to the camp and help him work on a true crime podcast about the case.
Stevie agrees, as long as she can bring along her friends from Ellingham Academy. Nothing sounds better than a summer spent together, investigating old murders.
But something evil still lurks in Barlow Corners. When Stevie opens the lid on this long-dormant case, she gets much more than she bargained for. The Box in the Woods will make room for more victims. This time, Stevie may not make it out alive.
* Cosmopolitan Best YA Books of 2021 * People Magazine Best Books of Summer 2021*
Amateur sleuth Stevie Bell needs a good murder. After catching a killer at her high school, she's back at home for a normal (that means boring) summer.
But then she gets a message from the owner of Sunny Pines, formerly known as Camp Wonder Falls-the site of the notorious unsolved case, the Box in the Woods Murders. Back in 1978, four camp counselors were killed in the woods outside of the town of Barlow Corners, their bodies left in a gruesome display. The new owner offers Stevie an invitation: Come to the camp and help him work on a true crime podcast about the case.
Stevie agrees, as long as she can bring along her friends from Ellingham Academy. Nothing sounds better than a summer spent together, investigating old murders.
But something evil still lurks in Barlow Corners. When Stevie opens the lid on this long-dormant case, she gets much more than she bargained for. The Box in the Woods will make room for more victims. This time, Stevie may not make it out alive.
* Cosmopolitan Best YA Books of 2021 * People Magazine Best Books of Summer 2021*
Editorial Reviews
"Johnson's hallmark charming humor and lovable characters provide a robust foundation for another cracking mystery, this time ingeniously working with summer camp and locked room mystery tropes. Stevie's relationship with her lifelong anxiety is particularly well portrayed. A fantastic stand-alone mystery companion revisits a much-loved sleuth." -- Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
"While fans of Johnson's Truly Devious trilogy (and there are many) will undoubtedly be eager for this spinoff, Stevie's summertime exploit both stands alone and adds compelling layers to the established characters-an impressive feat. HIGH-DEMAND BACKSTORY: Johnson builds on the success of her NYT-bestselling Truly Devious series with this standalone spinoff that blends mystery and horror conventions in a summer-camp setting-perfectly timed for summertime campfires." -- Booklist (starred review)
"Johnson gleefully takes a stab at the slasher movie trope by sending her teen detective on a cold case at a summer camp. This satisfying standalone mystery will delight fans of teen horror flicks and true-crime documentaries, as well as those who prefer their mysteries wrapped up after one volume. Here's hoping this highly entertaining volume isn't the last we hear from Stevie Bell." -- Horn Book Magazine
"The Box in the Woods is a gripping and complex mystery bolstered by its commentary on the popular fascination with true crime-and its empathetic reminder to consider the perspectives of those whom such crimes leave behind." -- BookPage
"Sardonic sleuth Stevie Bell returns in this engaging stand-alone sleepaway camp thriller, a follow-up to Johnson's Truly Devious trilogy. Johnson's kinetic descriptions join towering cliffhangers as chapters switch between 1978 and the present day, and Stevie's search turns deadly. Johnson includes a winning crew of returning characters . . . the friend group sustains entertaining rapport as Stevie navigates personal and public histories." -- Publishers Weekly
"It's always a pleasure to watch smart, resourceful Stevie piece together a puzzle. Mystery fans will relish this standalone novel in the 'Truly Devious' universe."
-- School Library Journal
"The Box in the Woods is an utterly addictive read that adds a wonderful new dimension to the world of Truly Devious and yet another fiendish twist in Stevie's story." -- The Nerd Daily
"The Box in the Woods is an excellent, cleverly braided, no punches pulled story leavened with humor. It's worth reading for the great rapport between the fully-fleshed characters of Stevie, queer black&n...
"While fans of Johnson's Truly Devious trilogy (and there are many) will undoubtedly be eager for this spinoff, Stevie's summertime exploit both stands alone and adds compelling layers to the established characters-an impressive feat. HIGH-DEMAND BACKSTORY: Johnson builds on the success of her NYT-bestselling Truly Devious series with this standalone spinoff that blends mystery and horror conventions in a summer-camp setting-perfectly timed for summertime campfires." -- Booklist (starred review)
"Johnson gleefully takes a stab at the slasher movie trope by sending her teen detective on a cold case at a summer camp. This satisfying standalone mystery will delight fans of teen horror flicks and true-crime documentaries, as well as those who prefer their mysteries wrapped up after one volume. Here's hoping this highly entertaining volume isn't the last we hear from Stevie Bell." -- Horn Book Magazine
"The Box in the Woods is a gripping and complex mystery bolstered by its commentary on the popular fascination with true crime-and its empathetic reminder to consider the perspectives of those whom such crimes leave behind." -- BookPage
"Sardonic sleuth Stevie Bell returns in this engaging stand-alone sleepaway camp thriller, a follow-up to Johnson's Truly Devious trilogy. Johnson's kinetic descriptions join towering cliffhangers as chapters switch between 1978 and the present day, and Stevie's search turns deadly. Johnson includes a winning crew of returning characters . . . the friend group sustains entertaining rapport as Stevie navigates personal and public histories." -- Publishers Weekly
"It's always a pleasure to watch smart, resourceful Stevie piece together a puzzle. Mystery fans will relish this standalone novel in the 'Truly Devious' universe."
-- School Library Journal
"The Box in the Woods is an utterly addictive read that adds a wonderful new dimension to the world of Truly Devious and yet another fiendish twist in Stevie's story." -- The Nerd Daily
"The Box in the Woods is an excellent, cleverly braided, no punches pulled story leavened with humor. It's worth reading for the great rapport between the fully-fleshed characters of Stevie, queer black&n...
Readers Top Reviews
EllaCarrie B
i really liked thissss! it was fun and lighthearted (as much as a murder mystery with 4 dead teenagers can be) and i love these characters so it was really nice to read about them again!
Mrs. JE Barff
The fourth book in this series. I believe this is aimed at young adults but I loved the series and I'm 71! Just goes to show that if a book is well-written, the genre or subject is irrelevant. A cracking series which I am sad to complete.
Cameron
I usually am pretty decent at guessing the ends to murder mysteries - but Maureen Johnson's books put my deductive skills to shame. Stevie is her usual relatable self; she's funny without intending to be, and can't do a single emotional conversation without wanting to put up a forcefield. The story is engaging. It isn't nearly as complex as the Truly Devious series, but this was a smaller case with only one book, so it made more sense for it to be less complex. Still, the ending surprised me, and the characters were just as vibrant. The only complaint is that it doesn't have more Nate and Janelle in it - best side characters ever. Nate's writing related subplot was hilarious though. Can't wait for the next installment of Stevie Bell.
bkdavis813The Cat an
I loved the homage to classic horror stories set at a campground in the 1970’s, I’m just not sure if that is enough to save the story for me. I kinda guessed who was a part of the murders, but to me the connection they had was out in left field. I mean, murders have all different motives so this one has this particular motive…I think personally I like the moment where it all falls into place, it all clicks, and really I want a good mystery story to make me feel stupid for not figuring it out. There are no clues to figuring this one out. Does that make it less interesting? Idk! I finished it, I think I liked it, I’m just let down by the “a-ha I got you!” moment. I will say I liked David a lot more in this one. In the Ellingham trilogy I don’t know what Stevie saw in David’s erratic behavior. This time he seemed like a genuinely good boyfriend to Stevie.
Carla
Stevie is always smack dab in the middle of some action and this time is no different. The Box in the Woods is book four in the Truly Devious series. This time, readers are taken out of Ellingham Academy and placed into a summer camp that Stevie has agreed to work at in the hopes of solving a murder mystery. In the late 1970’s, four campers were brutally murdered. But what happened all those years ago? Stevie is determined to find out. The Box in the Woods takes place in present day with some flashbacks to 1978 when the murders occurred. The pacing was good although there were some slow moments. I really enjoyed that Nate and Janelle were along for the ride. David is growing on me just a little bit. A smidgen, just a smidgen. I loved the summery vibes and atmosphere. The setting was perfect, and I got all the small town feels. I enjoyed how the big reveal was handled. That was definitely one of my favorite parts of the book. While reading this book there were moments that put me on edge wondering what would happen next. There were also plenty of laugh out loud moments as well. The Box in the Woods is hilarious, chilling, and campy all in one. This was a solid addition to the Truly Devious series and a perfect summer read.
