Book Title: The Box in the Woods (Truly Devious #4)

Author: Maureen Johnson

Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books

Release Date: June 21, 2022

Genres: Young Adult, Mystery, Thriller, Contemporary

Goodreads link: https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/52716736

Book Purchase link:
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Box-Woods-Truly-Devious/dp/0063032600

Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-box-in-the-woods-maureen-johnson/1136705456

Book Depository: https://www.bookdepository.com/Box-Woods-Maureen-Johnson/9780063032606?ref=grid-view&qid=1623417161799&sr=1-1

Indiebound: https://www.indiebound.org/book/9780063032606

Book Description:

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.

My thoughts:

“What were the seventies even about? Was it all smoking and listening to this kind of stuff and riding around in huge cars without wearing seat belts?” Lol I guess that would be what it seemed like 😂

Wow this is the 4th book in the series! This is a dual timeline from 1978 to today. Stevie is back to investigate a unsolved murder of 4 camp counselors from 1978. I will tell you listening to the flashback murder scene while listening to The Chain by Fleetwood Mac was an experience. And I just had to take a break writing this to dance to the song with my 4 yo who kept asking for JoJo Siwa but was happy for all the spinning and hippy movements 😂. So sorry this post is late I was distracted dancing to Stevie Nicks haunting vocals.

Stevie is very inquisitive and has a record of solving cold cases after she solved one at the academy she was attending.

Her and her friend group who each have their own strengths work together to help her. I am with Janelle and the crafting.

I def enjoyed this mystery and it took a turn we never would have figured out without the missing piece from one of the murdered counselors. On a side note I will never look in a hunting box in the woods.

Dude I’m still reeling over this one!! Wth . And I’m totally thinking “I would’ve gotten away with it too if it weren’t for you meddling kids.”

❓ Do you have any band favs from the 70s?

Thank you Turn The Page Tours and Maureen Johnson for having me on this book tour and this gifted copy.

Author Bio:

Maureen Johnson is the #1 New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of several YA novels, including 13 Little Blue Envelopes, Suite Scarlett, The Name of the Star, and Truly Devious. She has also done collaborative works, such as Let It Snow with John Green and Lauren Myracle (now on Netflix), and several works in the Shadowhunter universe with Cassandra Clare. Her work has appeared in publications such as The New York Times, Buzzfeed, and The Guardian, and she has also served as a scriptwriter for EA Games. She has an MFA in Writing from Columbia University and lives in New York City.

Author Links:
https://www.maureenjohnsonbooks.com/
https://www.instagram.com/maureenjohnsonbooks/
https://twitter.com/maureenjohnson
https://www.facebook.com/maureenjohnsonbooks