Books

Book Review and Giveaway: The Box in the Woods by, Maureen Johnson

Book Title: The Box in the Woods (Truly Devious #4)
Author: Maureen Johnson
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books
Release Date: June 15, 2021
Genres: Young Adult, Mystery, Thriller, Contemporary

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.


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.


Before I get into the review of The Box in the Woods, I think it is important to note that although this is marked as Truly Devious #4, it really can be read as a standalone book. Unlike the first three Truly Devious books, which are most definitely a trilogy and need to be read in order, you could read The Box in the Woods all by itself and still appreciate the mystery. You would miss some character development but the story could stand on its own. That being said, I think the first three books are all super fun and I highly recommend reading them!

OK. Now that I have that off my chest…

I am so excited to have the opportunity to review The Box in the Woods. I love the characters, especially Stevie and David. When the first trilogy ended, I thought that the characters still had stories to tell. And even after this book, I can see how the characters still have room for growth and maybe another mystery or too.

If you enjoyed the summer camp horror films of the 1980’s, you will enjoy the campy creepiness that comes with the mystery that Stevie is challenged with here. Even though you are pretty sure that Stevie and her gang are going to solve the case, this doesn’t feel like an episode of Scooby Doo. It’s a fun, keep you guessing murder that you will really enjoy!

I give this book 4 Sips


Enter to win one (1) finished copy of The Box in the Woods by Maureen Johnson! Open USA only. There will be 1 winner.

Giveaway starts: Tuesday, June 15, 2021

Giveaway ends: Tuesday, June 22, 2021 at 12:00 a.m. CST


BOOK BLOG TOUR

June 15

Turn the Page Tours – Welcome Post/Author Interview
Avni Reads – Book Review
Books Tea Healthy Me – Book Review
Stacia Loves to Read – Book Review, How to Solve a Murder Mystery Checklist

June 16

Teatimelit – Book Review
Book-Keeping – Book Review
The Clever Reader – Book Review, How to Solve a Murder Mystery Checklist
Allisa White’s Book Blog – Book Review

June 17

A Gingerly Review – Book Review
The Book View – Book Review
The Momma Spot – Book Review
Restless Readers – Author Interview

June 18

Book Briefs – Book Review
Brinns Books – Book Review, Favorite Quotes
Ruby Reads and Reviews – Book Review, Favorite Things About The Box in the Woods
Kait Plus Books – Book Review
The Bookwrym’s Den – Book Review

June 19

A Bookish Dream Blog – Book Review
Book Lover’s Book Reviews – Book Review
Confessions of a YA Reader – Book Review
Ashweereads – Book Review, Favorite Quotes

June 20

The Reading Corner for All – Book Review
Polish and Paperbacks – Book Art/Cover Art
The Reading Stewardess – Book Review, How to Solve a Murder Mystery Checklist
Books of Magic and Mystery – Book Review, Favorite Quotes

June 21

Whimsical Blessings – Author Interview
Confessions of a Reading Addict – Book Review
Thindbooks Blog – Book Review
Angela Walker’s Reviews – Book Review
Always, Bookish Lovers – Book Review, Favorite Quotes

BOOKSTAGRAM TOUR

June 15

Turn the Page Tours – Welcome/Blogger’s Choice
Anovelkingdom – Blogger’s Choice
Avnireads – Blogger’s Choice
Gotgratitude5 – Blogger’s Choice
Stacialovestoread – Blogger’s Choice
Thereadingroom444 – Blogger’s Choice

June 16

Themanyadventuresofabookworm – Blogger’s Choice
Readbycait – Blogger’s Choice
Hollymbryan – Blogger’s Choice
Technicolorlybooks – Blogger’s Choice
Acourtofcoffeeandbooksblog – Blogger’s Choice
Simplybeccamee – Book Review
Thecleverreader – Blogger’s Choice
Allisawhitebooks – Blogger’s Choice

June 17

Agingerlyreview – Blogger’s Choice
Thebookviewblog – Blogger’s Choice
Aliciaclarereads – Book Review
Themagicalreader – Book Review
Readingthroughspeech – Book Review
Reckless.reader – Book Review
Bookdragontbr – Blogger’s Choice
Stp_reads – Blogger’s Choice
Mellasmusings – Book Review

June 18

Yuki.reads – Book Review
Bookbriefs – Blogger’s Choice
Midnightbooklover – Book Review
Brinnsbooks – Blogger’s Choice
Annareadswithcats – Book Review
The_clavicule_of_ac – Book Review
Kaitplusbooks – Blogger’s Choice
Secretreadinglife – Book Review

June 19

Mycornerforbooksand – Book Review
A_bookishg_dream – Blogger’s Choice
Bookworm.swiftie – Book Review
Allbookedup95 – Book Review
Bookloversbookreviews – Blogger’s Choice
Confessionsofayareader – Blogger’s Choice
Ashlieholecekwriter – Blogger’s Choice

June 20

Pawsomereads – Book Review
Hoardingbooks.herdingcats – Book Review
Booksofmagicandmystery – Blogger’s Choice
Fireheartreads – Book Review
Thereadingcornerforall – Blogger’s Choice
Meetcuteromancebooks – Book Review
Nerdysuperbree – Blogger’s Choice
Skygoddess1 – Blogger’s Choice

June 21

Hagerfamilyreads – Book Review
Melynicky – Book Review
Alwaysbookishlovers – Blogger’s Choice
Emmreadsbooks – Book Review
Bookish_callie – Blogger’s Choice
Thindbooks – Blogger’s Choice
Angelakreais – Blogger’s Choice


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