Maureen Johnson has done it again! The Truly Devious series have been easy to read while still having enough heft to keep things grounded and interesting. I love, love, love this series, and I was afraid it was all over after book three, since there was a natural end point in that book. But in number four, it takes a new direction.

On her summer break from Ellingham Academy, Stevie is contacted by an entrepreneur named Carson who has bought a summer camp with a dark history: the unsolved murders of four high-school-aged camp counselors in 1978. Murders that Carson wants Stevie to solve for a prospective podcast he's creating. Since he owns the camp, she will be hired as a counselor for the current round of kids, and he even encourages her to invite friends as well. As long as she investigates on the side.

Once again, it's mostly the language and the inclusivity that draw me in to this book, as with all others in the series. Maureen Johnson really has an ear for the way people talk (people of different ages in a middle-class, Northeastern U.S. setting.) And, as usual, an understated, self-aware humor flows throughout. The case for Stevie to solve is, after all, a 70s-slasher-movie trope. But Stevie always considers the serious side too, as people's lives are impacted and she is very aware that this is her first case where she will be dealing with living, feeling relatives who knew the victims.

This series is inclusive in that a variety of races, sexualities and genders are represented just living their lives. It's what we in the book world call a "joyful" portrayal, in that although the book doesn't pretend that racists, sexists, homophobes and transphobes don't exist, none of the characters run into trouble with them in the course of the story. It's a refreshing perspective that everyone needs to experience.

This is, without a doubt, my favorite in-progress teen book series and I will recommend it to anyone who reads YA and would like a mystery with a classic approach but modern characters and language. Very fun!

I liked the change in pace from the old Ellingham murders/disappearances to the more recent slasher mystery in this book. There seemed to be more action in this book than the first three books and I really enjoyed that. I liked getting more time with Nate in this book, too! I didn't love Stevie and David in this book, however, and that's what brought down my rating. I'm just not really into Stevie's voice anymore, and David seemed more annoying than anything. It also felt like we weren't given a ton of clues to work with to figure everything out, which is always part of the fun when it comes to mysteries. Instead, Stevie solved it in her head in the background and, while the resolution was interesting, it wasn't very fun. This was a good book but not one that really grabbed me.

I didn't get to read the books in the series but this book was so good as a standalone. I didn't feel like I was missing something and never felt confused. Maureen Johnson is just such a wonderful author and really puts you into the story on the first page. Another excellent book.

I'm so glad this story was encapsulated in one book. The Truly Devious books were drawn out and didn't need to be a trilogy. This book was a more action-packed plot because of it's length. I still wish that this was a mystery that the reader could solve at the same pace as the main character, but we aren't given key details until the big reveal. As someone who doesn't read thrillers or mysteries, I liked this book, but I hope Maureen writes something different next.

I really loved getting back into this book! And, it was great that you could "get" the plot and the story without having read all the other three books.

I will say that, like many of Johnson's book, the opening is quite slow. I want her to hit the ground running sooner! I get that we have to see her at home before we can see her away...but it is still quite slow until we get to the real mystery and movement of the story.

Once again, really happy to be back with Stevie! I will read anything Johnson writes.

Stevie Bell is back!

If you haven’t read the “Truly Devious” series by Maureen Johnson, you are seriously missing out! It is one of my all-time favorites, so you can imagine my excitement when I heard Stevie Bell (the main character from the series) was returning with a brand new mystery to solve. It was so fun to see Stevie reunite with her Ellingham Academy friends at Camp Sunny Pines to solve a decades-old cold case.

Camp Sunny Pines, formerly known as Camp Wonder Falls, is nestled near the small, idyllic town of Barlow Corners. In 1978 the camp was the site the notorious, unsolved case, The Box in the Woods Murders, where four camp counselors were brutally killed. Stevie is recruited by the new owner of the camp to solve the mystery behind what happened all those years ago.

As Stevie begins to investigate, she discovers that the perfect façade of Barlow Corners hides a dark secret; a secret someone may be willing to do anything to keep hidden. This time, Stevie Bell may not make it out alive.

I really enjoyed this companion to the original “Truly Devious” series. The reunion between the friends was great, and I loved seeing their personalities and relationship outside of Ellingham Academy. The change of scenery was refreshing, and, as always, Maureen Johnson does a fantastic job of throwing in twists and turns that keep the reader on their toes!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the digital review copy in exchange for my honest review. This one gets my stamp of approval for YA readers

This book has an Agatha Christie who-dun-it feel to it. It is kind of unrealistic in terms of a 17-year-old solving a cold case from 1978 all on her own, but I love a strong female protagonist so I’m all for it.

I needed more Nate in this book and much less David. Janelle is a great, craft-obsessed sidekick. I also love that there is a nod to the LGBT+ community with Vi identifying as they/them.

Definitely pick this one up when it comes out on June 15th 2021!

I am ready for another Stevie Bell novel!

Thank you to NetGalley, Harper Collins, and Maureen Johnson for an advance copy of this book!

Stevie Bell is at it again! In this follow-up to the Truly Devious series, Stevie Bell is recruited by the new owner of a summer camp to solve the infamous Box in The Woods murders from 1978. She'll have to navigate the eccentric camp owner determined to profit off of the story, family members and friends of the victims, her "job" at the summer camp, and her own anxieties to solve this mystery. Luckily she has her incredible know-how and her friends at her side.

All in all, a solid follow-up to The Truly Devious series. The whole story is less involved than the first mystery, which is to be expected from a stand-alone. The drama between David and Stevie felt a little contrived; however, I'm thankful it didn't take too much of the story or feel too prolonged. It was fast=paced, pulled me in, and kept me up late reading just so I could learn what happened next. I will absolutely add to my library collection and feel confident that it will be much loved.

Stevie and her friends are invited to a summer camp to solve a decades old murder.
I was annoyed they left the school - but quickly adjusted my attitude.
In the 70s, The Box in the Woods Murder was committed. Though authorities investigated several theories, it remains unsolved.
Until a millionaire decides to buy the camp and solve the murder. And create the ultimate podcast.
Stevie and her friends are given jobs to help them blend. But their major focus is the case.
How I love these characters. Nate, Janelle, and even David lend humor, reality and shenanigans as Stevie delves deep into this town's history.
Great addition to this series!

Stevie Bell is back! After solving the mysteries of Ellingham Academy, she's gotten her share of media attention. In fact, she's been contacted by someone who wants her to solve another cold case Back in 1978, four teenagers were murdered at Camp Wonder Falls - and the murderer has never been found. The new owner of the camp has asked Stevie to come work at the camp for the summer while researching the case. Stevie agrees - as long as her Ellingham friends can join her. But it quickly becomes apparent that someone doesn't want Stevie nosing around the town's history...

I loved the first three books in this series and was thrilled to find out that a new book was going to be coming out. I love Stevie and her friends and enjoyed the opportunity to rejoin them for a new investigation - I am hopeful that this is the first of many more Truly Devious stories! It was a quick and enjoyable read. While it could be enjoyed as a standalone, I would recommend going back and reading the first three books in the series - because they're great, too! I will continue to read this series for as long as it continues :)

It was a lot of fun being back with Stevie and friends in a new setting. Something about this was not as gripping as the original trilogy though. It felt like we spent most of the time in Stevie’s head instead of interacting with her friends and gathering clues. The big reveal was very random and anticlimactic. Stevie was piecing things together in her brain without the reader ever knowing what she was actually thinking, so it just didn’t feel as fun as the original three books where clues were given to us along the way.

This was okay though! I did not dislike it, but I didn’t lobe it like the others. It wasn’t my favorite but I’m sure many others will love this.

Thank you NetGalley for an e-arc in exchange for a review!

What can I say? I love the Truly Devious books. I like Stevie. I love her Nate. I like contemporary mysteries. So I liked Box in the Woods.

Is is as good as the original trilogy? Apples and slightly smaller apples, my friends. The original books featured a mystery at Ellingham Academy that spanned over three installations. This is about a mystery in a different type of location that is encapsulated in just this one book. So it's different, but still fun.

I don't know that I would keep reading one-off continuations like these, but I would definitely read another trilogy. And I would 100% read Nate's books. I Maureen Johnson should pull a Rainbow Rowell and write that story-within-a-story. I ship it

I loved Maureen Johnson's first three books in this series. I was so excited for this book but questioning how she was going to tie everything together from the first three. Johnson does a great job of bringing these characters to life once again. I really enjoyed this book. I liked the first three books more, but this is a good stand-alone book with the characters. If you liked the first three check this one out too!

While these mysteries are always fun, they tend to leave me always wanting a little more. I really enjoyed the camp setting and getting back with the gang. I loved the mystery itself and trying to sort out what happened to these kids. The ending though just made no sense. It came completely out of left field. There was NOTHING leading up to that big twist to make it make sense. So sadly, while the lead up was pretty good, the ending just didn't do it for me

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!

When I was approved for The Box in the Woods ARC, I was so excited. The Truly Devious series is one of my favorite series of all time. Books in this series will always be an auto buy for me.

In The Box in the Woods, Stevie and her friends are all on break from Ellingham Academy. Stevie is trying to have a normal summer even though she is very bored until a stranger who recently bought a summer camp for kids reaches out to Stevie. Now the owner of this camp is asking Stevie to come “work” at the summer camp and investigate an unsolved case that happened in that camp years early where four counselors were murdered. He is hoping to make a podcast about this unsolved case alongside Stevie’s help. Stevie, desperate for adventure and mystery, agrees but only if her friends from school could join her.

Soon after they arrive at the camp, Stevie and her friends start to notice that there is something strange happening in the town, in the camp. Someone is trying to keep secrets buried and strangers out. Will Stevie and her friends survive this case?

This series is beautifully written, full of intrigue and mystery. I love each of the main characters, especially Stevie and Nate. Something this whole series does and it can be found in The Box in the Woods as well is show mental illness and LGBTQ+ rep.

If you enjoy mystery, thrillers, and true crime, check out The Truly Devious series and its newest addition, The Box in the Woods!

The Box in the Woods was an excellent follow up to the original trilogy. I enjoyed revisiting the characters and appreciated that this was a stand alone and was wrapped up. The mystery was a good mixed with part horror movies. The twist were surprising and not predictable. I would love to keep reading about Stevie.

Another good addition to the world of the Truly Devious series. Diving back in with Stevie, Janelle and Nate was a great time. The pacing was a bit different from the other entries into the series, but that has to do with it being a standalone so the mystery is solved in one book instead of over three with added layers. I would read more in this series like this, with one mystery per book.

Stevie and the gang are back at it again! I loved this summer adventure that gets them outside the walls and mystery of Ellingham. I thought it pulled things together a little too quickly, but it works and the build up is worth. Didn't guess the ending, which is always nice. I would love more of these books!

I read the Truly Devious trilogy during the first part of the pandemic and they were the only books that kept my attention during that extremely weird and frightening time. They quickly became favorites and I was sad to leave Ellingham Academy when the trilogy ended. I really appreciated the ways Johnson managed to get Nate and Janelle in on this summer camp-based adventure.

The book was well-paced and kept me guessing until the very end. I love that these books have really high stakes if the mystery is not solved. I also appreciate that Stevie acts like a mostly normal teenager who happens to have a peculiar set of skills (which she acquired in a really believable way). I am definitely hoping for even more adventures with Stevie and friends in the future. I will be first in line to find out what happens next. I will definitely recommend this to all of the mystery fans—of any age—in my life.

Just a note to start, I have not read the Truly Devious series. I was told you could read this as a stand alone. For the most part I think that was right I liked the story it had a Nancy Drew feel and great characters. I think the most thing that I missed in this one is the connections that correlate to the series as a whole. Since this one follows the same characters I would have had a better time if I would already know their connections with each other. Overall, it was a really good story but I felt that I was missing something.



Go Into This One Knowing: Can be read as a stand alone