Meghan's Reviews > The Box in the Woods

The Box in the Woods by Maureen Johnson
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really liked it
bookshelves: young-adult, continuations, mystery, published-2021, read-2021

This book is a perfect summer mystery novel! You don't have to have read the first three Truly Devious books to read this one, but as they are all out, go binge them maybe? I think there is at least one spoiler of the OG mystery, but overall you can read this without knowing the first few books. Except that Stevie is a bit...less anxious in this book? I'm not sure.

Anyways, this book starts off incredibly strong. The new mystery is, as Nate points out, straight out of a 1970s sleep-away camp slasher movie. I think I even actively said "ooooooooooh" when I got to the murder. I love how Johnson weaves the 1970s story in with the 2021 story for sure.

I had to take a star off because there is a bit of a lag at about 60% through, once the shock of the murder wears off and you start to wonder how it's going to be solved/wrapped up. I had to double check that it IS a stand alone novel (it is thankfully) and because I just legit do not care about Stevie and David's romance. It is incredibly weak if you haven't read the first three books for sure, feeling more like a cozy mystery romance you're just supposed to accept. I'm not one of those who think Stevie should be with Nate, despite how much I personally adore Nate! I just felt like David was there as filler in the end.

I do love the reminders that Stevie is going back to school, I loved seeing Janelle and Nate, and the slight implication that, if another murder/cold case needs Stevie's attention, we will likely get another book. So overall, major kudos to Maureen Johnson for showing that Stevie (and Nate and somewhat Janelle) are all developed enough to get out of their school and still be beloved.

I'd be curious to see how this book is received by someone who hasn't read the OG trilogy, but overall I think this is a win.
***
EXCUSE ME HOW DID I MISS THIS ANNOUNCEMENT
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Reading Progress

June 22, 2020 – Shelved
June 22, 2020 – Shelved as: long-term-to-read
June 22, 2020 – Shelved as: young-adult
June 22, 2020 – Shelved as: continuations
June 22, 2020 – Shelved as: mystery
June 22, 2020 – Shelved as: published-2021
June 16, 2021 – Started Reading
June 16, 2021 –
page 92
23.0%
June 17, 2021 – Shelved as: read-2021
June 17, 2021 – Finished Reading

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