The Box in the Woods
The Truly Devious series continues as Stevie Bell investigates her first mystery outside of Ellingham Academy in this spine-chilling and hilarious stand-alone mystery.
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.
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Maureen Johnson
Maureen Johnson is the author who has turned the art of crafting thrilling, witty, and deeply engaging mysteries into a trademark style all her own. Known for her sharp wit and her knack for creating characters that feel instantly alive, Johnson’s books resonate with readers who crave both adventure and emotional depth. Whether delving into high-stakes mystery or the labyrinths of the teenage heart, her stories never fail to surprise, delight, and challenge expectations.
Born in Philadelphia and raised in New Jersey, Maureen’s writing journey has taken her from a love of quirky mysteries to becoming a voice for a new generation of readers. Her breakthrough came with The Key to the Golden Firebird, but it was her Suite Scarlett series, with its unforgettable characters and sophisticated humor, that really captured the imagination of her audience. Known for creating narratives that blend suspense with elements of the everyday, her books like 13 Little Blue Envelopes and the Truly Devious series explore not only the twists and turns of a good mystery but also the self-discovery that often accompanies growing up.
Truly Devious
In the Truly Devious series, Maureen Johnson masterfully blends suspense, wit, and a touch of dark academia to create a gripping mystery that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. At the heart of this atmospheric tale is Stevie Bell, a brilliant, quirky teenager with an obsession for unsolved crimes. When she arrives at the prestigious Ellingham Academy, a school for gifted students, she’s determined to crack the long-unsolved mystery of the Ellingham kidnapping and murder—a crime that has haunted the academy for decades.
Truly Devious consists of five books and series is set to expand with the upcoming release of two more books. The current recommended reading order for the series is provided below.
