An instant New York Times and USA Today bestseller!

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.

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.

• An instant New York Times and USA Today bestseller
• Cosmopolitan Best YA Books of 2021
• People Magazine Best Book of Summer 2021
• Publishers Weekly Best Summer Read 2021
• Indie Next Kids’ Pick June/July 2021

“A twisty, witty, deadly delight.” -Karen McManus, bestselling author of One of Us is Lying

“While fans of Johnson’s Truly Devious trilogy (and there are many) will undoubtedly be eager for this spinoff, Stevie’s summertime exploit both stands alone and adds compelling layers to the established characters—an impressive feat.” – Booklist ⭐ review

“A fantastic stand-alone mystery companion revisits a much-loved sleuth.” -Kirkus ⭐ review

“…a gripping and complex mystery bolstered by its commentary on the popular fascination with true crime—and its empathetic reminder to consider the perspectives of those whom such crimes leave behind.” – BookPage⭐ review

“It’s always a pleasure to watch smart, resourceful Stevie piece together a puzzle. Mystery fans will relish this standalone novel in the Truly Devious universe.” – School Library Journal

“This satisfying standalone mystery will delight fans of teen horror flicks and true-crime documentaries….here’s hoping this highly entertaining volume isn’t the last we hear from Stevie Bell.” – Horn Book

“Remember the first time reading Harry Potter and knowing it was something special? There’s that same sense of magic in the introduction of teen Sherlock-in-training Stevie Bell in Maureen Johnson’s series opener….Parallel mysteries unfold with cleverly written dialogue, page-turning brilliance and a young sleuth just as captivating as Hercule Poirot or Nancy Drew.”

– USA Today, ⭐⭐⭐⭐ out of four stars

“Johnson’s novel is deliciously atmospheric, with a sprawling cast of complex suspects/potential victims, surprising twists, and a dash of romance. As in her Shades of London books, Johnson remains a master at combining jittery tension with sharp, laugh-out-loud observations.” – Publishers Weekly. ⭐ review

“A classic mystery that would make Dame Agatha proud.” -Kirkus Reviews

“The versatile Johnson is no stranger to suspense, and this twisty thriller will leave plenty of readers anxious for more.” -Booklist

“The Agatha Christie-like ecosystem pairs with lacerating contemporary wit, and alternating past and present scenes makes for a multilayered, modern detective story.” – New York Times

“Maureen Johnson has a totally original mind, a passionate set of moral convictions, an extraordinary sense of bravery and ridiculousness, and she writes pretty sentences.  Read whatever she writes.” — E. Lockhart, author of We Were Liars and Genuine Fraud