A review by mayalecuna
The Box in the Woods by Maureen Johnson

adventurous funny mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

I loved this book! I don’t think it’s possible for me to dislike anything from Maureen Johnson. It was so good to be back with my favourite characters once more, especially when I thought the third book was the end. More comfortable in themselves and their friendship, the dynamic between Stevie, Janelle and Nate was just everything to me. I love Johnson’s characterisation and writing style and I just love how all of her mysteries unfold. The different nature of this 1970s mystery, with people still alive from that time, meant that this book was similar and different in all the perfect ways. It kept what was at the core of the first three books but gave it to us in a new way. I think this book was also good to refine all the nuances of the main characters and add little details to them. I also liked to reference to old fashioned mystery novels with the big reveal at the very end with everyone present. This book just made me so happy.

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