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A review by samanthampg
The Box in the Woods by Maureen Johnson
5.0
First of all - obviously I loved this book. Having already become attached to the characters I was happy to read about them in any sort of situations Maureen would give us, but I was genuinely very happy with this book. I won't go on too long because if you're reading this you're probably already a lover of the series.
I have a personal connection to Stevie that just makes me wanna read about her forever. One thing Maureen has always done well is portray Stevie's anxiety - it's similar to the way that I deal with it a lot. Its something that is constantly sneaking up on Stevie (sometimes it's overwhelming) but other times she keeps moving despite it. That doesn't mean it's gone or that it's not affecting her but she continues to go about her day. This is similar to how I've handled a lot of my own anxiety issues.
I really loved the camp setting! An unsolved murder at a secluded summer camp in a small town? Count me in! Maureen did a great job of setting up another great mystery and slowing connecting the dots together. She has a good mind for crimes and mysteries.
Also I LOVED summer Nate. He was more sarcastic and funny, more willing to go out and do things. Maybe a little reluctantly - but he still went! I know that Maureen says Janelle is her best friend and in a lot of ways Janelle is there for Stevie that Nate just isn't. But I would argue that Nate and her spend the most time together, he goes along with her antics, they might not talk about the deep stuff but some friendships don't need to. Besides they were always saying how much they loved each other. I don't know about you but I think Nate and Stevie were a lot closer in this novel than her and Janelle. I think it's alright if Stevie has two best friends - they provide her with different things. Not that I don't like Janelle - she's amazing, a queen, a dependable, super organized machine.
And David - the tornado of chaos that he is - I was so happy to see him again. I adore him and Stevie, I can't wait to see what lies ahead of them!
Lastly, one thing I do enjoy in this series as a whole is the incorporation of queer characters / relationships. Janelle's partner is a person named Vi who goes by they/them pronouns and it's never a topic of strangeness. There are at least two queer couples in this novel as well and nobody bats an eye - as it should be. I know it's kind of the bare minimum but sometimes it's nice to meet a gay character that doesn't have to explain why they're gay, that their sexual orientation isn't their entire story or personality.
I have a personal connection to Stevie that just makes me wanna read about her forever. One thing Maureen has always done well is portray Stevie's anxiety - it's similar to the way that I deal with it a lot. Its something that is constantly sneaking up on Stevie (sometimes it's overwhelming) but other times she keeps moving despite it. That doesn't mean it's gone or that it's not affecting her but she continues to go about her day. This is similar to how I've handled a lot of my own anxiety issues.
I really loved the camp setting! An unsolved murder at a secluded summer camp in a small town? Count me in! Maureen did a great job of setting up another great mystery and slowing connecting the dots together. She has a good mind for crimes and mysteries.
Also I LOVED summer Nate. He was more sarcastic and funny, more willing to go out and do things. Maybe a little reluctantly - but he still went! I know that Maureen says Janelle is her best friend and in a lot of ways Janelle is there for Stevie that Nate just isn't. But I would argue that Nate and her spend the most time together, he goes along with her antics, they might not talk about the deep stuff but some friendships don't need to. Besides they were always saying how much they loved each other. I don't know about you but I think Nate and Stevie were a lot closer in this novel than her and Janelle. I think it's alright if Stevie has two best friends - they provide her with different things. Not that I don't like Janelle - she's amazing, a queen, a dependable, super organized machine.
And David - the tornado of chaos that he is - I was so happy to see him again. I adore him and Stevie, I can't wait to see what lies ahead of them!
Lastly, one thing I do enjoy in this series as a whole is the incorporation of queer characters / relationships. Janelle's partner is a person named Vi who goes by they/them pronouns and it's never a topic of strangeness. There are at least two queer couples in this novel as well and nobody bats an eye - as it should be. I know it's kind of the bare minimum but sometimes it's nice to meet a gay character that doesn't have to explain why they're gay, that their sexual orientation isn't their entire story or personality.