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A Box Full of Murders #1
A Box Full of Murders
When siblings Ava and Luke discover a mysterious notebook in their dad’s attic they are instantly intrigued. And, as they read through letters, diary entries, newspaper cuttings and notarised secret recordings, they realise that a decades-old, still unsolved, murder case is unfolding right in front of them . . .
Determined to discover what really happened, Ava and Luke turn detective to try and crack the case. But soon they realise that the killer might still be out there - and might be closer than they think...
YOU know the facts. YOU have all the clues. Can YOU solve the mystery before they do?
Determined to discover what really happened, Ava and Luke turn detective to try and crack the case. But soon they realise that the killer might still be out there - and might be closer than they think...
YOU know the facts. YOU have all the clues. Can YOU solve the mystery before they do?
456 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 5, 2025
111 people are currently reading
3048 people want to read
About the author
Janice Hallett
13 books2,556 followersJanice Hallett is a former magazine editor, award-winning journalist, and government communications writer. She wrote articles and speeches for, among others, the Cabinet Office, Home Office, and Department for International Development. Her enthusiasm for travel has taken her around the world several times, from Madagascar to the Galapagos, Guatemala to Zimbabwe, Japan, Russia, and South Korea. A playwright and screenwriter, she penned the feminist Shakespearean stage comedy NetherBard and cowrote the feature film Retreat. The Appeal is her first novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 162 reviews
September 9, 2025
Over the last few years, Janice Hallett has flipped the crime writing genre on it's head by creating some of the most unique stories by utilising a range of written texts to create an exciting narrative-Letters, WhatsApp messages, Diary excerpts etc..
Now she has written her first children's book again deploying a variety of different types of writing to produce a brilliant children's detective story.
Ava and Luke- brother and sister living in different homes with parents who have separated -discover a box of papers in an attic. They communicate via their phones and messaging. As they explore the content, they soon realise that this is the story of a crime that that took place in 1983at a Scout and Guides' summer camp.
The plot is based around the events at the camp and Ava and Luke need to work out who is the murderer of a botanist and his assistant, is there a ghost haunting the woodlands and what has happened to a missing guide?
The children at the camp keep diaries so much of the plot is told through their recounts along with Lost Property Forms, Incident Reports, timetables; letters etc . The children are divided into groups often named with cultural references of the time- The Fun Girl Three; Duran Spandau; Hunky Dry; Brewford Badgers. Each group has four scouts or guides . The Scout and Guide leaders also add their voices.
This is a fast paced read with lots of different perspectives of events which are carefully reviewed by Ava and Luke until they solve the puzzles of the past events
There are red herrings and clues galore and lots of humour too.
As an adult reader, the 80s references were spot-on and Ava and Luke's responses to them were often hilarious - What is a digital watch? fancy having to wait for a photograph to be developed!!
This is an excellent read for 9-12 year olds or a wonderful class read.
Janice Hallett's distinctive approach by mixing genre/writing types is excellent and with a multi layered plot moving between today and 1983 makes for a superb read. Parents/adults/grandparents will also enjoy the references back to four decades ago so lots of conversations have to be triggered!!
A book that will be highly recommended to colleagues in KS2 but most importantly a wonderful summer detective read for 9-12 year olds... and hopefully this won't be the last we hear of Ava and Luke !!
Children's summer read of 2025 !!
Now she has written her first children's book again deploying a variety of different types of writing to produce a brilliant children's detective story.
Ava and Luke- brother and sister living in different homes with parents who have separated -discover a box of papers in an attic. They communicate via their phones and messaging. As they explore the content, they soon realise that this is the story of a crime that that took place in 1983at a Scout and Guides' summer camp.
The plot is based around the events at the camp and Ava and Luke need to work out who is the murderer of a botanist and his assistant, is there a ghost haunting the woodlands and what has happened to a missing guide?
The children at the camp keep diaries so much of the plot is told through their recounts along with Lost Property Forms, Incident Reports, timetables; letters etc . The children are divided into groups often named with cultural references of the time- The Fun Girl Three; Duran Spandau; Hunky Dry; Brewford Badgers. Each group has four scouts or guides . The Scout and Guide leaders also add their voices.
This is a fast paced read with lots of different perspectives of events which are carefully reviewed by Ava and Luke until they solve the puzzles of the past events
There are red herrings and clues galore and lots of humour too.
As an adult reader, the 80s references were spot-on and Ava and Luke's responses to them were often hilarious - What is a digital watch? fancy having to wait for a photograph to be developed!!
This is an excellent read for 9-12 year olds or a wonderful class read.
Janice Hallett's distinctive approach by mixing genre/writing types is excellent and with a multi layered plot moving between today and 1983 makes for a superb read. Parents/adults/grandparents will also enjoy the references back to four decades ago so lots of conversations have to be triggered!!
A book that will be highly recommended to colleagues in KS2 but most importantly a wonderful summer detective read for 9-12 year olds... and hopefully this won't be the last we hear of Ava and Luke !!
Children's summer read of 2025 !!
July 7, 2025
3.5 stars - I'm not sure that child characters are JH's strong suit, but this was still a very charming mixed media mystery that is perfectly pitched for its middle grade audience. I think this is really great way for kids to exercise their deductive reasoning & inference skills by comparing the various sources to try to figure out the mystery.
Want to read
August 4, 2024Hallett is incapable of writing anything less than 5-stars (and I’ve read her entire catalog) if anything I would give them all 100 stars
I’ll be immediately preordering this and any future works
I’ll be immediately preordering this and any future works
Want to read
January 2, 2025I love this author! Will I read a middle grade book for them? YES, YES I WILL!
September 14, 2025
Fantastic novel for young people, but I also really enjoyed it. I listened to it and it was read very well.
I already have a 10 year old student reading it and enjoying it - she is desperate to finish it so she can work it all out. A great interactive novel.
This is very much in the style of Hallett’s other novels for adults. Set in a wood during a guide/scout camping trip with two children 40 years on finding the evidence. Essentially a cold case murder for young people! And Hallett sets it all up so there will be a sequel. Loads of references for old people like me who grew up in the 1980s - band names, old fashioned camera film, TV detective references. The protagonists have to look all these things up, of course.
Looking forward to the next one already.
8-11 age group.
I already have a 10 year old student reading it and enjoying it - she is desperate to finish it so she can work it all out. A great interactive novel.
This is very much in the style of Hallett’s other novels for adults. Set in a wood during a guide/scout camping trip with two children 40 years on finding the evidence. Essentially a cold case murder for young people! And Hallett sets it all up so there will be a sequel. Loads of references for old people like me who grew up in the 1980s - band names, old fashioned camera film, TV detective references. The protagonists have to look all these things up, of course.
Looking forward to the next one already.
8-11 age group.
July 2, 2025
Die Geschwister Ava und Luke finden eines Tages eine mysteriöse Box auf dem Speicher, darin sind verschiedene Tagebucheinträge, Zeitungsartikel, Briefe und diverse andere Dinge aus den 1980er Jahren. Ihnen wird schnell klar, dass es bei dem, was sie da zu lesen kriegen, um einen ungeklärten Mordfall geht und dass sie ihn aufklären können, wenn sie all die Informationen klug kombinieren.
Ein Murder Mystery für Kinder und das in Mixed-Media-Form?! Hell yeah! Das Buch hat mir richtig viel Spaß gemacht, denn wir erfahren alles nur über die alten Dokumente in der Box und durch Chats zwischen den beiden Geschwistern. Die Eltern von Ava und Luke habe sich nämlich gerade getrennt, Ava lebt nun mit ihrer Mutter und Luke mit dem Vater. Luke hat die Box auf seinem Dachboden gefunden und schickt Ava nach und nach Fotos von dem Inhalt, und so bekommt man als Leser*in eben auch alles mit, was die beiden sich schreiben und schicken. Da hat man richtig Lust, mitzurätseln!
Der Fall an sich spielt in einem Sommer-Camp im Jahr 1983 und daher gibt es auch einen richtig schönen Camp-Vibe mit ganz viel Nostalgie, weil sich die Gruppen im Camp zum Beispiel nach ihren Lieblingsbands benennen oder sich Ava und Luke gedanklich in diese Zeit hineinversetzen müssen (sich kaum vorstellen können, wie analog das alles war).
Es ist natürlich eine Geschichte für Kinder, aber trotzdem fand ich das alles stellenweise schon ein bisschen gruselig und mysteriös (in dem Wald gibt es ein Gespenst!) und ich hatte auf jeden Fall meinen Spaß. Das war auch das perfekte Buch für heiße Sommertage, weil es eben in diesem Camp spielt und sich alles so flott weglesen lässt.
Ein Murder Mystery für Kinder und das in Mixed-Media-Form?! Hell yeah! Das Buch hat mir richtig viel Spaß gemacht, denn wir erfahren alles nur über die alten Dokumente in der Box und durch Chats zwischen den beiden Geschwistern. Die Eltern von Ava und Luke habe sich nämlich gerade getrennt, Ava lebt nun mit ihrer Mutter und Luke mit dem Vater. Luke hat die Box auf seinem Dachboden gefunden und schickt Ava nach und nach Fotos von dem Inhalt, und so bekommt man als Leser*in eben auch alles mit, was die beiden sich schreiben und schicken. Da hat man richtig Lust, mitzurätseln!
Der Fall an sich spielt in einem Sommer-Camp im Jahr 1983 und daher gibt es auch einen richtig schönen Camp-Vibe mit ganz viel Nostalgie, weil sich die Gruppen im Camp zum Beispiel nach ihren Lieblingsbands benennen oder sich Ava und Luke gedanklich in diese Zeit hineinversetzen müssen (sich kaum vorstellen können, wie analog das alles war).
Es ist natürlich eine Geschichte für Kinder, aber trotzdem fand ich das alles stellenweise schon ein bisschen gruselig und mysteriös (in dem Wald gibt es ein Gespenst!) und ich hatte auf jeden Fall meinen Spaß. Das war auch das perfekte Buch für heiße Sommertage, weil es eben in diesem Camp spielt und sich alles so flott weglesen lässt.
June 21, 2025
This book is aimed at a younger audience, but since I love Hallett's work so much, I bought it anyway. The format of the book reminds me of The Appeal. In this book, two siblings discover a box with journals, incident reports, and other items documenting events taking place at a nearby summer camp in 1983. Luke and Ava's parents have separated and each is living with a different parent. The brother and sister must text each other to the mystery of a suspicious death at the camp. The reader gets to read the journal entries just as they do and also benefits from the discussions in their text messages as they try to solve a case from years ago.
I had so much fun reading this book! It was fast-paced and suspenseful, and I didn't want to put it down. Kids will love the characters, both Luke and Ava and the campers. They'll also like the funny situations and being able to use the clues given to solve the mystery right along with Luke and Ava. As an adult, I also enjoyed the mystery and also loved the humor. I also appreciated the references to popular songs and technology (like digital watches and walkmans) from 1983.
Everything about the case is resolved at the end, but there is one question that remains unanswered. However, things end in a way that sets up the second book that will be coming out in 2026. I'm already looking forward to it!
I had so much fun reading this book! It was fast-paced and suspenseful, and I didn't want to put it down. Kids will love the characters, both Luke and Ava and the campers. They'll also like the funny situations and being able to use the clues given to solve the mystery right along with Luke and Ava. As an adult, I also enjoyed the mystery and also loved the humor. I also appreciated the references to popular songs and technology (like digital watches and walkmans) from 1983.
Everything about the case is resolved at the end, but there is one question that remains unanswered. However, things end in a way that sets up the second book that will be coming out in 2026. I'm already looking forward to it!
June 7, 2025
A brilliant introduction for younger readers to this talented and original author. The layout is the same as her adult books, this time using text messages and holiday diaries. This is a very satisfying read with a second book out next year. Recommended for adults and middle grade readers alike.
Want to read
December 25, 2024NEED NEED NEED
September 28, 2025
Quando leggi un libro fuori target possono capitare molte cose, ma qui ci sono stati momenti in cui mi sono sentita davvero decrepita! È proprio vero che i giovani di oggi non hanno la più pallida idea di quello che andava prima dello smartphone. Nemmeno fossero passati secoli!
E nonostante tutto vogliono farli passare per moda senza alcuna conoscenza pregressa… va beh.
Insomma, La scatola dell’assassino è un giallo per bambini (perché di sicuro non è per ragazzi come invece fanno credere) che si basa sul ritrovamento di una scatola colma di diari, moduli e articoli di giornale riguardanti un omicidio avvento negli anni ’80.
I nostri detective d’eccezione saranno due fratelli alle prese con il divorzio dei genitori che comunicheranno attraverso le chat per risolvere il mistero trovato “non si sa come” nell’attico.
E la cosa bella di questo romanzo è proprio l’utilizzo di una narrazione visiva come era capitato con l’intramontabile serie di Illuminae Files.
Non abbiamo quindi del testo scritto in modo tradizionale, ma il tutto sarà basato sul contenuto della scatola. Ergo il lettore dovrà vedersela con diari di giovani esploratori, moduli di oggetti smarriti, programmazione degli eventi del campeggio e articoli di cronaca locale sull’acquisizione del parco.
Ciò ha reso la lettura dinamica, aiutando quindi i lettori più maturi a non annoiarsi e i lettori più giovani a essere coinvolte con le indagini di Ava e Luke.
Nel complesso non posso dire che sia una lettura malvagia, sebbene non l’ho apprezzata del tutto a causa della differenza d’età. Di certo ha potenziale e spunti interessanti per far toccare erba ai più piccoli.
Ideale per i più giovani.
E nonostante tutto vogliono farli passare per moda senza alcuna conoscenza pregressa… va beh.
Insomma, La scatola dell’assassino è un giallo per bambini (perché di sicuro non è per ragazzi come invece fanno credere) che si basa sul ritrovamento di una scatola colma di diari, moduli e articoli di giornale riguardanti un omicidio avvento negli anni ’80.
I nostri detective d’eccezione saranno due fratelli alle prese con il divorzio dei genitori che comunicheranno attraverso le chat per risolvere il mistero trovato “non si sa come” nell’attico.
E la cosa bella di questo romanzo è proprio l’utilizzo di una narrazione visiva come era capitato con l’intramontabile serie di Illuminae Files.
Non abbiamo quindi del testo scritto in modo tradizionale, ma il tutto sarà basato sul contenuto della scatola. Ergo il lettore dovrà vedersela con diari di giovani esploratori, moduli di oggetti smarriti, programmazione degli eventi del campeggio e articoli di cronaca locale sull’acquisizione del parco.
Ciò ha reso la lettura dinamica, aiutando quindi i lettori più maturi a non annoiarsi e i lettori più giovani a essere coinvolte con le indagini di Ava e Luke.
Nel complesso non posso dire che sia una lettura malvagia, sebbene non l’ho apprezzata del tutto a causa della differenza d’età. Di certo ha potenziale e spunti interessanti per far toccare erba ai più piccoli.
Ideale per i più giovani.
April 22, 2025
Ava and Luke are dealing with their parents' separation. Ava lives with Mum, and Luke lives with Dad. They have new mobiles so they can stay in touch with each other. Luke discovers a box marked 'Top Secret' in Dad's attic, full of documents relating to mysterious events and murder on a Scouts/Guides summer camp back in 1983. Naturally, cue Luke sharing the secret papers via photos sent by phone, including planning applications, camp documents, tent diaries, and police reports. Along with Luke and Ava, we see events at camp play out, and every so often, there's a Progress Report to help readers summarise the information so far to help them solve the case.
Janice Hallett's famed mixed media format, so successful in adult crime, should work well for children. The various documents are both engaging and not too daunting in length. After a bit of scene setting and getting to know the characters, the pace hots up, and it is a page-turner. There's humour, some peril and a hint of the supernatural. Plenty of 80s nostalgia for adults and potential for conversation starters around music, cassette tapes and digital watches! You might have to suspend some disbelief; much of the story is told using the tent diaries the scouts/guides are keeping at camp. They're more diligent than I'd expect about sustaining the diary writing, plus some of the tents are girl groups who seem to share the diary keeping but write absolutely all of their conversation down, which seems strange, but I guess you need that to get their characters across. But mainly, it's a harmless slice of good fun for anyone who likes a mystery but will also encourage reluctant readers. The level of storytelling and sleuthing is good for the younger end of 9-12 years and perhaps the upper end of 5-8 years. At the end, you'll want to look some things up - they're worth looking up! Feels like the start of a series; I hope we find out who's addressing Ava, Luke, and the reader, and why the box is in the attic in the first place...
Janice Hallett's famed mixed media format, so successful in adult crime, should work well for children. The various documents are both engaging and not too daunting in length. After a bit of scene setting and getting to know the characters, the pace hots up, and it is a page-turner. There's humour, some peril and a hint of the supernatural. Plenty of 80s nostalgia for adults and potential for conversation starters around music, cassette tapes and digital watches! You might have to suspend some disbelief; much of the story is told using the tent diaries the scouts/guides are keeping at camp. They're more diligent than I'd expect about sustaining the diary writing, plus some of the tents are girl groups who seem to share the diary keeping but write absolutely all of their conversation down, which seems strange, but I guess you need that to get their characters across. But mainly, it's a harmless slice of good fun for anyone who likes a mystery but will also encourage reluctant readers. The level of storytelling and sleuthing is good for the younger end of 9-12 years and perhaps the upper end of 5-8 years. At the end, you'll want to look some things up - they're worth looking up! Feels like the start of a series; I hope we find out who's addressing Ava, Luke, and the reader, and why the box is in the attic in the first place...
June 16, 2025
Ava and Luke, siblings living a few blocks apart between their newly separated parents, have found a mystery box in the attic. Through their texts we watch as they uncover document after document, conveniently placed in the box in narrative order, unfolding a mystery from 40 years ago involving murder and eco-sabotage.
This was so much Hallett fun. The characters from both the current day and the long ago mystery shine through. The mystery is set at a summer camp, in which dead bodies keep showing up. Yes, there is the need to suspend belief that the camp kids would pause in their activities, sometime right in the middle of their own peril, to fill in their camp diaries. And yes, the fact that it showed up in perfectly order 40 years later is unlikely. I don’t care it was super fun, and I’m looking forward to the continuation of the series. Maybe we will have a simultaneous release for the next.
In a fit of FOMO, I ordered it from Waterstones a couple months ago, afraid it would take forever to get to the US. However I could saved a bit of change as it is on sale on Amazon, you still need to pay the postage from the UK, but not as much as I did. But I did get feel smugly satisfied for a few days.
52 Book Club25: 23) A sprayed edge
This was so much Hallett fun. The characters from both the current day and the long ago mystery shine through. The mystery is set at a summer camp, in which dead bodies keep showing up. Yes, there is the need to suspend belief that the camp kids would pause in their activities, sometime right in the middle of their own peril, to fill in their camp diaries. And yes, the fact that it showed up in perfectly order 40 years later is unlikely. I don’t care it was super fun, and I’m looking forward to the continuation of the series. Maybe we will have a simultaneous release for the next.
In a fit of FOMO, I ordered it from Waterstones a couple months ago, afraid it would take forever to get to the US. However I could saved a bit of change as it is on sale on Amazon, you still need to pay the postage from the UK, but not as much as I did. But I did get feel smugly satisfied for a few days.
52 Book Club25: 23) A sprayed edge
Read
August 5, 2025I am the wrong target audience for this book so I haven’t given this a star rating, however, I thought it was such a wholesome read!
Siblings Ava and Luke’s parents are going through a divorce and are communicating with each other through text messages. Luke discovers a mysterious box in the attic and they realise that in this box is a decades old, unsolved mystery!
I absolutely adore Janice Hallett’s mixed media style books. I really needed something easy and light to read so I thought I’d give her first childrens book a go!
It definitely did the trick and it was the perfect book to suit my mood. It’s very cleverly written.
If kids reading this are intimidated by all the text in the newspaper articles, diaries, police recordings etc, they can just read the text messages exchanges between Ava and Luke and still be able to follow along with the story. This does mean that if you read everything, you do get a lot of repetition.
I think the writing style with the mixed media elements is an excellent format to help encourage kids to read and hey, it’s also great for if you’re an adult too!
Siblings Ava and Luke’s parents are going through a divorce and are communicating with each other through text messages. Luke discovers a mysterious box in the attic and they realise that in this box is a decades old, unsolved mystery!
I absolutely adore Janice Hallett’s mixed media style books. I really needed something easy and light to read so I thought I’d give her first childrens book a go!
It definitely did the trick and it was the perfect book to suit my mood. It’s very cleverly written.
If kids reading this are intimidated by all the text in the newspaper articles, diaries, police recordings etc, they can just read the text messages exchanges between Ava and Luke and still be able to follow along with the story. This does mean that if you read everything, you do get a lot of repetition.
I think the writing style with the mixed media elements is an excellent format to help encourage kids to read and hey, it’s also great for if you’re an adult too!
August 3, 2025
3.5 stars
August 6, 2025
I would have LOVED this as a kid! So fun so see Janice Hallett’s writing style in a kids book
July 16, 2025
I am a huge fan of this author and was very happy to see her bring the signature storytelling, that has served so well with adults, to younger readers in A Box Full of Murders. Told through a box of letters, diary entries, text messages, and other "found" documents, the story follows siblings Ava and Luke as they uncover the truth behind a decades-old murder at a scout camp.
The mystery is engaging and multi-layered, inviting readers to solve it alongside the characters, making it perfect for kids who love puzzles and piecing together clues. With a great mix of suspense and humor, this is a great introduction to this unique format for youngsters, making it feel interactive and fresh.
The mystery is engaging and multi-layered, inviting readers to solve it alongside the characters, making it perfect for kids who love puzzles and piecing together clues. With a great mix of suspense and humor, this is a great introduction to this unique format for youngsters, making it feel interactive and fresh.
July 6, 2025
When siblings Ava and Luke stumble upon a mysterious box in their family's attic, they unknowingly unlock a decades-old cold case that will challenge every detective fiction convention you think you know. Janice Hallett's latest offering isn't just another children's mystery—it's a masterfully crafted puzzle that transforms young readers into active investigators while delivering a surprisingly sophisticated narrative structure.
The story begins with the familiar trope of children discovering hidden secrets in their home, but Hallett quickly subverts expectations. The box contains documents from a 1983 scout camp at Chalfont Woods: diary entries, police reports, letters, and mysterious recordings that chronicle a week where two people died under supposedly accidental circumstances. What makes this discovery particularly compelling is how Hallett presents the evidence chronologically, allowing readers to piece together clues alongside the protagonists.
Final Verdict: A Mystery That Respects Its Readers
A Box Full of Murders succeeds as both an entertaining mystery and a clever literary experiment. Hallett creates a story that respects young readers' intelligence while delivering genuine surprises and emotional depth. The environmental themes and family dynamics add substance to what could have been merely a puzzle-solving exercise.
While the multimedia format occasionally overwhelms and the resolution feels somewhat hurried, these are minor flaws in an otherwise impressive achievement. The book demonstrates that children's literature can be both accessible and sophisticated, entertaining and meaningful.
For young readers who enjoy mysteries, environmental themes, or simply love a good puzzle, this book offers an engaging experience that encourages active participation rather than passive consumption. It's a mystery that trusts its readers to be smart, observant, and capable of handling complex moral questions—exactly the kind of book that can inspire a lifelong love of both reading and critical thinking.
Character Development That Feels Authentically Modern
Ava and Luke represent contemporary children dealing with very real family challenges—their parents' recent separation creates an emotional backdrop that grounds the mystery in genuine human experience. Hallett demonstrates remarkable skill in portraying sibling dynamics, capturing both their competitive banter and their unwavering loyalty to each other. Ava's determination to solve the case contrasts beautifully with Luke's more cautious approach, creating a detective partnership that feels both realistic and engaging.
The historical characters from the 1983 camp are equally well-developed despite appearing only through their written records. Each scout and guide group has distinct personalities that emerge through their diary entries and activity sheets. Ricky's earnest leadership struggles, Jackie's detective aspirations, and Josie's connection to nature all feel authentic to their time period while remaining relatable to modern readers.
Narrative Structure: A Bold Experiment That Pays Off
Perhaps the most ambitious aspect of this novel is its multimedia approach to storytelling. Rather than traditional chapters, Hallett presents the mystery through:
Text message conversations between Ava and Luke
Original 1983 documents including diary entries, police reports, and incident forms
Email exchanges and modern digital communications
Progress reports that directly engage readers as fellow detectives
This format creates an immersive experience that makes readers feel like they're examining real evidence. The authenticity of the 1980s documents is particularly impressive—Hallett captures the era's language, concerns, and technology with meticulous attention to detail. The contrast between modern digital communication and handwritten camp records adds layers of temporal depth to the narrative.
The Mystery: Layered Complexity with Environmental Themes
At its core, the mystery revolves around the supposed accidental deaths of Professor Stuart Sinclair and his assistant Maureen DeForest during a biological survey of Chalfont Woods. What begins as a simple case of mushroom poisoning evolves into a complex web involving property developers, rare bird egg collectors, and environmental destruction.
Hallett skillfully weaves multiple plot threads together: the immediate mystery of the deaths, the subplot involving kidnapped farmers, the rare bird conservation angle, and the modern-day investigation by Ava and Luke. The environmental themes feel organic to the story rather than preachy, demonstrating how greed and short-term thinking can threaten irreplaceable natural habitats.
The revelation that the woods house a unique species of "ghost bird" adds both scientific intrigue and metaphorical depth to the narrative. The bird's camouflage abilities parallel how truth can be hidden in plain sight, waiting for the right investigators to uncover it.
Where the Story Stumbles Slightly
While the multimedia format is largely successful, it occasionally feels overwhelming. Some readers might struggle to track the multiple timeline shifts and the large cast of characters from the 1983 camp. The abundance of documents, while adding authenticity, sometimes slows the pacing when readers need to parse through detailed camping schedules and badge requirements that don't directly advance the plot.
The resolution, while satisfying, feels somewhat rushed. After building suspense methodically throughout most of the book, the final confrontation with Jenny Jackson arrives quickly, and her capture relies heavily on coincidence. Additionally, some of the 1980s slang and references might require explanation for contemporary young readers, potentially creating barriers to full engagement.
Themes That Resonate Beyond the Mystery
Beyond its surface entertainment value, the novel explores several meaningful themes. The environmental message about protecting rare species and natural habitats is particularly relevant in today's climate-conscious world. The story also examines how institutional authority can fail, requiring young people to take initiative and speak truth to power.
The family dynamics between Ava and Luke provide emotional grounding, showing how children can maintain strong relationships even during family upheaval. Their parents' separation is handled with sensitivity, neither dramatized nor dismissed, but accepted as a reality that shapes but doesn't define the characters.
The story begins with the familiar trope of children discovering hidden secrets in their home, but Hallett quickly subverts expectations. The box contains documents from a 1983 scout camp at Chalfont Woods: diary entries, police reports, letters, and mysterious recordings that chronicle a week where two people died under supposedly accidental circumstances. What makes this discovery particularly compelling is how Hallett presents the evidence chronologically, allowing readers to piece together clues alongside the protagonists.
Final Verdict: A Mystery That Respects Its Readers
A Box Full of Murders succeeds as both an entertaining mystery and a clever literary experiment. Hallett creates a story that respects young readers' intelligence while delivering genuine surprises and emotional depth. The environmental themes and family dynamics add substance to what could have been merely a puzzle-solving exercise.
While the multimedia format occasionally overwhelms and the resolution feels somewhat hurried, these are minor flaws in an otherwise impressive achievement. The book demonstrates that children's literature can be both accessible and sophisticated, entertaining and meaningful.
For young readers who enjoy mysteries, environmental themes, or simply love a good puzzle, this book offers an engaging experience that encourages active participation rather than passive consumption. It's a mystery that trusts its readers to be smart, observant, and capable of handling complex moral questions—exactly the kind of book that can inspire a lifelong love of both reading and critical thinking.
Character Development That Feels Authentically Modern
Ava and Luke represent contemporary children dealing with very real family challenges—their parents' recent separation creates an emotional backdrop that grounds the mystery in genuine human experience. Hallett demonstrates remarkable skill in portraying sibling dynamics, capturing both their competitive banter and their unwavering loyalty to each other. Ava's determination to solve the case contrasts beautifully with Luke's more cautious approach, creating a detective partnership that feels both realistic and engaging.
The historical characters from the 1983 camp are equally well-developed despite appearing only through their written records. Each scout and guide group has distinct personalities that emerge through their diary entries and activity sheets. Ricky's earnest leadership struggles, Jackie's detective aspirations, and Josie's connection to nature all feel authentic to their time period while remaining relatable to modern readers.
Narrative Structure: A Bold Experiment That Pays Off
Perhaps the most ambitious aspect of this novel is its multimedia approach to storytelling. Rather than traditional chapters, Hallett presents the mystery through:
Text message conversations between Ava and Luke
Original 1983 documents including diary entries, police reports, and incident forms
Email exchanges and modern digital communications
Progress reports that directly engage readers as fellow detectives
This format creates an immersive experience that makes readers feel like they're examining real evidence. The authenticity of the 1980s documents is particularly impressive—Hallett captures the era's language, concerns, and technology with meticulous attention to detail. The contrast between modern digital communication and handwritten camp records adds layers of temporal depth to the narrative.
The Mystery: Layered Complexity with Environmental Themes
At its core, the mystery revolves around the supposed accidental deaths of Professor Stuart Sinclair and his assistant Maureen DeForest during a biological survey of Chalfont Woods. What begins as a simple case of mushroom poisoning evolves into a complex web involving property developers, rare bird egg collectors, and environmental destruction.
Hallett skillfully weaves multiple plot threads together: the immediate mystery of the deaths, the subplot involving kidnapped farmers, the rare bird conservation angle, and the modern-day investigation by Ava and Luke. The environmental themes feel organic to the story rather than preachy, demonstrating how greed and short-term thinking can threaten irreplaceable natural habitats.
The revelation that the woods house a unique species of "ghost bird" adds both scientific intrigue and metaphorical depth to the narrative. The bird's camouflage abilities parallel how truth can be hidden in plain sight, waiting for the right investigators to uncover it.
Where the Story Stumbles Slightly
While the multimedia format is largely successful, it occasionally feels overwhelming. Some readers might struggle to track the multiple timeline shifts and the large cast of characters from the 1983 camp. The abundance of documents, while adding authenticity, sometimes slows the pacing when readers need to parse through detailed camping schedules and badge requirements that don't directly advance the plot.
The resolution, while satisfying, feels somewhat rushed. After building suspense methodically throughout most of the book, the final confrontation with Jenny Jackson arrives quickly, and her capture relies heavily on coincidence. Additionally, some of the 1980s slang and references might require explanation for contemporary young readers, potentially creating barriers to full engagement.
Themes That Resonate Beyond the Mystery
Beyond its surface entertainment value, the novel explores several meaningful themes. The environmental message about protecting rare species and natural habitats is particularly relevant in today's climate-conscious world. The story also examines how institutional authority can fail, requiring young people to take initiative and speak truth to power.
The family dynamics between Ava and Luke provide emotional grounding, showing how children can maintain strong relationships even during family upheaval. Their parents' separation is handled with sensitivity, neither dramatized nor dismissed, but accepted as a reality that shapes but doesn't define the characters.
May 14, 2025
Janice Hallett does it again. Super happy that the 9-12 market now gets a chance to see how great her books are. As always her unique epistolary style is just incredible, the story flows well, the characters are believable and all have their unique voice. The plot itself is was structured amazingly and I love how you can see the clues and plot points develop and come together to reveal the truth behind the mystery. I also loved the use of illustrations which you don't get much from Hallett's adult work and whoever the illustrator was they did an incredible job.
Thank you to Penguin for sending me a copy x
Thank you to Penguin for sending me a copy x
August 24, 2025
I am a big fan of Janice Hallett’s books and when I heard a new one was coming out, the fact that it was aimed at middle graders did not stop me!
As usual with this author, the mystery unfolds amongst letters, emails, texts, etc. The characters are full of life and the story is so captivating, I devoured this witty whodunnit in a day or so.
I would recommend it to kids from age 11 onwards, and to all adults who have enjoyed Janice Hallett’s books so far.
🔪 🐦 ⛺️
Oh 😊 did I forget to say that it’s set in the 80’s? At a summer camp! I mean… are you still reading this review? Go get the book now!
As usual with this author, the mystery unfolds amongst letters, emails, texts, etc. The characters are full of life and the story is so captivating, I devoured this witty whodunnit in a day or so.
I would recommend it to kids from age 11 onwards, and to all adults who have enjoyed Janice Hallett’s books so far.
🔪 🐦 ⛺️
Oh 😊 did I forget to say that it’s set in the 80’s? At a summer camp! I mean… are you still reading this review? Go get the book now!
August 19, 2025
I loved this and think so many children would too! The classic way the author writes (emails, texts) is so simple to read especially for kids. I think I overly complicated some parts and missed some clues but got there in the end. 4 stars as although I know there’s kids writing diaries but I don’t like it when words are misspelled to show this as I find children copy it unknowingly.
June 21, 2025
A nice concept and readable. However it was written in a very juvenile way for the reading age - overly explaining words and terms. Something between this and Emerald Fennell’s Monsters would’ve been great.
October 30, 2025
A good fun of a book in the typical Janice Hallett style.. I enjoyed the setting, the mystery and the overall ambience of the book. My one grouse with it is that it was a tad too long. I think the camping adventures could have been crisply edited to about a hundred pages shorter.
November 22, 2025
My favourite character is Ricky I love how somebody stole his knife and I like the character Jackie and I like how they didn’t catch one of the murderers called Jenny Jackson and I like how the numbers 77345663 end up making the word egg shell so I think this book was pretty good
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 27, 2025
What a fun book! I really enjoyed the story and would’ve absolutely loved it if I had this book as a kid. I am looking forward to more from this series. Learning about the Kia Ora juice was unexpected.
May 26, 2025
A fun little mystery. I'm not sure I'm a big fan of the format, but I'm going to read one of her adult books to check.
June 10, 2025
Adorable! Hugely recommend for any mystery loving middle grade avid reader in your life.
June 12, 2025
Everything I love about Janice Hallett but in an accessible and very fun format for younger readers! Absolutely great and still quite a complex mystery, really enjoyed this.
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