I love Janice Hallett's adult books and was hoping I'd love this too but I'm not sure her unique mixed media style 100% translated for kids. There were some good parts, I enjoyed the humor and illustrations - I also think kids might not crack the code. I however felt it was too long with too much extra info that was not always germane. For a kids mystery book coming in at over 450 pages I think it could have been edited down a bit. Overall, a quick average read for me.

A Box Full of Murders is a great middle grade mystery which hews closely to Janice Hallett's best-selling formula of utilising archival and written material - in this case, a box full of papers from a scout and guide camp in the 1980s which has been found in an attic, and text messages between siblings Ava and Luke, who are living separately following their parents' split. Ideal for fans of the Murder Most Unladylike series.

I was so excited when I heard Janice Hallett was bringing out a children's book and she did not disappoint! The characters were great and the plot was very fun. I love the way Hallett writes and the tools she uses. This will be such a fun read for so many children, standing out from many other mystery books for the age group.
I cannot wait for more of this series and I will be recommending this highly to young and older readers alike.