Whether you’re looking for tales of supernatural encounters, psychological thrillers, or classic slasher stories, these ten spooky books about summer camp will keep you on the edge of your seat. Prepare for heart-pounding suspense and unsettling mysteries as you explore the darker side of summer adventures. Grab a flashlight and settle in— these stories will make you think twice before sleeping in a cabin in the woods!
The Last Time I Lied by Riley Sager
When Emma returns to the summer camp where her friends vanished fifteen years ago, she finds herself haunted by the memories and the camp’s chilling secrets. The camp, now under new ownership, seems to have a life of its own, revealing dark truths as Emma tries to uncover what really happened to her friends. With a cast of intriguing characters and a web of suspenseful twists, Sager crafts a thrilling psychological mystery that explores the fragility of friendship, the weight of guilt, and the lengths one will go to face the past.
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Camp So-and-So by Mary McCoy
In this novel, girls embark on a summer filled with adventure and unexpected twists. Each chapter introduces a new perspective from a different camper, revealing a mix of humor and horror as they face strange occurrences. As friendships are tested and secrets come to light, the girls must band together to confront the mysterious forces at play. McCoy’s novel blends elements of campfire tales with contemporary issues, capturing the spirit of summer camp while exploring themes of identity, empowerment, and the importance of courage in the face of fear.
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The Lake by Natasha Preston
Esme and Kayla are thrilled to return to Camp Pine Lake as counselors in training, eager to relive the joy of their childhood. Esme adores her cabin full of young girls, amused by their innocent fears—spiders, the stern head counselor, and the darkness. However, the shadow of a past transgression looms over them. Years ago, they did something terrible that they promised to keep hidden. As they settle into camp life, a mysterious note appears: “THE LAKE NEVER FORGETS”. With their buried secret threatening to resurface, Esme and Kayla must confront the haunting truth before it consumes them.
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Camp Scare by Delilah S. Dawson
In this book, summer fun quickly turns into spine-tingling thrills as a group of campers encounters eerie happenings that defy explanation. When the legendary monster of the camp begins to haunt their dreams, the kids must navigate their fears and band together to uncover the truth behind the camp’s terrifying reputation. With humor and heart, Dawson’s middle-grade novel captures the essence of friendship and bravery, all the while delivering a chilling adventure that reminds readers of the fine line between fear and courage. Will they survive the camp’s darkest secrets or will they be lost forever?
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Kill River by Cameron Roubique
Set against the backdrop of a seemingly perfect summer camp, Kill River follows a group of friends as they embark on what they think will be an unforgettable vacation. However, their excitement quickly turns into horror when a masked killer begins picking them off one by one. As fear escalates and trust crumbles, the survivors must confront their worst nightmares while racing against time to escape the camp alive. Roubique crafts a gripping slasher tale that pays homage to classic horror films while providing a fresh twist on the summer camp genre, full of unexpected surprises.
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Camp Murderface by Josh Berk and Saundra Mitchell
In Camp Murderface, the campers are in for a summer full of twists, turns, and terrifying surprises. With a blend of humor and horror, this story follows a diverse group of kids as they navigate camp life and unearth bizarre mysteries lurking in the woods. As friendships are formed and fears confronted, the campers must come together to unravel the camp’s dark history before it’s too late. Berk and Mitchell create a captivating narrative that mixes laughs with chills, highlighting the importance of camaraderie and courage in the face of the unknown.
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Camp Carnage by Joshua Winning and Elliot Arthur Cross
In the summer of 1986, Billy Collins is sent to Camp Genesis, a nightmarish place designed to “correct” gay teens under the strict supervision of Katherine Creevey. While enduring cruel, gender-based lessons meant to shame and control, Billy senses something darker lurking within the camp. Unbeknownst to him, two campers were brutally murdered just a few years before. When people begin vanishing again, Billy and his new friend Jem must unravel the camp’s chilling secrets. Is there a killer on the loose, or is something more sinister at play? At Camp Genesis, survival is the only option.
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You’re Not Supposed To Die Tonight by Kalynn Bayron
At Camp Mirror Lake, fear is just part of the job—until it becomes deadly. Charity Curtis lands her dream gig playing the “final girl” in a horror experience where guests pay to be terrified, reenacting scenes from the slasher film ‘Curse of Camp Mirror Lake’. But as the season’s final weekend kicks off, her co-workers start vanishing, and soon one turns up dead. What was once a game is now a fight for survival. With her girlfriend Bezi by her side, Charity must uncover the dark truth behind the camp’s past before they become the killer’s next victims.
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Primal Animals by Julia Lynn Rubin
Arlee Gold arrives at Camp Rockaway, eager for a fresh start and hoping to follow in her mother’s footsteps. The camp seems perfect—she bonds with her amazing cabin mates and even develops a crush on the girl in the bunk above her. But something is off. The other campers keep their distance, fueling Arlee’s growing paranoia. When she’s invited to join a mysterious secret society, she thinks it’s her chance to fit in. However, the initiation involves a chilling challenge that threatens not only her life but also the safety of her crush. Will Arlee escape the camp’s sinister grip?
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