I’m linking up with Top Ten Tuesday, which was created by The Broke and the Bookish and is now hosted by Jana at That Artsy Reader Girl. Check out upcoming Top Ten themes on Jana’s blog,
Today on Top Ten Tuesday, the prompt is “Genre Freebie,” and in honor of Summer of Horror I’m focusing on “Camp Horror,” a subgenre I haven’t really thought about before. But we are in the middle of summer, so I think it’s the perfect time for it. Luckily, it wasn’t hard to find ten books! I’ve read seven out of ten of these, and the others are on my TBR.
My Heart Is a Chainsaw (The Indian Lake Trilogy #1) by Stephen Graham Jones. The whole trilogy has a “slasher/camp” vibe, but the first book really nails it. The story revolves around Camp Blood, where a series of murders took place. Most of the story doesn’t involve the camp per se, but I had to include this book anyway.
The Final Girl Support Group by Grady Hendrix. This is another book that has a small “camp horror” element, but I thought it worked for this list. One of the final girl characters has a terrible past involving a Friday the 13th-like slasher event at a camp. This was an over-the-top story but a lot of fun!
Good Girls Don’t Die by Christina Henry. This book was wild! The story revolves around three women who are connected, but the reader doesn’t know how until the end. One of the women is involved in a camping/slasher scenario and it was a lot of fun:-)
Wilderness Reform by Matt Query & Harrison Query. This is a story about a camp for troubled teens, and some bad stuff happens. I enjoyed this, despite the slow beginning.
Two Sides to Every Murder by Danielle Valentine. I love this author, but I did not love this book, lol. Still, it’s a fun example of camp horror, so I’m including it on this list.
Heads Will Roll by Josh Winning. There are literally heads rolling in this story, and I loved it!
Camp Damascus by Chuck Tingle. Are you looking for horror at a gay conversion camp? Then this is the right book for you!
You’re Not Supposed to Die Tonight by Kalynn Bayron. This is a YA slasher that I haven’t read, but it’s being compared to Fear Street.
The Lake House by Sarah Beth Durst. This camp horror YA story doesn’t have great reviews, unfortunately, but the story sounds interesting!
The Man With No Shadow (How to Survive Camping #1) by Bonnie Quinn. This horror story is on my August TBR, and I can’t wait to read it!
Well it’s perfect for a summer of horror indeed Tammy!
I’ve read The Final Girl Support Group by Grady Hendrix! Great list, Tammy! 😀
Oh, I love this topic. So fun.
I never went to summer camp growing up, but it sure is amusing to read about.
What a fun choice! I love books set in or around summer camp. So I will be checking several of these out. And I did really like The Final Girls Support Group. 😀
I have Camp Damascus on my TBR, and I’m really interested in the Sarah Beth Durst book too! Such a fun topic, I love it!
Haze
https://thebookhaze.com/
Camp Damascus is on my TBR!
I love this choice! I have been in a huge horror mood this summer, and I didn’t even think to gravitate towards books that take place at summer camps ♀️ They always give me an 80s horror vibe, which I LOVE. I’ll definitely be checking some of these out!
Oh fun! I’ve read two… so glad my own summer camp adventures were never like these!
Haven’t read any of these books yet, but Camp Horror really brings back memories of movies when I was younger. So very many horror movies. 🙂
Taking notes, as ever! A couple of these sound like eeexcellent choices for my wife at Christmas.
I’m glad to see that Grady Hendrix book on your list! 🙂
I love camping horrors! How to survive camping looks especially interesting.
I just read Camp Damascus last month and enjoyed it a lot. Hope to pick up the author’s newest soon. I have also read The Lake House and You’re Not Supposed to Die Tonight. I love camp horror. I would also recommend the book Campfire by Shaun Sarles.
I’ve read five of these and great to see them on your list.
I should probably check out the others too.
Lynn 😀
I haven’t read any of these but I love this theme. I think My Heart is a Chainsaw would be my first choice to try.
Ah when I first saw the title I thought this was going to be a list of campy horror, but this is so much cooler! Definitely lots of creepy potential for the setting!
Great theme for this past week! I’ve read four books from your list and am looking forward to several others.