Camp Killer is a murder mystery for younger readers. It is listed as being for Teens & YA, but it felt a bit simplistic for that audience. Premise is good, but the story needs more fleshing out for a wider audience.

After I finished, I did read the following note from the publisher: "Barrington Stoke books are hi-lo (high interest, low ability), meaning the content is appropriate to the age of the reader but the text is edited to suit a lower reading age. This ensures that our books are accessible to all - as a quick engaging win for confident readers and a satisfying achievement for those who have to work harder. For more information on our books, please visit our website: https://www.barringtonstoke.co.uk/"

So that makes sense thinking of my assessment. Overall, the book was not meant for me. I'd say 2.5 stars- 2 for me, perhaps closer to three for someone in the target audience.

1.5 Stars

I swear, I blinked and this book was over. Woefully short at just under 130 pages, this is more like a novella.

The premise behind this story is classic B movie, camp horror that centers around a legend told around a bonfire at summer camp. The stuff of urban legends, it has all the horror film tropes and is more reminiscent of Scream than Friday the 13th in that sense.

The pacing starts slow, but then bulldozes forward to a spiraling twist of an ending. I kept reading because I wanted to know the identity of the killer and whether this would actually have a paranormal edge.

The foundation of this story is solid and as an avid YA horror reader, it left me wanting more. I loved the idea behind this book. A modern YA summer camp thriller. Perfect. But it was more of a skeleton of a story than a fleshed out work.

There were several characters-the camp counselors, all connected by the fact that their parents attended camp together in the past. These characters had some identifying characteristics sprinkled in, like one had a girlfriend and had pronouns “they/them” or another one was a lifeguard or training for the Olympics. However, these things were all offhand mentioned. There wasn’t any real deep dive into the characters; they were all lacking development. There’s a serious lack of description throughout the book. There are basic and I mean, BASIC, descriptors like that there’s a lake or a castle-like building, or some cabins around a bonfire. That’s it. No more. Even the murders have minimal description and it takes away the whole horror of the situation. Had there been more description, I feel like the overall mood would have been more spooky and unsettling-instead, it fell flat. It was hard to build any connections with the characters or feel any emotion when they died because there was not enough time to actually care.

The ending was abrupt and cut off quickly, almost like snuffing out a candle, with a single line meant to hint at a cliffhanger.

This just wasn’t it for me.

If you’re looking for a quick read to get you hyped up for spooky season, this might be a fun start.

This was the perfect spooky, bloody sleep away camp story I have been craving! It is written for middle grade and is a novella, clocking in at a little over 100 pages.

I really enjoyed the atmosphere of this story. Of course, we have to start with a ghost story around the campfire! I enjoyed that the horror wasn't reserved for just night time. No one was safe, day or night. It can be hard to truly get to know the characters in a short story but overall Murphy does a great job making us care about the cast. With several twists you won't see coming, "Welcome to Camp Killer" keeps you on your toes to the very end.

Thank you to NetGalley and Barrington Stoke for this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily and all views expressed are my own.

**Book Review: Welcome to Camp Killer**

"Welcome to Camp Killer" offers a delightful blend of mystery and spookiness within the context of a summer camp adventure. Set against the backdrop of an English stately home, the book introduces readers to the premise of an American-style residential camp, where teenage camp counselors anticipate an exciting summer filled with activities and camaraderie.

The narrative quickly takes an eerie turn as a sense of unease settles upon Camp Miller. The campgrounds harbor a dark history, shrouded in a tragic legend that sparks rumors and ghostly sightings. As the counselors prepare for the summer, a series of unexplained accidents unfolds, from near-drownings to fatal falls, leaving everyone to question whether these events are mere coincidences or part of something more sinister.

The story's pacing is commendable, propelling readers forward with its page-turning momentum. The initial introduction of the camp's haunted history sets a foreboding tone that lingers throughout, creating an atmosphere reminiscent of classic ghost stories. The narrative masterfully navigates the tension between the eerie and the thrilling, making it an engaging read for young readers.

The book is expertly tailored for its target audience, offering a concise yet engaging narrative that captures the imagination of young readers while keeping accessibility in mind. The plot's twist adds a layer of darkness and intrigue, elevating the mystery to unexpected depths. The review also highlights the potential trade-off between character depth and accessibility, acknowledging that the book's primary goal is to engage and entertain readers within a specific age range.

Comparisons to the beloved Goosebumps series evoke nostalgia and showcase the book's ability to evoke that particular sense of creepy excitement that characterizes well-loved children's horror literature. The mention of a plot twist being "dark and twisty" hints at the complexity and unexpectedness that the narrative offers, even within its accessible framework.

While the I acknowledges its divergence from the target readership, I still finds merit in the book's execution and accessibility, recognizing its potential to captivate young readers and provide them with an engaging reading experience. Ultimately, "Welcome to Camp Killer" receives praise for its successful blend of horror, mystery, and summer camp vibes, making it a compelling recommendation for young readers seeking a spooky yet accessible adventure.

Ghosts and Ghastly Murders Abound in this Novel!!

Welcome to Camp Killer has a classic premise but delivers some great and gross thrills. A group of camp counselors arrives early to set up for an upcoming summer camp. However, after a collection of ghost stories gets shared, one seems to take root in the mind. That inkling grows into some mysterious dealings where some of the staff begin to get hurt. What starts off scary, gets downright terrifying as stakes raise and the body count rises.

I really enjoyed this book. It was quickly paced and truly a harrowing thrill ride. I loved it so much that I read it in one setting. Oh and the twists and turns of this novel, rival that of some great mystery writers. So run out and grab this book for yourself. You won't be disappointed.

This novella is an about a group of people being councillors during summer camp, and the name is quite self-explanatory. For fans of YA and/or murder mysteries, read this.

I really liked this, and it was definitely a page turner for me. Every single chapter stopped on a cliffhanger, so it was impossible to put down. Also loved that the plot constantly had me guessing!

going into this I wasn’t fully sure what to expect, was it a paranormal fiction type short story or a short mystery? I loved how it tied in both, so you didn’t know who the culprit was or whether there really was a ghost. I think that added to the surprise at the end.

The story started off slowly there were ‘accidents’ here and there, I was worried there wasn’t going to be more depth and excitement. But believe me when I say it gets so good, it picks up quickly, gets gory and violent, you just can’t help but turn the pages and read as fast as you possibly can. It really kept you guessing right till the end, I had no idea who the killer would end up being. I devoured the last half in about 15 minutes.

I’m glad this was only around 130 pages because I think it had more of an impact being shorter. As the pace picked up, so did your heart rate and I really enjoyed it.

the only thing that could’ve been improved was how the main character (holly) reacted to everything. Sometimes I didn’t believe things had actually happened because she was so calm and everyone else was freaking out.

But overall, this is a really great read. Short, entertaining, gory, a little spooky. Definitely worth a read. Glad I requested this one, looking forward to finishing Cynthia’s other book ‘win lose kill die’.

When an American-style residential camp is set up in the grounds of an English stately home, the teenage camp counsellors are looking forward to a fun summer of activities. It all starts with a harmless “campfire story” around a bonfire, reciting g a local legend about what took place on the grounds before it became a camp. The story was super fast (I read it in 1 night), I do realize it is a YA story, however I feel it was written almost too simply. There was no background to the characters, and as awful things happen to them, I want to feel bad, but I haven’t been given any I do about them to really muster true feelings. On the flip side, too graphic to be a children’s thriller. Unfortunately I am having to give this a 2 ⭐️ rating because of the lack of background and buildup. There was very little description of the camp, I feel like it landed flat.
Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this book.

This was a short read and really fast paced, you jump right into the story with creepy things happening to our characters immediately. I would have loved if the book was longer where we could get to know our characters more.

This was a short and fast thriller book.

I really enjoyed it and the fact that it got to the point really quick. if you're in a reading slump or just want to start reading thriller books, this is a very good book to pick up.

Thank you to Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book was fast-paced and quickly went from "oh someone is hunting us" to "omg people are dying this is worse than we thought". Good for any teens who want a quick read on the beach and be slightly terrified.

A short, fast-paced little slasher story. Very “appropriate” for summer with the setting of the novella with the summer camp. I got slight Mats Strandberg-vibes!

Thank you netgalley for this arc in exchange for an honest review.
I always love reading this author because there is always such a fine line between thriller and supernatural and I am here for that!! This is a short, quick read but it packs a sucker punch to the gut and doesn’t let up from start to finish!!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for a copy of this book. All opinions are 100% my own.

I love Cynthia Murphy as an author and I’ve loved other books of hers, but this one unfortunately missed the mark.

The concept of being stuck in a camp with mysterious happenings seemingly committed by a ghost was so interesting. I couldn’t put it down and finished in under an hour!

My main issue with this book was the length. I know it is a novella but there was too much going on in too few pages. None of the characters had any back story and the twist at the end didn’t have any build up or clues leading up to it.

I feel like elements of this book are too dark to be aimed at young adults and lacked the suitable trigger warnings.

An exciting gateway to thrillers for young readers. This incredibly fast paced story has all the vital elements of a beginner slasher book for younger readers.
Whilst it would have benefitted greatly from being longer and allowing us to get to know the characters a little more, I found it an enjoyable and easy read. It's full of tension building red-herrings and a classic bit of who-dunnit finger pointing with no room for a breather between events, meaning I physically could not put the book down.
I would definitely recommend this book to younger readers with a lower reading level, the perfect book for Autumn. I just know that younger me would have absolutely loved this book!

Welcome to Camp Killer by Cynthia Murphy is a enthralling fast paced young adult horror short story. When an American-style camp is set up in England eight camp counselors are joined in to host a week at Camp Miller- but what happens when things start going wrong and murders occur?

This captivating murder mystery was easy to follow and fun to see unravel. The gradual buildup of tension added to the excitement of reading. It was a page turner, and I read it all in one sitting. It kind of reminded me of a Scooby Doo film, with them all guessing at who was pulling the "pranks" and later on who was killing.

The book was shorter, so we didn't get the chance to truly see the characters developed personalities other than the original brief summary. But, it was still fun to see how everything laid out in the end.

I would definitely recommend if you are in the mood for a short horror novel, this one was a thrill. Thank you to NetGalley, Barrington Stoke, and the author for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Holly is excited to start work as a counsellor at the brand new Camp Miller, a residential camp based on the ever popular vacation staple of American youngsters. There are eight teenagers working there and everyone is looking forward to being away from home, enjoying their favourite sports, and getting paid for the privilege!

When they settle around the firepit on the first night the atmosphere begins to change, rumours apparently abound about their stately home location and a ghost has been seen moving through the grounds. Maybe it should be called Camp Killer instead! Separating for the night the silence is broken by screams and although the problem is quickly dealt with everyone is on edge. Before long however, the situation begins to get out of hand as Camp Killer threatens to live up to its name!

This quick, YA/Horror read didn't quite live up to its perceived potential. Described as suitable for ages 13+ but edited to a reading age of 8 this definitely fulfils that brief but unfortunately, for me at least, it failed to deliver in other areas. The counsellors, who are the main characters, never seemed to get out of first gear by which I mean they were introduced and then there was no development or growth. The horror elements whilst obviously written for early teens were quite rushed and even though there were fatalities there was no sense of jeopardy or danger creeping ever closer. I do think though that someone trying this genre for the first time might find it a good starting point to test the waters so to speak.

I was able to read an advanced copy of this book thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, Barrington Stoke, but the opinions expressed are my own. I was disappointed in this and found it, even for the designated age range, a little tame.

"Welcome to Camp Killer" is a ya thriller, with horror nuances, written by Cynthia Murphy.

The story follows a group of teenagers, appointed counselors at a summer residential camp, American-style, built on the grounds of an old English mansion. The teens are excited and looking forward to a fun summer of activities. But right from the outset, things don't feel quite right at Camp Miller. Rumors circulate about a brutal past tragedy that occurred on the grounds of the property, and there are the unexplained sightings of a ghostly presence. Then the incidents begin, increasingly serious: snakes in the beds, a near-drowning in the lake, a fatal fall from a cliff face. Are these tragic coincidences or is there something more sinister going on at the summer camp?

The book is basically a short story, in my opinion rushed in its development and not very thorough. However, despite its flaws, I found it to be a compelling, atmospheric and mysterious read that I enjoyed and kept me entertained.

I found the writing sparkling, evocative and simple, with descriptions quite fascinating. I liked a lot the eerie undertone creeping through the pages, the air of mystery and uncertainty. In my opinion the author handled the suspense and the more sinister component very well, keeping me intrigued from beginning to end.

The story unfolds quickly, probably too quickly. In fact, a more placid, introductory beginning is followed by an abrupt acceleration, with events following one another in a frenzy, without pause. While this makes the narration energetic and peppy, it also makes it excessively convulsive. Actions simply slide one after another, important revelations are thrown out and then forgotten, without deepening or explaining. I admit that this did not bother me, because I was absorbed in the events, however, I would have liked a little more calm and information. I really liked the setting of the camp site, as well as the eerie tale related to the ancient mansion.

The characters, for me, follow the same fate as the story. I found them superficial and flat, poorly characterized. On more than one occasion I risked confusing them with each other because of the lack of distinctive elements. Nevertheless, I followed them with pleasure, without boredom. Of course, in the end they conveyed nothing to me, leaving me completely indifferent to their fate, yet they kept me entertained.

All in all, I found it a light ya thriller story, with horror elements, perfect for a summer evening.

Thank you to the Publisher and NetGalley for giving me an ARC of this book in exchange of an honest review.

I would maybe recommend this to readers who are new to horror and don't want to jump right into something truly crazy. This fell rather flat for me, I wanted more from numerous aspects of the book. I liked the setting, though. I'm willing to check out more from Cynthia Murphy in the future.

Welcome to Camp Killer follows a group of summer camp counselors working at a camp. The camp has a sinister past and soon weird things start happening. The counselors start experiencing paranormal things. Can they get out before it is too late?

To be honest I was very let down by this book. I am such a fan of YA horror books. But this one did not seem scary at all. This book seems like it was written by someone who wants to be R.L. Stine. I thought this book was just okay. Was a good story but I just wanted more of a horror vibe. I also felt like the end felt a little rushed. I do want to read more by this author though. But this one just fell flat for me