I liked Welcome to Camp Killer!
I thought it was a quick and enjoyable read.
The only reason I'm giving it 3 stars instead of 4, is that I thought it was too short and definitely could have been longer.
I felt like iy would have been so much better as a full length novel with everything fleshed out more.
It was still a good read so I would still recommend it!

Thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest.

It was a quick read, I'm not sure if it's good or bad but it's really short. I felt like I got in the middle of the story, I couldn't even remember who's who. I think, this was made into a simple thriller because of the target readers so I get that it's not really for me. Overall, I think YA will enjoy it for its straightforward story and also the cover is nice, appealing which is good.

As an English teacher, I know that not every student is a reader, and these days authors are coming out with books that are longer and longer and for reluctant readers, that can be very intimidating. No matter how engaging the story may be looking at a book that is 400 or 500 pages long can be really daunting for a student. This book was the perfect length, and got right into the story, there wasn’t a ton of backstory that needed to be remembered or sifted through. It got right to the action in a way that really would’ve appealed to a young reader. Our protagonist are counselors at a camp on a site that has a horrible history and as the night goes on and more and more people end up dead, both of the characters and the reader wonder if ghosts are real.

This was a quick read, more of a novella really. It’s a creepy little camp tale, with a fitting ghost story to go along. It has some definite Fear Street vibes, spooky yet still safe enough for a younger reader. I like the ending very much & almost feel there could be a sequel?

In WELCOME TO CAMP KILLER we're following Holly at an American-style summer camp in England. Like any good summer camp, there's lore of murder, and campfires, and plenty of activities. And then weird stuff starts happening and the counselors lives are seemingly in danger.

This had all the trappings of a good time and I love a summer teen slasher.

That being said, this was very straightforward. We spend all of our time moving along the action step-by-step, in a very linear fashion. I couldn't get a grasp on any of the characters and they all felt so flat to me that I often forgot who our main character was.

And when we get to the big reveal, it didn't really spark anything. There's no way you can go back and re-read and puzzle it all together. It could have been anyone, and the motivation felt incredible weak.

It's very staccato in the way it's laid out, and the writing itself reads more middle grade (or younger) but the content is very much for an older teen crowd.

If you want a fast and short slasher, go for it. But as a slasher lover, it just feels like it's missing something.

Thank you to the author and publisher for an advanced e-reader copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

3.5 stars

A short, fast-paced horror story that had me gripped. In a short number of pages, Cynthia Murphy manages to create a creepy atmosphere at the camp, provides characters with layers and produces a good plot twist.

**Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy of this title in exchange for a fair and honest review**

That went by so quickly! A great story with a couple of good twists but I wanted more. I understand why it was a short story and love the work that Barrington Stoke do but I'd love to read a longer version of this one. I didn't feel like I got to know any of the characters.

This is a American Style Camp Horror but make it across the pond.

Chad is a American Camp Counselor who wants to bring the American camp style to England. What he didn’t except was a killer to come to camp.

This is less then 130 pages so it all goes by really quickly. I was able to read the whole book in the span of an hour.

It’s a great YA book for those who want to get into slasher horror without the gore. This book definitely does not go into the gore detail.

It has good camp slasher vibes with some ghost tales mixed into it.

Camp Miller sounds like it's going to be a nice friendly camp for kids and Holly, one of the new counsellors is excited to get started. But then a ghost story on the first night sets the scene for a lot of trouble.
This was very fast moving but still really easy to read. So action packed, it didn't let up for a minute, and the suspense just kept growing. The twist at the end was definitely unexpected, I couldn't guess whether it was actually going to be supernatural or not.

Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this book.

From start to finish I got Point Horror and Goosebumps vibes (it took me back to when I was younger, devouring similar books).

It was a nice enjoyable read and I believe pre-adolescents, as well as those younger/older, will enjoy the story.. i'll definitely recommend it to my niece & nephew

This was a fun fast paced ya thriller. It is labeled as Young Adult but id written in a way to appeal to an even younger audience which was okay. I preferer more adult thriller/horror aspects but like I said this was a fun short book to just get me in the summery mood.

Perfect book for the target audience

A great short read that I read in one sitting. The story did keep me guessing despite being for a YA/ Teen audience! I also love that the writing style is altered for different reading levels!

A supper fun, short horror story that was full of dark and twisty moments.

For such a short book I really enjoyed this one and it got the heart pumping at the end.

I loved that this was a camp setting set in Northern England (where I’m from) so felt like I connected with the surroundings in the book. There’s something so creepy about camps and big stately homes in the middle on nowhere!

Defo recommend to anyone that like’s more YA horror or is maybe looking to get into reading horror.

🏕️ 𝐖𝐞𝐥𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐓𝐨 𝐂𝐚𝐦𝐩 𝐊𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐫 𝐛𝐲 𝐂𝐲𝐧𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐚 𝐌𝐮𝐫𝐩𝐡𝐲
𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐞: 𝐘𝐀 𝐇𝐨𝐫𝐫𝐨𝐫 | 𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐫
𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫: 𝚃𝚘 𝙱𝚎 𝚁𝚎𝚕𝚎𝚊𝚜𝚎𝚍 𝟽𝚝𝚑 𝚂𝚎𝚙𝚝𝚎𝚖𝚋𝚎𝚛 𝟸𝟶𝟸𝟹

𝐌𝐲 𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: 𝟒 ⭐️
I didn’t expect to like this short book so much! Whilst reading it I remembered it is suitable for 13yos so I wasn’t expecting much.

But… this was such an easy read and it sucks you in immediately. Just over 100 pages this can be read in one sitting!

An American style summer camp has opened on the grounds of an English Stately Home in Somerset, England. However the first evening the councillors are there strange things start to happen.

It was fast paced, unpredictable and had all the right slasher summer camp vibes. I obviously would have loved this much much darker but it was 👌🏻 for its right target audience.

Thank you to Barrington Stoke and @netgalley for this Arc!

𝚃𝚘 𝙱𝚎 𝚁𝚎𝚕𝚎𝚊𝚜𝚎𝚍 𝟽𝚝𝚑 𝚂𝚎𝚙𝚝𝚎𝚖𝚋𝚎𝚛 𝟸𝟶𝟸𝟹

#netgalley #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #bookstagramuk #netgalleyreads #netgalleyuk #bookreview #yahorror #yathriller #summercamp #welcometocampkiller #cynthiamurphy

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!