As a bookstore that loves all things horror, Summerween is the perfect excuse for us to break out our favorite horror books without waiting for October to roll around. There's something about a good summertime, campy slasher that brings us joy. That's not weird right? Right?
Anyway, here are 10 of our favorite books to celebrate Summerween!
Meddling Kids by Edgar Cantero
If you want a horror novel that's heavy on the nostalgia, look no further than Meddling Kids. This brings our favorite childhood cartoon fully into adulthood through the Blyton Summer Detective Club, a group of 4 teenagers and their dog who spend their summer vacations solving mysteries in idyllic Blyton Hills.
Diavola by Jennifer Thorne
Summerween meets European Summer. Diavola takes a family full of, frankly, bad people and puts them in a haunted Italian villa that's equally as evil. It's kind of like White Lotus, but with a vengeful demon roommate. This is for all of you who dread your family's summer vacation.
Summer Fun Massacre by Craig DiLouie
I mean, the title kind of says it all. A town decides to reopen a summer camp where a deadly massacre took place in the 1980s and the dreaded slasher cycle starts all over again. Which, of course, means the 1983 final girl must reunite with her ex-boyfriend turned sheriff to stop the killer before too many bodies pile up.
Camp Damascus by Chuck Tingle
We love all things Chuck Tingle around here, but Camp Damascus remains our favorite. This one takes the whole summer-camp themed horror genre to another whole level by setting it in the self-proclaimed “most effective” gay conversion camp in the country.
You're Not Supposed to Die Tonight by Kalynn Bayron
Don't let the fact that this is technically a teen horror novel keep you from picking it up. You're Not Supposed to Die Tonight is the quintessential teen slasher. This novel follows the "final girl" of an extreme-horror experience at Camp Mirror Lake, who ends up having fighting for her own life when the scares turn real.
Night of the Mannequins by Stephen Graham Jones
What happens when a group of bored teens decide to plan one more summer prank? Well, nothing good. Night of the Mannequins is a hilarious, blood-soaked horror novella from one of our all-time favorite horror authors. Pack this one in your lake bag and read the whole thing in one day.
Clown in a Cornfield by Adam Cesare
Don't judge us, but this is one of our comfort books (and movies)! If you want a gore-filled, adrenaline rush of a book, Clown in a Cornfield is exactly that. This one hits especially hard for all of us midwesterners who grew up surrounded by summer cornfields. Plus, there are 2 other books in the series already with a fourth coming out in August.
Breakout by Dhonielle Clayton, Tiffany D. Jackson, Nic Stone
This one technically takes place over spring break, but we're counting it anyway! Part of the anthology series by Dhonielle Clayton, Tiffany D. Jackson, Nic Stone, Break Out follows a group of teens staying at a luxurious Florida resort and this vacation may be their last.
Summer of the Serpent by Cecilia Eudave
Set in the 1970s in Guadalajara, Mexico, Summer of the Serpent is a sweltering, fever-dream of a novel. Weaving in psychological suspense and local legend, this tiny little horror novel asks an age-old question about childhood innocence and human cruelty.
Maeve Fly by C.J. Leede
Nothing says summer like a trip to a mouse-themed amusement park (wink, wink). Maeve Fly is one of those novels that still makes us cringe after all these years. This is the ultimate "good-for-her" horror and is not for the faint of heart. PS: We recommend watching the 2013 horror movie Escape from Tomorrow after reading.
Underbrush July Horror Box
Want a curated box of Summer Slasher books from our booksellers? There's still time to get our July Quarterly Horror box! This theme is perfect for all of you who would never dare to step foot on Amity Island over Fourth of July weekend or Camp Crystal Lake in June.
