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A Murder Most Camp
The Guncle meets Every Time I Go On Vacation Someone Dies in this fun, twisty mystery following a spoiled nepo baby forced to work at a struggling summer camp who stumbles into a real-life murder mystery he has no choice but to solve.
Rustic cabins. Lakefront bonfires. A painfully hot lifeguard. And a murder? Summer has never been this camp.
Mikey Hartford IV has coasted through his twenties in a distracted blur of yachts and sex and partying. But when his father discovers his latest million-dollar impulse buy and changes the terms of his trust, the party's finally over. Now, unless Mikey can make a positive contribution to the world before his thirtieth birthday—one that doesn't involve throwing cash at his problems—he'll never see another yacht again. (Or even so much as a canoe.)
Camp Lore, a struggling summer camp in upstate New York where Mikey has to work as the oldest, least-qualified staffer to prove that he can "do good" alongside his twelve-year-old aunt. (Yes, aunt.) But Mikey isn't sure he'll be able to survive the camp's ramshackle living conditions, let alone the gaggle of preteens who won't leave his side. And when his campers become obsessed with a local legend set at an abandoned cabin on the grounds, Mikey's chances of not making it through the summer become dangerously real—because it turns out there's a murder hidden beneath Camp Lore. And someone there will stop at nothing to keep it that way.
Solving a decade-old cold case will surely be enough "good" for Mikey to earn his inheritance. He just has to stay alive long enough to do it…
Rustic cabins. Lakefront bonfires. A painfully hot lifeguard. And a murder? Summer has never been this camp.
Mikey Hartford IV has coasted through his twenties in a distracted blur of yachts and sex and partying. But when his father discovers his latest million-dollar impulse buy and changes the terms of his trust, the party's finally over. Now, unless Mikey can make a positive contribution to the world before his thirtieth birthday—one that doesn't involve throwing cash at his problems—he'll never see another yacht again. (Or even so much as a canoe.)
Camp Lore, a struggling summer camp in upstate New York where Mikey has to work as the oldest, least-qualified staffer to prove that he can "do good" alongside his twelve-year-old aunt. (Yes, aunt.) But Mikey isn't sure he'll be able to survive the camp's ramshackle living conditions, let alone the gaggle of preteens who won't leave his side. And when his campers become obsessed with a local legend set at an abandoned cabin on the grounds, Mikey's chances of not making it through the summer become dangerously real—because it turns out there's a murder hidden beneath Camp Lore. And someone there will stop at nothing to keep it that way.
Solving a decade-old cold case will surely be enough "good" for Mikey to earn his inheritance. He just has to stay alive long enough to do it…
368 pages, Paperback
First published April 28, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 336 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
✰ 3 stars ✰
Not to start off on a serious note, but how come no one ever writes fiction about the adverse effects of cutting off someone from something that pretty much has been a certainty all of their lives? It's always the argument that it's for your own good to be a better person, but why do we never get a glimpse of how they may at first struggle from being deprived of that assured dependency?
Just saying. 🙆🏻♀️
Anyhoo, I did enjoy my trifecta with DiDomizio's works. Very easy breezy, pumpkin cheesy (literally) kind of a read for Saturday morning. Where as a millennial, thankfully, the many cultural pop references did not go over my head. 💪🏻 But, also, yes, sadly, were a tad too much, like I get that Mikey is a film aficionado, and it made for a great ringing endorsement of Clueless' revival, but yeah, it got a bit unnecessary pushed in at times. 😮💨
But not knowing Bonnie Tyler? What an affront! 😆 Although nowadays teens and tweens would probably only ever pick up on anything only when it's a viral sensation - on TikTok or the gram. 🤷🏻♀️ I can't say for certain if Annabelle and the SAG party were realistically portrayed, what with their offhand gay comments, but it was fun to see how Mikey dealt with their enthusiastic obsession into investigating Camp Lore's decade old cold case.
“It was just about getting you to a place where you care about your life.”
The mystery itself is a predictable chase, fairly reminiscent of Mikey's love of 90s cult campy classics. But, as an ode to those flicks that still make me smile and laugh for their campiness, there is that layer of trauma and self-reflection that shines amidst the adversity. 😤 One which even Mikey was struggling with, but burying deep, until he found his niche that allowed him to admit that he was someone with feelings allowed to care.
For it truly does live up to its name, of how A Murder Most Camp, not only in the literal sense, but one taking place at a summer camp exclusive for trust fund babies, packed with their own share of cliché family strife and a limited supporting cast. It's obvious, pretty early on, who is the likely culprit, which I suppose also fits the bill of campy teen thrillers. 😏
Ah, take me back to those good ole days. ⏳🙃
“But if this is truly what Mikey wanted, then why does it feel less like a victory and more like a sad inevitability?”
I'm not sure if it was a good thing that not everyone was of sound moral with traces of the f the darkest parts of humanity, his li, Jackson, included. but Jackson helping Mikey see that he was more than just the years of trauma, otherness, and rejection he was shouldering was sweet. 🥺 Their repartee had some endearing quips, and as a tag team that buoyed on conflicting emotions also nicely played out. And ew, Jamie. 😬 What a horrid little person. Good riddance to cheapskate rubbish.
And I hate to be that guy, but pretty smooth sailing in terms of editing till the end, where I picked up a couple of spelling errors. There was also a comment that I think might offend some. Maybe I'm reading too much into it, but there was a comment that I think might be offensive to some - 😕
“... trying to define camp is perhaps the least campy thing one can do in the first place.”
Not to start off on a serious note, but how come no one ever writes fiction about the adverse effects of cutting off someone from something that pretty much has been a certainty all of their lives? It's always the argument that it's for your own good to be a better person, but why do we never get a glimpse of how they may at first struggle from being deprived of that assured dependency?
Just saying. 🙆🏻♀️
Anyhoo, I did enjoy my trifecta with DiDomizio's works. Very easy breezy, pumpkin cheesy (literally) kind of a read for Saturday morning. Where as a millennial, thankfully, the many cultural pop references did not go over my head. 💪🏻 But, also, yes, sadly, were a tad too much, like I get that Mikey is a film aficionado, and it made for a great ringing endorsement of Clueless' revival, but yeah, it got a bit unnecessary pushed in at times. 😮💨
But not knowing Bonnie Tyler? What an affront! 😆 Although nowadays teens and tweens would probably only ever pick up on anything only when it's a viral sensation - on TikTok or the gram. 🤷🏻♀️ I can't say for certain if Annabelle and the SAG party were realistically portrayed, what with their offhand gay comments, but it was fun to see how Mikey dealt with their enthusiastic obsession into investigating Camp Lore's decade old cold case.
“It was just about getting you to a place where you care about your life.”
The mystery itself is a predictable chase, fairly reminiscent of Mikey's love of 90s cult campy classics. But, as an ode to those flicks that still make me smile and laugh for their campiness, there is that layer of trauma and self-reflection that shines amidst the adversity. 😤 One which even Mikey was struggling with, but burying deep, until he found his niche that allowed him to admit that he was someone with feelings allowed to care.
For it truly does live up to its name, of how A Murder Most Camp, not only in the literal sense, but one taking place at a summer camp exclusive for trust fund babies, packed with their own share of cliché family strife and a limited supporting cast. It's obvious, pretty early on, who is the likely culprit, which I suppose also fits the bill of campy teen thrillers. 😏
Ah, take me back to those good ole days. ⏳🙃
“But if this is truly what Mikey wanted, then why does it feel less like a victory and more like a sad inevitability?”
I'm not sure if it was a good thing that not everyone was of sound moral with traces of the f the darkest parts of humanity, his li, Jackson, included. but Jackson helping Mikey see that he was more than just the years of trauma, otherness, and rejection he was shouldering was sweet. 🥺 Their repartee had some endearing quips, and as a tag team that buoyed on conflicting emotions also nicely played out. And ew, Jamie. 😬 What a horrid little person. Good riddance to cheapskate rubbish.
And I hate to be that guy, but pretty smooth sailing in terms of editing till the end, where I picked up a couple of spelling errors. There was also a comment that I think might offend some. Maybe I'm reading too much into it, but there was a comment that I think might be offensive to some - 😕
Review of advance copy received from Éditeur
Funny, cute, full of heart, my favourite dated references, and lovable characters.
Add a mystery that kept my interest until the very end and the charming setting of a rustic summer camp, and I really enjoyed myself with this book.
I think this is the perfect mystery read for this summer.
Than you Poisoned Pen Press for this ARC!
Add a mystery that kept my interest until the very end and the charming setting of a rustic summer camp, and I really enjoyed myself with this book.
I think this is the perfect mystery read for this summer.
Than you Poisoned Pen Press for this ARC!
December 8, 2025
4.5
Guncle meets How to Solve Your Own Murder.
Mikey is a nepo baby with Dad's credit card and was doing JUST FINE thank you. Until Dad came down with the hammer - prove yourself before your 30 or kiss that inheritance buh-bye. The solution? Be a camp counsellor at Camp Lore where his 12 year old "Aunt" (think You've Got Mail) Annabelle is scheduled to attend for the first time
Mikey is APPALLED but the inheritance is worth it so off he goes. Except his group of kids has a different idea for their summer then campfires and archery. They want to solve the murder that happened a decade ago at Camp Lore and need Mikey's assistance to do so. Thank goodness his roommate Jackson is a dreamboat.
Read this book. Laugh out loud and fall in love with Mikey as he starts to think about who he really wants to be, how much he cares about his family and this group of kids at camp and find out how he suffered through dinner at Panera.
Guncle meets How to Solve Your Own Murder.
Mikey is a nepo baby with Dad's credit card and was doing JUST FINE thank you. Until Dad came down with the hammer - prove yourself before your 30 or kiss that inheritance buh-bye. The solution? Be a camp counsellor at Camp Lore where his 12 year old "Aunt" (think You've Got Mail) Annabelle is scheduled to attend for the first time
Mikey is APPALLED but the inheritance is worth it so off he goes. Except his group of kids has a different idea for their summer then campfires and archery. They want to solve the murder that happened a decade ago at Camp Lore and need Mikey's assistance to do so. Thank goodness his roommate Jackson is a dreamboat.
Read this book. Laugh out loud and fall in love with Mikey as he starts to think about who he really wants to be, how much he cares about his family and this group of kids at camp and find out how he suffered through dinner at Panera.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I received an advance reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via netgalley and the publishers.
A Murder Most Camp is a fun summer murder mystery with lots of twists and turns.
We follow Mickey Hartford IV, who's been pulled from his party filled lavish life of luxury and made to go to summer camp with his twelve-year-old aunt and redeem himself before he turns 30. If he doesn't make a change with his life and make a positive contribution to the world before then (in 3 months time), his trust fund will be revoked and he'll loose his lifestyle for good.
Mickey has the shock of his life when he arrives at Camp Lore to be a camp counsellor for the summer. And when a murder mystery literally drops into his lap, with the encouragement of his aunt and her new group of friends, Mickey rediscovers a passion from his childhood of making movies and seeks to uncover what really happened at Camp Lore many years ago when a previous camp counsellor went missing and was rumoured to have been murdered.
This was a fun, predictable, and camp read with discovery, finding oneself, reality checks, connection, and romance to name just a few things that the book unfolded with and it was a pleasant surprise and quick read. I didn't really gel with Mickey at the beginning, but by halfway through, I began to really like him and loved his connection and relationship with his aunt.
A Murder Most Camp is a fun summer murder mystery with lots of twists and turns.
We follow Mickey Hartford IV, who's been pulled from his party filled lavish life of luxury and made to go to summer camp with his twelve-year-old aunt and redeem himself before he turns 30. If he doesn't make a change with his life and make a positive contribution to the world before then (in 3 months time), his trust fund will be revoked and he'll loose his lifestyle for good.
Mickey has the shock of his life when he arrives at Camp Lore to be a camp counsellor for the summer. And when a murder mystery literally drops into his lap, with the encouragement of his aunt and her new group of friends, Mickey rediscovers a passion from his childhood of making movies and seeks to uncover what really happened at Camp Lore many years ago when a previous camp counsellor went missing and was rumoured to have been murdered.
This was a fun, predictable, and camp read with discovery, finding oneself, reality checks, connection, and romance to name just a few things that the book unfolded with and it was a pleasant surprise and quick read. I didn't really gel with Mickey at the beginning, but by halfway through, I began to really like him and loved his connection and relationship with his aunt.
March 15, 2026
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Mikey Hartford is a self-loathing millionaire nepo baby on the cusp of his 30th birthday. He has internalized marxist theories, keeps the worst company, and refuses to be taken seriously. In a last attempt to straighten him out, his father threatens to withhold his inheritance unless he "does some good", meaning accompanying his 12‑year‑old aunt to summer camp, and helping her come out of her shell. But once there, Mikey quickly stumbles into an old mystery: a disappearance that took place over a decade ago...
I've read Nicolas DiDomizio before, so I was very excited to get this ARC, and I'm happy to say it didn't disappoint; in fact, it surprised me. The author really seems to have come into his own since The Gay Best Friend . I expected it to hit hard (murder mysteries are my comfort genre, after all), but it still managed to catch me off guard. I had so much fun with this book.
The pacing is perfect, no notes. The emotional beats feel a bit repetitive in the first quarter [CW: death] (there's only so much whining I felt that I could take--my favorite parent is dead too and I don't have zillions of dollars to wipe my tears with, Mikey.) But once it finds its legs, the story progress smoothly from there. I worried the main character would be unlikeable, the setting would fall apart (a rickety summer camp for spoiled rich kids? stretches believability), that the mystery would have plot holes. Instead, I thought it all came together remarkably well. I guessed who the killer was (at 79%!), but it made me more proud of myself than annoyed, and I still enjoyed the climax afterwards. For me, that's true victory! 😆
I loved the characters and thoroughly enjoyed their respective journeys. I thought the author did a fantastic job building complex beings with emotionally resonant fears and motivations. The humor (and narrative voice) land perfectly, it never feels too cynical or too over the top. It meshes well with the more serious/emotional story beats. My only complaint would be with the setting: for a camp full of bratty millionaires, it sometimes felt somewhat empty (aside from the SAG, there aren't that many kids-related shenanigans mentioned), and the location itself lacked depth (aside from the cabins and a night by the lake, the book lacked descriptions of the setting-the smells, the landscapes, the bugs! the feeling of being out in nature). However, these felt like acceptable trade-offs in the end; the focus on characters and mystery kept the pacing tight and definitely avoided bloat. Lastly, the romance also worked perfectly for me; it never felt like it derailed the main plot or felt unnatural. The characters had true chemistry and every step on their path together felt earned: again, a clear amelioration from The Gay Best Friend, cementing how far DiDomizio has come in my opinion.
In the end, I'd recommend this book to people who enjoy both rom-coms and murder-mysteries. Easily one of my favorite read of the year so far, and it's made me even more excited to crack open Nearlywed next time I need a comfort read!
Mikey Hartford is a self-loathing millionaire nepo baby on the cusp of his 30th birthday. He has internalized marxist theories, keeps the worst company, and refuses to be taken seriously. In a last attempt to straighten him out, his father threatens to withhold his inheritance unless he "does some good", meaning accompanying his 12‑year‑old aunt to summer camp, and helping her come out of her shell. But once there, Mikey quickly stumbles into an old mystery: a disappearance that took place over a decade ago...
I've read Nicolas DiDomizio before, so I was very excited to get this ARC, and I'm happy to say it didn't disappoint; in fact, it surprised me. The author really seems to have come into his own since The Gay Best Friend . I expected it to hit hard (murder mysteries are my comfort genre, after all), but it still managed to catch me off guard. I had so much fun with this book.
The pacing is perfect, no notes. The emotional beats feel a bit repetitive in the first quarter [CW: death] (there's only so much whining I felt that I could take--my favorite parent is dead too and I don't have zillions of dollars to wipe my tears with, Mikey.) But once it finds its legs, the story progress smoothly from there. I worried the main character would be unlikeable, the setting would fall apart (a rickety summer camp for spoiled rich kids? stretches believability), that the mystery would have plot holes. Instead, I thought it all came together remarkably well. I guessed who the killer was (at 79%!), but it made me more proud of myself than annoyed, and I still enjoyed the climax afterwards. For me, that's true victory! 😆
I loved the characters and thoroughly enjoyed their respective journeys. I thought the author did a fantastic job building complex beings with emotionally resonant fears and motivations. The humor (and narrative voice) land perfectly, it never feels too cynical or too over the top. It meshes well with the more serious/emotional story beats. My only complaint would be with the setting: for a camp full of bratty millionaires, it sometimes felt somewhat empty (aside from the SAG, there aren't that many kids-related shenanigans mentioned), and the location itself lacked depth (aside from the cabins and a night by the lake, the book lacked descriptions of the setting-the smells, the landscapes, the bugs! the feeling of being out in nature). However, these felt like acceptable trade-offs in the end; the focus on characters and mystery kept the pacing tight and definitely avoided bloat. Lastly, the romance also worked perfectly for me; it never felt like it derailed the main plot or felt unnatural. The characters had true chemistry and every step on their path together felt earned: again, a clear amelioration from The Gay Best Friend, cementing how far DiDomizio has come in my opinion.
In the end, I'd recommend this book to people who enjoy both rom-coms and murder-mysteries. Easily one of my favorite read of the year so far, and it's made me even more excited to crack open Nearlywed next time I need a comfort read!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A Murder Most Camp was such a pleasant surprise! I may have called the twist, but that didn't deter my enjoyment level once I started connecting with the characters. The first 30-ish % was a tad slow and DANG was Mikey (our MMC) annoying, but once he let his facade go to embrace his true self I really had a great time. Jamie sucks, Mikey's dad kinda sucks, Raymond is one of my favorite side characters (I love the sass and realness), Annabelle is precious....there's more, but I don't want to sound off the whole character list haha. I really enjoyed this one and I'd recommend it if you're looking for a summertime mystery.
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February 17, 2026If the title give you a little spurt of humor, there's a good chance you might enjoy this book. At least, that's what worked for me. I absolutely loved the voice, the wry humor and the flair, with spurts of gay-friendly camp. I would actually have loved a novel of manners with this voice, without the murder mystery--but then I don't really much like murder mysteries if they get too dark. The fact that I finished this one is testament to all the other things I liked about the book.
Like the characters. The author did an excellent job of making an obnoxious trust-fund baby appealing. It was his self-awareness of what a jerk he can be, and how loyal he is to his total stinker of a best friend/crush, and his dysfunctional family.
His father posits a conviction: he spend time at a remote summer camp (which turned out to be the very opposite of the cushy experience he was expecting) with his aunt, who is a kid heavily invested in horror and true crime grim dark novels. He discovers a grim mystery, which starts sparking his dormant creative side . . . and things get real. Including romance with a guy who seems impossible at first . . .
Well, anyway, I really enjoyed it! Looking forward to the author's next.
Like the characters. The author did an excellent job of making an obnoxious trust-fund baby appealing. It was his self-awareness of what a jerk he can be, and how loyal he is to his total stinker of a best friend/crush, and his dysfunctional family.
His father posits a conviction: he spend time at a remote summer camp (which turned out to be the very opposite of the cushy experience he was expecting) with his aunt, who is a kid heavily invested in horror and true crime grim dark novels. He discovers a grim mystery, which starts sparking his dormant creative side . . . and things get real. Including romance with a guy who seems impossible at first . . .
Well, anyway, I really enjoyed it! Looking forward to the author's next.
November 30, 2025
Imagine a mystery set at an Adirondack summer camp with all the red herrings of an Agatha Christie infused with Andy Cohen's camp sensibility. A Murder Most Camp is bitchy fun from the very first page. Stick with our annoyingly privileged protagonist and you'll be rewarded with a heartfelt portrait of personal growth that rings true. Who-done-it mystery meets will-they-won't-they romance in this wild ride of a novel that I slurped up faster than an espresso martini!
May 4, 2026
Nicolas DiDomizio just stuns on his mystery debut.
I was entrapped in this book straight from the beginning. Found family, found friends and a slow burn?? everything was just perfect.
Mikey and Annabelle come from a different type of family. Mikey is a spoilt rich guy, who comes from a very wealthy background. He is sent to Camp Lore to better himself in order to become humanised again. Annabelle on the other hand, comes from the same background but is seen as ‘different’ from her parents as she is captured by reading, true crime and mystery instead of fashion and makeup.
Annabelle hides her true identity of being Mikey’s Aunt, as in her past it has kept her from making true friends and always had her be teased about having a 30 year old Nephew. Through having very little friends at her age, Annabelle keeps to herself until she finds her own little group of misfits who become gripped in a 13 year old murder mystery that has never been solved.
It very much reminded me of the classic movie ‘Stand By Me’, which makes complete sense as Mikey is a film major and completes every sentence with a pop culture quote or reference. It makes me wonder if DiDomizio did this on purpose for the entertainment nerds reading his book.
All together, this book was highly enjoyable. It had a great nuance of mystery, romance, and pure highs of camp friendships. The character development from Mikey and Annabelle was a joy to see, and I almost felt like I was exploring this mystery with them.
Thank you Netgalley and Poisoned Pen Press for this ARC.
I was entrapped in this book straight from the beginning. Found family, found friends and a slow burn?? everything was just perfect.
Mikey and Annabelle come from a different type of family. Mikey is a spoilt rich guy, who comes from a very wealthy background. He is sent to Camp Lore to better himself in order to become humanised again. Annabelle on the other hand, comes from the same background but is seen as ‘different’ from her parents as she is captured by reading, true crime and mystery instead of fashion and makeup.
Annabelle hides her true identity of being Mikey’s Aunt, as in her past it has kept her from making true friends and always had her be teased about having a 30 year old Nephew. Through having very little friends at her age, Annabelle keeps to herself until she finds her own little group of misfits who become gripped in a 13 year old murder mystery that has never been solved.
It very much reminded me of the classic movie ‘Stand By Me’, which makes complete sense as Mikey is a film major and completes every sentence with a pop culture quote or reference. It makes me wonder if DiDomizio did this on purpose for the entertainment nerds reading his book.
All together, this book was highly enjoyable. It had a great nuance of mystery, romance, and pure highs of camp friendships. The character development from Mikey and Annabelle was a joy to see, and I almost felt like I was exploring this mystery with them.
Thank you Netgalley and Poisoned Pen Press for this ARC.
April 28, 2026
4.5 ⭐️
Thanks to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
This book wasn’t on my radar until I received a message from the publisher inviting me to read it. Having enjoyed previous books by this author, and after reading the synopsis, I couldn’t click the “Read Now” button fast enough—and I couldn’t be happier that I did, because I had a great time.
Mikey is about to turn 30, and after a life of privilege, he must turn things around and do something meaningful as a condition for accessing his trust fund. When he is forced to work at a summer camp his twelve-year-old aunt is attending—where, a decade earlier, a possible murder took place—he gets the chance to prove he can do something worthwhile.
At first, you might think he’ll be one of those annoying, insufferable rich-kid characters, but nothing could be further from the truth. Yes, he’s privileged, and his lifestyle reflects that. But that behavior is really a defense mechanism against the lack of love from the people around him, as well as an attempt to buy their affection and cope with the loss of his mother when he was ten.
Annabelle—Mikey’s aunt—is the other breakout star. A twelve-year-old addicted to crime novels and true crime, she is hilarious, and her relationship with her “gnephew” is my favorite part of the story.
The writing is witty and full of pop culture references, which some readers may dislike, but I personally loved. The mystery is engaging enough, with plenty of suspects and red herrings to keep the pages turning.
The perfect story if you’re in the mood for something heartwarming with a dose of thrills and humor.
Thanks to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
This book wasn’t on my radar until I received a message from the publisher inviting me to read it. Having enjoyed previous books by this author, and after reading the synopsis, I couldn’t click the “Read Now” button fast enough—and I couldn’t be happier that I did, because I had a great time.
Mikey is about to turn 30, and after a life of privilege, he must turn things around and do something meaningful as a condition for accessing his trust fund. When he is forced to work at a summer camp his twelve-year-old aunt is attending—where, a decade earlier, a possible murder took place—he gets the chance to prove he can do something worthwhile.
At first, you might think he’ll be one of those annoying, insufferable rich-kid characters, but nothing could be further from the truth. Yes, he’s privileged, and his lifestyle reflects that. But that behavior is really a defense mechanism against the lack of love from the people around him, as well as an attempt to buy their affection and cope with the loss of his mother when he was ten.
Annabelle—Mikey’s aunt—is the other breakout star. A twelve-year-old addicted to crime novels and true crime, she is hilarious, and her relationship with her “gnephew” is my favorite part of the story.
The writing is witty and full of pop culture references, which some readers may dislike, but I personally loved. The mystery is engaging enough, with plenty of suspects and red herrings to keep the pages turning.
The perfect story if you’re in the mood for something heartwarming with a dose of thrills and humor.
March 24, 2026
A Murder Most Camp is a perfectly cozy, and fun, mystery perfect for summer!
FMC Mikey, has just been hit with an ultimatum to receive his trust fund...he has to do something "good" that isn't just donating money to charity, or he won't gain access to his trust fund at all! Unfortunately his father (and step-grandmother) have also already chosen what his good deed will be, a camp counselor at his Aunt's (yes his 12 year old aunt) summer camp. Initially Mikey thinks this won't be so bad, as he remembers his bougee summer camp experience. But when he and Annabelle arrive, he soon realizes this is not the camp he was expecting. He is also dubbed the special activities coordinator, which somehow spirals into a murder mystery movie, turned real murder investigation.
Mikey's character is just perfect! While he seems a bit snobbish with his yachting and constant partying, once we get to know him better, he really does have a great heart. Forced to work at this horrible summer camp, without his usual luxuries, Mikey is not sure he will last the summer. I can't blame him, the cabins sound dreadful, and getting only 15mins of shower time a day would be rough. Add in the fact that his counselor room mate is "an aggressively attractive straight man with the perfect amount of chest hair peeking through his bright red USC tank top? Literal abuse." Mikey does request the use of Cabin 1, which is unoccupied, but is told it is not available. This starts the path down figuring out why no one is allowed to use it. The kids, including Annabelle, that join the special activities group decide they want to try and solve this decades old mystery, and will shoot a true crime doc as their chosen activity. Unfortunately, the more investigating the kids do, the more this mystery seems like a true murder.
While Mikey struggles to navigate keeping the kids in line, learning he has a maybe not so straight room-mate, actually staying at this camp to earn his inheritance, deciding what he wants to do with his life once this is done, he also manages to tangle himself right in the middle of a possible murder cover up.
I love all the movie references that Mikey makes. Not only is he into movie making, but he of course loves all the greats, Mean Girls, Scream, Coyote Ugly, etc. He also makes a lot of hilarious comments, and his conversations with Raymond are the absolute best! Mikey also helps Annabelle really come out of her self-imposed isolation as he better gets to know her.
With every chapter shedding light on yet another piece to the puzzle that is Rose Churchill's disappearance, and Mikey's comedic personality, you won't be able to put this story down!!
Thank you so much to Poisoned Pen Press, the author, and Netgalley for a copy of this book!
Some fav quotes:
""Look like Mr. Clean and the old guy from Home Alone whisked their sperm together and turkey baster-ed it into Khloe Kardashian's surrogate, yes." "What's terrifying is that I'm pretty sure you actually think that's how surrogacy works.""
"How do normal people do this every day? Especially normal people with mild wine hangovers? It's like sensory overload on crack. The only thing more plentiful than the hordes of sweaty travelers is the jumbled collection of overhead letters and numbers that allegedly indicate where he and Annabelle are supposed to go catch their train."
"Annabelle squints toward the lodge's front entrance. "Where are all the people?" "Churning butter, I'd imagine. Or perhaps fashioning masks out of human skin?""
"Judy smiles. She's got remarkably white teeth for someone Mikey would've assumed doesn't have access to modern luxuries like toothpaste or a sink."
"Actually? Log cabin is far too generous a term. These are more like log sheds. Log shoeboxes."
"In grand summer camp tradition, nighttime ushers in a blur of bonfires, bug spray, and marshmallows."
""Think wacky and silly," he tries. "But in a smart way, because camp is never cheap. Camp is...well...trying to define camp is perhaps the least campy thing one can do in the first place. It's a sensibility that requires years or trauma, otherness, and rejection to develop.""
"And good God-the situation beneath Jackson's trunks is even better than Mikey's been imagining. He tries to resist the urge to stare, but f***. Screw the algae-Mikey would risk it all to explore every inch of this man's skin right now."
""I don't mean to laugh," Raymond says, laughing, "but leave it to you to go upstate for the summer and get embroiled in a homicide scandal.""
FMC Mikey, has just been hit with an ultimatum to receive his trust fund...he has to do something "good" that isn't just donating money to charity, or he won't gain access to his trust fund at all! Unfortunately his father (and step-grandmother) have also already chosen what his good deed will be, a camp counselor at his Aunt's (yes his 12 year old aunt) summer camp. Initially Mikey thinks this won't be so bad, as he remembers his bougee summer camp experience. But when he and Annabelle arrive, he soon realizes this is not the camp he was expecting. He is also dubbed the special activities coordinator, which somehow spirals into a murder mystery movie, turned real murder investigation.
Mikey's character is just perfect! While he seems a bit snobbish with his yachting and constant partying, once we get to know him better, he really does have a great heart. Forced to work at this horrible summer camp, without his usual luxuries, Mikey is not sure he will last the summer. I can't blame him, the cabins sound dreadful, and getting only 15mins of shower time a day would be rough. Add in the fact that his counselor room mate is "an aggressively attractive straight man with the perfect amount of chest hair peeking through his bright red USC tank top? Literal abuse." Mikey does request the use of Cabin 1, which is unoccupied, but is told it is not available. This starts the path down figuring out why no one is allowed to use it. The kids, including Annabelle, that join the special activities group decide they want to try and solve this decades old mystery, and will shoot a true crime doc as their chosen activity. Unfortunately, the more investigating the kids do, the more this mystery seems like a true murder.
While Mikey struggles to navigate keeping the kids in line, learning he has a maybe not so straight room-mate, actually staying at this camp to earn his inheritance, deciding what he wants to do with his life once this is done, he also manages to tangle himself right in the middle of a possible murder cover up.
I love all the movie references that Mikey makes. Not only is he into movie making, but he of course loves all the greats, Mean Girls, Scream, Coyote Ugly, etc. He also makes a lot of hilarious comments, and his conversations with Raymond are the absolute best! Mikey also helps Annabelle really come out of her self-imposed isolation as he better gets to know her.
With every chapter shedding light on yet another piece to the puzzle that is Rose Churchill's disappearance, and Mikey's comedic personality, you won't be able to put this story down!!
Thank you so much to Poisoned Pen Press, the author, and Netgalley for a copy of this book!
Some fav quotes:
""Look like Mr. Clean and the old guy from Home Alone whisked their sperm together and turkey baster-ed it into Khloe Kardashian's surrogate, yes." "What's terrifying is that I'm pretty sure you actually think that's how surrogacy works.""
"How do normal people do this every day? Especially normal people with mild wine hangovers? It's like sensory overload on crack. The only thing more plentiful than the hordes of sweaty travelers is the jumbled collection of overhead letters and numbers that allegedly indicate where he and Annabelle are supposed to go catch their train."
"Annabelle squints toward the lodge's front entrance. "Where are all the people?" "Churning butter, I'd imagine. Or perhaps fashioning masks out of human skin?""
"Judy smiles. She's got remarkably white teeth for someone Mikey would've assumed doesn't have access to modern luxuries like toothpaste or a sink."
"Actually? Log cabin is far too generous a term. These are more like log sheds. Log shoeboxes."
"In grand summer camp tradition, nighttime ushers in a blur of bonfires, bug spray, and marshmallows."
""Think wacky and silly," he tries. "But in a smart way, because camp is never cheap. Camp is...well...trying to define camp is perhaps the least campy thing one can do in the first place. It's a sensibility that requires years or trauma, otherness, and rejection to develop.""
"And good God-the situation beneath Jackson's trunks is even better than Mikey's been imagining. He tries to resist the urge to stare, but f***. Screw the algae-Mikey would risk it all to explore every inch of this man's skin right now."
""I don't mean to laugh," Raymond says, laughing, "but leave it to you to go upstate for the summer and get embroiled in a homicide scandal.""
April 29, 2026
What happens when you take a bitchy trust fund gay out of his natural surroundings (tony NYC) and plop him at a rustic summer camp to learn about responsibility? You get this wacky and wonderful romp that is as frothy and decadent as a a frozen fruity drink, the perfect book to read poolside this summer! I would solve crimes or watch Bravo with Mikey any day!
Thanks so much to Poisoned Pen Press, via NetGalley, for the ARC!
Thanks so much to Poisoned Pen Press, via NetGalley, for the ARC!
April 20, 2026
This was a delight! I liked this take on a murder mystery at a campground, subverting Friday the 13th tropes. And I’ll never have a problem with a murder mystery that has me kicking my feet in delight when they kiss.
Mikey’s character development is subtle but arguably one of the best parts of the story. He’s mildly self-aware but through his summer with SAG and Jackson and this mystery he learns to become a better person. Or, really, be the better person he knew he could’ve always been.
Thank you to NetGalley, Nicolas DiDomizio, and Poisoned Pen Press for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
Mikey’s character development is subtle but arguably one of the best parts of the story. He’s mildly self-aware but through his summer with SAG and Jackson and this mystery he learns to become a better person. Or, really, be the better person he knew he could’ve always been.
Thank you to NetGalley, Nicolas DiDomizio, and Poisoned Pen Press for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
April 26, 2026
Thank you @poisonedpenpress for the digital copy to review. A Murder Most Camp is hilarious and fun, truly a millennial coded book if there ever was one. I was laughing hysterically all day.
Mikey was incredibly easy to root for, and I loved his growth in this book. Yes, he was a trust fund kid cut off, but man did he have some learning to do. The kids were hilarious. Jackson was fantastic. The mystery was wonderful, and the romance was a sweet bonus. I loved the end too, what a blast. 🥰🥰🥰
Love @nicdidomiziobooks so please preorder or request from your library so he can keep writing me funny and heartwarming books. Tysm!
Mikey was incredibly easy to root for, and I loved his growth in this book. Yes, he was a trust fund kid cut off, but man did he have some learning to do. The kids were hilarious. Jackson was fantastic. The mystery was wonderful, and the romance was a sweet bonus. I loved the end too, what a blast. 🥰🥰🥰
Love @nicdidomiziobooks so please preorder or request from your library so he can keep writing me funny and heartwarming books. Tysm!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
'“So you want me to go work at a summer ‘camp’ for trust fund babies?”'
This mood-booster of a book is what we all need. A nearly 30 year old 'giant gay disaster' (akin to David Rose from Schitt's Creek), and his tween aunt, spend a fateful summer sleuthing, forging relationships, and trying to stay alive. He's full of snark and pop-culture references, she's a lonely 12 year old obsessed with true crime. He's there to cement his inheritance, she wants to solve the cold case of a disappeared camper. This book is truly hilarious and I enthusiastically recommend!
'“I’m not going to be working-working with the children though, right? I presume there will be trained professionals on hand to feed and chaperone and talk to them and, like, ensure they don’t die and stuff?”'
A big thanks to Poisoned Pen Press and Netgalley for the privilege of reading this in advance of its April 2026 publication!
This mood-booster of a book is what we all need. A nearly 30 year old 'giant gay disaster' (akin to David Rose from Schitt's Creek), and his tween aunt, spend a fateful summer sleuthing, forging relationships, and trying to stay alive. He's full of snark and pop-culture references, she's a lonely 12 year old obsessed with true crime. He's there to cement his inheritance, she wants to solve the cold case of a disappeared camper. This book is truly hilarious and I enthusiastically recommend!
'“I’m not going to be working-working with the children though, right? I presume there will be trained professionals on hand to feed and chaperone and talk to them and, like, ensure they don’t die and stuff?”'
A big thanks to Poisoned Pen Press and Netgalley for the privilege of reading this in advance of its April 2026 publication!
December 27, 2025
This was an enjoyable summer mystery. I loved the summer camp setting and following Mickey and the campers as they tried to solve the camp’s decade-old mystery. I initially wasn’t a huge fan of Mickey as a character, but I appreciated his character’s growth and liked him more as the story went on. I liked the overall mystery of what happened to Rose Churchill and found myself guessing alongside the characters. Overall this was a great read.
Read this if you like:
📖 Summer camp settings
📖 Great character growth
📖 Pop culture references
📖 LGBTQ rep
Thank you to @poisonedpenpress for the gifted arc.
Read this if you like:
📖 Summer camp settings
📖 Great character growth
📖 Pop culture references
📖 LGBTQ rep
Thank you to @poisonedpenpress for the gifted arc.
May 3, 2026
"For some reason it's impossible for you to have a conversation without talking like a Gilmore Girl"
As a big GG fan, maybe that's why I loved this book so much!
This book was on my 'Upcoming Releases' post earlier in the year and it delivered on all fronts for sure! I'm a sucker for a Summer Camp horror, so a Summer Camp murder mystery is absolutely something I wanted to read.
Mikey, at the start of the novel is what I noted as a 30 year old teenager. He was flippant and clearly self-loathing. Money meant nothing to him and he was chasing the affections (or lack of) of an unsuitable 'friend'.
We see such a lovely growth arc for him over the course of the story, and we get into School of Rock territory when he leads a rag-tag bunch of tweens in a summer project that starts to dig into dicey waters.
I did guess who the eventual culprit would be fairly quickly but it absolutely didn't lessen my enjoyment of this story at all. I loved all of the characters, I loved the romance storyline which didn't take any time away from the main quest, and Didomizio sticks the landing with the ending for sure.
There are *tons* of pop culture references in this, which I loved (and understood!), the pacing is great, and in true Kay review fashion, I'd love for this to be made into a movie. Some books just really would translate to the screen well, and I think this is one. Buy or borrow this book, just make sure you read it because I absolutely recommend it.
Thank you to Netgalley and PoisonedPen Press for the advanced reader copy.
As a big GG fan, maybe that's why I loved this book so much!
This book was on my 'Upcoming Releases' post earlier in the year and it delivered on all fronts for sure! I'm a sucker for a Summer Camp horror, so a Summer Camp murder mystery is absolutely something I wanted to read.
Mikey, at the start of the novel is what I noted as a 30 year old teenager. He was flippant and clearly self-loathing. Money meant nothing to him and he was chasing the affections (or lack of) of an unsuitable 'friend'.
We see such a lovely growth arc for him over the course of the story, and we get into School of Rock territory when he leads a rag-tag bunch of tweens in a summer project that starts to dig into dicey waters.
I did guess who the eventual culprit would be fairly quickly but it absolutely didn't lessen my enjoyment of this story at all. I loved all of the characters, I loved the romance storyline which didn't take any time away from the main quest, and Didomizio sticks the landing with the ending for sure.
There are *tons* of pop culture references in this, which I loved (and understood!), the pacing is great, and in true Kay review fashion, I'd love for this to be made into a movie. Some books just really would translate to the screen well, and I think this is one. Buy or borrow this book, just make sure you read it because I absolutely recommend it.
Thank you to Netgalley and PoisonedPen Press for the advanced reader copy.
April 19, 2026
Perfect for readers who want a fun murder mystery, and also have a soft spot for Schitt’s Creek.
Mikey reminded me so much of David Rose. He ends up being forced to work at this camp so he doesn’t lose his inheritance, and Mikey has never been so far from fashion, luxary, and organic food in his life. Every time he discovers a new level to camp, it reminded me of David sitting in the field when he gets left behind.
Mikey’s snarky one-liners and references to 90’s pop culture also made this super fun. Especially when propped up with surrounding dialogue from the cast of chaotic 12 year olds that he has to serve as activities coordinator for. And what do all these non-athlete kids decide they are going to spend the summer doing? Solving an urban legend murder/missing persons case that (surprise!) they all sneak on WiFi one day to discover is actually real! The 12 year olds are into it, and Mikey is into it too since they’re going to make a documentary about it.
The kids all stay super invested. Mikey, on the otherhand, starts get death threats. Which are a little scary, but at least that means he may be onto something? Not only that, but along the way, he realizes he is learning more about himself and rediscovering his interests.
Generally, I wouldn’t describe a murder mystery as “heartwarming,” but this one kind of is. Mikey has always felt like a misfit, and so have these kids. They all show tons of growth over the course of the book, and watching them grow together is fun. The mystery itself is also really fun, and it made for a really great read.
Thank you to NetGally, Poisoned Pen Press, and Nicolas DiDomizio for the arc in exchange for an honest review!
Mikey reminded me so much of David Rose. He ends up being forced to work at this camp so he doesn’t lose his inheritance, and Mikey has never been so far from fashion, luxary, and organic food in his life. Every time he discovers a new level to camp, it reminded me of David sitting in the field when he gets left behind.
Mikey’s snarky one-liners and references to 90’s pop culture also made this super fun. Especially when propped up with surrounding dialogue from the cast of chaotic 12 year olds that he has to serve as activities coordinator for. And what do all these non-athlete kids decide they are going to spend the summer doing? Solving an urban legend murder/missing persons case that (surprise!) they all sneak on WiFi one day to discover is actually real! The 12 year olds are into it, and Mikey is into it too since they’re going to make a documentary about it.
The kids all stay super invested. Mikey, on the otherhand, starts get death threats. Which are a little scary, but at least that means he may be onto something? Not only that, but along the way, he realizes he is learning more about himself and rediscovering his interests.
Generally, I wouldn’t describe a murder mystery as “heartwarming,” but this one kind of is. Mikey has always felt like a misfit, and so have these kids. They all show tons of growth over the course of the book, and watching them grow together is fun. The mystery itself is also really fun, and it made for a really great read.
Thank you to NetGally, Poisoned Pen Press, and Nicolas DiDomizio for the arc in exchange for an honest review!
May 1, 2026
This one was so much fun!
Nepo trustfund baby Mickey has been handed an ultimatum by his father, spend the summer making a positive contribution to the world or be cut out of the trust. Having spent his 20s in a daze of parties around the world, reality crashes and Mickey takes an opportunity that falls on his lap to work at a summer Camp. Soon he’s not only living the grubby camp life but becomes thrust in a cold murder investigation by the teens he’s supposed to be minding.
With lots of “Clueless” references, snarky wit, and hilarious exchanges, I flew through this book. The twist was satisfying and the characters enjoyable.
4.5⭐️
Thank you to poison pen press for an eARC in exchange for an honest review
Nepo trustfund baby Mickey has been handed an ultimatum by his father, spend the summer making a positive contribution to the world or be cut out of the trust. Having spent his 20s in a daze of parties around the world, reality crashes and Mickey takes an opportunity that falls on his lap to work at a summer Camp. Soon he’s not only living the grubby camp life but becomes thrust in a cold murder investigation by the teens he’s supposed to be minding.
With lots of “Clueless” references, snarky wit, and hilarious exchanges, I flew through this book. The twist was satisfying and the characters enjoyable.
4.5⭐️
Thank you to poison pen press for an eARC in exchange for an honest review
May 3, 2026
This was such a fun read! The setting was very enjoyable. This gave the classic summer camp feel plus sprinkle in the camper mystery it was an absolute success. The humor written through out was prefect along with the characters.
Thank you poisoned pen press for the gifted ebook.
Thank you poisoned pen press for the gifted ebook.
April 29, 2026
I loved this. Sort of a cozy campy murder mystery with a lot of hilarious banter. I loved the characters and I was definitely hooked into the story. The main character had a lot of growth which was great to read and really added to the story. The killer is somewhat surprising. If you’re a fan of cozy mysteries you will probably like this book.
Want to Read
February 16, 2026this sounds so fun! I can't wait to read it!!
ARC REC'D THANK YOU!
A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
ARC REC'D THANK YOU!
A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
April 30, 2026
Amazing campy murder mystery!
April 28, 2026
A fast-paced, quirky mystery filled with witty dialogue, wry humor, and so many pop culture references! You simply must add this to your Summer reads! A Murder Most Camp was such a fun read that I was honestly a little sad when it ended. I would have loved staying in the world and hearing the characters talk to each other forever.
4.75/5 stars rounded to 5
ARC Copy
4.75/5 stars rounded to 5
ARC Copy
Currently Reading
April 22, 2026⋆. 𐙚 ˚Pre-read:
my second arc.ᐟ.ᐟ
I was drawn to this book because I love a little murder mystery / cold case plot. I figured it would be a quick and hopefully relaxing read. I am preoccupied with class and incoming finals, so my reading pace has decreased. I plan to have this done by publishing day.ᐟ.ᐟ
Immense gratitude to the author, Nicolas DiDomizio, and the publisher, Poisoned Pen Press, for the eARC in exchange for my candor. 𝜗𝜚⋆
my second arc.ᐟ.ᐟ
I was drawn to this book because I love a little murder mystery / cold case plot. I figured it would be a quick and hopefully relaxing read. I am preoccupied with class and incoming finals, so my reading pace has decreased. I plan to have this done by publishing day.ᐟ.ᐟ
Immense gratitude to the author, Nicolas DiDomizio, and the publisher, Poisoned Pen Press, for the eARC in exchange for my candor. 𝜗𝜚⋆
March 22, 2026
Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press for my advanced copy of this book!
This was a fun, campy, murder mystery that was full of heart warming moments.
We find ourselves following Mikey-a member of a grocery store dynasty and a very out of touch rich young man. His father wants more from him after his mother’s death has left him without a purpose or direction. He changes the conditions to Mikey’s trust fund that he is weeks away from obtaining-to spend time doing actual good.
Mikey’s step grandmother, Sierra-a trophy wife not much older than Mikey himself has the perfect idea for Mikey to give back. She sets it up for him to work at the summer camp his 12 year old aunt (Annabelle) is attending in upstate New York.
Camp Lore is known for cozy cabins, a gorgeous lake, hikes and oh yeah the unsolved disappearance of one of its counselors (Rose). Mikey with his love of film and the arts is assigned to be the special activities director of what becomes known as the SAG kids. This group of misfits is tasked with creating a summer project for them all to do together. Annabelle and her new found friends decide finding out the truth of what happened to Rose will be their focus for their project. A true crime documentary is in the making! However, the camps secrets go deeper and become more dangerous than Mikey imagined. Will he do what it takes to get to the truth or protect his own interests to get to his trust fund?
I had a lot of fun reading this one! I enjoyed the found family aspects of the story between Annabelle and her fellow SAG friends. I also liked how Mikey and Annabelle finally found common ground and developed their on relationship. For me Mikey starts out as a character that you love to hate, but as his story progresses becomes a character you love to love! The dynamic between Mikey and Jackson is awkward, fun and gives all the feels. I loved how the author had different storylines within the story that did a great job all coming back together to create a well rounded campy mystery! I gave 4 stars because I was able to guess some of the twists. I’ll be interested to see what this author does next!
This was a fun, campy, murder mystery that was full of heart warming moments.
We find ourselves following Mikey-a member of a grocery store dynasty and a very out of touch rich young man. His father wants more from him after his mother’s death has left him without a purpose or direction. He changes the conditions to Mikey’s trust fund that he is weeks away from obtaining-to spend time doing actual good.
Mikey’s step grandmother, Sierra-a trophy wife not much older than Mikey himself has the perfect idea for Mikey to give back. She sets it up for him to work at the summer camp his 12 year old aunt (Annabelle) is attending in upstate New York.
Camp Lore is known for cozy cabins, a gorgeous lake, hikes and oh yeah the unsolved disappearance of one of its counselors (Rose). Mikey with his love of film and the arts is assigned to be the special activities director of what becomes known as the SAG kids. This group of misfits is tasked with creating a summer project for them all to do together. Annabelle and her new found friends decide finding out the truth of what happened to Rose will be their focus for their project. A true crime documentary is in the making! However, the camps secrets go deeper and become more dangerous than Mikey imagined. Will he do what it takes to get to the truth or protect his own interests to get to his trust fund?
I had a lot of fun reading this one! I enjoyed the found family aspects of the story between Annabelle and her fellow SAG friends. I also liked how Mikey and Annabelle finally found common ground and developed their on relationship. For me Mikey starts out as a character that you love to hate, but as his story progresses becomes a character you love to love! The dynamic between Mikey and Jackson is awkward, fun and gives all the feels. I loved how the author had different storylines within the story that did a great job all coming back together to create a well rounded campy mystery! I gave 4 stars because I was able to guess some of the twists. I’ll be interested to see what this author does next!
May 1, 2026
4.5/5
A Murder Most Camp is a mystery following a gay nepo baby forced to work at summer camp where he becomes involved in investigating an old murder. Almost 30-year-old Mikey has been living the high life, both basking in and ashamed of his family’s wealth. When he goes one step too far, his father decides to change the terms of his trust fund which was due to mature in few months. Now, he must prove he can do good and is subsequently volunteered as a staffer in Camp Lore, a summer camp for rich kids to help them not turn into the kind of man Mikey has become. Just as he decides to make the best of it, the preteen kids he is in charge of becomes obsessed with investigating the case of a missing camp counselor who disappeared from her cabin a decade ago.
I loved this book! It’s The Guncle set in those old school TV mysteries but in book form. It is unapologetically campy and a whole lot of fun to read. It is comfortably set in gay culture, and I enjoyed the bountiful pop culture references from that perspective. Mikey was just such a fun character to follow. He is quippy, smart, sarcastic, and completely relatable. He is down-to-earth in his own privileges way, and I enjoyed his perspective. The kids were great too, and their preteen snarky quips grounded and contrasted well with Mikey.
The mystery itself really carried through, and the book managed to balanced well the question of whether there was even a mystery to solve before going all in on it. It was twisty, but gave enough clues to let you figure some things out on your own. The ending was maybe a little over-the-top, but it was par for the course. And while there was a romance that I found to be really quick, I accept that since this isn’t a romance book and wasn’t really the focus.
A Murder Most Camp is an unapologetically queer and campy mystery with heart.
*Thank you Poison Pen Press for the eARC via NetGalley
A Murder Most Camp is a mystery following a gay nepo baby forced to work at summer camp where he becomes involved in investigating an old murder. Almost 30-year-old Mikey has been living the high life, both basking in and ashamed of his family’s wealth. When he goes one step too far, his father decides to change the terms of his trust fund which was due to mature in few months. Now, he must prove he can do good and is subsequently volunteered as a staffer in Camp Lore, a summer camp for rich kids to help them not turn into the kind of man Mikey has become. Just as he decides to make the best of it, the preteen kids he is in charge of becomes obsessed with investigating the case of a missing camp counselor who disappeared from her cabin a decade ago.
I loved this book! It’s The Guncle set in those old school TV mysteries but in book form. It is unapologetically campy and a whole lot of fun to read. It is comfortably set in gay culture, and I enjoyed the bountiful pop culture references from that perspective. Mikey was just such a fun character to follow. He is quippy, smart, sarcastic, and completely relatable. He is down-to-earth in his own privileges way, and I enjoyed his perspective. The kids were great too, and their preteen snarky quips grounded and contrasted well with Mikey.
The mystery itself really carried through, and the book managed to balanced well the question of whether there was even a mystery to solve before going all in on it. It was twisty, but gave enough clues to let you figure some things out on your own. The ending was maybe a little over-the-top, but it was par for the course. And while there was a romance that I found to be really quick, I accept that since this isn’t a romance book and wasn’t really the focus.
A Murder Most Camp is an unapologetically queer and campy mystery with heart.
*Thank you Poison Pen Press for the eARC via NetGalley
March 31, 2026
Review of arc from NetGalley
I love books set at summer camps. I don’t know why but anything with a summer camp setting is a sure way to draw me in. Except for a heterosexual romance. I have to draw the line somewhere.
I enjoyed the summer camp setting of this book. It was the perfect blend of nostalgic and summery. Why nostalgic? I don’t know. I’ve never actually stayed at a summer camp. I hate camping and any form of roughing it. If I’d been Mikey I would have never survived even a day at that camp.
Despite his pretentiousness and spoiled behavior, Mikey was enjoyable as a main character. He was lovable in an irritating sort of way, like a P. G. Wodehouse main character. In fact, he actually reminded me of a smarter version of Bertie Wooster.
The murder mystery was okay, although I did figure out who the murderer was long before the end. I was not exactly pleased about it, but saying why would be a huge spoiler, so unfortunately, I will have to keep my thoughts to myself.
The romance was not particularly romantic. In fact, while writing this review I actually momentarily forgot that there was a romance, so it clearly didn’t leave much of an impression. The love interest also left little impression.
My favorite parts of this book were Mikey’s interactions with his twelve-year-old aunt, Annabelle. I enjoyed Annabelle’s character and I felt that Mikey was at his best when he was bonding with her. It was also interesting reading about how adults would probably react if children tried to solve a murder. I’ve read a lot of middle-grade murder mysteries, so it was fun to see it from the other side so to speak.
All in all, this would be a quick and relaxing read that would be perfect for a lazy summer day when you don’t want to use too much energy actually thinking. It’s not great but it’s not bad either.
I love books set at summer camps. I don’t know why but anything with a summer camp setting is a sure way to draw me in. Except for a heterosexual romance. I have to draw the line somewhere.
I enjoyed the summer camp setting of this book. It was the perfect blend of nostalgic and summery. Why nostalgic? I don’t know. I’ve never actually stayed at a summer camp. I hate camping and any form of roughing it. If I’d been Mikey I would have never survived even a day at that camp.
Despite his pretentiousness and spoiled behavior, Mikey was enjoyable as a main character. He was lovable in an irritating sort of way, like a P. G. Wodehouse main character. In fact, he actually reminded me of a smarter version of Bertie Wooster.
The murder mystery was okay, although I did figure out who the murderer was long before the end. I was not exactly pleased about it, but saying why would be a huge spoiler, so unfortunately, I will have to keep my thoughts to myself.
The romance was not particularly romantic. In fact, while writing this review I actually momentarily forgot that there was a romance, so it clearly didn’t leave much of an impression. The love interest also left little impression.
My favorite parts of this book were Mikey’s interactions with his twelve-year-old aunt, Annabelle. I enjoyed Annabelle’s character and I felt that Mikey was at his best when he was bonding with her. It was also interesting reading about how adults would probably react if children tried to solve a murder. I’ve read a lot of middle-grade murder mysteries, so it was fun to see it from the other side so to speak.
All in all, this would be a quick and relaxing read that would be perfect for a lazy summer day when you don’t want to use too much energy actually thinking. It’s not great but it’s not bad either.
May 1, 2026
OMG. This book! Love, love, love.
Not only is it set in an area that is literally in my back yard, (I went to Lake George almost every summer growing up and still go as an adult), but my current city even gets a shout out! A Murder Most Camp has all the makings of a classic whodunit. It’s packed with campy clichés, millennial pop culture references, and just the right amount of sass and snark. The Clueless references are great.
Mikey Hartford IV is a spoiled playboy who loves yachts, good food, and a good time. When he makes one too many reckless decisions—this time trying to buy his best friend Jamie’s affection, his father finally steps in and changes the terms of his trust. Now, in order to receive his full inheritance, Mikey has to prove he can actually do something good for the world.
Enter his step-grandmother Sierra, who is a few years younger than him, (married to his 80-year-old grandfather) and tasked with turning Mikey into a decent human. Her solution? Send him to Camp Lore, her former summer camp in upstate New York, where he’ll work as the oldest and least-qualified staff member alongside his twelve-year-old aunt, Annabelle.
And let’s just say… Mikey is wildly unprepared.
The camp itself is clearly struggling, the facilities are double accommodations (cue Mikey’s oh the horror face!), and instead of embracing summer camp activities, the kids assigned to Mikey’s “special activities committee” have zero interest in traditional camp fun. Instead, they become obsessed with a local legend tied to an abandoned cabin on the property and decide they’re going to solve a possible murder. Mikey convinces them to turn their summer project into a documentary about the mysterious disappearance, all while dreaming of his own fame surely to come from a true crime documentary.
From there, things spiral quickly, and nothing is quite what it seems.
I won’t spoil anything, but if you love a twisty mystery with an ending that completely sneaks up on you, this one is absolutely for you! I did not see it coming until it basically smacked me in the face.
There’s also a touch of romance, with the very hunky lifeguard Jackson, who is surprisingly into Mikey… despite Mikey doing everything in his power to come across as a complete jerk. Oh, any maybe he’s a murderer?
The characters really shine here. Even the side characters, like Raymond and Mikey’s dad, had me laughing. The writing is sharp, quick, and incredibly engaging. And I especially loved Mikey’s character arc. He doesn’t completely change who he is, but he grows in a way that feels realistic. Still very much himself, just… slightly less of a disaster.
One of my favorite dynamics was between Mikey and Annabelle. He thinks everyone else is helping her come out of her shell, but it’s really him who starts that process. There’s a really sweet moment where he offers to pretend he’s her uncle to make her feel more comfortable about their unconventional family situation, and it just worked so well.
All in all, this was an absolute delight. I binge-read it and could not put it down. If you’re a fan of Finlay Donovan, The Guncle or Stephanie Plum, you’ll love this book. This is my first book by the author but won’t be my last.
Not only is it set in an area that is literally in my back yard, (I went to Lake George almost every summer growing up and still go as an adult), but my current city even gets a shout out! A Murder Most Camp has all the makings of a classic whodunit. It’s packed with campy clichés, millennial pop culture references, and just the right amount of sass and snark. The Clueless references are great.
Mikey Hartford IV is a spoiled playboy who loves yachts, good food, and a good time. When he makes one too many reckless decisions—this time trying to buy his best friend Jamie’s affection, his father finally steps in and changes the terms of his trust. Now, in order to receive his full inheritance, Mikey has to prove he can actually do something good for the world.
Enter his step-grandmother Sierra, who is a few years younger than him, (married to his 80-year-old grandfather) and tasked with turning Mikey into a decent human. Her solution? Send him to Camp Lore, her former summer camp in upstate New York, where he’ll work as the oldest and least-qualified staff member alongside his twelve-year-old aunt, Annabelle.
And let’s just say… Mikey is wildly unprepared.
The camp itself is clearly struggling, the facilities are double accommodations (cue Mikey’s oh the horror face!), and instead of embracing summer camp activities, the kids assigned to Mikey’s “special activities committee” have zero interest in traditional camp fun. Instead, they become obsessed with a local legend tied to an abandoned cabin on the property and decide they’re going to solve a possible murder. Mikey convinces them to turn their summer project into a documentary about the mysterious disappearance, all while dreaming of his own fame surely to come from a true crime documentary.
From there, things spiral quickly, and nothing is quite what it seems.
I won’t spoil anything, but if you love a twisty mystery with an ending that completely sneaks up on you, this one is absolutely for you! I did not see it coming until it basically smacked me in the face.
There’s also a touch of romance, with the very hunky lifeguard Jackson, who is surprisingly into Mikey… despite Mikey doing everything in his power to come across as a complete jerk. Oh, any maybe he’s a murderer?
The characters really shine here. Even the side characters, like Raymond and Mikey’s dad, had me laughing. The writing is sharp, quick, and incredibly engaging. And I especially loved Mikey’s character arc. He doesn’t completely change who he is, but he grows in a way that feels realistic. Still very much himself, just… slightly less of a disaster.
One of my favorite dynamics was between Mikey and Annabelle. He thinks everyone else is helping her come out of her shell, but it’s really him who starts that process. There’s a really sweet moment where he offers to pretend he’s her uncle to make her feel more comfortable about their unconventional family situation, and it just worked so well.
All in all, this was an absolute delight. I binge-read it and could not put it down. If you’re a fan of Finlay Donovan, The Guncle or Stephanie Plum, you’ll love this book. This is my first book by the author but won’t be my last.
April 29, 2026
It’s the last Wednesday of April, so you know what that means! Book review time. A Murder Most Camp by Nicolas DiDomizio was released yesterday (the 28th) from Poisoned Pen Press. As usual, I must thank them and NetGalley for access to an ARC in exchange for an honest and unbiased review. Let’s do the thing!
A Murder Most Camp follows Mikey Hartford IV, the child (almost 30-year-old manchild) of a grocery chain empire who has done very little with his life outside of being the stereotypical rich kid. This all changes when daddy dearest changes the conditions of access to his trust. Mikey gets shipped off to a summer camp in the hopes that helping kids and being in nature will bring out his good side. Throw in solving a 13 year old murder with a bunch of tweens and falling for a “regular” guy, and maybe Mikey can change.
Plot: meh. I really wanted to like this one more than I did. The murder mystery part was beyond slow, mostly because there weren’t many suspects and it was super obvious that three out of four weren’t the baddie. It just really dragged. The romance was slightly better, but not much. It was a bit abrupt. There was also family stuff that drove the story more than anything. That was okay. But mostly, the book mostly felt like a shrine to ’90’s movie references. Mikey endlessly references Clueless and other movies that are older than him like they came out in his teens or something. At least pick references for things that would have been pivotal in his time. Or scale back on the references. Maybe one a chapter instead of five per page. It just made the book feel dated instead of cute.
Characters: pretty flat for the most part. Mikey gets a lot of development, but it feels forced. It’s like the author is trying to convince the reader that Mikey is a good person instead of letting the story show us that. There’s so much telling rather than showing. It’s like the author doesn’t trust the reader to see the character growth. It’s annoying. None of the other characters really get enough page time to come into their own, so they’re all a bit flat.
Writing: the best part. Other than copious amounts of movie references, the writing was smooth. It was a quick and easy read. Something good for a day at the beach or a rainy day in.
Ultimately, I was disappointed in A Murder Most Camp. It was mediocre at best. I think I was just hoping for more than I should have. It wasn’t bad, it just wasn’t good.
Overall, I gave it 3 out of 5 stars. Probably a little over 2.5 anyway. If you’re looking for an uncomplicated, mindless read to get you through a weekend trip or something, this is a good choice. Otherwise, give it a miss.
A Murder Most Camp follows Mikey Hartford IV, the child (almost 30-year-old manchild) of a grocery chain empire who has done very little with his life outside of being the stereotypical rich kid. This all changes when daddy dearest changes the conditions of access to his trust. Mikey gets shipped off to a summer camp in the hopes that helping kids and being in nature will bring out his good side. Throw in solving a 13 year old murder with a bunch of tweens and falling for a “regular” guy, and maybe Mikey can change.
Plot: meh. I really wanted to like this one more than I did. The murder mystery part was beyond slow, mostly because there weren’t many suspects and it was super obvious that three out of four weren’t the baddie. It just really dragged. The romance was slightly better, but not much. It was a bit abrupt. There was also family stuff that drove the story more than anything. That was okay. But mostly, the book mostly felt like a shrine to ’90’s movie references. Mikey endlessly references Clueless and other movies that are older than him like they came out in his teens or something. At least pick references for things that would have been pivotal in his time. Or scale back on the references. Maybe one a chapter instead of five per page. It just made the book feel dated instead of cute.
Characters: pretty flat for the most part. Mikey gets a lot of development, but it feels forced. It’s like the author is trying to convince the reader that Mikey is a good person instead of letting the story show us that. There’s so much telling rather than showing. It’s like the author doesn’t trust the reader to see the character growth. It’s annoying. None of the other characters really get enough page time to come into their own, so they’re all a bit flat.
Writing: the best part. Other than copious amounts of movie references, the writing was smooth. It was a quick and easy read. Something good for a day at the beach or a rainy day in.
Ultimately, I was disappointed in A Murder Most Camp. It was mediocre at best. I think I was just hoping for more than I should have. It wasn’t bad, it just wasn’t good.
Overall, I gave it 3 out of 5 stars. Probably a little over 2.5 anyway. If you’re looking for an uncomplicated, mindless read to get you through a weekend trip or something, this is a good choice. Otherwise, give it a miss.
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