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Summerside Lake Massacre
Camp Summerside 1984.
A staple of summers in the town of Summerside Lake for the last twenty-five years, where kids and camp counselors get together for weeks of rural, fun activities.
But Summerside Lake is not as perfect as it seems. For its rolling hills and crystal clear waters hold a deadly secret, one thought long buried and forgotten by all.
But not by everyone.
There are some who remember, some whose anger never dies.
And for those at Camp Summerside, the lake will run red with blood.
A staple of summers in the town of Summerside Lake for the last twenty-five years, where kids and camp counselors get together for weeks of rural, fun activities.
But Summerside Lake is not as perfect as it seems. For its rolling hills and crystal clear waters hold a deadly secret, one thought long buried and forgotten by all.
But not by everyone.
There are some who remember, some whose anger never dies.
And for those at Camp Summerside, the lake will run red with blood.
317 pages, Paperback
Published June 11, 2022
52 people are currently reading
417 people want to read
About the author
L.R.J. Allen
11 books22 followersL. R. J. Allen is an avid fan of the fantastic and has been addicted to popular fiction from a young age. He worked eight years in local government and three in telecoms before turning his hand to writing.
He lives outside Salisbury with his fiancée and their cat Bella.
He lives outside Salisbury with his fiancée and their cat Bella.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
November 21, 2022
If you're looking for a compelling, fun, thriller type slasher, look no further. This was a great read, written with pace and good character work. What more can you ask for, really? A writer to watch!
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July 8, 2022This is a fun book. For a while, I was a bit thrown off by something entirely stylistic: Why, I wondered, were there so many odd bits of language, e.g. "He was sat outside" instead of "He was sitting outside." Then I realized the author is a Briton, and the language mad sense. Such is the trouble with writing for an international audience: which style do you use? There's no proper answer. Regardless, for someone from the UK writing about America and seeking to emulate an American slasher-style horror movie, Allen does an excellent job.
In some ways the plot is standard slasher fare, self-consciously so. In each section of the book, there is a quote from one of the big 1980s franchises, as well as Psycho. The familiarity of it, provides a welcome, comfortable, and nostalgic escape from reality (at least for those who were teens in the 1980s and 1990s, when everyone was going each summer to watch the latest installments of their favorite slasher series). However, there is a departure from the genre that adds a bit more sophistication. Even after the slasher, a madman named Molyneux (I can't help but be amused that the British author gave the psychotic killer a French name) escapes and begins his killing spree, the reader realizes: Wait! Isn't...? No more can be said on that without the risking a spoiler, which would be a shame, because the author playfully lets the reader realize there's a mystery in his or her own time, without ever actually stating it.
For anyone looking to spend a few hours with a comfortable throwback to their childhood years, Summerdale Lake Massacre is a welcome entry.
In some ways the plot is standard slasher fare, self-consciously so. In each section of the book, there is a quote from one of the big 1980s franchises, as well as Psycho. The familiarity of it, provides a welcome, comfortable, and nostalgic escape from reality (at least for those who were teens in the 1980s and 1990s, when everyone was going each summer to watch the latest installments of their favorite slasher series). However, there is a departure from the genre that adds a bit more sophistication. Even after the slasher, a madman named Molyneux (I can't help but be amused that the British author gave the psychotic killer a French name) escapes and begins his killing spree, the reader realizes: Wait! Isn't...? No more can be said on that without the risking a spoiler, which would be a shame, because the author playfully lets the reader realize there's a mystery in his or her own time, without ever actually stating it.
For anyone looking to spend a few hours with a comfortable throwback to their childhood years, Summerdale Lake Massacre is a welcome entry.
September 17, 2022
A very enjoyable indie slasher. Gory kills, a nice 80s vibe and a decent blend of horror and mystery make for a fun read.
July 16, 2022
I will be perfectly honest in stating that I was asked to read this by the author, L.R.J. Allen. However, the opinion I will give is my own and is not influenced by anyone else.
I enjoyed this story. No story is perfect, of course, and like anything it had its error. The main problem, I believe, was exposition. There was a lot of it in the beginning and in the very end. Spreading it out may have made for a smoother experience.
My only other complaint is that the villain(s) of this story are not killed off by who you might expect. Spoiler alert: I would much rather have had Gillian kill Conrad, for example. We love that final girl vengeance in this house.
Now, let me get into the things I liked:
Cliches: The story is stated outright as being an homage to 80s slashers. You expect to see certain things, naturally, when a style is emanated. I think Allen did an awesome job bringing these well known cliches to life without making them corny.
Character: As stated above, there are certain characters that you might expect to see in a slasher. I think Allen does a good job of representing these and fleshing them out without making them corny or two-dimensional.
Gore: Awesome gore in this. :)
Prose/Imagery: This book is a very quick and easy read. I read it in one day. This reading speed is accentuated with accessible text, fantastic prose, and beautiful imagery. Some of my favorite bits included death loitering, comparing a fiefdom to a guillotine, and somehow making cigarette smoke seem pretty.
Overall, I think this piece does a great job of capturing the fun and spirit of 80s slashers. Awesome job!
I enjoyed this story. No story is perfect, of course, and like anything it had its error. The main problem, I believe, was exposition. There was a lot of it in the beginning and in the very end. Spreading it out may have made for a smoother experience.
My only other complaint is that the villain(s) of this story are not killed off by who you might expect. Spoiler alert: I would much rather have had Gillian kill Conrad, for example. We love that final girl vengeance in this house.
Now, let me get into the things I liked:
Cliches: The story is stated outright as being an homage to 80s slashers. You expect to see certain things, naturally, when a style is emanated. I think Allen did an awesome job bringing these well known cliches to life without making them corny.
Character: As stated above, there are certain characters that you might expect to see in a slasher. I think Allen does a good job of representing these and fleshing them out without making them corny or two-dimensional.
Gore: Awesome gore in this. :)
Prose/Imagery: This book is a very quick and easy read. I read it in one day. This reading speed is accentuated with accessible text, fantastic prose, and beautiful imagery. Some of my favorite bits included death loitering, comparing a fiefdom to a guillotine, and somehow making cigarette smoke seem pretty.
Overall, I think this piece does a great job of capturing the fun and spirit of 80s slashers. Awesome job!
September 8, 2025
I really liked this book and it was a quick read but I don’t think I could ever rate something like this higher then 3 stars. They are always so short and are not as connected to the characters as I should be to rate it higher. It was great for a debut novel and will probably read more from him in the future.
May 31, 2024
* 3.5 ⭐️*
A decent slasher novel that filled my 70's and 80's old school slasher horror loving heart with joy. My main issue with this was the amount of grammatical errors, extra words, unnecessary punctuation, and overall writing mistakes that at times made the story hard to read. Another few read throughs of the manuscript would have bumped the one higher for me.
A decent slasher novel that filled my 70's and 80's old school slasher horror loving heart with joy. My main issue with this was the amount of grammatical errors, extra words, unnecessary punctuation, and overall writing mistakes that at times made the story hard to read. Another few read throughs of the manuscript would have bumped the one higher for me.
April 3, 2024
Really great introduction into horror/slasher reading. First time I’ve tried this genre and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The world building was exactly right for the story without any necessary waffling and the same goes for the character introductions.
The plot was well paced and did leave me guessing right until the end.
Will definitely be looking at the authors other works :)
The plot was well paced and did leave me guessing right until the end.
Will definitely be looking at the authors other works :)
July 16, 2024
this was suuuuch a fun read. summer camp slasher set in the 80's, complete with ominous scenes from the killer's POV, and a group of camp counselors slowly being picked off. if you're a fan of the OG slasher movies like Friday the 13th, Scream, I Know What You Did Last Summer, etc.- you should definitely read this. I kind of saw the big reveal coming, but there were a few scenes that had me thinking I was wrong. Overall a super fun summer read!
September 23, 2025
I devoured this. I absolutely loved the writing and the story. Campy horror with twists at the end? Yes please. This was this author's first novel and I hope it's the start of many. You've got yourself a fan 🙂
October 6, 2022
Quick read, 80's slasher, Friday 13th/Halloween vibes.
It was a okay book. I didn't find it very special but enjoyable.
It was a okay book. I didn't find it very special but enjoyable.
July 11, 2022
This was my introduction to L.R.J Allen. I was very impressed. The 80's slasher genre will always hold a place in my heart and it's nice to retreat back to that place at times.
It was 80s horror that taught me the difference between "cheesy" and "campy".
This book was the perfect campy 80s story. Allen did a great job with the development of the characters, he had me cheering for, and against, many of them.
I highly recommend taking the time to read this one! I already have more by Allen on my TBR
It was 80s horror that taught me the difference between "cheesy" and "campy".
This book was the perfect campy 80s story. Allen did a great job with the development of the characters, he had me cheering for, and against, many of them.
I highly recommend taking the time to read this one! I already have more by Allen on my TBR
February 26, 2023
This review was originally posted at http://bit.ly/3EAmjXm.
The year after the grand opening of Camp Summerside Karl Molyneux dropped his mask of normality and killed 8 people, including a little girl. He pled insanity and has resided in Lake Side Hospital ever since. Now that his trail has come to a re-hearing, almost fifty years later to see if he is rehabilitated enough to be moved to minimum security he escapes and is fully prepared to take anyone and everyone with him to maintain that freedom. This does not mean the councilors of Camp Summerside are safe. While setting up the camp they begin dropping, leaving behind a grisly tale.
I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. I love slasher movies and this slasher book has all of our favorite 80s and 90s horror movie aspects. Secluded and isolated camp. Revenge. Unhinged killer. And one can never forget the chase scenes. All of these things make for a read that you don't want to put down.
The book starts with the sheriff looking at the murder scene at the camp, although we have no idea if any of the residents survived the ordeal we are told of at least one of the people that are definitely going to die. Then, the story jumps backwards and begins to tell the story starting with the Molyneaux transfer.
While I fully enjoyed this book, including the epilogue I would have liked this section to include an update on the other hospital escapee to see how she is handling life with what was brought to life. It would be a hard thing to process, that is for sure. That is the only negative I have to add on this story.
The author casts just enough doubt for you to wonder who the murderer may be while leaving enough clues to make it obvious once revealed. An all around enjoyable read and I look forward to more from this author in the future.
The year after the grand opening of Camp Summerside Karl Molyneux dropped his mask of normality and killed 8 people, including a little girl. He pled insanity and has resided in Lake Side Hospital ever since. Now that his trail has come to a re-hearing, almost fifty years later to see if he is rehabilitated enough to be moved to minimum security he escapes and is fully prepared to take anyone and everyone with him to maintain that freedom. This does not mean the councilors of Camp Summerside are safe. While setting up the camp they begin dropping, leaving behind a grisly tale.
I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. I love slasher movies and this slasher book has all of our favorite 80s and 90s horror movie aspects. Secluded and isolated camp. Revenge. Unhinged killer. And one can never forget the chase scenes. All of these things make for a read that you don't want to put down.
The book starts with the sheriff looking at the murder scene at the camp, although we have no idea if any of the residents survived the ordeal we are told of at least one of the people that are definitely going to die. Then, the story jumps backwards and begins to tell the story starting with the Molyneaux transfer.
While I fully enjoyed this book, including the epilogue I would have liked this section to include an update on the other hospital escapee to see how she is handling life with what was brought to life. It would be a hard thing to process, that is for sure. That is the only negative I have to add on this story.
The author casts just enough doubt for you to wonder who the murderer may be while leaving enough clues to make it obvious once revealed. An all around enjoyable read and I look forward to more from this author in the future.
May 30, 2025
A great, gory slasher! I was very pleased with this book. It read quickly and everything flowed well even with a lot going on and multiple POVs. This is apparently the first in a trilogy and I’m hoping the next one will be out soon!
I liked where the story went and it was decently summed up in the end. There were some plot points I felt the author hadn’t fully decided where he wanted them to go so there were some contradictory things going on but nothing that made it unreadable or too confusing. Great structure and characters and really played out like an OG slasher film!
I liked where the story went and it was decently summed up in the end. There were some plot points I felt the author hadn’t fully decided where he wanted them to go so there were some contradictory things going on but nothing that made it unreadable or too confusing. Great structure and characters and really played out like an OG slasher film!
November 14, 2023
Accomplishes Its Goal
Summerside Lake Massacre doesn’t pretend to be anything it’s not: it’s a fast-paced slasher that hits on all the classic tropes, piles on the intrigue and gore, and keeps the reader interested throughout. The scenes are short, allowing the novel to play out like a movie on the page. A solid, entertaining read. Worth it for fans of classic and modern slashers, alike.
Summerside Lake Massacre doesn’t pretend to be anything it’s not: it’s a fast-paced slasher that hits on all the classic tropes, piles on the intrigue and gore, and keeps the reader interested throughout. The scenes are short, allowing the novel to play out like a movie on the page. A solid, entertaining read. Worth it for fans of classic and modern slashers, alike.
February 6, 2024
I absolutely loved this book! It takes you back to all those slasher movies of the 80s and 90s and does it with some style. Even the cover and title just draws you into that b movie experience.
The plot is great, the characters are great and the twists at the end are great.
Read it in one sitting!
The plot is great, the characters are great and the twists at the end are great.
Read it in one sitting!
September 3, 2025
It was good. Definitely reminded me of one of those campy 80's slasher movies.., only in a book. It was written pretty well in that unless u really took notes and paid close attention it took until close to the end to figure out who it was. Overall it was a fun and scary quick summer read for those horror fans out there
November 7, 2022
A very good slasher novel
Summerside Lake Massacre is a well written slasher novel. Allen is a fan of the genre and it shows. He builds up his characters, the suspense, and mystery before unleashing hell on the camp counselors.
Summerside Lake Massacre is a well written slasher novel. Allen is a fan of the genre and it shows. He builds up his characters, the suspense, and mystery before unleashing hell on the camp counselors.
December 5, 2022
Fun and engaging slasher movie in book form, although the killer's identity was pretty easy to figure out. Besides that and a few spelling/grammatical errors, no real complaints. If you like horror or slashers, give it a read.
January 14, 2024
love Slasher Books!
So I only gave this book 4 stars, not because it wasn’t a great story, but because of the errors in vocabulary. Nothing is more frustrating than reading along and have something pop up that makes no sense. Other that, loved the story!
So I only gave this book 4 stars, not because it wasn’t a great story, but because of the errors in vocabulary. Nothing is more frustrating than reading along and have something pop up that makes no sense. Other that, loved the story!
June 7, 2024
Clever premise and I enjoyed it but it needs a deeper edit, there were a lot missing words.
Did the Brandon character just disappear?
Was the sheriff purposefully named after a serial killer or was that a coincidence.
Overall a fun throwback slasher!
Did the Brandon character just disappear?
Was the sheriff purposefully named after a serial killer or was that a coincidence.
Overall a fun throwback slasher!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 30, 2025
4.5⭐️ rounded up to 5 for GR. Only knocked down slightly because of a few grammatical errors but other than that, this was a fun and enjoyable homage to 80s slashers!
Well-paced and engaging, this was a great camp slasher with all the usual tropes in book form and I had a really good time with this one!
Well-paced and engaging, this was a great camp slasher with all the usual tropes in book form and I had a really good time with this one!
July 17, 2025
Summerside Lake Massacre was a fast-paced, gnarly and perfect summertime read! The characters were well written and the story was incredible and came together so well. It was hard to put down and kept you guessing until the end. Highly recommend!
March 16, 2024
a lot of typos, 40 pages too long and a painfully obvious killer
June 16, 2024
This is a pretty good slasher, but the amount of typos and grammatical errors were distracting.
July 21, 2024
Nothing special but still entertaining.
July 30, 2024
Great slasher! Some grammar problems, but good otherwise!
January 22, 2025
3.5, would be 4 but there were a lot of typos
February 28, 2025
3.25 ⭐️ out of 5.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews