
The Dead of Summer
The Dead of Summer, Book 1
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Narrated by:
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By:
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Ryan La Sala
About this listen
Stephen King meets Holly Jackson by way of We Were Liars in this action-packed story of queer horror from the acclaimed author of The Honeys!
Two Days Before
Ollie Veltman is finally coming home to the quaint island of Anchor's Mercy after a year away while his mom battled cancer. It should be a celebration—his mom is cancer free, and she's determined to have the best summer ever—but Ollie's (now ex) best friends think he abandoned them, and he's returning with a lot questions. Because for a place that's perfect on the surface, a secret rots below the waves. A secret that could explain his mom's illness, and the illness of so many other locals.
Ollie's desperate search for the truth turns life or death when a storm descends upon the island. In its wake, a long-sunken horror rises...
Three Weeks After
Ollie is being held in isolation aboard a military hospital ship in the harbor. They say he's a survivor, but they only know half the story. The truth is more monstrous than Ollie ever believed, and he suspects his saviors aren't here to save anyone. Only Ollie can stop what's coming, but that means getting back to Anchor's Mercy before it vanishes, taking with it everyone he has ever loved.
©2025 Ryan La Sala (P)2025 Scholastic Audio BooksCritic reviews
Praise for The Dead of Summer
"The Dead of Summer is like a Mike Flanagan movie: visceral and unsettling. The perfect creepy read!" -- Tiffany D. Jackson, New York Times bestselling author of The Weight of Blood
"La Sala is back with a fresh new freakshow! Not only is The Dead of Summer a terrifying, fast-paced, maritime body horror, it's a timely plea to embrace your community when you can no longer trust those in charge. This is one beach read that will have you sprinting away from the ocean!" -- Adam Sass, award-winning author of Your Lonely Nights Are Over
"A blistering tale of seaside horrors unleashed upon a beloved queer community, The Dead of Summer combines intricate plot with unforgettable characters. Every Ryan La Sala book is a gem." -- Trang Thanh Tran, New York Times bestselling author of She Is a Haunting
"Ryan La Sala's The Dead of Summer is a coastal New England fever dream that is equal parts heart-rending and horrifying. As in his previous work, La Sala masterfully balances elements of humor and horror to create a story that is as propulsive as it is poignant. Often told through a chilling epistolary lens, the truth behind what happened to the residents of Anchor's Mercy is pieced slowly together, allowing readers to draw their own conclusions in a way that will keep them guessing up until the breathtaking end." -- Kelly Andrew, New York Times bestselling author of I Am Made of Death
"Ryan brings their A-game with The Dead of Summer. As much a work of art stylistically as it is structurally, Ryan's sharp, signature prose reminds us all of the siren-song power of their craft. An engrossing read that'll absolutely pull you under." -- Kosoko Jackson, USA Today bestselling author of The Forest Demands Its Due
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