A Murder Most Camp
- Judith D Collins
- Apr 18
- 6 min read
Narrator: Mark Sanderlin
Sourcebooks
ISBN: 9781464250064
Publication Date: 04/28/2026
Publisher: Poisoned Pen Press
Format: Paperback
My Rating: 5 Stars (ARC)
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.)
Enter: 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…
My Review
Nicolas DiDomizio has crafted a witty, vibrant, queer mystery, A MURDER MOST CAMP, that is as much about found family as it is about finding a killer. It’s pure "summer camp chaos" that will leave you laughing at the privilege while rooting for the person beneath it.
"If David Rose from Schitt’s Creek was dropped into a 90s slasher movie with nothing but a smartphone and a 'precocious' 12-year-old aunt, you’d have A Murder Most Camp."
"Summer Camp Chaos with a Side of Heart."
A vibrant, "unapologetically campy" romp that's equal parts Clueless and Scooby-Doo! This breezy mystery with a twist-filled murder investigation keeps you guessing with a heartfelt romance with a "painfully hot" lifeguard named Jackson that truly grounds the story. Packed with witty 90s pop-culture quips, it’s a nostalgic, high-energy summer read perfect for fans of "The Guncle" and "Schitt's Creek."
The vibe:
The vibe of the mystery is less "gritty true crime" and more "summer camp chaos. The cast ranges from spoiled Manhattan socialites to "hunky" camp staffers and a group of precocious preteens.
Atmosphere:
~Unapologetically Campy
~Nostalgic
~Breezy but Suspenseful
~Queer & Heartfelt
~Hilarious
My thoughts...
"Canoes, Cold Cases, and Chemistry."
If you like your whodunnits with a side of sass and a dash of summer nostalgia, A Murder Most Camp belongs on your TBR. Nicolas DiDomizio expertly balances a suspenseful mystery, emotional growth, and a romance that feels like a love letter to the early 2000s.
A dazzling, irreverent mystery that is 100% "camp" in every sense of the word! This breezy, witty romp is packed with sharp 90s pop-culture quips and a surprisingly heartfelt redemption arc. If you’re looking for a mystery that doesn't take itself too seriously but still packs an emotional punch, this gem is your next must-read.
The story follows Mikey Hartford IV, a vapid, materialistic "nepo baby" who is forced to trade his AmEx Black card for a counselor whistle at the run-down Camp Lore. While he starts as an obnoxiously entitled socialite, his journey is an unapologetically campy and satirical look at privilege that eventually reveals a deeply insecure and protective heart.
The atmosphere is pure nostalgia.
Between the lakeside bonfires and breezy humor, a decade-old cold case provides a steady stream of suspenseful twists. What truly elevates the book is the heartfelt bond between Mikey and his 12-year-old Aunt Annabelle, as well as the witty, rapid-fire dialogue that feels like a love letter to the early 2000s.
This satirical yet thoughtful novel is a standout, proving that even a spoiled Manhattanite can find a "safe place to land" in the Adirondacks. It's a fast-paced, engaging read that delivers laughs, thrills, and plenty of heart.
"Imagine David Rose solving a Scooby-Doo mystery in a pair of Prada loafers. A 90s-coded, high-fashion slasher romp I didn't know I needed."
"Come for the biting 'nepo baby' satire, stay for the heartfelt 'found family' and the dishy lifeguard.
A sharp, satirical whodunnit that trades caviar for campfires! The author delivers a hilarious "nepo baby" redemption arc as Mikey Hartford IV faces his greatest fear: a place with "no indoor plumbing" and "no cell service." This vibrant mystery is a masterclass in satire, mocking the absurdity of the ultra-rich while uncovering a heartfelt core.
It’s a fast-paced, high-energy read that proves sometimes you have to lose your inheritance to find your soul. For readers who love a mystery with a biting social commentary, A Murder Most Camp is a brilliant, "90s-coded" romp that balances high-fashion satire with deep emotional growth.
The Writing:
Nicolas DiDomizio’s writing is defined by "high-velocity wit" and a specific brand of "modern-day nostalgia." ~ The Voice: Main Character Energy
~ The Language: Pop-Culture Fluency
~The "Sweet & Salty" Balance
The Vibe...
The vibe is "High-Fashion Chaos." It’s the literary version of a luxury candle burning in a rustic cabin—unexpected, slightly ridiculous, but ultimately very cozy.
The Tone...
The tone gives the story a vibrant personality that makes the investigation feel fresh, and the characters feel like people you actually want to hang out with at a bonfire.
The Title...
The title is a clever double entendre that perfectly encapsulates the book's dual nature. In short, the title promises a mystery that is as much about dramatic flair as it is about detective work.
The Takeaway...
The ultimate takeaway is that your value isn’t defined by what you inherit, but by who you choose to protect. While the book is wrapped in designer labels and "nepo baby" satire, its core message is about authenticity and growth.
Genre: Queer Mystery / Satirical Comedy / Coming-of-Age? Slasher-lite.
Tone: "Clueless" meets "Scooby-Doo." Highly entertaining.
Schitt's Creek/David Rose; High-energy, campy, and witty.
Language: Sharp, fast-paced, and loaded with 90s/Y2K pop culture
The Verdict...
5/5 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟STARS
I would love a TV series based on this electrifying novel!
A MURDER MOST CAMP is a high-spirited, five-star romp that perfectly balances biting satire with genuine heart. Nicolas DiDomizio has crafted the ultimate '90s-coded summer read: it’s witty, unapologetically queer, and keeps you guessing until the very last campfire spark. Whether you’re here for the twisty cold case, found family, or the sweet, slow-burn romance, you’ll stay for Mikey Hartford IV’s unforgettable journey from vapid heir to camp hero. A must-read for fans of The Guncle and Clueless."
Special thanks to Poisoned Pen Press and Netgalley for graciously sharing an advanced reading copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 5 Stars
Pub Date: April 28, 2026
Praise
"From the first page to the last, DiDomizio's A Murder Most Camp is a hilarious, fast-paced delight. Mikey Hartford IV might not be your typical amateur sleuth, but he is an entertaining one--especially when he's thrust into a world of precocious preteens, sloppy joes, and women who wear scrunchies. If I ever go missing in the middle of a forest, I hope my detective is even half as fun as Mikey!"
― Tamara Berry, author of Murder Runs in the Family
"With the camaraderie of summer camp and eerie thrills of stories told around the fire, A Murder Most Camp delivers an irresistible mystery full of endearing characters, heartfelt emotion, and clever twists that will keep you up well past lights out."
― Brianna Heath, author of Robbie McNeil’s Hit List
"DiDomizio's latest will camp out in your brain long after you finish. The vibes are immaculate, with plenty of murder, mayhem, and mosquito bites, and the twists are genuinely head-spinning. This is pure summer camp chaos, and I'm absolutely here for it."
― Mallory Arnold, USA Today bestselling author of How to Survive a Horror Story
"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!"
― Kim van Alkemade, New York Times bestselling author of Orphan #8 and Bachelor Girl
About the Author
Nicolas DiDomizio is the author of A Murder Most Camp, Nearlywed, The Gay Best Friend,and Burn It All Down, which was praised as “unforgettable” by James Patterson. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Western Connecticut State University and a master’s degree from NYU. He lives in upstate New York with his partner, Graig, and their smooshy bulldog, Rocco. WEBSITE
