Ryan La Sala’s The Dead of Summer is a chilling, atmospheric, and surprisingly heartfelt young adult horror novel that blends supernatural suspense with coming-of-age themes. Imagine We Were Liars meeting The Fog, with a touch of Holly Jackson’s narrative sharpness and a queer emotional core that feels both fresh and deeply human.
A Return to Anchor’s Mercy
The story follows Ollie Veltman, a queer teenager returning to his home on the island of Anchor’s Mercy after a year away. His mother, Grace, has just finished cancer treatment, and the two of them are ready to celebrate a new beginning. But the homecoming is far from peaceful. Ollie’s friends Bash and Elisa are distant, the island feels off-kilter, and there’s a strange sickness spreading among the locals one that might be connected to the island’s dark past.
When a violent storm hits Anchor’s Mercy, something ancient and horrifying is unleashed. The narrative shifts between “two days before” and “three weeks after,” where Ollie finds himself isolated on a military hospital ship, the sole survivor of an unexplainable disaster. As government agents try to piece together what happened, Ollie’s memories reveal that the truth is far more terrifying than anyone expects.
Horror with Heart
What makes The Dead of Summer stand out is La Sala’s ability to balance dread and tenderness. The island of Anchor’s Mercy feels alive a queer haven run by drag queens, brimming with color and community even as something sinister festers beneath the surface. Readers are quickly drawn into Ollie’s relationships, his longing to belong again, and his desperate search for answers.
The dual timeline keeps the tension taut. We experience both the creeping dread of the outbreak and the psychological unraveling that follows. The structure, alternating between traditional prose and transcript-style interviews aboard the ship, adds an investigative layer that deepens the mystery. It’s cinematic, fast-paced, and full of emotional undercurrents that make the horror hit harder.
Style and Atmosphere
La Sala writes with flair and empathy, giving the story a visual richness that’s easy to imagine. The eerie fog, the storm-lashed beaches, the ruined beauty of the island it all feels vivid and cinematic. There’s a strong sense of place that grounds the supernatural elements in something tangible. The result is a story that feels modern yet timeless, playful yet tragic.
Readers who prefer horror that relies more on suspense and atmosphere than on jump scares will appreciate the way La Sala builds fear through mystery, isolation, and emotional stakes. The queer representation feels authentic and celebratory, never tokenized or forced. And while the novel closes with a cliffhanger, it feels like the beginning of something bigger a series that could explore the island’s secrets in even more depth.
Final Thoughts
The Dead of Summer is a haunting and beautifully written start to what promises to be an unforgettable series. With its mix of mystery, horror, and queer coming-of-age storytelling, it captures both the thrill and the ache of youth while reminding readers that love and terror often share the same beating heart.
If you enjoy books that combine eerie mysteries with heartfelt character work, this one deserves a place on your summer reading list.
Get your copy of The Dead of Summer here: https://amzn.to/4mWqyjb
