School Library Journal
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Gr 10 Up—Haze Lejeune, 18, is drawn back to her hometown by a casting call for her favorite genre—a slasher movie. She's thrilled at the chance to play the "final girl" in a feature film and to revisit the town where, 15 years ago, her father, the infamous Pine Springs Slasher, brutally murdered his film students. Determined to keep her identity a secret, Haze throws herself into her role, but still burns with unanswered questions about her father's past. When dangerous, life-threatening accidents start happening on set, she begins to wonder if her father was truly the killer after all. Fast-paced and chilling, this book will keep readers on the edge of their seats. The story contains vivid depictions of murder and blood, making it best suited for mature teen audiences. Think Stephen King but with the intensity dialed down. The diverse, relatable cast includes LGBTQIA+ characters, as well as Vietnamese and Black representation. The teen characters form bonds early on, which gives emotional weight to the increasingly gruesome events. A light romance adds a softer thread to the narrative. VERDICT Highly recommended for libraries serving older teens—especially around the fall season. This book is sure to be a hit.—Ashley Grillo

Kirkus
Copyright © Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

A scream queen commits to the act in this homage to teen horror. It’s been 15 years since the Pine Springs Slasher went on a killing spree at the high school in the sleepy Louisiana town where Hazel “Haze” Lejeune lived as a child. The convicted killer? Her father, Cal Dupre, horror movie buff, beloved English teacher, and the victims’ film club mentor. Now 18, Haze is a budding actor and horror fan in her own right. When an indie film producer offers her a lead role playing the final girl inSwamp Creatures—a slasher flick shooting in Pine Springs—she accepts, hoping to finally get some closure. After a chilling opening sequence, Haze’s first-person narrative alternates with excerpts from the movie script, creating a taut story within a story. At first, when the actors and crew assemble, there’s a buzzy, summer camp vibe. But filming gets off to a rough start as freak accidents—or something more sinister—pile up. Some classic slasher movie–style deaths ensue, but much of the novel is suspenseful rather than truly terrifying, making this an appealing choice for casual horror fans. At its heart, the novel is about Haze, who’s cued white, unravelling her father’s legacy and what—if any—role she wants for him in her life. Some readers may wish that the supporting cast—which is diverse in ethnicity, sexual orientation, and gender identity—were characterized more richly; nonetheless, spine-tingling action delivers a satisfying conclusion. Frightful good fun.(Thriller. 13-18) Copyright © Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Book list
From Booklist, Copyright © American Library Association. Used with permission.

Hazel “Haze” Lejeune, an 18-year-old aspiring actor, has been offered her first starring role in the B-movie slasher Swamp Creatures, in which a masked killer terrorizes smalltown Louisiana. Haze, a slasher-movie aficionado, is excited to play the final girl, but she’s apprehensive, too: the movie is set in the same town the Pine Springs Slasher, aka “Dad,” struck 15 years ago. Haze was three when her father, popular high-school teacher Cal Dupre, was imprisoned for murdering five students. Her secret should be safe, but once shooting starts, the script reveals uncomfortable parallels, and Haze starts receiving cryptic notes. Someone knows who she is, and after dangerous mishaps on set culminate in an actual death, Haze must identify the killer before this f ilm becomes her (and her castmates’) last. Worley’s twisty, entertaining thriller makes good use of slasher conventions, integrating classic-film references, script excerpts, and POV chapters from the killer to build tension. Obvious red herrings mix with subtle ones, leaving Haze—and readers—guessing as the body count rises. Mystery and horror fans will find plenty to enjoy.