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Barrington Stoke snaps up mystery tale from TikTok 'superstar' Murphy
Barrington Stoke has snapped up the "haunting" Welcome to Camp Killer from TikTok "superstar" Cynthia Murphy.
Publisher Ailsa Bathgate acquired world rights from Stephanie Thwaites at Curtis Brown. The book will be published in September 2023, with cover art from Ali Ardington, in Barrington Stoke’s super-readable format for readers aged 13 and over.
The synopsis for Welcome to Camp Killer reads: "When an American-style residential camp is set up in the grounds of an English stately home, the teenage instructors are looking forward to a fun summer of activities. But from the outset, things don’t feel quite right at Camp Miller. Rumours circulate of a tragedy that took place in the grounds and some of the instructors report unexplained sightings of a ghostly presence. Then the incidents begin – a near-drowning out on the lake, a fatal fall from a cliff-face … Are these tragic accidents or is there something more sinister going on at Camp Killer?"
Murphy’s previous novel, Win Lose Kill Die (Scholastic), became a viral TikTok "sensation" according to the publisher. Welcome to Camp Killer is her first book with Barrington Stoke. She said "Working with Barrington Stoke feels so special, as when I was a primary school teacher, I would put their books into the hands of every struggling and reluctant reader. Writing something for them has always been on my wish list – in fact, back in November 2021 I tweeted that it was something I’d love to do. Fast forward to spring 2022 and a message landed in my inbox – would I like to write one of my creepy horror/thrillers for Barrington Stoke? Needless to say, I bit their hand off."
Bathgate added: "She’s delivered a fantastically thrilling, terrifying tale with a brilliant twist that will keep readers on the edge of their seats, and I’m really excited to welcome her and the characters of Camp Killer to the list!”
