I forget how exactly I first picked up Jessica Goodman’s summer camp thriller The Counselors, but if I had to guess, I think it was one of those “monthly picks” sitting near the register at the Barnes & Noble Café a while back. I always grab those when I see them because they’ve never disappointed me. It’s been a while since I first read this one, but it’s one of those thrillers that sticks with you because of its setting, pacing, and gripping mystery.

Goldie has grown up near her beloved summer camp, Alpine Lake – her favorite place in the world – and this year she and her two best friends have the coveted title of counselor. She’s excited to return for another summer with her favorite people, yet uneasy because of a traumatic incident that happened during the school year. I won’t go into further details because it’s a genuinely well-crafted reveal that deserves to be experienced in real time, and I would hate to spoil it. Her anxiety is quickly justified when a body turns up in the lake… and it belongs to someone from her past.

Set against a gorgeous wooded backdrop and filled with spoiled rich campers and buried secrets, this one has strong echoes of Liz Moore’s The God of the Woods (which I previously reviewed). If you enjoyed that novel, this makes an excellent follow-up read. Both books explore class, privilege, guilt, and the complicated loyalty between childhood friends who share more secrets than they should. The Counselors leans more toward YA, though, making it a great choice for readers who want a mystery that’s suspenseful without being overly graphic.

If you’re in the mood for an atmospheric murder mystery that’s fast-paced and easy to devour in a single weekend, this is a great pick. And if you’ve read it, let me know in the comments – I’d love to hear what you thought!