If you’re going away to a camp or beach house this summer, we may have found the perfect book to get under your skin – a chilling debut by local author J W Copp…
Set in an American summer camp, ‘Camp Terra’ is a suspense thriller which takes its own spin on a classic horror concept – an eerie summer camp where all is not what it seems and relatable characters are truly put to the test…
It’s a story which may sound familiar if you’ve seen films like ‘Cabin Fever’ or ‘Friday the 13th.’ However, the ethos of ‘Camp Terra’ itself is where things get really interesting. The site is a self-proclaimed haven for teenagers which encourages them to surrender their grip on technology, in the hope that they can ‘reconnect with nature’.
The teens arrive without their tablets and their smartphones only to discover that these rules don’t actually apply to the camp itself…
“Dozens of security cameras watch their every move, which doesn’t marry up with what the teenagers have been told,” reveals Joe – the book’s Glenfield-based author.
“So it’s basically this group of friends getting to the bottom of these disappearances which begins to happen, and some of the secrets behind the camp; what’s going on, and what’s its real purpose…
“It’s a mystery that keeps you guessing until the end with a lot of twists and turns and hopefully some surprises in there too!”
I’ve always enjoyed this genre – it keeps you guessing. Characters who you thought might be heroes turn out to be villains – villains might be heroes, there could be something completely out of the blue which you never saw coming and it changes the whole narrative of the book when you look back. I just like that unpredictability – stories which keep you on the edge of your seat and wanting to read more to uncover the mystery…
Releasing a book is something which has been a long time ambition for Joe – a project management consultant by day. Growing up he was a huge fan of the ‘Goosebumps’ books by horror maestro R.L Stine, who inspired him to write.
“Those chilling tales have always stuck with me. I just love the twists and turns – stories which keep you guessing and keep you on the edge of your seat,” he tells Pukaar.
“Stine always did an excellent job of writing in a way that appealed to a range of audiences (right from childhood through to early adolescence) and I truly hope that Camp Terra can follow in his momentous footsteps, whilst introducing a modern audience to a timeless genre. I’ve got loads of ideas that I’d love to get written down…”
So far, readers have been reacting well to Joe’s debut. As the book ends on a bit of a cliff-hanger, he may even be considering a sequel he says.
“People have been reaching out and messaging me and that means a lot. Not only have they read a piece of work that I’ve pulled together, but they’ve enjoyed it enough to reach out – ask questions and provide feedback. I really appreciate that,” he revealed.
“If you’re someone that enjoys mystery, and thrillers books that keep you on the edge of your seat and make you think, it’s definitely something to check out.”
To be in with a chance of winning a copy of ‘Camp Terra’, email: team@pukaar.com
