Showstopper by Lily Anderson

Showstopper

Lily Anderson

Henry Holt and Co. · Hardcover · September 30, 2025

"A witty summer camp murder mystery where drama unfolds both on and off the stage . . . .

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Who it’s for
A summer theater intensive pairs spotlight ambitions with dark secrets just offstage.
Genres
YA Mysteries, Theater & Musicals for Teens, YA LGBTQ+
Published
Henry Holt and Co., September 30, 2025

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About this book

"A witty summer camp murder mystery where drama unfolds both on and off the stage . . . . In this love letter to theater life, the joy and passion derived from the art form shine through brightly." —Kirkus Reviews TAKE YOUR FINAL BOW The Ghostlight Youth Theater Camp isn’t the best program in the world, but to Faye, it’s home. Every summer since junior high, Faye and her friends have come together for a monthlong musical-theater intensive.

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For her last year before graduation, Faye’s finally ready to take center stage as her true Afro-Latina self and break out of her white-passing roles. But as Faye steps into her spotlight, complications arise. Suddenly, she’s competing with her BFF for lead roles and distracted by the attentions of the new camp hottie. Even when the drama turns deadly, Faye remains determined to make this the best production the Ghostlight has ever seen. It must be a coincidence that the stagehands keep disappearing and having gruesome accidents, right? But dark secrets are hiding behind the scenes, and opening night might turn out to be a bloodbath.

Backstage Tension

A summer theater intensive pairs spotlight ambitions with dark secrets just offstage.

Come here for

  • Musical-theater camp rivalries, stage ambitions, and backstage danger
  • A playful, edgy mystery with a love for theater life

Expect

  • Camp drama that turns deadly
  • Faye claiming space beyond the roles she’s been given

Where it sits

Theater & Musicals for Teens74%
YA LGBTQ+46%
YA Mysteries42%

Percentages are BookFrontier’s reading of the book.

Publisher categories

  • YA Horror
  • Theater & Musicals for Teens
  • Friendship for Teens
Authors
Lily Anderson
Publisher
Henry Holt and Co.
Published
September 30, 2025
Format
Hardcover
Reading lane
YA Horror