Bad Creek by Peyton June
on June 3, 2025
ISBN: 1324082933
Genres: Horror, Mystery, Suspense
Format: Young Adult
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads

Bad Creek brings a chill to its summer setting, full of superstitions in the spirit of campfire stories and societal horror against a conservative town’s backdrop. 

Iris is not excited to return to Bad Creek after the death of her older sister the previous summer: something she doesn’t believe was accidental. However, when her friends don’t believe her gut feeling that something sinister is at play in the small, religious town, they come to find that the real evil forces are often human… 

This book is great for students that love mysteries but perhaps haven’t quite dipped their toes into horror yet. Its well-paced story line remains engaging as it builds feelings of dread in the reader and ultimately concludes with an unpredictable yet extremely satisfying twist. Bad Creek also offers reflections on privilege, identity, and handling grief, with trigger warnings for family death and homophobia. Recommended for 8th grade and up.  

Reviewed by Hannah Doktor, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta