In a not-too-distant future in which current societal and natural threats, from economic disparity and racism to climate change, are further heightened, Karloff Country is a Disneyesque resort in Virginia providing escape. Many Karloff Country employees, including teenage Jay and his family, are BIPOC. Jay (Black) takes pride in his work and is grateful for the economic and food security Karloff Country provides for his family; he dismisses his friend Zeke’s accusations of devious intentions by the billionaire owner. But when the global situation grows dire, it becomes clear that Karloff Country’s true purpose isn’t vacation destination; it’s safe haven when society unravels. Even worse, the company orchestrated events leading to sudden global crisis. Employees aren’t given the choice to stay or leave; they’re needed to serve the mostly white uber-wealthy Karloff Country “Trustees” who’ve flooded to the resort. As unreasonable demands and racist microaggressions escalate, employee behavior is controlled with painful punishments delivered via an un-detachable armband; then comes the sanctioned lynching. Jay’s girlfriend, Seychelle, biracial granddaughter of the Karloff founder, occupies an uncomfortable space, privileged and wealthy but regularly disparaged by her grandfather for her Blackness. Jay can’t believe she knew about the plan, and when he joins the underground activist group that is fighting back, he must decide if he can trust her. Most of this enthralling, unsettling, provocative story is from Jay’s perspective, his turmoil palpable as his worldview takes a 180-degree turn.  (Age 14 and older)

“Timely, thrilling, and gripping from start to finish. An absolute page-turner.” --Karen M. McManus, #1 New York Times bestselling author of One of Us Is Lying

Jay is living his best life at Karloff Country, one of the world’s most famous resorts. He’s got his family, his crew, and an incredible after-school job at the property’s main theme park. Life isn’t so great for the rest of the world, but when people come here to vacation, it’s to get away from all that.

As things outside get worse, trouble starts seeping into Karloff. First, Jay’s friend Connie and her family disappear in the middle of the night and no one will talk about it. Then the richest and most powerful families start arriving, only... they aren’t leaving. Unknown to the employees, the resort has been selling shares in an end-of-the-world oasis. The best of the best at the end of days. And in order to deliver the top-notch customer service the wealthy clientele paid for, the employees will be at their total beck and call.

Whether they like it or not.

Yet Karloff Country didn’t count on Jay and his crew--and just how far they’ll go to find out the truth and save themselves. But what’s more dangerous: the monster you know in your home or the unknown nightmare outside the walls?