I thought this story about youth at a theater camp was an interesting twist on the 80s style summer camp experience where killers are the loose. The concept was interesting. The characters were somewhat diverse with the main FMC being Black and Puerto Rican. However, the story left something to be desired. There wasn't suspense and the humor was subpar. It wasn't a bad story by any means though.

I’m a Halloween year round kind of girl so summer camp slashers are always a favorite of mine. One dealing with theatre? Sign me up!

I really loved this book, I did. However I have to take it to 4 stars instead of 5 for lack of believability. Not a single adult cares that multiple kids are dying? I just can’t believe that.

Its still a very fun read.

First things first thank you Netgalley for this e-arc! So to be honest with y’all I picked this book based on the cover and title without knowing much else.

I read a lot of horror but haven’t delved too far into the YA facet of this genre and this book made me glad I did. Theater camp murder seemed like a really fun idea for a horror book, so I was excited to give it a shot.

It took me a while to really get into it, but by the last half I couldn’t put it down. The “surprise” at the end floored me, but also gave so much clarity to the killers reasoning that if anything, I sided with them. I had a feeling there was some sort of connection to the killers family member, but was not expecting the harsh truth of why and how things came to be.

I really enjoyed the diverse characters and queer representation in this book. It was nice to read characters that were very real and didn’t feel like they were thrown in for the sake of having an inclusive book. Issues the characters faced in life were brought up in incredibly organic ways, but had enough detail that the reader could really grasp the disparities these characters face.

Overall I enjoyed this book more than I expected and maybe I’ll give some more YA Horror a shot!


::spoilers!:::
I loved the way Lily Anderson worked in the way that teens can become preyed upon by adults who are not quite considered adults. Grooming and manipulation are such terrible things that they are a horror all on their own, no murders needed. In the end I will admit I absolutely took Kia’s side (a big good for her moment!) even if murder may not have been the best option to resolve her sisters assault.

I really liked this. I thought it was a really nice YA read. The story flowed well and the characters were fleshed out enough to care about. I do think it’s a little predictable, but I read a lot of mystery and thriller books so that’s probably more my problem than a story problem. I do wish there was an epilogue to see a little of what happens after. It’s a full story and the ending is fine but it does feel a little abrupt.

This was a lot of fun. A perfect slasher for summer. Teenagers being brutally hunted by a bloodthirsty relentless killer. Blood, gore, chasing, and comedic relief.

This is like Glee meets Scream! Fun YA summer read for sure! Great pacing & the characters made you feel like you went to school with them!

A fun slasher story. Some parts required me to stretch my believability a bit too much. The main group of characters were occasionally hard to read, especially when the MC would insist that they were not a clique, even though they were most definitely a clique (and kind of a bullying one, to be honest). More to come on TikTok.

Showstopper by Lily Anderson is a dazzling, blood-splattered love letter to theater kids and the dark side of ambition. Think High School Musical meets Scream—with a sharp social conscience and a whole lot of stage blood. But this isn’t just gore for gore’s sake. Showstopper digs into deeper themes: The toxic side of artistic ambition, and the danger of being unseen. Faye’s journey is not just about survival, but about reclaiming her voice and her identity in a system that tries to erase her.

🌟🌟🌟1/2

This was a fun, fast pace thriller set during a turbulent three week intensive theater summer camp. The setting is fun and the cast of characters well diverse. It's a nice pallet cleanser from the heaftier things I tend to stick with.

Thank you for the opportunity to read this book before its release! I always enjoy a good slasher, and I especially enjoy when the slashing happens at a camp during the summer. I’m not the age demographic for this book, and while I knew that going in, I think I expected to like this as much as I usually like YA slashers. Overall it was well done, but not exactly to my taste. The author did a wonderful job, and I think this needs to be in the hands of some teens.

Thank you so much to NetGalley, Lily Anderson, and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in advance! I feel like I enjoyed this book so much because of my love for the show American Horror Story, the thrill of how things will unfold, who will be next? The diverse cast also made every chapter really enjoyable, even you aren’t the biggest theater lover I do feel that people can connect with the story.
I would definitely recommend this book to any slasher film, thriller, or murder mystery lover as there aren’t any moments were you’re not wondering what will happen next!

Thank you to Lily and the publisher for allowing me to read this in advance! If you know me, you know I love a good murder mystery and throw in teenage angst and romance? Sign me up!! This is one of the few murder mysteries where I wasn't able to guess who done it, which I was super excited about. The showmance was quite cute added in, but I did feel like there was a lot going on in the plot as one time. This can be good and bad, as it gives a good amount of detail but it can be a lot to try and summarize/explain.

The other problem I had was the explanation of some of the theatre terms and ideas. Some were clearly explained but others I felt like could have been explained more clearly, or maybe add a glossary at the end to help explain certain aspects of the book. My biggest confusion was the two masks the killers used, as I didn't really understand the symbolism of the two selected. I think diving more into that would give the reader a better explanation as to why that is an important detail.

You could tell this was written by someone who loves the theatre and has a deep understanding, which I can appreciate melding into the book. Overall, I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it to mystery fans!

Equally parts humorous and horrifying, Showstopper is a compelling blend of traditional slasher tropes and refreshing black comedy. Perfect for fans of Scream Queens and I Know What You Did Last Summer.

A solid and thoroughly enjoyable read that is emotionally satisfying, engaging, witty, and clearly written with a profound appreciation for theater.

Thank you to Henry Holt and Co. for the eARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
Lily Anderson’s Show Stopper is a YA thriller with a generous dose of camp drama, musical theater flair, and a creeping sense of danger that unfolds beneath spotlights and stage makeup. With her signature wit and sharp characterization, Anderson brings us into the world of Ghostlight Camp, where the teens are dramatic, the performances are intense, and the body count keeps rising.

Overall, I enjoyed this novel, it was engaging, witty, and clearly written with a deep love for both theater and the high-stakes emotions of adolescence. Anderson’s voice shines, and the authenticity of her experience as a “theater kid” is felt on every page. As someone who’s been in that similar world (former band kid), I saw the real love and understanding poured into the pages, especially through the chaotic, expressive, and often over-the-top cast of characters.

That said, one thing that pulled me out of the story at times was the near-total lack of adult intervention or concern. There’s something jarring about a murder (or multiple suspicious deaths) happening at a summer camp, and the response from adults is more or less a shrug and a “break a leg.” Parents, even those of our main character, Faye, seem far too willing to let their barely legal kids stay in a clearly dangerous environment, surrounded by drunken college students and oblivious camp staff. It’s not that I needed a realistic procedural thriller, but the level of “meh” from authority figures made parts of the plot feel implausible, even for a YA story.
That being said, I appreciated that Anderson did eventually offer some explanations that grounded the more dramatic elements. What at first seems like a string of accidents is revealed to have layers, some characters may not be as innocent (or as oblivious) as they seem, and I was glad this was explored rather than left ambiguous. It brought the story full circle and made some of the earlier questionable plot points easier to digest in hindsight.
In terms of tone and theme, Show Stopper is definitely best suited for its intended YA audience, particularly for theater and artsy kids who love a bit of melodrama mixed with horror. While I may have wanted a little more realism in terms of adult response and risk management, I also recognize that the story is more about the intensity of being young, passionate, and obsessed with art, even in the face of danger.

Final verdict? A fun, slightly far-fetched but heartfelt tribute to theater kids everywhere. It’s Glee meets Scream, with a strong undercurrent of authenticity from an author who clearly remembers what it was like to live for the next performance.

First of all I’m so thankful for NetGalley for the ARC of this book.
It was fun and kept me guessing. The twists and turns were fun and some were even misleading. If you like slashers and who done it’s then I highly suggest picking up Show Stopper!!

Witty, heartfelt, and bursting with personality, Showstopper is a standout read. The characters leap off the page with sharp dialogue and irresistible chemistry. Anderson delivers a pitch-perfect story that’s emotionally satisfying.

As a theater kid this book was so good description wise with summer camp and the theatrical of it all. I really wanted to love everything but idk I just didn’t fall in love with the main characters like I normally do but it was a well written plot.

Thank you Henry Holt & Co and Netgalley for this eARC, these opinions are my own. Thrilling! Faye has been attending The Ghostlight Youth Theater Camp for years. This is her last summer before she ages out of the program. She’s determined to get out of her typecast as the good girl. They’re doing Riverdale this year and she’s determined to get cast as Veronica. Even if that’s the same part that her best friend Kai is going for. Things are off to an explosive start when they learn that their beloved camp director is dead, and not just dead but murdered. However the show must go on. This year they first have to audition for their parts. And there’s a new guy that catches Faye’s eye. Wes is cute and seems to know what he’s doing. But how much do they really know about him? As they begin the show everything feels off and the feelings aren’t helped when more people die. It seems like an accident at first but soon they’ll realize there is a killer amongst them. Can Faye and her friends figure out who it is before more people die? Or will looking lead them into danger? Can Faye change her typecast? Musical lovers will enjoy this one all the teenage drama and angst mixed with the theatrics of musical theatre! A queer thriller that intense, gripping, and pulse pounding! I had no clue who the killer was with this one and was absolutely shook! The story left me wondering and unsure what I would do in this situation! Highly recommend!

Lily Anderson's Showstopper is a undeniably entertaining horror read, a true YA slasher that doesn't pull its punches. As a horror fan, I genuinely appreciated that aspect—no one is safe in this book, and the body count is refreshingly unpredictable. A younger me would have devoured this, and adult me was certainly entertained.

However, despite its thrilling premise, the novel grapples with some significant character issues. As a former theater kid myself, I found the protagonist and her crew to be almost unbearably unlikeable; their unpleasantness, unfortunately, doesn't improve as the story progresses. Furthermore, the condensed timeline—a mere three weeks for auditions, line learning, and rehearsals—felt incredibly rushed and frankly, unrealistic for a full theatrical production. I would have preferred a more believable six to eight-week timeframe.

That said, Anderson absolutely nails the authentic essence of theater kids, capturing their distinct cliques, attitudes, and mannerisms with keen accuracy. Ultimately, Showstopper is a solid and thoroughly enjoyable read, despite its few narrative missteps. I'd definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a fun, gruesome ride.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.