The Dead of Summer is the first book in a young adult paranormal thriller series by Ryan La Sala. The story follows Ollie Veltman, a queer teen returning to his island home of Anchor's Mercy, only to find it threatened by a supernatural plague and a decades-old chemical spill. The book blends elements of body horror, eco-horror, and queer community themes, told through a unique narrative structure that includes narration, interviews, and text.