Vanessa is Not a Victim

#1 Amazon Bestseller in 2 categories!

Daria meets Scream with the dark humor of Heathers in this award nominated, debut YA thriller novel.

Seventeen-year-old Vanessa’s life is as mundane as it gets in her small, sleepy town. The only thing that breaks up the monotony? Her obsession with corny horror movies. When a serial killer hits close to home, Vanessa doesn't blink—until she finds the body of a fellow student in the girls' bathroom.

Inspired by her favorite slasher films, Vanessa hatches an exciting plan: become the killer’s next victim.

Unfortunately, no matter what she tries, the mysterious murderer won’t take the bait! Frustrated, she flips the script. If she can't be the victim, she'll save her clueless peers from becoming one, because in Vanessa's world, if she can't star in the horror show, no one can.

Written by award-nominated teen author Gabrielle S. Clarke, Vanessa Is Not a Victim offers fresh representation, razor-sharp voice, and a fearless take on agency, gender, and power — making it a standout for YA sections, book clubs, and school-friendly thrillers.

Perfect for readers who want:

YA camp horror & thrillers with humor

Trope-flipping storytelling

Strong teen girl protagonists

Contemporary, voice-driven YA fiction

Books by emerging and teen authors