Marisha Pessl

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Darkly

A psychological YA thriller: Teens selected for a prestigious summer internship uncover sinister mysteries at the Louisiana Veda Foundation, run by the legendary, late toy creator known for her eerie, cult-favorite games. As secrets unravel, Arcadia "Dia" Gannon and six other teens realize this summer may be deadly—and deeply personal.

We Were Liars meets Ready Player One meets Knives Out in this edge-of-your-seat psychological YA thriller in which a group of teens are chosen for a coveted summer internship away from home, and shortly after arriving are faced with unexpected and alarming circumstances. With gutting suspense and shocking twists, new territories of obsession and reinvention are explored as mysteries begin to unravel.After the mysterious death of Louisiana Veda, the enigmatic creator of Darkly, a toy-making empire known for its range of ingenious (if utterly terrifying) toys and games with a cult-like following, the company went bankrupt and production was discontinued. Since her heyday, the name Louisiana Veda has retreated into the past, cloaked in legend, rumor, and dust, however the intrigue remains. The remaining games are considered works of art, rife with hidden symbols and secrets and command skyrocketing prices, with the rarest and most notorious selling at auction well in the tens of millions. 

When news of an internship with the Louisiana Veda Foundation appears online, with the single question: What would you kill for?, seemingly every high school student in the world appears to be applying, including Arcadia “Dia” Gannon of Eminence, Missouri. She has never won anything in her life, but she has been obsessed with Louisiana Veda ever since she and her mom played Darkly’s Disappearing Act. Shockingly, Dia is chosen, along with six other teens—all from various countries, eager to be even remotely connected to the legend and visionary that is Louisiana Veda.

Soon Dia is questioning everything. Why, really, was she chosen? Who are these other kids, who all seem to have something to hide? And why does she have the distinct feeling this has everything to do with her and her family? The summer will be memorable for sure, but in twisted and terrifying ways that none of the "interns" will soon forget.