The diamond has been rumored to be at the camp somewhere, and Maren starts to think that the counselor's disappearance had something to do with the clues she has found around camp, as well as rumored sightings of Charlotte's ghost. There was another woman who died in the fire, and she had a very expensive engagement ring with her. The camp was set up by her sister in her honor. There's also the issue of the camp's history- Charlotte Goodman was the daughter of a dancer and a set designer in Hollywood, and went into films herself, but unfortunately perished in a horrible fire in the 1950s. There's already been an issue with the oldest counselor having gone missing, and there is a fear that this is the last year that the camp will be open, since there is development occurring around it.

Roommate Theo, who identifies as nonbinary and uses the pronouns they/them, is interested in filming, and manages to irritate the other campers, especially after saying the name of the play the camp is putting on, MacBeth. Maren has a knack for solving little mysteries, like where Jo, the camp director, left her phone, and she settles in to her cabin.

'Key does a good job of bringing in such topics as the 1940s Hearings Against Accused Communists in Hollywood and related “Lavender Scare” without letting history overwhelm the storytelling.and of allowing the book’s themes of gender and sexuality to develop organically.Maren is glad to go to summer camp to get away from problems at home surrounding her older sister, Hadley, but she still can't escape her sister's shadow, since she also had attended the Charlotte Goodman Theater Camp. 'Deftly comparing past and present, the novel explores themes of gender identity and sexual orientation during Hollywood’s “Lavender Scare” and today.'- Publishers Weekly 'Film and theater lovers will particularly delight in frequent references and lore, but the sensational summer-camp mystery will easily appeal to all.'- Booklist 'Debut author Key constructs a well-paced treasure hunt, as much a mystery as a love letter to theater and its history. A layered, unexpectedly poignant mystery with over-the-top characters.'- Kirkus Reviews *'Key weaves an intriguing mystery together with a sensitive exploration of gender identity, mental health, and family relationships in the historical and present-day settings.'- BCCB, starred review

Twelfth by janet key