National bestselling author William Elliott Hazelgrove has announced the publication of his latest work of narrative nonfiction, The Camp Mystic Flood: A Story of Tragedy and Heroism, to be published in hardcover by Bloomsbury on July 8, 2027. The book is timed to coincide with the second anniversary of the devastating July 4, 2025, flood that swept through Camp Mystic on the Guadalupe River in Texas, presenting the first comprehensive, deeply reported account of one of the deadliest camp disasters in American history.
Twenty-seven girls lost their lives when unprecedented floodwaters overwhelmed the century-old summer camp in the Texas Hill Country. Drawing inspiration from Sebastian Junger’s The Perfect Storm, Hazelgrove’s book will reconstruct the events of the flood minute by minute, following campers, counselors, parents, rescuers, camp owners, first responders, and members of the surrounding community as they confronted an unimaginable catastrophe.
“The Camp Mystic Flood is not an indictment, nor is it a defense,” said Hazelgrove. “My goal is to tell the whole story—how this tragedy unfolded, who the people were who experienced it, and the extraordinary acts of courage, sacrifice, faith, and heroism that emerged from one of the worst natural disasters in Texas history.”
Hazelgrove, author of more than twenty books of fiction and nonfiction, has spent months conducting extensive research for the project, including interviews with survivors, families, first responders, meteorologists, and local residents, as well as on-site reporting in Kerr County and the Texas Hill Country. The book examines not only the catastrophic flood itself, but also the history of Camp Mystic, the geography and flood history of the Guadalupe River, the rescue efforts, and the difficult questions that have emerged in the disaster’s aftermath.
While litigation and public debate continue over questions of responsibility and accountability, Hazelgrove emphasizes that the book will not seek to advance a predetermined conclusion. “There will be years of legal proceedings and public arguments over fault,” Hazelgrove said. “As a historian and narrative nonfiction writer, my responsibility is to follow the facts wherever they lead, to listen to all sides, and to tell this story with fairness, compassion, and historical rigor.”
At its heart, The Camp Mystic Flood: A Story of Tragedy and Heroism will focus on the human experience of the disaster: the families who entrusted their children to Camp Mystic, the counselors who fought to save them, the rescuers who risked their own lives, and the enduring legacy of the twenty-seven girls whose lives were lost.
The announcement of this book is important because it promises to provide a definitive, balanced account of a tragedy that has sparked intense public debate about camp safety, flood preparedness, and legal liability. For the families affected, the book may offer a sense of closure and recognition. For the broader public, it serves as a cautionary tale about the power of nature and the importance of disaster planning. Hazelgrove’s reputation for meticulous research suggests this will be a significant contribution to the literature on natural disasters and human resilience.
