Synopsis
Willow’s worst nightmare was being canceled. But the shadows in the woods of Camp Castaway might destroy more than her reputation.
After sitcom star Willow tweets herself into infamy and stumbles blind-drunk into a swimming pool, her agent ships her off to Camp Castaway. Nestled deep in upstate New York, Castaway is a summer camp for adults who are desperate to leave their mistakes behind. No real names, no phones . . . no way to call for help. Willow’s fellow campers seem okay. Her own favorite actress is even here, making a s’more. And did that jaded writer, Dani, just wink at her? But the peaceful vibe is shattered when one of the campers vanishes and Willow finds a mutilated doll in her room with a threatening message rolled up inside its mouth. Terror grips the group, campers begin to lose their heads–literally–and disturbing past deeds come to light.Is Willow about to get cancelled all over again, this time for good?
Review
The biggest thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the eARC!
Following the release of his previous novel, Burn the Negative, Josh Winning gives us yet another entertaining slasher-esque piece of horror fiction with Heads Will Roll. Willow arrives at Camp Castaway in a state of turmoil as she has been “canceled.” Her life as a sitcom star seems far away upon arriving at this remote camp in the woods, a place that is focused on disconnecting with the world that seemingly is out for Willow’s blood. All seems well for the first few days, but then fellow campers start going missing. And doll heads start showing up? The campfire tale of Knock Knock Nancy, a woman who knocks on your door begging for her severed head, begins to seem more than just a story.
Perhaps my favorite aspect of Winning’s books is simply how downright fun they are. As with Burn the Negative, Heads Will Roll sets up a premise any horror fan has come to know and love. Willow’s situation invokes strong imagery akin to iconic movies such as Friday the 13th, Sleepaway Camp, and Fear Street Part 2: 1978 with the remote location of the camp cutting her off from the conventional means to the modern world. For fans of horror, we know the dangers of settings like this and can imagine the worst possible scenario playing out before any real events begin to occur. This is an unnamed level of suspense that makes meeting every camper full of suspicion and mistrust.
What works equally well is if you are not aware of the particular sub-genre tropes associated with stories similar to Willow’s. Winning writes such clear, concise horror that executes mystery, body horror, and twists in a way that is incredibly accessible. This is the perfect kind of story I would recommend to a friend who is dipping their toe in the horror genre as Winning’s writing captures the magic of slashers, gore, and the puzzling mystery of who hides behind the axe.
Even more captivating is the character of Willow, a person who finds themselves in the wreckage of a life that has been flipped upside-down. Her character arc details the complexities of realizing who you truly are versus the person you’re pretending to be, a struggle that feels rather timely in the age of social media. Winning calls great attention to the intense connection that has been normalized between humans and technology, a poignant message that adds a dimension of emotional horror to an otherwise physically violent tale.
Heads Will Roll is the perfect summer horror read that provides entertainment and certified scares. Josh Winning’s writing appeals to seasoned horror readers and newcomers to the genre alike through his use of familiar tropes and nuanced perspective. You will definitely want to add this one to your “Summerween” TBR.
Heads Will Roll by Josh Winning release TOMORROW, July 30th!
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