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Heads Will Roll
Willow’s worst nightmare was being cancelled. But the woods of Camp Castaway might destroy more than her reputation.After sitcom star Willow tweeted herself into infamy and had to be dragged blind-drunk out of a swimming pool, her agent shipped her off to the woodsy and wonderfully anonymous confines of Camp Castaway. Tucked away in the trees of upstate New York, Castaway is a summer camp for adults in desperate need of leaving behind their mistakes, their social media accounts, their lives. No real names, no phones…no way to call for help.Willow is relieved to find that her fellow campers seem okay. To her shock, her own favorite actress is here, sitting by the campfire and roasting a s’more. And did that jaded writer, Dani, just wink at her? But the peaceful vibe is shattered when a terrifying woman pops shrieking from the wardrobe in Willow’s room. Soon after, one of the campers vanishes. Is Willow about to get cancelled all over again, this time for good?Soon, terror grips the group, campers begin to lose their heads—literally!—and Willow and her new friends are on the run. As paranoia grows and disturbing past deeds come to light, this escape from their shallow lifestyles might just lead to a set of shallow graves.
314 pages, Hardcover
First published July 30, 2024
About the author
Josh Winning
4 books236 followersJosh Winning is a nostalgia nut, book/film lover and author of
The Shadow Glass
, which is like Labyrinth meets Stranger Things, and
Burn the Negative
, which is like Scream meets My Best Friend's Exorcism.
He is senior film writer at Radio Times, writer at Total Film, SFX and Den of Geek, and the co-host of movie podcast Torn Stubs. He has been on set with Kermit the Frog (and Miss Piggy), devoured breakfast with zombies on The Walking Dead, and sat on the Iron Throne on the Dublin set of Game of Thrones.
Josh lives with his cat Penny and dreams of one day convincing Sigourney Weaver to yell “Goddammit!” at him.
He is senior film writer at Radio Times, writer at Total Film, SFX and Den of Geek, and the co-host of movie podcast Torn Stubs. He has been on set with Kermit the Frog (and Miss Piggy), devoured breakfast with zombies on The Walking Dead, and sat on the Iron Throne on the Dublin set of Game of Thrones.
Josh lives with his cat Penny and dreams of one day convincing Sigourney Weaver to yell “Goddammit!” at him.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 400 reviews
July 30, 2024
A great slasher at summer camp story.
This is the classic story, but well executed.
I liked that the characters were adults with their more or less shameful secrets and not just a bunch of clueless teenagers.
The pacing was great, the characters well executed and the ending satisfying.
I found some little plot holes looking back but I was so engrossed in the story while reading it that it didn't really matter at the time.
If you are into slashers, it is definitely worth reading!
This is the classic story, but well executed.
I liked that the characters were adults with their more or less shameful secrets and not just a bunch of clueless teenagers.
The pacing was great, the characters well executed and the ending satisfying.
I found some little plot holes looking back but I was so engrossed in the story while reading it that it didn't really matter at the time.
If you are into slashers, it is definitely worth reading!
September 10, 2024
**3.5-stars**
Heads Will Roll; phenomenal title and equally phenomenal cover. Sadly, the story inside didn't quite blow my hair back, but for the most part, I had a good time with it.
This involves a group of characters who have gone to stay at Camp Castaway. Basically, it's a Summer Camp for adults who desperately need to separate themselves from social media for one reason or another.
Our main character, who goes by Willow, is an actress who has recently been canceled due to an poorly-worded tweet. Something, at the time, she felt was funny, turned out not to be received in the nature she intended. Thusly, she lost her job, her fiance, and any semblance of her regular life.
As she checks into Camp Castaway, she can't wait to be separated from her phone, to go by an assumed name and to be able to forget about everything going on out there.
The beginning of the book is mostly meeting all the camp residents and finding out a bit about why each of them is there. We also get a bit of history behind the camp and the family who has run it for years.
We also get a few scenes interspersed here or there that show us in no uncertain terms that there is an unhinged killer on the loose, and they happen to be stalking and eliminating the residents of Camp Castaway.
This was a bit of a mixed bag for me. The first 25%, I was invested. I was interested in the concept of this camp and I liked getting there and meeting some of the other campers.
I also enjoyed the very first scenes where we were exposed to the menace stalking the camp. I wanted more of that. Instead we sort of veered into the personal drama sector for way too long for my tastes.
Some may call this a slow burn, and I guess I can see that. I love a slow burn though, but IMO, you have to keep it progressing at a steady clip; keep adding, keep building.
To me, this didn't really feel like it was doing that. I want that fire to grow. If I'm adding kindling to it through an entire story it should build some nice big flames by the end.
This was like a pile of wood assembled at the beginning, with a tiny flame that around 80% had gasoline and a lit match thrown on it.
I was bored after the first 25% until around the 80% mark. That should be impossible with an ax-murderer on the loose, but here we are.
Luckily, it did really come alive for me in the last 20%. It fact, that last 20% was so good, I bumped it up a full star. I just wish it could have been that consistently off-the-walls the whole way through.
Just because this didn't necessarily work for me the entire way through, doesn't mean it won't work for you. I would urge anyone with interest to give it a go.
I've read quite a few other reviews at this point, and many, many Readers are really enjoying it. And like I said, even for me, that last little bit almost made the slog through the middle worth every minute.
Thank you to the publisher, G.P. Putnam's Sons, for providing me with a copy to read and review.
I enjoyed this more than the other novel that I've read from this author, so we're definitely on an upward trajectory!
Heads Will Roll; phenomenal title and equally phenomenal cover. Sadly, the story inside didn't quite blow my hair back, but for the most part, I had a good time with it.
This involves a group of characters who have gone to stay at Camp Castaway. Basically, it's a Summer Camp for adults who desperately need to separate themselves from social media for one reason or another.
Our main character, who goes by Willow, is an actress who has recently been canceled due to an poorly-worded tweet. Something, at the time, she felt was funny, turned out not to be received in the nature she intended. Thusly, she lost her job, her fiance, and any semblance of her regular life.
As she checks into Camp Castaway, she can't wait to be separated from her phone, to go by an assumed name and to be able to forget about everything going on out there.
The beginning of the book is mostly meeting all the camp residents and finding out a bit about why each of them is there. We also get a bit of history behind the camp and the family who has run it for years.
We also get a few scenes interspersed here or there that show us in no uncertain terms that there is an unhinged killer on the loose, and they happen to be stalking and eliminating the residents of Camp Castaway.
This was a bit of a mixed bag for me. The first 25%, I was invested. I was interested in the concept of this camp and I liked getting there and meeting some of the other campers.
I also enjoyed the very first scenes where we were exposed to the menace stalking the camp. I wanted more of that. Instead we sort of veered into the personal drama sector for way too long for my tastes.
Some may call this a slow burn, and I guess I can see that. I love a slow burn though, but IMO, you have to keep it progressing at a steady clip; keep adding, keep building.
To me, this didn't really feel like it was doing that. I want that fire to grow. If I'm adding kindling to it through an entire story it should build some nice big flames by the end.
This was like a pile of wood assembled at the beginning, with a tiny flame that around 80% had gasoline and a lit match thrown on it.
I was bored after the first 25% until around the 80% mark. That should be impossible with an ax-murderer on the loose, but here we are.
Luckily, it did really come alive for me in the last 20%. It fact, that last 20% was so good, I bumped it up a full star. I just wish it could have been that consistently off-the-walls the whole way through.
Just because this didn't necessarily work for me the entire way through, doesn't mean it won't work for you. I would urge anyone with interest to give it a go.
I've read quite a few other reviews at this point, and many, many Readers are really enjoying it. And like I said, even for me, that last little bit almost made the slog through the middle worth every minute.
Thank you to the publisher, G.P. Putnam's Sons, for providing me with a copy to read and review.
I enjoyed this more than the other novel that I've read from this author, so we're definitely on an upward trajectory!
June 4, 2024
3.5
@ThatGirlWillow causes a furore with a tweet three weeks ago and as a result sitcom star Willow loses the lot, not least her job. Her agent sends her to the isolation of Camp Castaway in upstate New York. This place is very different as here, this summer camp for adults gives inmates the opportunity to leave their lives behind and in particular, their mistakes. There’s a complete social media detox because there are no phones. All those there are anonymous, their names are changed as part of the process. Is this a chance for our once upon a time star? She discovers the other campers are ok with one late arrival shocking her as it’s Juniper Brown, her favourite actress. What is the actor who drops off the Hollywood scene ten years ago doing here? Then, several odd and disturbing things happen with one camper going missing. What is going on?
Summer camp horror? Do the contents follow through on the promise of the cover? In part yes as it’s certainly true of the first half where there’s plenty of creep to keep you reading on especially in the ‘shape’ of local legend in Knock-knock Nancy. At this point, there’s an abundance of atmosphere not least caused by the isolation of the camp. The fast paced plot seems to be building well, there’s some fear factor and imagery that gives me the heebie jeebies.
Then, for some reason the pace slows far too often and there’s repetition with regard to Nancy. It becomes gory, there’s plenty of slashing and ‘rolling’ but I don’t feel any tension and I should be freaking out but I’m not. It’s hard to take it seriously as it becomes whoops there goes another one with a lot of frantic dashing about. Understandably. Maybe it’s the author’s intention that I don’t take it seriously?? I don’t know! In addition, the dialogue in the second half is flat and cheesy.
It redeems itself towards the end with a few good twists but the ending seems unresolved.
Overall, there’s plenty of action, it’s fun and if you like slasher movies it does capture that vibe.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Penguin Michael Joseph for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
@ThatGirlWillow causes a furore with a tweet three weeks ago and as a result sitcom star Willow loses the lot, not least her job. Her agent sends her to the isolation of Camp Castaway in upstate New York. This place is very different as here, this summer camp for adults gives inmates the opportunity to leave their lives behind and in particular, their mistakes. There’s a complete social media detox because there are no phones. All those there are anonymous, their names are changed as part of the process. Is this a chance for our once upon a time star? She discovers the other campers are ok with one late arrival shocking her as it’s Juniper Brown, her favourite actress. What is the actor who drops off the Hollywood scene ten years ago doing here? Then, several odd and disturbing things happen with one camper going missing. What is going on?
Summer camp horror? Do the contents follow through on the promise of the cover? In part yes as it’s certainly true of the first half where there’s plenty of creep to keep you reading on especially in the ‘shape’ of local legend in Knock-knock Nancy. At this point, there’s an abundance of atmosphere not least caused by the isolation of the camp. The fast paced plot seems to be building well, there’s some fear factor and imagery that gives me the heebie jeebies.
Then, for some reason the pace slows far too often and there’s repetition with regard to Nancy. It becomes gory, there’s plenty of slashing and ‘rolling’ but I don’t feel any tension and I should be freaking out but I’m not. It’s hard to take it seriously as it becomes whoops there goes another one with a lot of frantic dashing about. Understandably. Maybe it’s the author’s intention that I don’t take it seriously?? I don’t know! In addition, the dialogue in the second half is flat and cheesy.
It redeems itself towards the end with a few good twists but the ending seems unresolved.
Overall, there’s plenty of action, it’s fun and if you like slasher movies it does capture that vibe.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Penguin Michael Joseph for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
July 29, 2024
I consumed this book in record time. I love, love, loveeee a creepy summer camp story and this one delivered!
Our narrator has worked her way to the top and landed her own Netflix show but that came to an abrupt halt when she thoughtlessly tweeted something and became the latest victim of cancel culture. Now her agent is sending her away to Camp Castaway for two weeks. When she arrives, the camp is beautiful and serene with cozy cabins surrounded by a thick forest. There’s only one road in, one road out, and no cell service—it’s a place to escape to. Having lost her job, her fiancé, her best friend, her money, her home, she welcomes the camp with open arms but when other campers start to disappear, she senses that something is off at Camp Castaway.
This novel stays true to the slasher genre while weaving in some social commentary, leaving readers with a fascinating meditation on LGBTQ+ rights and cancel culture. From the first few pages, I was deeply invested. The characters and the plot were well written and the story unfolds in a way that is truly addicting and so fun to read. With strong imagery that plays like a movie, this is a horror story that is guaranteed to leave readers satisfied. Some pieces follow rather predictable tropes but slashers follow rules, don't they? It's kind of what makes it so fun.
Would recommend to readers who love slashers, summer camp vibes, incredible world-building, and thought-provoking horror stories.
Thank you Putnam Books and NetGalley for the digital copy! Out 07/30/2024!
Our narrator has worked her way to the top and landed her own Netflix show but that came to an abrupt halt when she thoughtlessly tweeted something and became the latest victim of cancel culture. Now her agent is sending her away to Camp Castaway for two weeks. When she arrives, the camp is beautiful and serene with cozy cabins surrounded by a thick forest. There’s only one road in, one road out, and no cell service—it’s a place to escape to. Having lost her job, her fiancé, her best friend, her money, her home, she welcomes the camp with open arms but when other campers start to disappear, she senses that something is off at Camp Castaway.
This novel stays true to the slasher genre while weaving in some social commentary, leaving readers with a fascinating meditation on LGBTQ+ rights and cancel culture. From the first few pages, I was deeply invested. The characters and the plot were well written and the story unfolds in a way that is truly addicting and so fun to read. With strong imagery that plays like a movie, this is a horror story that is guaranteed to leave readers satisfied. Some pieces follow rather predictable tropes but slashers follow rules, don't they? It's kind of what makes it so fun.
Would recommend to readers who love slashers, summer camp vibes, incredible world-building, and thought-provoking horror stories.
Thank you Putnam Books and NetGalley for the digital copy! Out 07/30/2024!
August 12, 2024
TW/CW: Drinking, language, death of parents, anxiety, homophobia, depression, panic attack, toxic relationships, death by suicide (attempt), bullying, family drama, gory scenes, blood, cancer
*****SPOILERS*****
About the book:
After sitcom star Willow tweeted herself into infamy and had to be dragged blind-drunk out of a swimming pool, her agent shipped her off to the woodsy and wonderfully anonymous confines of Camp Castaway. Tucked away in the trees of upstate New York, Castaway is a summer camp for adults in desperate need of leaving behind their mistakes, their social media accounts, their lives. No real names, no phones…no way to call for help.Willow is relieved to find that her fellow campers seem okay. To her shock, her own favorite actress is here, sitting by the campfire and roasting a s’more. And did that jaded writer, Dani, just wink at her? But the peaceful vibe is shattered when a terrifying woman pops shrieking from the wardrobe in Willow’s room. Soon after, one of the campers vanishes
Release Date: July 30th, 2024
Genre: Horror
Pages: 320
Rating: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
What I Liked:
1. Loving that cover 🙌🏻
2. Pansexual rep
3. Love that the chapters change names when it is the victim that dies
4. Kept me guessing
5. Loved the creepy vibes
6. Very atmospheric
What I Didn't Like:
1. Canceled mentioned so much
2. Insta-romance popping up after a day
3. Ending felt weird
Overall Thoughts:
{{Disclaimer: I write my review as I read}}
We don't even know who our main woman is because she is never introduced to anybody instead she introduces herself at camp to Tye as Willow, the character she's been playing for so long. I wonder if this is going to come back that maybe this was her whole personality and she's disconnecting from reality because she's constantly being this fictional character.
I found it weird that the camp groundskeeper was able to recognize the people that got there. I've never heard of a camp prelooking at people before they show up, but perhaps he knows her from her show that is aimed at kids. I'm still sus of his actions.
It's crazy that a person that is staying at the camp is missing but the lead counselor doesn't even really care where he's at. He's been missing for a full day and she's pretty much like no Buck's fine. Bebe is like the camp mom and she pretty much holds the whole camp together. Her nonchalant attitude about a person missing though is 100% completely insane.
So Bebe has a sister, Sadie that has mental problems and then attacks Willow in her room.
Keeping count we currently have;
• A random sister character attacking people with vague words
• Buck is missing
• Texts being sent out about a "she"
• Seems like gay people are being sent to this camp to be killed
As you progress in the book we learn that "Willow" is never allowed to be herself. She always has to be on and be this image of the character on tv. Even when she's with her boyfriend she had to order the right food, or not want to watch a horror movie, or even talking about what she does in her free time. It gets to the point where she can't even tell people about her sexuality, that she is queer.
One of the two people that are sending text back and forth about the murders is definitely love bombing the other one to do all these killings.
Now Kat is the one that's been killed. Seems like she had a disagreement with another influencer named Roxanne and Roxanne tormented her to the brink of wanting to take her own life.
It's like day two and Willow is in this relationship with Dani already.
We finally figure out what Willow said that got her quote canceled. She said "better luck next time", which is a motto of the show she was on whenever she messed up as a defense towards the government going against gay marriages. Misty is mad at Willow for being different than the image she had portrayed on tv and on social media. This takes us back to the conversation that was brought up about parasocial relationships. I'm just happy that Willow admitted her faults and who she is.
Dani is apart of the gossip goblin that destroyed Willow's life. After Willow blows up at Dani of course Dani acts like she's the victim and actually gets mad at Willow telling her maybe she'll get her wish and it will be the end of the world. Can I just take a second and say how hilarious it was hearing that Willow was shocked that Dani wasn't the person that she's known for - brace yourself all of 3 days. Who knows someone... really knows someone after 3 days???
Willow runs into Juniper and Juniper tells her that she needs to get over what's happened to her because it's not the end of the days. She then tells her in a hundred years no one will remember any of this but it's weird because she uses an analogy of Bettie Davis' issues and drama as an excuse of how they overcame things, but it's been almost a hundred years since that happened so it seems like a moot point.
Just too odd that Buck is the only surviver but everyone else thst was taken has ended up dead.
Loved how Juniper went out. She fought the person and then even went out with a "cut" before being killed by the ax. Fantastic death. If this was Dead Meat she'd get the award for best death.Like a true badass she didn't die this way.
Dani had the photo Willow's brother and she happened to miss everything going on. She is apart of everything. She is planting doubt into Willow's mind by saying Misty had the photo and fame id's.
Misty was a catfisher and was on Catfish the show when someone tracked her down. {{{ First of all it doesn't work like that. I was actually contacted by my old pen pal that o stopped talking to when MTV casting got ahold of me because of him. The team from Catfish called and said I was being asked to do the show and they would pay me. I said no and that was the end of it.}}} They can't legally put you on tv without your consent. So this whole character development for a Misty is not even right.
You're telling me that it's the preacher. The preacher that is in his 60s/70s and is able to run, have super strength, and survive an accident. Also there were 4 women and none of them could take down one man??? He manages to kill Bebe (his daughter), Juniper, and Misty. Okay then. Dani is alive.
We still need to know who is working with Bebe's father (the texts).
The ending - sigh. Kurt is the one helping the preacher to kill everyone. Of course Courtney, Kurt's sister dies by suicide. Isn't she like the 4th person in this book that has either attempted or completed it? I wish the author would be more creative in those deaths.
Ahhh Willow is Rebecca. Now we have an actual name for her.
Final Thoughts:
I would say my main issue with this book is that there is a killer on the loose and people are disappearing, but it seems like "Willow" has a one track mind with just being with Dani. It's completely hit over your head constantly that Willow wants to be with her. Anytime they're alone or doing anything Dani can literally touch Willow and that's like the whole focus of the scene now. It really took me out of some creepy scenes that I think would have been great if this insta-romance wasn't there.
Book was fun! Kept me guessing the whole time. I loved how creepy some parts were and the characters trying to figure out what was going on.
I didn't like the ending. I thought the texts between Kurt and preacher were flirty more than two people working together. Plus I find it impossible to think a man in hus 60s or 70s could behind so many things thst wound take strength.
PS i seriously couldn't stop singing "Heads Will Roll" from the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. If you get a chance watch the music video for it. So great!
IG | Blog
Thanks to Netgalley and G.P. Putnam's Sons for this advanced copy of the book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
*****SPOILERS*****
About the book:
After sitcom star Willow tweeted herself into infamy and had to be dragged blind-drunk out of a swimming pool, her agent shipped her off to the woodsy and wonderfully anonymous confines of Camp Castaway. Tucked away in the trees of upstate New York, Castaway is a summer camp for adults in desperate need of leaving behind their mistakes, their social media accounts, their lives. No real names, no phones…no way to call for help.Willow is relieved to find that her fellow campers seem okay. To her shock, her own favorite actress is here, sitting by the campfire and roasting a s’more. And did that jaded writer, Dani, just wink at her? But the peaceful vibe is shattered when a terrifying woman pops shrieking from the wardrobe in Willow’s room. Soon after, one of the campers vanishes
Release Date: July 30th, 2024
Genre: Horror
Pages: 320
Rating: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
What I Liked:
1. Loving that cover 🙌🏻
2. Pansexual rep
3. Love that the chapters change names when it is the victim that dies
4. Kept me guessing
5. Loved the creepy vibes
6. Very atmospheric
What I Didn't Like:
1. Canceled mentioned so much
2. Insta-romance popping up after a day
3. Ending felt weird
Overall Thoughts:
{{Disclaimer: I write my review as I read}}
We don't even know who our main woman is because she is never introduced to anybody instead she introduces herself at camp to Tye as Willow, the character she's been playing for so long. I wonder if this is going to come back that maybe this was her whole personality and she's disconnecting from reality because she's constantly being this fictional character.
I found it weird that the camp groundskeeper was able to recognize the people that got there. I've never heard of a camp prelooking at people before they show up, but perhaps he knows her from her show that is aimed at kids. I'm still sus of his actions.
It's crazy that a person that is staying at the camp is missing but the lead counselor doesn't even really care where he's at. He's been missing for a full day and she's pretty much like no Buck's fine. Bebe is like the camp mom and she pretty much holds the whole camp together. Her nonchalant attitude about a person missing though is 100% completely insane.
So Bebe has a sister, Sadie that has mental problems and then attacks Willow in her room.
Keeping count we currently have;
• A random sister character attacking people with vague words
• Buck is missing
• Texts being sent out about a "she"
• Seems like gay people are being sent to this camp to be killed
As you progress in the book we learn that "Willow" is never allowed to be herself. She always has to be on and be this image of the character on tv. Even when she's with her boyfriend she had to order the right food, or not want to watch a horror movie, or even talking about what she does in her free time. It gets to the point where she can't even tell people about her sexuality, that she is queer.
One of the two people that are sending text back and forth about the murders is definitely love bombing the other one to do all these killings.
Now Kat is the one that's been killed. Seems like she had a disagreement with another influencer named Roxanne and Roxanne tormented her to the brink of wanting to take her own life.
It's like day two and Willow is in this relationship with Dani already.
We finally figure out what Willow said that got her quote canceled. She said "better luck next time", which is a motto of the show she was on whenever she messed up as a defense towards the government going against gay marriages. Misty is mad at Willow for being different than the image she had portrayed on tv and on social media. This takes us back to the conversation that was brought up about parasocial relationships. I'm just happy that Willow admitted her faults and who she is.
Dani is apart of the gossip goblin that destroyed Willow's life. After Willow blows up at Dani of course Dani acts like she's the victim and actually gets mad at Willow telling her maybe she'll get her wish and it will be the end of the world. Can I just take a second and say how hilarious it was hearing that Willow was shocked that Dani wasn't the person that she's known for - brace yourself all of 3 days. Who knows someone... really knows someone after 3 days???
Willow runs into Juniper and Juniper tells her that she needs to get over what's happened to her because it's not the end of the days. She then tells her in a hundred years no one will remember any of this but it's weird because she uses an analogy of Bettie Davis' issues and drama as an excuse of how they overcame things, but it's been almost a hundred years since that happened so it seems like a moot point.
Just too odd that Buck is the only surviver but everyone else thst was taken has ended up dead.
Dani had the photo Willow's brother and she happened to miss everything going on. She is apart of everything. She is planting doubt into Willow's mind by saying Misty had the photo and fame id's.
Misty was a catfisher and was on Catfish the show when someone tracked her down. {{{ First of all it doesn't work like that. I was actually contacted by my old pen pal that o stopped talking to when MTV casting got ahold of me because of him. The team from Catfish called and said I was being asked to do the show and they would pay me. I said no and that was the end of it.}}} They can't legally put you on tv without your consent. So this whole character development for a Misty is not even right.
You're telling me that it's the preacher. The preacher that is in his 60s/70s and is able to run, have super strength, and survive an accident. Also there were 4 women and none of them could take down one man??? He manages to kill Bebe (his daughter), Juniper, and Misty. Okay then. Dani is alive.
We still need to know who is working with Bebe's father (the texts).
The ending - sigh. Kurt is the one helping the preacher to kill everyone. Of course Courtney, Kurt's sister dies by suicide. Isn't she like the 4th person in this book that has either attempted or completed it? I wish the author would be more creative in those deaths.
Ahhh Willow is Rebecca. Now we have an actual name for her.
Final Thoughts:
I would say my main issue with this book is that there is a killer on the loose and people are disappearing, but it seems like "Willow" has a one track mind with just being with Dani. It's completely hit over your head constantly that Willow wants to be with her. Anytime they're alone or doing anything Dani can literally touch Willow and that's like the whole focus of the scene now. It really took me out of some creepy scenes that I think would have been great if this insta-romance wasn't there.
Book was fun! Kept me guessing the whole time. I loved how creepy some parts were and the characters trying to figure out what was going on.
I didn't like the ending. I thought the texts between Kurt and preacher were flirty more than two people working together. Plus I find it impossible to think a man in hus 60s or 70s could behind so many things thst wound take strength.
PS i seriously couldn't stop singing "Heads Will Roll" from the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. If you get a chance watch the music video for it. So great!
IG | Blog
Thanks to Netgalley and G.P. Putnam's Sons for this advanced copy of the book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
August 27, 2024
Most people attend summer camp for the fun of doing outdoorsy activities and spending time with others. When Willow sends a thoughtless and poorly-received tweet, her life as a television star desintigrates and she’s eventually sent to Camp Castaway: a summer camp designed for adults yearing to escape their mistakes while providing complete isolation from the outside world.
Heads Will Roll is good take on the summer camp slasher genre, with interesting characters, a couple of red herrings, a camp ghost story, a dash of dark humor, gorey deaths and even some poignant meditations upon cancel culture, mortality, accountability and the difficulties of living authentically.
Willow is sympathetic character as she struggles to adapt to her new existence as a pariah following abandonment by those who were closest to her. While some of the campers receive more focus than others, such as Dani and Willow’s idol and former-actress Juniper Brown, the cast is far from the typical bland horror movie cut-outs who simply exist to be slaughtered.
Heads Will Roll is initially medium-paced, with Willow gaining-what she believes-is a better understanding of her fellow campers. Tension starts to mount when a camper disappears, but once the first body is discovered, things barrel ahead quickly. The identity of the killer felt slightly convoluted and while some of the twists are somewhat convenient, they don’t detract too strongly from the narrative.
Thank you to NetGalley, Penguin Group Putnam and G. P. Putnam’s Sons for access to this ebook. All opinions expressed are solely my own.
Heads Will Roll is good take on the summer camp slasher genre, with interesting characters, a couple of red herrings, a camp ghost story, a dash of dark humor, gorey deaths and even some poignant meditations upon cancel culture, mortality, accountability and the difficulties of living authentically.
Willow is sympathetic character as she struggles to adapt to her new existence as a pariah following abandonment by those who were closest to her. While some of the campers receive more focus than others, such as Dani and Willow’s idol and former-actress Juniper Brown, the cast is far from the typical bland horror movie cut-outs who simply exist to be slaughtered.
Heads Will Roll is initially medium-paced, with Willow gaining-what she believes-is a better understanding of her fellow campers. Tension starts to mount when a camper disappears, but once the first body is discovered, things barrel ahead quickly. The identity of the killer felt slightly convoluted and while some of the twists are somewhat convenient, they don’t detract too strongly from the narrative.
Thank you to NetGalley, Penguin Group Putnam and G. P. Putnam’s Sons for access to this ebook. All opinions expressed are solely my own.
June 30, 2024
Thank you so much to Josh Winning and Putnam for my copy of this book. This was a fun summer camp thriller about people who need to escape the public eye and detach from their social media. Camp Castaway is where Willow goes to recover from a bad tweet and getting canceled. She meets other people who need to leave behind their mistakes and fade into oblivion, but no technology means no way to call for help. When a woman comes screaming out of Willow’s wardrobe, she is spooked. Then one of the campers go missing, and campers start to literally lose their heads.
Thoughts: This was a super fun and campy thriller/horror book. I love the way Josh Winning writes and this book was extra fun on audio because of Willow’s internal voice. I love a killer at a summer camp, and read this book quickly. The short chapters made it so easy to consume, and it was cheesy and over the top in the best way. Yes, you have to suspend belief. Yes, it was a little too much, but I still loved it. 4.5 stars!
Thoughts: This was a super fun and campy thriller/horror book. I love the way Josh Winning writes and this book was extra fun on audio because of Willow’s internal voice. I love a killer at a summer camp, and read this book quickly. The short chapters made it so easy to consume, and it was cheesy and over the top in the best way. Yes, you have to suspend belief. Yes, it was a little too much, but I still loved it. 4.5 stars!
Read
September 12, 2024Like Friday the 13th, Sleepaway Camp, and a hundred others before it, Heads Will Roll is a summer camp slasher—this time in novel form, though a novel written by a film critic. Cleverly, this is a very contemporary novel that explores the trappings of fame and the toxic avenues of "cancel culture". Our protagonist was riding high in LA, playing the titular role in a hugely successful Netflix sitcom called We Love Willow, until she wasn't.
After being cancelled for a tweet, the details of which we don't learn about for a long time, she heads off to a summer camp for people wanting to get away from technology. There, she hears a campfire story about a girl who was beheaded, and now her ghost knocks on cabin doors looking for her head. Cue the slasher as campers start going missing one by one, and we even see their deaths play out from their own intimate perspectives.
My full thoughts: https://booksandbao.com/best-horror-n...
After being cancelled for a tweet, the details of which we don't learn about for a long time, she heads off to a summer camp for people wanting to get away from technology. There, she hears a campfire story about a girl who was beheaded, and now her ghost knocks on cabin doors looking for her head. Cue the slasher as campers start going missing one by one, and we even see their deaths play out from their own intimate perspectives.
My full thoughts: https://booksandbao.com/best-horror-n...
June 10, 2024
I read Burn The Negative by Josh Winning last year and
LOVED it. It was a Hollywood/Cursed Movie horror book.
Heads Will Roll is a Summer Camp Slasher that pays tribute to tons of horror movies. So thankful that NetGalley approved my request to read this one early! I absolutely loved how aware this book was. It even had a Paul Tremblay reference which made me smile.
The book focuses on Willow, who is know for her Netflix sitcom We Love Willow. After one of her tweets goes viral (for the wrong reasons), her show is canceled, her fiancé leaves her, and she's getting canceled on the internet. She receives a brochure on a secluded camp in the New York mountains called Camp Castaway-or as she quickly dubs it Camp Cancelled. Everyone there seems to have a past/ present they're hiding from. Everything seems great when she first arrived, but when campers start going missing Willow gets suspicious. She starts investigating and uncovers some dark secrets about the camp and her fellow campers.
Overall I LOVED this book. It has great representation. It's cheesy and gory. I read this very quickly, finishing it in about three days. It's super addicting and definitely a novel you won't want to put down once you start it.
I gave this one 4 stars!
This book comes out July 30th, 2024 published by @putnambooks. Thanks again to@netgalley and @joshuawinning for the opportunity to read and review this book early.
LOVED it. It was a Hollywood/Cursed Movie horror book.
Heads Will Roll is a Summer Camp Slasher that pays tribute to tons of horror movies. So thankful that NetGalley approved my request to read this one early! I absolutely loved how aware this book was. It even had a Paul Tremblay reference which made me smile.
The book focuses on Willow, who is know for her Netflix sitcom We Love Willow. After one of her tweets goes viral (for the wrong reasons), her show is canceled, her fiancé leaves her, and she's getting canceled on the internet. She receives a brochure on a secluded camp in the New York mountains called Camp Castaway-or as she quickly dubs it Camp Cancelled. Everyone there seems to have a past/ present they're hiding from. Everything seems great when she first arrived, but when campers start going missing Willow gets suspicious. She starts investigating and uncovers some dark secrets about the camp and her fellow campers.
Overall I LOVED this book. It has great representation. It's cheesy and gory. I read this very quickly, finishing it in about three days. It's super addicting and definitely a novel you won't want to put down once you start it.
I gave this one 4 stars!
This book comes out July 30th, 2024 published by @putnambooks. Thanks again to@netgalley and @joshuawinning for the opportunity to read and review this book early.
April 10, 2024
If you like slashers you're going to love this fantastic novel. The name says it all. Heads Will Roll, and oh yeah, take that literally.
It's about a woman who had a hit Netflix show until a single tweet had her cancelled in the most extreme manner. She decides to go to a camp that promises digital detox and getting out in nature. There, she'll meet several characters who all have their own demons they're running from.
But soon, people go missing, decapitated bodies start piling up, and there's no way to escape this camp far away from civilization.
There's a lot more to the story than that but I'll just say it's well written and really dives into cancel culture and how it impacts others.
This book is like watching a great slasher film in your head while reading. There are a number of suspects, red herrings, and plenty of good ol' slashery goodness mixed with dark humor at times.
You definitely want to read this one and I highly recommend it.
I received an ARC of this book through Netgalley with no consideration. This review is voluntary and is my own personal opinion.
It's about a woman who had a hit Netflix show until a single tweet had her cancelled in the most extreme manner. She decides to go to a camp that promises digital detox and getting out in nature. There, she'll meet several characters who all have their own demons they're running from.
But soon, people go missing, decapitated bodies start piling up, and there's no way to escape this camp far away from civilization.
There's a lot more to the story than that but I'll just say it's well written and really dives into cancel culture and how it impacts others.
This book is like watching a great slasher film in your head while reading. There are a number of suspects, red herrings, and plenty of good ol' slashery goodness mixed with dark humor at times.
You definitely want to read this one and I highly recommend it.
I received an ARC of this book through Netgalley with no consideration. This review is voluntary and is my own personal opinion.
September 1, 2024
won in goodreads giveaway!
such a fun murder mystery. i loved the setting most of all, it made for such a good read.
such a fun murder mystery. i loved the setting most of all, it made for such a good read.
July 30, 2024
It had its moments that were good, but majority of it felt like a 90s sci-fi movie with the commercials in-between and your young 10 year old self, would rather go outside and play because with the commercials and dull storyline your interest fades..
(My young, in the 90s, sci-fi tv channel addicted self can relate to this)
(My young, in the 90s, sci-fi tv channel addicted self can relate to this)
July 31, 2024
Set at Camp Castaway, a place people can go when things go wrong and they need to get away from life for a while. Lots of commentary on social media, cancel culture, and how quickly someones life can be upturned by a gossip/hate post gone viral. I really liked the way these topics are explored among the camp members, as well as all the horror references dropped throughout the story. The kills were pretty fun and I enjoyed all the character pov's. Overall this was a very enjoyable summer read. I think a lot of slasher lovers will enjoy this one!
This book is out now in all formats.
Thanks so much to Netgalley, Penguin, & the author for the e-galley!
This book is out now in all formats.
Thanks so much to Netgalley, Penguin, & the author for the e-galley!
May 22, 2024
Cancel culture sends a sitcom star into a downward spiral, and she finds herself in an upstate summer camp for the ostracized. Everything is fun and lies until someone, or something, starts taking the campers out one by one.
When horror and humor complement each other, I’ll always say it’s a success, and I think the author nailed it. This book has such an 80s-90s slasher feel that gives enough nostalgia without ever coming across as “silly”—if that’s even the right word🤷🏻♀️. Winning uses the classic slasher tropes against a modern setting, and it just works.
The pacing is near neck-breaking; we just plowed through the plot, and I’m not even mad about it. If I had started this earlier in the day, it would’ve easily been a one-sitting read 🤌🏼
I totes appreciated the mid-story bomb drop; I think I even said “no fckn way” out loud but then tried to play it off like, “oh, yeah, I can see that 👀”. The plot twist at the end actually surprised me a little, so hella props.
The only thing I’m pulling back on a star for is that by the end, I still felt like there were some loose ends that could’ve been tied up, BUT in the defense of the slasher vibe, I guess it isn’t that big of a deal.
When horror and humor complement each other, I’ll always say it’s a success, and I think the author nailed it. This book has such an 80s-90s slasher feel that gives enough nostalgia without ever coming across as “silly”—if that’s even the right word🤷🏻♀️. Winning uses the classic slasher tropes against a modern setting, and it just works.
The pacing is near neck-breaking; we just plowed through the plot, and I’m not even mad about it. If I had started this earlier in the day, it would’ve easily been a one-sitting read 🤌🏼
I totes appreciated the mid-story bomb drop; I think I even said “no fckn way” out loud but then tried to play it off like, “oh, yeah, I can see that 👀”. The plot twist at the end actually surprised me a little, so hella props.
The only thing I’m pulling back on a star for is that by the end, I still felt like there were some loose ends that could’ve been tied up, BUT in the defense of the slasher vibe, I guess it isn’t that big of a deal.
July 12, 2024
3.5 ☆
Heads will Roll is a horror slasher that takes place at a summer camp. everyone who goes to Camp Castaway are some form of celebrity or someone who just gets a lot of media attention and at the camp they’re promised a chance to leave all their problems behind. but when the other campers start turning up dead with their heads decapitated, the main character Willow is forced to figure out what’s going on.
i had fun with this one and Juniper was 100% giving Laurie Strode 2.0 and I was here for it! i liked how the author tackled cancel culture and the way society can (more often than not), be overly harsh to anyone who makes the slightest mistake. the mystery behind who the killer was wasn’t what i was expecting and i enjoyed the direction it took. even though the end picks up with the gore and kills, i never really felt any tension and the final scenes were a bit cheesy for my tastes.
➙many thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for the arc, all opinions are my own.
Heads will Roll is a horror slasher that takes place at a summer camp. everyone who goes to Camp Castaway are some form of celebrity or someone who just gets a lot of media attention and at the camp they’re promised a chance to leave all their problems behind. but when the other campers start turning up dead with their heads decapitated, the main character Willow is forced to figure out what’s going on.
i had fun with this one and Juniper was 100% giving Laurie Strode 2.0 and I was here for it! i liked how the author tackled cancel culture and the way society can (more often than not), be overly harsh to anyone who makes the slightest mistake. the mystery behind who the killer was wasn’t what i was expecting and i enjoyed the direction it took. even though the end picks up with the gore and kills, i never really felt any tension and the final scenes were a bit cheesy for my tastes.
➙many thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for the arc, all opinions are my own.
September 6, 2024
This was a fun slasher with an adult summer camp setting. The main character is known only as Willow. She has the life she always dreamed of - a successful acting career with her own Netflix show, a fiancée with a big flashy ring, and tons of fans. However, it all comes crashing down with one poorly worded tweet and Willow becomes the internet's most hated celebrity overnight. Now, wanting to disconnect, Willow signs up to attend Camp Castaway - where they lock up your phones, forbid all use of technology, and focus on building social relationships and a strong connection to nature instead. But, when people start turning up dead and it becomes clear there is an axe murderer on the loose, Willow finds herself in a fight to survive and figure out who she can really trust in this world.
Willow is a very easy character to connect to and as we learn more about her life, it is easy to really care about what happens to her. We also get to see Willow have a personal transformation in figuring out who she really is when the cameras are off. I also enjoyed the side characters and the secrets everyone is keeping as the story slowly unfolds.
Heads Will Roll successfully pairs a silly, fast-paced, classic slasher story with a deeper look into cancel culture, LGBTQ+ discrimination, and conversion camps. The author gives the reader a lot to think about while also keeping you on the edge of your seat and fully entertained the whole time. I would definitely recommend this and will be reading more from Josh Winning soon!
The only thing that wasn't my favorite was the romance subplot. It seemed a little bit insta-love and, just generally, is not something I'm a big fan of.
Willow is a very easy character to connect to and as we learn more about her life, it is easy to really care about what happens to her. We also get to see Willow have a personal transformation in figuring out who she really is when the cameras are off. I also enjoyed the side characters and the secrets everyone is keeping as the story slowly unfolds.
Heads Will Roll successfully pairs a silly, fast-paced, classic slasher story with a deeper look into cancel culture, LGBTQ+ discrimination, and conversion camps. The author gives the reader a lot to think about while also keeping you on the edge of your seat and fully entertained the whole time. I would definitely recommend this and will be reading more from Josh Winning soon!
The only thing that wasn't my favorite was the romance subplot. It seemed a little bit insta-love and, just generally, is not something I'm a big fan of.
September 3, 2024
4.5 stars rounded up to 5!
I absolutely love horror that has something more to say and this one delivered on that front while also being an incredibly entertaining slasher. I have now read and loved two books by this author and I look forward to his next release.
Huge thank you to Josh Winning for reaching out to me to send a finished copy! This cover is absolutely killer and will be among my favorite summer time slashers.
I absolutely love horror that has something more to say and this one delivered on that front while also being an incredibly entertaining slasher. I have now read and loved two books by this author and I look forward to his next release.
Huge thank you to Josh Winning for reaching out to me to send a finished copy! This cover is absolutely killer and will be among my favorite summer time slashers.
September 9, 2024
★3.69 stars★
i will say... i did not expect THAT many heads to roll.
i will say... i did not expect THAT many heads to roll.
June 27, 2024
A good old fashioned slasher with a few modern twists.
I picked this book up not knowing what to expect and luckily it ticked a fair few of the boxes which I would call a necessity for a good compelling read, it even ticked a few I never new existed too.
Following the well trodden cliche of a group gather at a summer camp, this story delves deeply into the lives of a extremely varied collection of characters, each having fallen foul of cancel culture. All in an effort to rejuvenate or cleanse themselves of these modern issues. That's exactly where this tale starts to become darker, more foreboding, menacing as events unravell.
The author did a marvelous job of covering lgbtq issues but without making it become overbaring and undermining the narrative. This was a breath of fresh air for me, as many stories seem to get bogged down with similar topics lately.
Overall this was a fun, exciting read and one that is well worth checking out.
I picked this book up not knowing what to expect and luckily it ticked a fair few of the boxes which I would call a necessity for a good compelling read, it even ticked a few I never new existed too.
Following the well trodden cliche of a group gather at a summer camp, this story delves deeply into the lives of a extremely varied collection of characters, each having fallen foul of cancel culture. All in an effort to rejuvenate or cleanse themselves of these modern issues. That's exactly where this tale starts to become darker, more foreboding, menacing as events unravell.
The author did a marvelous job of covering lgbtq issues but without making it become overbaring and undermining the narrative. This was a breath of fresh air for me, as many stories seem to get bogged down with similar topics lately.
Overall this was a fun, exciting read and one that is well worth checking out.
August 4, 2024
I was anxiously awaiting the release of this book as Josh Winning's last book, Burn the negative, was one of my favorite books of 2023. Unfortunately, this one was just okay for me. I really enjoyed the last quarter of the book, but it was kind of just an average horror novel up to that point. I still am still anxiously awaiting his next one, though!
July 30, 2024
“We Love Willow” was a popular Netflix show about a ditzy girl and her imaginary friend. When the actress who played Willow tweeted a joke that landed insensitively, she and the show were both canceled. She was raked across the coals online, her friends ghosted her, and her fiancé broke up with her.
She was homeless, jobless and alone when her agent decided to send her to Camp Castaway. The camp is a small, isolated place for people to get away from everything…literally. There are no phones, music or television - just being in nature, playing board games and reading books. (I love that Willow was reading Paul Tremblay!) Everyone uses fake names, and nobody talks about what sent them to the camp. Tye, the camp counselor, Bebe, the “camp mom”, and Chef Jeff work there, but there are also the campers:
Misty, an older mahjong player
Dani, a queer writer
Buck, a weirdo who soon disappears
Kurt, a musician with allergies
Apollo, a sports agent
Kat, who is in IT, and
Juniper Brown, a famous actress from the 80s/90s who goes by own name because she’s so A-list.
Oh, and then there’s Knock-Knock Nancy. Legend has it that she was decapitated in the 1800s and now haunts the land by knocking before cutting off people’s heads. No, we cannot forget about her!
This story is so campy, so creepy, and so much fun that I’d love to say more, but I can’t! I want everyone to be as surprised as I was at finding out why everyone was there, who else may be lurking in those woods, and what becomes of all of them, because it’s all so good. (And yes, you’ll even learn Willow’s real name!) Willow is the first-person character, but we also get a couple of chapters from other campers, and they’re chilling. I loved the multimedia aspect, with tweets and stories and episodes from Willow’s show - it definitely added to an already interesting story. I really liked “Burn The Negative”, but I think the author outdid themselves with this one. 4.5 stars, rounded up!
(Thank you to G.P. Putnam’s Sons, Josh Winning and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my review. This book is slated to be released on July 30, 2024.)
She was homeless, jobless and alone when her agent decided to send her to Camp Castaway. The camp is a small, isolated place for people to get away from everything…literally. There are no phones, music or television - just being in nature, playing board games and reading books. (I love that Willow was reading Paul Tremblay!) Everyone uses fake names, and nobody talks about what sent them to the camp. Tye, the camp counselor, Bebe, the “camp mom”, and Chef Jeff work there, but there are also the campers:
Misty, an older mahjong player
Dani, a queer writer
Buck, a weirdo who soon disappears
Kurt, a musician with allergies
Apollo, a sports agent
Kat, who is in IT, and
Juniper Brown, a famous actress from the 80s/90s who goes by own name because she’s so A-list.
Oh, and then there’s Knock-Knock Nancy. Legend has it that she was decapitated in the 1800s and now haunts the land by knocking before cutting off people’s heads. No, we cannot forget about her!
This story is so campy, so creepy, and so much fun that I’d love to say more, but I can’t! I want everyone to be as surprised as I was at finding out why everyone was there, who else may be lurking in those woods, and what becomes of all of them, because it’s all so good. (And yes, you’ll even learn Willow’s real name!) Willow is the first-person character, but we also get a couple of chapters from other campers, and they’re chilling. I loved the multimedia aspect, with tweets and stories and episodes from Willow’s show - it definitely added to an already interesting story. I really liked “Burn The Negative”, but I think the author outdid themselves with this one. 4.5 stars, rounded up!
(Thank you to G.P. Putnam’s Sons, Josh Winning and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my review. This book is slated to be released on July 30, 2024.)
July 21, 2024
Winning takes a stab at the slasher genre and succeeds in absolutely killing it..
Full review
https://www.horrordna.com/books/heads...
Full review
https://www.horrordna.com/books/heads...
August 24, 2024
Ein Sommercamp für Erwachsene um sich mal digital zu detoxen klingt eigentlich ziemlich reizvoll. Das ändert sich allerdings schnell, wenn die Bewohner nach und nach in klassischer Slasher-Weise dezimiert werden.
Ich mag die Idee von Josh Winning sehr. Endlich mal ein Camp-Slasher der sich von der Menge abhebt und dem man trotzdem die Liebe des Autors zu den bekannten Filmen und Büchern dieses Genres anmerkt. Da die Protagonisten hier nicht hormongesteuerte Teenager sind, wie sonst üblich, und es sich dieses Mal um (hormongesteuerte) Erwachsene handelt hat man natürlich einen ganz anderen Spielraum um die Charaktere zu entwickeln. Jeder der Camp-Bewohner ist aus einem bestimmten Grund vor Ort und hat Geheimnisse die es gilt mit der Zeit herauszufinden. In diesen persönlichen Geschichten liegt Josh Winnings Stärke, denn er schafft vielschichtige Personen bei denen es Spaß macht sie zu verfolgen und immer mehr über sie zu erfahre.
Leider muss ich aber auch hier, wie schon bei seinem Erstling Burn the Negative sagen, dass er sehr inkonsequent mit seinem Erzähltempo ist. Es gibt Szenen die unnötig in die Länge gezogen werden und im Gegensatz dazu werden wichtige Handlungen nur schnell in einem Nebensatz abgefrühstückt so als ob man sie schlicht vergessen hätte und jetzt noch schnell die Kurve bekommen müsste.
Heads Will Roll ist unterhaltsam und macht über weite Strecken auch viel Spaß, wenn man das Genre mag, aber gerade zum Ende hin fühlt sich die Handlung doch etwas nachlässig entwickelt an worüber ich nicht einfach so hinwegsehen kann.
Ich mag die Idee von Josh Winning sehr. Endlich mal ein Camp-Slasher der sich von der Menge abhebt und dem man trotzdem die Liebe des Autors zu den bekannten Filmen und Büchern dieses Genres anmerkt. Da die Protagonisten hier nicht hormongesteuerte Teenager sind, wie sonst üblich, und es sich dieses Mal um (hormongesteuerte) Erwachsene handelt hat man natürlich einen ganz anderen Spielraum um die Charaktere zu entwickeln. Jeder der Camp-Bewohner ist aus einem bestimmten Grund vor Ort und hat Geheimnisse die es gilt mit der Zeit herauszufinden. In diesen persönlichen Geschichten liegt Josh Winnings Stärke, denn er schafft vielschichtige Personen bei denen es Spaß macht sie zu verfolgen und immer mehr über sie zu erfahre.
Leider muss ich aber auch hier, wie schon bei seinem Erstling Burn the Negative sagen, dass er sehr inkonsequent mit seinem Erzähltempo ist. Es gibt Szenen die unnötig in die Länge gezogen werden und im Gegensatz dazu werden wichtige Handlungen nur schnell in einem Nebensatz abgefrühstückt so als ob man sie schlicht vergessen hätte und jetzt noch schnell die Kurve bekommen müsste.
Heads Will Roll ist unterhaltsam und macht über weite Strecken auch viel Spaß, wenn man das Genre mag, aber gerade zum Ende hin fühlt sich die Handlung doch etwas nachlässig entwickelt an worüber ich nicht einfach so hinwegsehen kann.
August 9, 2024
Willow's life has just imploded. An ill-judged tweet has seen her lose her TV career, her fans, her boyfriend, her friends, & her home & gain an abusive online stalker. In desperation, she decides to attend Camp Castaway, an adults-only retreat in a campground in the woods. Here they are worlds away from the internet & Willow hopes no-one will recognise her.
The first night sees a campfire cookout where Willow is introduced to her fellow campers. It's also where she first hears the legend of 'Knock Knock Nancy', a witch who supposedly haunts the campground & knocks on the cabin doors in the dead of night & if you answer she takes your head. Typical campfire ghost story, right? Willow thinks so, but when one of the group suddenly vanishes, she's suddenly not so sure anymore. Has her stalker found her or Nancy real?
I rather enjoyed this one. It starts off quite slow & gets the reader invested in the characters before unleashing a finale where the death toll rapidly rises. No-one is safe & it wasn't immediately obvious to me who the killer was - in fact I think I suspected just about everyone at one time or another. It has some commentary on modern cancel culture, but at its heart, it's an entertaining horror/thriller. Perfect reading for a cold, dark October night.
My thanks to NetGalley & publishers, Michael Joseph/Penguin Random House, for the opportunity to read an ARC.
The first night sees a campfire cookout where Willow is introduced to her fellow campers. It's also where she first hears the legend of 'Knock Knock Nancy', a witch who supposedly haunts the campground & knocks on the cabin doors in the dead of night & if you answer she takes your head. Typical campfire ghost story, right? Willow thinks so, but when one of the group suddenly vanishes, she's suddenly not so sure anymore. Has her stalker found her or Nancy real?
I rather enjoyed this one. It starts off quite slow & gets the reader invested in the characters before unleashing a finale where the death toll rapidly rises. No-one is safe & it wasn't immediately obvious to me who the killer was - in fact I think I suspected just about everyone at one time or another. It has some commentary on modern cancel culture, but at its heart, it's an entertaining horror/thriller. Perfect reading for a cold, dark October night.
My thanks to NetGalley & publishers, Michael Joseph/Penguin Random House, for the opportunity to read an ARC.
August 31, 2024
4,5*
Why did this one work so well for me? Because this is how you do a great summer slasher, honoring the classics and leaning into the tropes while giving the reader a fresh and modern story.
Knowing Josh and his love for horror, you can tell he is inspired by horror movies like Scream and Friday the 13 among many others. All the horror references in this book are a treat for horror fans.
But now let’s get to the plot. We are in an unusual summer camp. Unusual because it is for adults that have been canceled and need to hide for a little while. In this camp, there is no technology allowed. It serves as a detox for the campers to work on themselves and forget about the likes, the hate comments and the fake rumors.
In the camp we are introduced to the few campers that are spending the summer there this year as well as the few staff members that will be staying there with them.
This is a very isolated place. The campers start to get to know each other and open up about their problems, when someone disappears. The campers are being killed one by one and nothing will stop this killer. Without any technology to ask for help and being surrounded by woods, needless to say that our campers are fudged.
The pacing really worked for me and the chapters had the perfect length to always keep you wanting more and keep up the tension. The set up already makes you feel suspicious about everything and everyone. And once the action starts, it never stops.
This was such a love letter to horror and a great slasher that is a must read for horror fans.
Why did this one work so well for me? Because this is how you do a great summer slasher, honoring the classics and leaning into the tropes while giving the reader a fresh and modern story.
Knowing Josh and his love for horror, you can tell he is inspired by horror movies like Scream and Friday the 13 among many others. All the horror references in this book are a treat for horror fans.
But now let’s get to the plot. We are in an unusual summer camp. Unusual because it is for adults that have been canceled and need to hide for a little while. In this camp, there is no technology allowed. It serves as a detox for the campers to work on themselves and forget about the likes, the hate comments and the fake rumors.
In the camp we are introduced to the few campers that are spending the summer there this year as well as the few staff members that will be staying there with them.
This is a very isolated place. The campers start to get to know each other and open up about their problems, when someone disappears. The campers are being killed one by one and nothing will stop this killer. Without any technology to ask for help and being surrounded by woods, needless to say that our campers are fudged.
The pacing really worked for me and the chapters had the perfect length to always keep you wanting more and keep up the tension. The set up already makes you feel suspicious about everything and everyone. And once the action starts, it never stops.
This was such a love letter to horror and a great slasher that is a must read for horror fans.
June 13, 2024
thank you to NetGalley and G.P. Putnam for providing a free arc in exchange for an honest review
plot twist: the real victims here are the readers.
up until the last 30% or so this book was shockingly boring for a slasher story, then the killer reveal came, and then it was just plain stupid. it's completely laughable that we were supposed to take that seriously at all. this author seemed to think that making the bad guy a big scary Christian would suffice to distract us from all the sense this book didn't make, because, like, Christians, amirite.💀
prior to the shitshow that was the killer reveal, this book was so dull and full of cringey pseudo self-help shit with all the depth of a post you'd find on instagram, and the characterization was so bland. if these characters were spices, they'd be flour.
it's normal to not really feel anything too deep for the victims in slashers; but we were clearly supposed to give a shit about these campers, with all their baggage and sob stories. but how can we? "willow" was there for exactly two days. that's not actually enough time for her or the readers to get to know anyone. her instalove type bullshit with dani was painful, and the "drama" that unfolded between them was pointless since they were over it in about five minutes. which was yet another thing that didn't feel realistic, considering what dani thought about willow and what willow dealt with as a result of dani's actions. i don't see anyone just being like "ah, it's chill, i'm over hatred and death threats because we spent a couple days in the ✨healing power of nature✨ and made out once!" fuck outta here. 😂
if this had all happened over a longer period of time, it would've allowed us to possibly get to know these characters better and maybe make their bonds somewhat believable, but two days is nothing. i also would have preferred to see a bit more distrust between the campers, some classic horror movie group paranoia and finger pointing. there was virtually no suspicion of each other among the campers, they mostly all just got super buddy buddy real quick and like... that's boring? and unlikely? again, this takes place over two fucking days. these people were perfect strangers 48 hours prior and then bodies start showing up, and for the most part no one is sus about their fellow campers? mmmk.
i was hoping for a fun, maybe slightly spoofy summer camp slasher. instead, this book took an ax to my brain cells.
plot twist: the real victims here are the readers.
up until the last 30% or so this book was shockingly boring for a slasher story, then the killer reveal came, and then it was just plain stupid. it's completely laughable that we were supposed to take that seriously at all. this author seemed to think that making the bad guy a big scary Christian would suffice to distract us from all the sense this book didn't make, because, like, Christians, amirite.💀
prior to the shitshow that was the killer reveal, this book was so dull and full of cringey pseudo self-help shit with all the depth of a post you'd find on instagram, and the characterization was so bland. if these characters were spices, they'd be flour.
it's normal to not really feel anything too deep for the victims in slashers; but we were clearly supposed to give a shit about these campers, with all their baggage and sob stories. but how can we? "willow" was there for exactly two days. that's not actually enough time for her or the readers to get to know anyone. her instalove type bullshit with dani was painful, and the "drama" that unfolded between them was pointless since they were over it in about five minutes. which was yet another thing that didn't feel realistic, considering what dani thought about willow and what willow dealt with as a result of dani's actions. i don't see anyone just being like "ah, it's chill, i'm over hatred and death threats because we spent a couple days in the ✨healing power of nature✨ and made out once!" fuck outta here. 😂
if this had all happened over a longer period of time, it would've allowed us to possibly get to know these characters better and maybe make their bonds somewhat believable, but two days is nothing. i also would have preferred to see a bit more distrust between the campers, some classic horror movie group paranoia and finger pointing. there was virtually no suspicion of each other among the campers, they mostly all just got super buddy buddy real quick and like... that's boring? and unlikely? again, this takes place over two fucking days. these people were perfect strangers 48 hours prior and then bodies start showing up, and for the most part no one is sus about their fellow campers? mmmk.
i was hoping for a fun, maybe slightly spoofy summer camp slasher. instead, this book took an ax to my brain cells.
April 14, 2024
I received a copy of this book through Net Galley in exchange for my honest review.
An unnamed actress referred to as only as Willow—the name of a sitcom character she’s famous for playing—has been canceled and even received death threats after a tweet she made is sent to Camp Castaway for a technology free summer camp for adults. Another camper tells an urban legend about Knock-Knock Nancy. She isn’t there for long before one of the other campers disappears. Soon Willow starts to wonder if Nancy is real.
This book pulled me in pretty fast and kept my attention easily. It has short chapters, which I always like in a book. The characters were relatable. I liked the setting. I liked the ending. I definitely recommend it if you like slashers.
An unnamed actress referred to as only as Willow—the name of a sitcom character she’s famous for playing—has been canceled and even received death threats after a tweet she made is sent to Camp Castaway for a technology free summer camp for adults. Another camper tells an urban legend about Knock-Knock Nancy. She isn’t there for long before one of the other campers disappears. Soon Willow starts to wonder if Nancy is real.
This book pulled me in pretty fast and kept my attention easily. It has short chapters, which I always like in a book. The characters were relatable. I liked the setting. I liked the ending. I definitely recommend it if you like slashers.
July 9, 2024
It feels pretty safe to say, in today's political climate and saturation of social media that has taught us to shoot first and ask questions later, that cancel culture is a rather divisive topic, to put it mildly. For some, it's a useful tool to hold ne'er-do-wellers to task for their societal or cultural missteps or grievances. On the other side are those who posit their free speech should also include a freedom from consequence.
I'll admit, I'm certainly no saint. I've been a part of what grew into online mobs speaking out against, in one case, one small press horror publisher's blatantly racist ad copy for a book they not only canceled but closed up shop altogether in light of the outcry they generated. I've spoken out against bad actors in the horror community, not in an effort to see them "cancelled" but because I thought it was the right thing to do at the time. And, of course, I've also been the target of cancellation campaigns, such as the time a popular horror reviewer cum book seller and author manipulated an image I had posted in order to further their own clout and brand, and led a charge of death threats lobbed my way from their friends and fans.
Having been on the receiving end of some hairy online vitriol, I was interested in reading Josh Winning's take on the subject via summer camp slasher horror in Heads Will Roll. Social media and horror have grown into increasingly cozy bedfellows these last few decades, what with one former president turned convicted felon attempting to use his Twitter account to launch World War III, in addition to egging on the cancellation of whoever caught his ire at the moment, and the takeover of Twitter itself to churn an already harmful site into a full-throated white supremacist cesspool under the ownership of a puddingheaded man-child. Cancel culture lies at the heart of Heads Will Roll as Willow, an actress, finds herself under assault on- and offline after a mistimed tweet goes viral and costs her everything. With her life spiraling out of control and online death threats turning into real-life stalking, Willow is ushered into Camp Castaway. Her and the other attendees are anonymous from each other -- no real names allowed and, more importantly, no electronics. It's a complete and total detox from society and social media, and dear fucking god does that ever sound wonderful right about now.
Of course, what kind of slasher in the woods death camp promises would this book be if everything stayed hunky dory? As Willow further enmeshes herself in Camp Castaway and grows close to another camper, Dani, she also begins to make startling discoveries about the history of the camp itself, particularly the truths surrounding the urban legend of Knock-Knock Nancy. Nancy, or so the campfire storytelling goes, was beheaded hundreds of years ago and now haunts these here woods, knocking on the cabin doors and murdering whoever answers, lobbing off their dome with her killer axe to replace her own lost head! Of course, like any good urban legend, there's a grain of truth to the story, and that which happens in the past has a tendency of repeating in the present.
In between murders and camp conspiracies, Winning deepens the cancel culture allegory to reflect on LGBTQIA struggles and the ways in which they suffer under the cancel culture wars waged against them by the right-wing amidst the current onslaught of book bans targeting diverse authors and fictional characters who have two feet planted firmly in the real world, "Don't Say Gay" legislation, and "straight pride" campaigns spearheaded by congresswomen who give their boyfriends a handjob during children's musical stage show productions of Beetlejuice.
While these elements provide a nice spine for Heads Will Rolls, I do wish there was more meat on its bones. Winning doesn't delve as deeply into cancel culture as I would have liked, opting instead to stick to more superficial examinations in an effort to keep the book light and springy amidst the unraveling of secrets and an increasingly carnage-wrought climax. At times, this approach feels more like mere lip service owed to the topic, with a heady dose of both-sidesing the issue in order to provide a happy resolution that feels at odds with the events endured. I will give Winning props, though, for highlighting the granddaddy of all cancel culture and historically notorious antigay women-killer, Christianity, a malignant force that continues to push its own agenda at the expense of humanity in the pursuit of political power (something something Project 2025 something something yada yada yada).
As far as the slasher elements, it does take a while for Winning to get around to rolling all them heads around. For the most part, Heads Will Roll is a bit of a slow-burn, punctuated with some nice moments of violence that, eventually, give way to a big and bloody assault upon the camp and its castaways. The climax is suitably silver-screen big and gory, with the body count stacking nice and high by book's end. I dug the Knock-Knock Nancy mythos, and found the truth behind the camp legend suitably believable and relevant, but I did find myself wishing for more regular, and more extreme, beats of slasher mayhem. Like the topic of cancel culture, Winning just doesn't go far or deep enough to truly satisfy, giving the overall story a somewhat half-baked feel. Of course, it's all punctuated with familiar been there done that vibes and copious pop culture references that compel comparisons, particularly when Willow dons a Jade Daniels sleeping shirt. That brief aside was enough to make me wish I was once again reading about Stephen Graham Jones's final girl instead, and I'd heartily recommend his Indian Lake trilogy over Heads Will Roll if you're looking for some real slashery goodness. Now those were some damn good books!
I'll admit, I'm certainly no saint. I've been a part of what grew into online mobs speaking out against, in one case, one small press horror publisher's blatantly racist ad copy for a book they not only canceled but closed up shop altogether in light of the outcry they generated. I've spoken out against bad actors in the horror community, not in an effort to see them "cancelled" but because I thought it was the right thing to do at the time. And, of course, I've also been the target of cancellation campaigns, such as the time a popular horror reviewer cum book seller and author manipulated an image I had posted in order to further their own clout and brand, and led a charge of death threats lobbed my way from their friends and fans.
Having been on the receiving end of some hairy online vitriol, I was interested in reading Josh Winning's take on the subject via summer camp slasher horror in Heads Will Roll. Social media and horror have grown into increasingly cozy bedfellows these last few decades, what with one former president turned convicted felon attempting to use his Twitter account to launch World War III, in addition to egging on the cancellation of whoever caught his ire at the moment, and the takeover of Twitter itself to churn an already harmful site into a full-throated white supremacist cesspool under the ownership of a puddingheaded man-child. Cancel culture lies at the heart of Heads Will Roll as Willow, an actress, finds herself under assault on- and offline after a mistimed tweet goes viral and costs her everything. With her life spiraling out of control and online death threats turning into real-life stalking, Willow is ushered into Camp Castaway. Her and the other attendees are anonymous from each other -- no real names allowed and, more importantly, no electronics. It's a complete and total detox from society and social media, and dear fucking god does that ever sound wonderful right about now.
Of course, what kind of slasher in the woods death camp promises would this book be if everything stayed hunky dory? As Willow further enmeshes herself in Camp Castaway and grows close to another camper, Dani, she also begins to make startling discoveries about the history of the camp itself, particularly the truths surrounding the urban legend of Knock-Knock Nancy. Nancy, or so the campfire storytelling goes, was beheaded hundreds of years ago and now haunts these here woods, knocking on the cabin doors and murdering whoever answers, lobbing off their dome with her killer axe to replace her own lost head! Of course, like any good urban legend, there's a grain of truth to the story, and that which happens in the past has a tendency of repeating in the present.
In between murders and camp conspiracies, Winning deepens the cancel culture allegory to reflect on LGBTQIA struggles and the ways in which they suffer under the cancel culture wars waged against them by the right-wing amidst the current onslaught of book bans targeting diverse authors and fictional characters who have two feet planted firmly in the real world, "Don't Say Gay" legislation, and "straight pride" campaigns spearheaded by congresswomen who give their boyfriends a handjob during children's musical stage show productions of Beetlejuice.
While these elements provide a nice spine for Heads Will Rolls, I do wish there was more meat on its bones. Winning doesn't delve as deeply into cancel culture as I would have liked, opting instead to stick to more superficial examinations in an effort to keep the book light and springy amidst the unraveling of secrets and an increasingly carnage-wrought climax. At times, this approach feels more like mere lip service owed to the topic, with a heady dose of both-sidesing the issue in order to provide a happy resolution that feels at odds with the events endured. I will give Winning props, though, for highlighting the granddaddy of all cancel culture and historically notorious antigay women-killer, Christianity, a malignant force that continues to push its own agenda at the expense of humanity in the pursuit of political power (something something Project 2025 something something yada yada yada).
As far as the slasher elements, it does take a while for Winning to get around to rolling all them heads around. For the most part, Heads Will Roll is a bit of a slow-burn, punctuated with some nice moments of violence that, eventually, give way to a big and bloody assault upon the camp and its castaways. The climax is suitably silver-screen big and gory, with the body count stacking nice and high by book's end. I dug the Knock-Knock Nancy mythos, and found the truth behind the camp legend suitably believable and relevant, but I did find myself wishing for more regular, and more extreme, beats of slasher mayhem. Like the topic of cancel culture, Winning just doesn't go far or deep enough to truly satisfy, giving the overall story a somewhat half-baked feel. Of course, it's all punctuated with familiar been there done that vibes and copious pop culture references that compel comparisons, particularly when Willow dons a Jade Daniels sleeping shirt. That brief aside was enough to make me wish I was once again reading about Stephen Graham Jones's final girl instead, and I'd heartily recommend his Indian Lake trilogy over Heads Will Roll if you're looking for some real slashery goodness. Now those were some damn good books!
July 11, 2024
Heads Will Roll
By Josh Winning
Thank you so much partner @putnambooks for my gifted copy.
About the book 👇🏽
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.
✨ My thoughts:
Grab your snacks and get ready to devour this book! I don’t want to give any spoilers but… do you love moody slashers? What about Summer slashers? Because I do and Josh Winning DELIVERED. I could smell the campfire, hear the acoustic guitar, and feel the knocking in the pit of my stomach. This story is scary fun and had me on my toes just needing to know what was happening and who will lose their head next. With an interesting look at cancel culture and a plot that’ll drive your blood pressure all the way up, it’ll be impossible for a reader not to succumb to the forces of this story. The legend of knock-knock Nancy is the right kind of scary story to be told around the campfire and will be sure to keep you aware of the noises around you. Once you hear those knocks… someone will be decapitated because as they say… Heads will roll. Get ready to read the slasher of the summer because Heads Will Roll is out 7/30/24!!
Happy reading 📖🪓🔥
By Josh Winning
Thank you so much partner @putnambooks for my gifted copy.
About the book 👇🏽
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.
✨ My thoughts:
Grab your snacks and get ready to devour this book! I don’t want to give any spoilers but… do you love moody slashers? What about Summer slashers? Because I do and Josh Winning DELIVERED. I could smell the campfire, hear the acoustic guitar, and feel the knocking in the pit of my stomach. This story is scary fun and had me on my toes just needing to know what was happening and who will lose their head next. With an interesting look at cancel culture and a plot that’ll drive your blood pressure all the way up, it’ll be impossible for a reader not to succumb to the forces of this story. The legend of knock-knock Nancy is the right kind of scary story to be told around the campfire and will be sure to keep you aware of the noises around you. Once you hear those knocks… someone will be decapitated because as they say… Heads will roll. Get ready to read the slasher of the summer because Heads Will Roll is out 7/30/24!!
Happy reading 📖🪓🔥
July 12, 2024
This book was really interesting. It made think of Scream at summer camp. This book moves pretty fast because there is a lot going on and if you don’t pay you might miss a few tidbits.
The book is mainly about canceled culture and how it can envelope a person so much that it hurts. This book takes you through many people that got canceled for different reasons. That is why people go to the camp to detach from public eye and No Technology means No Technology. The thrills were literally rolling around every corner. I thought the book read YA it could had been pushed a little more with the gore.
Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for providing me with a free yebook in exchange for an honest review.
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