Heads Will Roll

By Josh Winning

Review

When sitcom star Willow posts something on the internet that she shouldn't have, she finds herself cancelled. With her career down the pan she heads off to a remote retreat in the woods, Camp Castaway, to find perspective and escape from the world. 

On the first night Willow and the other guests gather around a campfire and begin telling ghost stories. One story in particular resonates — a beheaded witch named Knock Knock Nancy whose spirit is reputed to roam the woods at night knocking on doors. If you answer, she'll cut off your head. 

The next day one of them is missing. That same evening Willow hears KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK on her door. . .

Well, this book was a blast! It definitely has a 1980s teen slasher movie vibe and transported me back to my youth. It started off quite slowly; setting the scene at the retreat and introducing the various characters. I thought the first part dragged slightly and I became impatient waiting for the action to begin. But the waiting paid off and the remainder of the book was great. Heads certainly did roll! It was a fab urban legend horror story with plenty of suspense and tension.

★★★★☆

• Paperback: 368 pages
• Publisher: Penguin
• Publication Year: 2024
• Author: Josh Winning
• Genre: Horror

Synopsis

Cancelled after a drunken, ill-advised post, TV-star Willow McKenzie is sent to Camp Castaway – a retreat in the woods where you hide from your mistakes.

Spoiler #1: there’s nowhere to hide.

That first night, fellow campers gather round a fire, telling ghost stories. And Willow hears the tale of Knock-Knock Nancy – a beheaded local woman whose spirit still roams the woods.

Spoiler #2: she takes her victim’s heads.

Willow doesn’t believe in ghosts – until next day, a camper vanishes. And, that evening, Willow hears it:

Knock. Knock. Knock.

Spoiler #3: It’s already too late . . .