There’s something undeniably thrilling about the horror genre set in a summer camp. The familiar setup of teens making shockingly bad decisions amidst the great outdoors takes a chilling twist in Heads Will Roll by Josh Winning, a new, solid entry into the world of queer slashers. Set in a remote, upstate New York summer camp, the story masterfully combines nostalgia with biting social commentary. What begins as an adults-only oasis aimed at helping people escape technology addiction and recover from social media cancelation quickly descends into chaos. With sinister elements like a masked killer, a vengeful ghost, bad wigs, and spooky religious imagery, the novel offers more than enough creepy things to keep readers hooked.
As a fan of the excellent You’re Not Supposed to Die Tonight by Kalynn Bayron, I couldn’t help but feel a similar rush of excitement as I delved into this story. The gruesome twist of an axe-wielding maniac stalking former influencers while they toast marshmallows, swim in the lake, and attempt healing through yoga, adds a layer of dark humor to the terror. It’s a tale of unsuspecting youths, or rather adults in this case, being ripped limb-from-limb while grappling with their First World Problems—a mix of suspense and satire that’s impossible to put down. For fans of slashers with depth, this book truly feels like a nightmarish honor to experience.
Full synopsis, courtesy of the publisher:
A Chilling Retreat: Camp Castaway’s Deadly Secrets
In ‘Heads Will Roll’, sitcom star Willow’s life takes a dark and thrilling turn. After she tweeted herself into infamy, her downward spiral led her to a scandalous moment—found blind-drunk in a swimming pool. To save her career and reputation, her agent intervenes, sending her off to the woodsy and anonymous Camp Castaway, a remote retreat nestled among the trees of upstate New York. This exclusive summer camp offers adults a chance to escape their mistakes, step away from their social media accounts, and live without real names, phones, or any way to call for help. The premise feels hauntingly relatable, especially in a world so connected yet so isolating.
As Willow adjusts, the camp seems promising at first, with fellow campers like a favorite actress roasting a s’more by the campfire and the intriguing, jaded writer, Dani, who even throws her a playful wink. But the peaceful vibe is quickly shattered by a terrifying woman bursting shrieking from her wardrobe. When one of the campers vanishes, terror grips the group as they realize their lives are at stake.
The story spirals into chaos as paranoia grows, disturbing past deeds come to light, and Willow must run with her new friends to survive. The question looms: can they escape their shallow lifestyles, or will the camp bury their secrets in shallow graves? Josh Winning crafts an intense atmosphere where characters literally lose their heads—both figuratively and literally—turning a simple escape into a chilling fight for survival.
Reliving the Thrills of a Modern-Day Slasher
‘Heads Will Roll’ by Josh Winning is a refreshing dive into the world of horror, blending the charm of an old-fashioned slasher with clever modern-day twists. The story draws you in with its genre archetypes—the Stoner, the Cool Girl, the Peace-Maker, the Bad Ass, the Jerk, and the Good Girl—yet each character feels surprisingly unique and layered.
It’s the kind of book that makes you want to spend another few nights around the campfire, feeling like you’re part of the group. It hits pretty much every beat of what makes a slasher great, making it both familiar and fresh. I desperately enjoyed the time spent with these characters and the intricate dynamics they shared, proving how well-crafted and memorable this story is.
A Gripping Slasher with Unique Characters
Josh Winning’s narrative in Heads Will Roll is brilliantly constructed to keep readers hooked. Through Willow’s first-person observations, we dive into the eerie Camp Castaway experience. The structure is cleverly layered, with interspersed solo chapters detailing how campers are picked off one-by-one, giving the story a freaky sense of suspense. These pauses in action provide a much-needed breathing room while also capturing the feel of a genuine slasher movie. The descriptions of the grisly deaths-by-axe are vivid enough to make you go “yikes,” solidifying its horror movie aesthetic.
Though the dialogue occasionally feels cringey, with lines like “Not today Satan” breaking the tension, the author handles the characters’ interactions effectively. Each scene brims with tense, gory moments that are perfectly balanced against a backdrop of drama. The way the characters struggle to navigate their relationships amidst chaos is both relatable and chilling, cementing the book’s appeal for fans of classic slasher tropes.
A Final Girl to Remember
As a main character, Willow is a fascinating mix of vulnerability and strength. True to many horror movie protagonists, she is almost hilariously colorblind to the giant, bright red flags around her, and her behavior sometimes feels paradoxical. For instance, she spends too much time hemming and hawing about whether anyone recognizes her, despite having chosen the name of a famous sitcom character at the camp. It’s moments like these that make readers shake their heads and say, “Make it make sense!”
However, Willow’s depth as a character shines through her resilience. She’s undeniably tough and smart, battling her internal demons while navigating a story rife with familial trauma. This makes her a standout Final Girl, one who isn’t just fighting for survival but also unpacking her struggles along the way. Her complexity and determination anchor the book, elevating it beyond a typical gore-fest and into something deeply engaging.
The Chilling Tale of Knock Knock Nancy
The local legend of Knock Knock Nancy is both eerie and fascinating, pulling readers into a gripping mystery that unfolds throughout the novel. At first, Nancy seems to be the perfect scapegoat for the murders, but as the story evolves, it becomes clear there’s much more lurking in the shadows. The well thought-out backstory behind Nancy makes her a compelling figure, though the Big Bad at Camp Castaway brings its own share of issues, especially with how things wrap up.
While the tension builds with each turn of the page, the way these elements are tied together feels slightly rushed, leaving some lingering questions surrounding the narrative. Still, the twists and layers involving Nancy’s legend add a haunting charm that keeps the reader hooked.
The Chaos at Camp Castaway
When I first picked up Heads Will Roll by Josh Winning, I was drawn in by its remarkable premise—a group of campers facing the unthinkable at the mysterious Camp Castaway. The story wastes no time throwing you into its eerie setting, where the discovery of decapitated corpses sets the tone for a thrilling yet perplexing ride. Despite the gore and high stakes, the chill reactions of the characters left me scratching my head.
How could they so casually handle the sight of their friends meeting such a gruesome fate? While the book kept me engaged, there were some glaring inconsistencies that made me wonder if I missed a key paragraph that might have explained everything.
At times, the plot holes felt almost too big to ignore, and the unanswered questions started to drive me a little insane. Had people already died at Camp Castaway before, or was it all covered up?
Why did the killer choose now to start their terrifying rampage? The book leaves a lot for readers to unpack, and while I’ve tried to refrain from diving into the specifics, it’s hard not to feel like certain moments needed more clarity. If you’ve read it too, I’d love to chat because I can’t stop dying to know what others think of this wild ride.
Heads Will Roll is a thrill ride every fan of the Friday the 13th franchise needs on their TBR pile. While the last chapters may have minor annoyances, the gripping story and suspense are too good to put aside—so add it with haste!
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