Heads or Tails

by S. A-Benstead

“If fate has a purpose for you, it’s best not to deny her. Only hope she shows grace.”

The allure of helping discover Darwin’s ‘missing-link’—on an island thousands of miles from his more recent sins—seems like an opportunity too good for Nathaniel to pass up. But what he finds in Sumatra has him questioning a new reality, as well as what exactly it means to survive.

Almost three years later Nathaniel returns to London, and Charles VonTruton begins taking steps to counter the approaching storm raging on the heels of his friend’s silent homecoming. Yet when a body is pulled from the Thames, and Nathaniel's part in it brings him to the attention of Simon and the Yard, the three men are cast into a cycle of wills.

But not everything can be controlled, and not everyone can be saved. When prophecies are uncovered and blood is spilled in the name of a broken God, maybe their fates were never truly their own.

This book explores themes and scenes that may be triggering to some readers. Be Advised

Genres: Historical Fiction

464 pages, Paperback

Published September 26, 2025

Reviews

[Keeley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Written in the same format as "the babadook", heads or tails is a gripping fictional story that renders you unable to put the book down without finding out what happens next, whilst the undertone of the story expertly portrays the struggle of depression, poor mental health and PTSD, taking you on a journey through the mind of someone who does not know what is going on in their own mind and cannot always control their actions as a result.
The authors style of writing sets the scene so well that you end up thinking about the story even after you've finished reading it, wondering what movie it was that you were watching.
And despite the flicking between time and location, the story flows well, is full in its details with a smooth transition between dream and reality and no gaps in the story regardless of the large passage of time.
A must read for any avid reader.

[Ilias Siametis · Rating 5 out of 5]

What I remember the most from my experience reading this book is walking ten blocks to work, blindly following other people when they crossed the street because I couldn't take my eyes off this book. If that's not the definition of a page-turner, I don't know what is.

Heads or Tails hooks you from the prologue and doesn't let go. It follows the story of Nathaniel Boltrum, a young man from an elite family who leaves London at the turn of the 19th century to head to Sumatra and help find the missing link in Darwin's theory of evolution. It's told in a dual timeline setting which I loved because while reading the chapters taking place in London after his return from the island you keep wondering what the hell happened while he was down there.

There are three POVs in total:
Nathaniel who tries to escape his ordeal in Sumatra and return to his old life in London.
Charles, who is Nathaniel's best friend and seeing how much his friend has changed, tries to bring him back.
Simon, who has fled the US to find his fortune in London. I can't say more about him because spoilers (even though he was my favourite)

Serran's prose and descriptive writing is beautiful, immersing you both in Victorian London as well as the harsh and unknown environments of the Indonesian island.
Now the author has placed trigger warnings because it really puts you in there, hurts you and makes you feel the anguish of the characters. Their pain becomes yours and stays with you for a while even after finishing it.

I have a rule about leaving 5-star reviews even for amazing stories. If by the end of the book, it makes you cry your eyes out, it really deserves the 5 stars.

[Tansy Dando · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heads or Tails is an evocative and thought-provoking gothic novel set in the late 19th century. S A-Benstead has a distinctive voice, and her descriptive writing, imagery, and world-building truly immerse the reader.

Characters like Nathaniel, Charles, and Simon are incredibly nuanced and engaging. I'd love to see more of both Charles' and Simon's stories!

As we follow Nathaniel's physical and psychological journey, we get a real insight into his confusion and how the blurred lines of reality shape his path.

I'd recommend Heads or Tails in particular to readers who enjoy Victorian gothic literature (especially Poe!) multiple POVs, and complex characterisation.

[Casey · Rating 1 out of 5]

I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway. I very rarely DNF a book, but after forcing myself to get 50 pages in, I just couldn’t do it anymore. The writing was awkward and there were so many partial sentences, random commas, and misspelled words that I found myself becoming more irritated the further I went. I also honestly had no idea what was going on with any of the characters, nor could I make myself care. I hate bailing on a book, and hate even more so that this one was a giveaway win, but that’s how it has to be.

[Delilah Snyder · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a great book absolutely amazing the plot was great and the characters were written so well , and the writing style was excellent