What do you think?
Rate this book
CTRL-Z: Welcome to the zombie apocalypse...on repeat
Welcome to the apocalypse. On repeat.
On any given day, millions of people are in London. Now they’ve gone. But they’re still hungry, and these dead don’t walk… they run.
At moonrise, London reboots sirens, smoke, sprinting dead. Parkour-hardened survivor Zane survives by motion, flying from roof to roof, balcony to bus. He wakes every day beside his former friend, forcing a last-second swan dive off Tower Bridge for breakfast.
Death isn’t an exit; it’s a restart.
Zane hunts for the cause, a way out, five lifetimes of searching. His only clue, a flash across the financial district. Until one day, a bedsheet hanging from the Tower of London sends him to the Sky Garden to meet Nina.
He measures days in rooftops and near-misses; she measures them in the things time refuses to delete. Together, they face a crumbling London, unravelling time, and intersecting only once every five days.
With Nina at his side, Zane will stop running and start fighting back, even if it risks time itself.
CTRL-Z is a breathless and gory daily apocalypse with gallows humour and zombies. Run. Reset. Repeat. Remember.
On any given day, millions of people are in London. Now they’ve gone. But they’re still hungry, and these dead don’t walk… they run.
At moonrise, London reboots sirens, smoke, sprinting dead. Parkour-hardened survivor Zane survives by motion, flying from roof to roof, balcony to bus. He wakes every day beside his former friend, forcing a last-second swan dive off Tower Bridge for breakfast.
Death isn’t an exit; it’s a restart.
Zane hunts for the cause, a way out, five lifetimes of searching. His only clue, a flash across the financial district. Until one day, a bedsheet hanging from the Tower of London sends him to the Sky Garden to meet Nina.
He measures days in rooftops and near-misses; she measures them in the things time refuses to delete. Together, they face a crumbling London, unravelling time, and intersecting only once every five days.
With Nina at his side, Zane will stop running and start fighting back, even if it risks time itself.
CTRL-Z is a breathless and gory daily apocalypse with gallows humour and zombies. Run. Reset. Repeat. Remember.
264 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 31, 2025
1 person is currently reading
4 people want to read
About the author
Iain Benson
22 books19 followersIain is a fifty-something computer programmer from Manchester. He writes mainly thrillers, dashing in sprinklings of science-fiction, psychology and humour. Although he's written novels and shorts since childhood, he only got into indie publishing on turning forty, when the other choices for a mid-life crisis looked too expensive. Successes in short stories almost translated into becoming a traditionally published novelist in 2010. Instead, he moved into indie publishing with the well-regarded "Fakebook.con". He refuses to admit how much research he did in writing it. Fifteen books later, he shows no sign of slowing.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
September 24, 2025
I cannot even begin to fathom the intelligence required to write a book like this. Having read and been massively impressed by the science in both Yesterday Pill and The Watcher, I thought it couldn't get more detailed.
Well it did.
And much like Zane and Nina I am living a loop of constant awe in the writing on show here.
The intrigue is there throughout. If they are reliving the same day over and over, why are small things changing each time? Why do the number of undead seemingly increase? Why are they drawn to Zane and Nina?
And at the sixty percent mark the science blows you out the water. And the really impressive part? I understood it all!
This really was an excellent read, and, sticking with the themes of repeating, I will say again.
The writing in this book is fantastic. If you want a wildly different take on the zombie trope, you'll devour it like a zombie on its unwilling victim!
Let's just hope you don't get stuck in a time loop.
Well it did.
And much like Zane and Nina I am living a loop of constant awe in the writing on show here.
The intrigue is there throughout. If they are reliving the same day over and over, why are small things changing each time? Why do the number of undead seemingly increase? Why are they drawn to Zane and Nina?
And at the sixty percent mark the science blows you out the water. And the really impressive part? I understood it all!
This really was an excellent read, and, sticking with the themes of repeating, I will say again.
The writing in this book is fantastic. If you want a wildly different take on the zombie trope, you'll devour it like a zombie on its unwilling victim!
Let's just hope you don't get stuck in a time loop.
November 14, 2025
A great twist on the classic zombie genre, this story takes familiar elements and reshapes them into something genuinely refreshing. The action is constant and engaging, and while there’s plenty of gore, it never feels gratuitous or inserted just for shock value. Everything serves the narrative, and the violence actually enhances the stakes rather than overshadowing them. The time-loop aspect is especially intriguing—an angle I haven’t really seen used this effectively in a zombie setting before, and it adds a clever layer of mystery and tension that kept me curious throughout.
The characters are another standout. They’re well-drawn, easy to connect with, and their emotional arcs make the high-intensity moments hit even harder. I found myself completely drawn in and honestly had a tough time putting the book down once I started. I’d highly recommend it to fans of sci-fi, thrillers, or anyone looking for a fresh, fast-paced take on the undead genre.
The characters are another standout. They’re well-drawn, easy to connect with, and their emotional arcs make the high-intensity moments hit even harder. I found myself completely drawn in and honestly had a tough time putting the book down once I started. I’d highly recommend it to fans of sci-fi, thrillers, or anyone looking for a fresh, fast-paced take on the undead genre.
December 31, 2025
CTRL-Z by Iain Benson is a ferocious twist on the zombie apocalypse that feels both wildly original and emotionally grounded. The idea of a world that resets every night could have been a gimmick, but Benson turns it into a brutal narrative engine. London becomes a looping nightmare where death offers no escape, only repetition, and survival demands speed, ingenuity, and mental endurance. Zane is a compelling protagonist, not because he is fearless, but because he is exhausted, worn down by countless deaths that still somehow matter. The parkour driven movement through the city gives the book constant momentum, while the running dead keep the tension unrelenting.
What elevates CTRL-Z beyond pure adrenaline is its heart. The relationship between Zane and Nina adds depth, reflection, and quiet resistance against a world that insists on erasing meaning. Their intersecting timelines and different ways of measuring survival bring surprising tenderness to a gory, high speed story. Benson balances gallows humour, violence, and philosophical weight with confidence. This is a smart, breathless, and emotionally sticky apocalypse novel that lingers long after the reset button is pressed.
What elevates CTRL-Z beyond pure adrenaline is its heart. The relationship between Zane and Nina adds depth, reflection, and quiet resistance against a world that insists on erasing meaning. Their intersecting timelines and different ways of measuring survival bring surprising tenderness to a gory, high speed story. Benson balances gallows humour, violence, and philosophical weight with confidence. This is a smart, breathless, and emotionally sticky apocalypse novel that lingers long after the reset button is pressed.
November 10, 2025
The first word that comes to mind when I think about this book is unique. As an avid fan of zombie films, books, and series, I was curious to see whether the author of Ctrl-Z could bring a fresh signature touch to such a well-established genre without compromising the essence that makes zombie stories so captivating.
I’m pleased to say that the author succeeded brilliantly. Ctrl-Z kept me turning the pages from start to finish, offering a distinctive take that adds real value to the zombie canon. The story feels original yet familiar, blending classic genre elements with innovative twists that make it stand out.
This is an absolute must-read for any fan of the zombie genre. I commend the author for breathing new life into a world that continues to fascinate and thrill readers everywhere.
So thank you Iain Benson for such a masterpiece of a Novel and thank you for keeping my favourite Genre alive.
I’m pleased to say that the author succeeded brilliantly. Ctrl-Z kept me turning the pages from start to finish, offering a distinctive take that adds real value to the zombie canon. The story feels original yet familiar, blending classic genre elements with innovative twists that make it stand out.
This is an absolute must-read for any fan of the zombie genre. I commend the author for breathing new life into a world that continues to fascinate and thrill readers everywhere.
So thank you Iain Benson for such a masterpiece of a Novel and thank you for keeping my favourite Genre alive.
January 8, 2026
Ctrl-Z is a witty and fast paced zombie thriller that is different from many in the genre. It follows the protagonist Zane as he navigates a London destroyed by a zombie apocalypse, and his encounters with Nina, someone else doing the same. The twist is that they are experiencing a groundhog day style time loop, where every time they die they restart the day in the same place.
The title is a fun play on words for ‘undo’, as Ctrl-Z is what you press on a keyboard to undo something, and the letter Z is common in zombie fiction for the undead. The undead in this book are the fast zombies, not the slow dim witted ones, and this makes the action and parkour scenes extremely thrilling. Zane leaps across London avoiding the dead with style, and he has done this so many times in the time loops that he is a seasoned pro when we meet him. The backstory is slowly unravelled, but the here and now and the prospect of escaping is the part of the story.
Zane was a good protagonist and I enjoyed his silly quips throughout. As he says, it is the small things that keep him sane, like trying on clothes in a stranger’s flat, or speaking French to the zombies as he passes through a school, or when he is ‘caught’ speeding through the streets. Although he can’t die as such due to the repeating time loop, there is still a lot of risk to his actions, and the light hearted humour helps. Zane dies often and there are a lot of vivid death scenes in the various ways he succumbs to his fate, such as falling, losing body parts, and, of course, being eaten alive. He feels the pain, so although death isn’t the end, it is something he avoids.
Nina was a worthy love interest, and with her experiencing the loops they form a tight bond. I enjoyed how their romance developed and the little things like drinking wine and beer on a rooftop as the swarms of zombies gathered underneath them showed they shared the same world outlook. The looping plot point is interesting and opens up opportunities for the characters, whose attitude towards death is different to anyone else in zombie fiction, and also for the author, as the death of his protagonist doesn’t alter the plot or necessarily mean a chapter break - the story can just flow.
The love story between Zane and Nina is the crux of the book, but to escape the loop they have to work with Royton and his PTO. Their shared goal and compassion for one another was a real joy to watch and I enjoyed the way their relationship evolved and the stories they shared. The ending was, in my view, perfect, as it maintained its high energy which the book starts with and brings a good resolution to the characters.
The title is a fun play on words for ‘undo’, as Ctrl-Z is what you press on a keyboard to undo something, and the letter Z is common in zombie fiction for the undead. The undead in this book are the fast zombies, not the slow dim witted ones, and this makes the action and parkour scenes extremely thrilling. Zane leaps across London avoiding the dead with style, and he has done this so many times in the time loops that he is a seasoned pro when we meet him. The backstory is slowly unravelled, but the here and now and the prospect of escaping is the part of the story.
Zane was a good protagonist and I enjoyed his silly quips throughout. As he says, it is the small things that keep him sane, like trying on clothes in a stranger’s flat, or speaking French to the zombies as he passes through a school, or when he is ‘caught’ speeding through the streets. Although he can’t die as such due to the repeating time loop, there is still a lot of risk to his actions, and the light hearted humour helps. Zane dies often and there are a lot of vivid death scenes in the various ways he succumbs to his fate, such as falling, losing body parts, and, of course, being eaten alive. He feels the pain, so although death isn’t the end, it is something he avoids.
Nina was a worthy love interest, and with her experiencing the loops they form a tight bond. I enjoyed how their romance developed and the little things like drinking wine and beer on a rooftop as the swarms of zombies gathered underneath them showed they shared the same world outlook. The looping plot point is interesting and opens up opportunities for the characters, whose attitude towards death is different to anyone else in zombie fiction, and also for the author, as the death of his protagonist doesn’t alter the plot or necessarily mean a chapter break - the story can just flow.
The love story between Zane and Nina is the crux of the book, but to escape the loop they have to work with Royton and his PTO. Their shared goal and compassion for one another was a real joy to watch and I enjoyed the way their relationship evolved and the stories they shared. The ending was, in my view, perfect, as it maintained its high energy which the book starts with and brings a good resolution to the characters.
October 26, 2025
Looking for a zom-horor-romcom with Edge of Tomorrow vibes? Thought so. How about bags of humour, a breathless pace and a surprisingly layered plot that isn’t thrown at you all at once but peeled back piece by piece to paint a picture that starts horrifying in nature, but in the end becomes a struggle for the very existence of all humankind?
Yet remains heart-warming, sweet at times, while the world falls apart in gore-laden pieces.
Did I say it was breathless? Oh, and sweet it is, but Nina is kick-arse too.
Benson has built a story concept that sounds deceptively simple. A lone man, Zane, waking up every day next to his deceased but hungry best mate Steve in a crashed van on London Bridge. Through repeating the same respawn after every death, or at the first sign of the moon above Canary Wharf, whichever comes first, Zane discovers he’s not alone. Yes, there are the zombie hordes that chase him everywhere (these are the zombies from World War Z or 28 Days Later – no lounging about here), but out there is Nina, and romance blossoms on every fifth reincarnation.
Together they discover the fate of the world, and by learning through death (think about it) realise that time is running out.
So let's deal with a few zombie elephants in the room. One, repeating the same day sounds a little, well, repetitive. But Zane has free will and remembers everything. We are led down this path skilfully, including markers placed with a deft author’s hand, so each day is fresh and new. Secondly, it sounds relentless in pace. There are few moments for the reader to take a breath admittedly, to pause and think over events. But this book is exactly that – a mad-dash to the end that takes you on a rollercoaster ride of zombie action. I read it in four sittings. It was exactly what I needed, so this is a ‘pick your moment’ read.
So, is it the perfect zom-horror-romcom on rocket-powered roller-skates? There are times when the writing becomes so fast-paced with little passive voice, that it can bounce you out of the moment, usually when you are looking for a little calm amid the storm. But these I can forgive as you are drawn once again back into the frenzied world of Zane and Nina.
I loved this book. Take a risk on an indie author; they may surprise you.
I received this book as an ARC, but will be buying it on release so I can shout some more about it.
Yet remains heart-warming, sweet at times, while the world falls apart in gore-laden pieces.
Did I say it was breathless? Oh, and sweet it is, but Nina is kick-arse too.
Benson has built a story concept that sounds deceptively simple. A lone man, Zane, waking up every day next to his deceased but hungry best mate Steve in a crashed van on London Bridge. Through repeating the same respawn after every death, or at the first sign of the moon above Canary Wharf, whichever comes first, Zane discovers he’s not alone. Yes, there are the zombie hordes that chase him everywhere (these are the zombies from World War Z or 28 Days Later – no lounging about here), but out there is Nina, and romance blossoms on every fifth reincarnation.
Together they discover the fate of the world, and by learning through death (think about it) realise that time is running out.
So let's deal with a few zombie elephants in the room. One, repeating the same day sounds a little, well, repetitive. But Zane has free will and remembers everything. We are led down this path skilfully, including markers placed with a deft author’s hand, so each day is fresh and new. Secondly, it sounds relentless in pace. There are few moments for the reader to take a breath admittedly, to pause and think over events. But this book is exactly that – a mad-dash to the end that takes you on a rollercoaster ride of zombie action. I read it in four sittings. It was exactly what I needed, so this is a ‘pick your moment’ read.
So, is it the perfect zom-horror-romcom on rocket-powered roller-skates? There are times when the writing becomes so fast-paced with little passive voice, that it can bounce you out of the moment, usually when you are looking for a little calm amid the storm. But these I can forgive as you are drawn once again back into the frenzied world of Zane and Nina.
I loved this book. Take a risk on an indie author; they may surprise you.
I received this book as an ARC, but will be buying it on release so I can shout some more about it.
January 3, 2026
Welcome to the apocalypse. On repeat.
Think Groundhog Day but...with zombies!
Ctrl-Z is a brilliantly written story about Zane, a lone survivor of the apocalypse who spends every day trying to answer the question: what happened? He uses his incredible parkour skills to traverse around London looking for answers - every day the same: zombies, a flash of light, and usually a gruesome death. That is, until he finds Nina. The two of them then work together to try and find answers, including how to stop the time loops, get rid of the zombies, and return to normality - all while navigating a budding romance.
This book has such brilliant world building, and beautifully descriptive writing. I genuinely felt for Zane and Nina, and was completely invested in their mission. I won't lie...the ending ruined me - there were definitely tears! - but it was the perfect ending 👌
Definitely a 5⭐️ read and I think if you enjoy horror, comedy, romance, or sci-fi, this book will definitely scratch your itch! There is something of each genre in this book - hats off to Iain Benson for writing such an awesome story 🙌 I can't wait to read more!
Think Groundhog Day but...with zombies!
Ctrl-Z is a brilliantly written story about Zane, a lone survivor of the apocalypse who spends every day trying to answer the question: what happened? He uses his incredible parkour skills to traverse around London looking for answers - every day the same: zombies, a flash of light, and usually a gruesome death. That is, until he finds Nina. The two of them then work together to try and find answers, including how to stop the time loops, get rid of the zombies, and return to normality - all while navigating a budding romance.
This book has such brilliant world building, and beautifully descriptive writing. I genuinely felt for Zane and Nina, and was completely invested in their mission. I won't lie...the ending ruined me - there were definitely tears! - but it was the perfect ending 👌
Definitely a 5⭐️ read and I think if you enjoy horror, comedy, romance, or sci-fi, this book will definitely scratch your itch! There is something of each genre in this book - hats off to Iain Benson for writing such an awesome story 🙌 I can't wait to read more!
November 20, 2025
CTRL-Z by Iain Benson, is a post-apocalyptic science fiction loaded with elements of horror. It has the fast-paced style and time loop of Run, Lola, Run, and the engaging hero and vicious zombies of I Am Legend. Each day, the main character, Zane, uses parkour skills to avoid attacks as he explores London hoping to find answers. One day, he sees a sheet hanging from the White Tower’s ramparts with a message giving a time and a place. Once there, he meets Nina, the only non-zombie person he’s come across. While he’s been searching for what caused the apocalypse, she has been driving around looking for other survivors. Both characters are relatable and people you’ll root for. The wonderful London setting is vividly described. I’ve been there once and would love to go back—zombie-free, please.
Banks is a gifted author. The book works on multiple layers like action, horror, romance, and humor, to name a few. With all the zombie books and movies out, I am grateful to find a work with a new twist.
Banks is a gifted author. The book works on multiple layers like action, horror, romance, and humor, to name a few. With all the zombie books and movies out, I am grateful to find a work with a new twist.
January 26, 2026
It’s weird and confusing in a way that kept me reading because you don’t always know what’s about to happen next. People makee big mistakes, try to fix them, then mess things up again. It feels like watching someone press a button (ctrol z) over and over and hoping it works this time. Some parts drag because there’s a lot of thinking and talking about choices and regrets. I zoned out a few times there. But then something happens that shakes things up again and you grt pulled back in. The characters don’t have perfect plans, they just scramble and guess and try to make sense of the chaos. It isn’t neat. Things blur, feelings spill over, and nothing is handed to you cleanly. But that raw mess makes it feel honest in its own way. After reading, I kept thinking about the moments where someone wished they could go back and undo one thing. If you like stories that are messy and real about choices and second chances and how people cope when nothing goes right, this book sticks with you more than you’d expect.
December 27, 2025
“CTRL-Z: Welcome to the zombie apocalypse...on repeat” by Iain Benson opens with Zane racing through the streets of London pursued by hordes of zombies eager to claim him as their tasty snack. The writing is taut and compelling, with the story told in third person, past tense. Caught in a repeating loop, Zane has died countless times, only to awaken the next day in the same place, in a car with his zombie friend. He sees no sign of other non-zombie survivors until one day, he sees a message and finds Nina, who is also caught in a loop. The pair decide to work together to try to escape their repeating fate. But the next day, Zane cannot find her…not until the fifth day do they meet again. The two begin a romance and strategize how to best spend their time apart until they can be together again. This is a fun and imaginative read with a fabulous ending; it is certain to please fans of zombie apocalypse stories!
November 5, 2025
I have had an un-natural obsession with zombies for most of my life, so when I found a new zombie book I was pretty excited. What I wasn't expecting was an entirely new plot twist from an author I had never heard of before. It is hard to come up with something completely new in an over-saturated world of zombie stories, but Iain Benson nails it!
This zombie world re-sets upon death or moonrise, and who wouldn't want multiple lifetimes of re-sets to figure out how the zombie apocalypse started and how to end it? Well, probably someone who has lived multiple lifetimes without seeing another living person. After multiple lifetimes, Zane finds Nina and the story changes a bit.
This book manages to combine zombies, a love story, and time travel and then wraps it in a nice sci-fi bow.
A thoroughly enjoyable and quick read!
This zombie world re-sets upon death or moonrise, and who wouldn't want multiple lifetimes of re-sets to figure out how the zombie apocalypse started and how to end it? Well, probably someone who has lived multiple lifetimes without seeing another living person. After multiple lifetimes, Zane finds Nina and the story changes a bit.
This book manages to combine zombies, a love story, and time travel and then wraps it in a nice sci-fi bow.
A thoroughly enjoyable and quick read!
November 28, 2025
I picked up this book because it looked like it could be good zombie fiction. The book started very well. You’re thrust into a tense action scene. The author does a good job immersing the reader in the perspective of Zane. He’s going to see about a new explosion. I liked his sort of sarcastic thoughts as he ran from the zombies. The description was good here too. You see and experience what Zane sees and perceives. This adds so much tension. At times, I felt a strong sense of danger and tension. The world building is excellent. It’s a city overrun with fast-moving zombies. The author does a great job showing the things Zane has to do to survive. There is such a sense of isolation here, which makes it all the more tense and scary. Overall, this is a great zombie work written by a skilled author. I’m very impressed and will likely read more from this author.
January 20, 2026
***DISCLAIMER I was gifted an ebook ARC***
Wow. This was a ride and a half.
It is like Boss Level (groundhog day like) meets 28 days later.
Its a perfect blend of action, adventure and survival through a zombie apocalyptic London. There is an element of romance running through the book as two survivors manage to cross paths, their time loops linking up every five days or so. But NO on page spice or anything.
As you follow along you really feel the despair that I think most ground hog day movies skip over. He has been trapped there looping so long that to him death is a way to skip ahead a few days to see Nina again. Dying is a strategy and a tool along side anything else.
I would highly recommend giving this a read. I now need to go back and read the rest of Iain Benson's books.
Wow. This was a ride and a half.
It is like Boss Level (groundhog day like) meets 28 days later.
Its a perfect blend of action, adventure and survival through a zombie apocalyptic London. There is an element of romance running through the book as two survivors manage to cross paths, their time loops linking up every five days or so. But NO on page spice or anything.
As you follow along you really feel the despair that I think most ground hog day movies skip over. He has been trapped there looping so long that to him death is a way to skip ahead a few days to see Nina again. Dying is a strategy and a tool along side anything else.
I would highly recommend giving this a read. I now need to go back and read the rest of Iain Benson's books.
October 8, 2025
If you cross Groundhog Day and The Walking Dead, you get Ctrl-Z. It's a complex yet easy to follow post-apocalyptic action story following Zane and Nina as they relive the same zombie-filled day again and again (dying in various gruesome ways along the way).
I don't know London well, but reading this feels like I've been taken on a tour of London, competed in a parktour tournament, and tested the fabric of time.
Expertly delivered zombie story with a difference (which is no surprise as I'm yet to find an Iain Benson novel that isn't great, regardless of genre).
5 stars.
I don't know London well, but reading this feels like I've been taken on a tour of London, competed in a parktour tournament, and tested the fabric of time.
Expertly delivered zombie story with a difference (which is no surprise as I'm yet to find an Iain Benson novel that isn't great, regardless of genre).
5 stars.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews