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Carousel: Origins
A CAROUSEL PREQUEL
Before Laura and Maddie and their fateful dare, others came to the Plum Creek Carnival.
Step back to 1937, where it all began.
Follow Officer Eddie Maclean as he responds to his final call in 1953.
Join 1960s sweethearts Dean and Nancy as they look for a nice, secluded spot.
Go back to the 70s, where Donna and Susie are hoping to take some pictures for their photo album.
Kick back with a group of teen boys as they fight off boredom in the summer of 1995.
Everyone who passes through the gates of the Plum Creek Carnival is bound to have a jolly good time. The Carnival Man will make sure of that.
Before Laura and Maddie and their fateful dare, others came to the Plum Creek Carnival.
Step back to 1937, where it all began.
Follow Officer Eddie Maclean as he responds to his final call in 1953.
Join 1960s sweethearts Dean and Nancy as they look for a nice, secluded spot.
Go back to the 70s, where Donna and Susie are hoping to take some pictures for their photo album.
Kick back with a group of teen boys as they fight off boredom in the summer of 1995.
Everyone who passes through the gates of the Plum Creek Carnival is bound to have a jolly good time. The Carnival Man will make sure of that.
232 pages, Paperback
Published July 14, 2026
About the author
Sarah McKnight
17 books56 followersSarah McKnight is an award-winning multi-genre author with an interest in contemporary young adult, coming-of-age, and horror fiction. After spending two years teaching English to middle schoolers in Shimane Prefecture, Japan, she came back to the US to pursue her next dream – to finish writing all of the books taking up valuable space on her hard drive.
Her most popular book by far, The Reaper’s Quota, has placed in several awards, including the Next Generation Indie Book Awards and the Book Blogger’s Novel of the Year Award. While some of her books lean more toward the fantastical, she always incorporates elements of realism and mental health, hoping that everyone can find something they relate to.
Sarah holds a bachelor’s degree in English literature with a minor in creative writing. She currently lives in Pittsburgh, PA with her husband and five cats.
You can find her on:
Twitter/X @mcknight_writes
Instagram @sarahmcknightwrites
TikTok @sarahmcknightwrites
Her most popular book by far, The Reaper’s Quota, has placed in several awards, including the Next Generation Indie Book Awards and the Book Blogger’s Novel of the Year Award. While some of her books lean more toward the fantastical, she always incorporates elements of realism and mental health, hoping that everyone can find something they relate to.
Sarah holds a bachelor’s degree in English literature with a minor in creative writing. She currently lives in Pittsburgh, PA with her husband and five cats.
You can find her on:
Twitter/X @mcknight_writes
Instagram @sarahmcknightwrites
TikTok @sarahmcknightwrites
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
September 9, 2026
A Brutal, Brilliant, and Unforgettable Prequel
Carousel Origins is a masterclass in suspense and visceral, imaginative horror. The author has an incredible talent for crafting deaths that are not only shocking and wildly creative, but also deeply woven into the story’s emotional core. Every twist hits hard, and every character is drawn with such clarity that you can’t help but root for them. Even as you dread what might happen next.
This book is an emotional roller coaster in the best possible way. It expands the world of Carousel with rich backstory, razor‑sharp tension, and a haunting sense of inevitability that keeps you turning pages long past bedtime. As a prequel, it’s perfect: answering questions, deepening the lore, and raising the stakes without ever losing momentum.
If you love horror that’s smart, character‑driven, and hair-raisingly intense, Carousel Origins is an absolute must‑read. Sarah McKnight delivers again.
Carousel Origins is a masterclass in suspense and visceral, imaginative horror. The author has an incredible talent for crafting deaths that are not only shocking and wildly creative, but also deeply woven into the story’s emotional core. Every twist hits hard, and every character is drawn with such clarity that you can’t help but root for them. Even as you dread what might happen next.
This book is an emotional roller coaster in the best possible way. It expands the world of Carousel with rich backstory, razor‑sharp tension, and a haunting sense of inevitability that keeps you turning pages long past bedtime. As a prequel, it’s perfect: answering questions, deepening the lore, and raising the stakes without ever losing momentum.
If you love horror that’s smart, character‑driven, and hair-raisingly intense, Carousel Origins is an absolute must‑read. Sarah McKnight delivers again.
October 24, 2026
If possible, this prequel is even better than the original. Not only do we experience the backstories of all the characters trapped in the Carnival Man's nightmarish world, but the punishments he metes out to those who defy his will are narrated with suspense, shock, and ghastly impact. I was a little worried that the author wouldn't be able to maintain the aura of horror across the many years and many victims of the Carnival Man's reign, but she manages it with style and aplomb. If you like nail-biting, graphic horror, this one's for you--and whether you read it before or after "Carousel," you'll come away wanting more from this talented author.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews