The best Christmas horror books for a scary winter
Everand
Must-read scary Christmas books
Discover the perfect blend of holiday cheer and chills with these must-read Christmas horror books, spooky festive tales for fans of the genre. Find out just how dark Christmas and the holiday season can get with these spooky books, collected by the editors at our sister brand, Everand.
The Gingerbread Men by Joanna Corrance
Mixing mystery in the vein of “The Shining” with dark fairytales, this book becomes a thrilling hotel horror. A man abandons his wife to work at a Highland hotel, where snow has cut everyone off from the rest of the world. There are no guests, and horror stories and secrets plague the working men who can never go home.“See, it was written in the stars that this book would come into my life, because I just love 1. Stories where men get what's coming to them 2. Gingerbread houses 3. A good ol' fairytale 4. Women, and this little story had all of them. It also got me out of a months-long reading slump, so I give it points for that. Thank yo,u Joanna Corrance,” wrote Fable reviewer Kat about this book.
Dead of Winter by Kealan Patrick Burke
In this creepy book, winter comes with a horror no door can keep out. A boy is convinced there is something off with the snowmen in his yard, and a man goes to desperate lengths to reconnect with his estranged daughter, among other short stories in this collection.“Dead of Winter” consists of seven short stories centered around the holidays and the cold winter season. Except there’s nothing cheerful about these stories, they’re grim tales that are heartbreaking and full of despair, but kept me glued to its pages with the captivating way in which they are all written,” glowed Fable reader Rosedevoursbooks about this beloved text.
Murder for Christmas by Francis Duncan
A vintage murder mystery with a classic festive atmosphere. A lover of romance novels is invited to a Christmas retreat and finds that it’s more than just presents under the tree–a dead body has been found amongst the revelries, and it looks just like Father Christmas.“Quite a good little Christmas murder mystery. It kept me guessing right up until the end which is great," wrote Fable reader Amy.
Christmas Evil by Mark L’estrange
Bedtime stories come to life in unsettling and terrifying ways in these nineteen short horror stories set during the holiday season. From a father going to desperate lengths to feed his children and a murderous widow to burglars getting more than they bargained for during a raid and a woman who inherits a house with a deadly secret, find out if anyone will survive until Christmas morning."Overall the stores were fun and I enjoyed the book,” said Fable reader Cheyanne in a review of the collection.
The Scary Book of Christmas Lore by Tim Rayborn
Discover terrifying fables, folktales, and folklore that have scared people for generations in this book of petrifying Christmas figures and stories. Fans of history and folklore will enjoy learning about Yuletide fables of various cultures, including beasts that threaten to cook children in stew, crones that snatch children from their beds, monsters who slit kids’ bellies and stuff them with straw, and many more. Joy and wonder will not be found in these stories.“I liked learning about all the strange traditions. A lot of the creatures sure love to beat people with sticks. It makes me want to go to a real Krampus festival,” wrote Fable reviewer AmberG about this book.
The Valancourt Book of Victorian Christmas Ghost Stories by Tara Moore
The first-ever collection of Victorian Christmas ghost stories was compiled from 19th-century periodicals. Thirteen stories were collected from the Victorian era tradition of publishing ghost stories to enjoy during Christmas. Authors include well-known names, anonymous contributors, and forgotten creatives. “This was my final short story collection of the year, and it was such a perfect way to start off the holiday season and, as expected, I’m now itching to buy the next three volumes in the Valancourt Victorian Christmas ghost story collection,” wrote Fable reviewer Nina about this book.
Where the Dead Go to Die by Aaron Dries and Mark Allan Gunnells
This emotional horror novel turns political and puts a new spin on the topic of the undead. In The Hospice, people live out their final days in comfort, segregated from the rest of society, and are then euthanized before they succumb to their fate as marrow-craving monsters. A nurse and mother haunted by her past fights to survive while struggling to make the right choices.“WOW. What a read. Such a different, gut-wrenching perspective of a zombie apocalypse. Very well-written too with great characters and backstories,” wrote Fable reader Jenn after finishing this book. “I’d recommend this quick read to anyone and everyone!”
Krampus by Brom
The beloved mythology of Santa Claus is twisted in this wild ride of a book. A failed West Virginia songwriter is ensnared in an eternal war between Saint Nick and his enemy, Krampus, a trickster demon. With chillingly beautiful artwork included alongside the story, Brom has conjured up a feast to hook readers.“If you only read ONE holiday-themed book this year, make it this one,” wrote Fable reviewer ChaoticReader in a five-star review.“I’m blown away by Brom’s writing, from the poetic prose to the hilarious insults. I loved reading an alternative Santa lore. It keeps you wondering who the bad guy really is in this story.”
Young Scrooge by R. L. Stine
A funny and spooky middle-grade rendition of “A Christmas Carol” about a boy who hates Christmas. When he is visited by three ghosts in what he thinks is a dream, he realizes it’s a nightmare that could become real. Full of Stine’s characteristic humor and light scares, this book is perfect for young readers who enjoy their holiday season with some spookiness.“What better way to get into the holiday season than with a story about Scrooge,” wrote Michelle Wyche in a review of this book. “Rick Scroogeman hates his last name around Christmas time, but if you read this book, you'll see how it fits him. A good, cute read for the holiday!”
The Christmas Bell by L. A. Detwiler
Hell comes to the holidays, and fear plagues festivities in this paranormal horror novel. When a young woman goes home for the holidays, the last thing she expects is for a Christmas ornament to send her into a chasm of evil. Her grandmother begins to act strangely after putting a worn ornament on their tree, and Candace and her mother can no longer blame her dementia when a dark force seeking revenge attacks them. “This was a fun and festive read, perfect for Christmas! The story of a haunted ornament and buried past secrets was both unique and engaging and I really enjoyed the pacing,” wrote Mya in a review of this book.“This is a great choice for anyone looking for a spooky holiday read!”
Abandon by Blake Crouch
A century-old mystery and a battle to survive unfold in this novel that is equal parts a journey into old West history and a tension-filled survival thriller. When a journalist and companions explore a ghost town where every citizen disappeared on Christmas Day in 1893, they learn that the ghosts are the least of their worries as the town’s secrets still have the power to kill.“In my opinion, this is one of Blake Crouch’s best works. The book is scary, atmospheric, and incredibly well-researched, drawing you into a world that feels both thrilling and plausible,” wrote C. Z. Munu in a review of this book.“Despite being action-packed, it’s also full of context and insight, balancing heart-pounding tension with thoughtful depth. Crouch really knows how to keep you turning pages while still making you think. What impressed me most was how seamlessly the story combines suspense, science, and human emotion.”
Hark! The Herald Angels Scream by Christopher Golden
Eighteen stories of Christmas horror curated by bestselling author and editor, Christopher Golden showcase the darkness in the heart of the Yuletide season. From the Ghost of Christmas to bandages that hold jaws together, the best parts of these stories are the most terrifying parts.“This book was so amazing!! It was fun to see how different authors interpreted their versions of Christmas horror stories. This is a great read to get yourself into the holiday spirit!” wrote Lacie in a five-star review of this book.Keep reading on Everand!
As you can see by this varied list, there are many different ways to enjoy a little holiday cheer with some horror on the side. Despite the traditionally upbeat atmosphere of the holiday season, some readers want to experience a wide range of emotions and thrills no matter what time of year it is. Whether you want to continue a holiday tradition of reading horror books during the most wonderful time of year, or choose something different than your usual read, we hope you find satisfaction in these books.Want to read these titles? Sign up for a free 30-day trial to Everand, a digital subscription that gives you instant access to millions of bestselling ebooks, audiobooks, and so much more. Start reading on the web, iOS, Android, and even offline.
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