Upcoming Christmas Releases

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Cover for I Saw Mummy Killing Santa Claus
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I Saw Mummy Killing Santa Claus

Jessica Huntley

Thriller • Nov 29, 2026

For Nick Winter, Christmas isn't just a nuisance; it's a traumatic annual ordeal rooted in one catastrophic childhood memory: witnessing his mummy 'kill' Santa Claus. Never mind that Santa was his dad in a costume; the psychological scar tissue runs deep, turning December into a personal hell for the misanthropic postman.
He endures the relentless cheer of the season, fueled by loathing and too many drinks, ready to snap at any 'Merry Christmas!' or festive offering. But this year, his long-suffering best friend and therapist, John, has had enough. John's radical solution? A 25-day Christmas Advent Challenge, designed to force Nick to confront his Yuletide demons one ludicrously festive activity at a time.
From decorating a tree to donning a Santa hat, each step pushes Nick further into the festive madness, revealing unexpected truths – and perhaps a chance at happiness. Yet, healing from a 'violent past' is never simple, especially when the lines between trauma and holiday spirit blur. Will Nick finally open his heart to the true meaning of Christmas, or is he doomed to remain a Grinch forever?

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4.5 / 5

This was such a fun departure from the traditional thrillers I usually read. Rather than leaning heavily into dark suspense and tension, this thriller puts a much bigger emphasis on humor and sarcasm, giving it a personality all its own. As someone who absolutely loves Christmas, I had a great time watching the grumpy Nick get roped into all kinds of Christmas activities and seeing his demeanor gradually crack. His character development was one of my favorite parts of the story, and I loved watching his attitude toward the holiday slowly change. The last chapter and epilogue also took me through a whole range of emotions, with heartbreaking, satisfying, and downright joyful moments. I wasn’t expecting so many emotions from this book but I thoroughly enjoyed every bit of it.
If you like humorous thrillers, grumpy characters, and Christmas-themed stories with plenty of heart, then you will enjoy this book.

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