If you’re into thrillers with a sprinkle of holiday vibes, Christmas Presents by Lisa Unger is exactly what you need this season. Madeline Martin, a bookstore owner with a haunting past, is trying to move on—but when true crime podcaster Harley Granger comes to town, things take a turn. Harley is drawn to the infamous cold case that left Madeline as its sole survivor, and let’s just say his questions stir up a storm—literally and figuratively. With secrets unraveling faster than tinsel off a tree and a blizzard closing in, Madeline’s Christmas is anything but merry and bright.

This isn’t your cozy cup of cocoa kind of Christmas story—it’s dark, twisty, and impossible to put down. The true crime podcast angle gives it a modern edge, and Harley’s perfectly imperfect personality adds depth to the story. Madeline is a fantastic lead—resilient, relatable, and easy to root for. The suspense builds steadily, and just when you think you’ve got it figured out, Unger throws in a twist that keeps you on your toes.

I’m giving Christmas Presents 4 out of 5 stars! It’s more a story set at Christmas than a Christmas story, but wow, is it good. If you love a gripping thriller with a side of seasonal sparkle, this one’s for you. And honestly, Madeline and Harley’s dynamic makes it even more compelling. Definitely worth curling up with (preferably under a blanket with all the lights on).

For readers who want a change from the cute, cozy holiday novels, Christmas Presents by Lisa Unger is the perfect gift. A suspenseful and dark novella featuring a famous podcaster, Harley, and Madeline, a bookstore owner and only survivor of a vicious Christmas Eve attack years earlier. Harley comes to town, ostensibly to be closer to his dying further, but also to reopen the case: Madeline was the only survivor but the attack not only killed her best friend but two other young women (close friends of both girls) disappeared-long suspected dead as well. For many in town they want to put the attack in the rearview mirror as the suspected killer has been behind bars. But Harley, while maybe not a great novelist, is a better investigator and feels there's a connection between additional mission women, including a young college student who just disappeared, and Madeline's case. Madeline's father, the town sheriff, never stopped investigating until his debilitating stroke forced him. Madeline doesn't want to believe Harley but soon she and her friend Badger are pulled into the investigation that may be closer to home than they ever expected. Danger and a blizzard ensue in a cat and mouse chase that mystery readers will enjoy.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest feedback.

While I enjoy the holiday reads each winter season, I find myself missing the suspense of a good mystery. Lisa Unger solves that problem with a Christmas-y mystery that satisfies both interests.

Madeline Martin thinks that her tragic past is in the past, until notorious podcaster Harley Granger comes to town and dredges up long-buried secrets to help uncover the truth. With a little seasonal flare, this mystery takes us through the past and present as the truth of what happened that Christmas Eve night unfolds.

Overall, I enjoyed this. It was the perfect length and pace for a quick and engaging read. At times, the shift between past and present was a bit confusing (I think partly due to the e-book formatting), but not so challenging that it took away from the story. I liked the little holiday nods (Santa, looking at you) to add a little seasonal flare as well.

Thank you to Mysterious Press and NetGalley for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book kept me turning the pages. It's really 3.5 stars. I really liked the pacing of this thriller. I plan on picking up more by Lisa Unger. I actually think I may have enjoyed this more as a full length novel, getting more depth from the characters. On the other hand, I felt the jump between past and present timelines a bit jarring and annoying to keep track of. A possible "me" problem.

I am sad to say this just did not do it for me. I am a huge Lisa unger fan and this was bit of a let down. I didnt really understand what was going on 90% of the time and it was just blah

Lisa Unger’s Christmas Presents masterfully blends the coziness of a holiday setting with the tension of a cold case thriller. The story draws readers in as true crime podcaster Harley Granger’s arrival stirs up long-buried secrets for Madeline Martin, a survivor of a brutal attack. Unger’s ability to weave suspense into a snowbound Christmas backdrop creates an atmospheric and gripping narrative.

Madeline is a compelling protagonist, grappling with trauma and the possibility that the true killer may still be out there. The book’s twists and revelations keep the pages turning, and the ethical questions surrounding Granger’s methods add an intriguing layer of complexity.

While the plot is captivating, some elements—like the supporting characters—could have been explored more deeply to enhance the emotional stakes. Nonetheless, Christmas Presents delivers a satisfying mix of holiday charm and chilling suspense. A must-read for fans of psychological thrillers with a festive twist.

Thank you Penzler Publishers and NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

I enjoy Lisa Unger's writing. It's down-to-earth and easy to read while sneaking in disturbing twists that keep the story fresh and appealing. The characters in this book were interesting, the book kept my attention,

"Christmas Presents" is an engaging novel by Lisa Unger that delivers a gripping tale of survival and the search for truth a decade later. The protagonist, Maddie, is a relatable character who runs a bookstore and quickly feels like a friend to readers. Ten years ago, she witnessed her boyfriend murder her best friend, leaving her for dead, but she was rescued by her loyal friend, Badger. Since that fateful night, two other friends have mysteriously disappeared. Now, a well-known true crime writer and podcaster is launching an investigation that could uncover long-buried secrets. This story is riveting, culminating in a conclusion that exceeds expectations. Highly recommended!

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book!

What a fun holiday themed thriller this novella turned out to be! The pacing was excellent and as I got closer to the end, I found myself reading faster and faster. If you're looking for a quick fast-paced Christmas novel, with endearing and memorable characters that'll keep you on the edge of your seat, then look no further than Christmas Presents by Lisa Unger!

I enjoyed this novella type book, but wondered why some miscommunications took place. I liked the story enough to finish it, but not my favorite Unger book.

Thank you NetGalley and Penzler Publishers for the ARC! Christmas Presents was a miss for me - the writing wasn’t there and the character development and heavy background took away from the enjoyment. I’m sure many readers will feel differently!

True crime, podcast listeners, and thriller fans should check this book out. It is a contemporary story that focuses on a small town, a horrific and surprising crime that was never fully resolved, a town with questions, survivors with cloudy memories and a podcaster come to investigate. Madeline is a strong and well developed character who has been through a lot but still stands strong living in the same town she was attacked and caring for her father, the retired sheriff. The story is told from more than one POV and it helps build the idea of the podcast, use of todays technology, and the stakes at play for the characters who lived through the crimes. Along with looking to the past there is a current cast of a missing girl that brings a new element and dilemma to the solved case. There is a dash of romance, but i found it helped build the history and then was a fitting ending for some characters. overall a great read!

I started this one before its release date but had to travel for work and only just picked it up again - turned into a Christmas in July read!
This one had a lot of things that I typically like in thrillers - jumping between past and present timelines, podcast investigator, chief of police’s daughter who rebels and also incorporated a bookstore & bookclub.
This was a shorter read but it also in parts felt like the characters storylines became a bit rushed. We only briefly hear about some of the friendships/relationships in the book. There were also a lot of missing people in the town so i felt more disconnected to some of them than I would’ve liked. Overall, I still really enjoyed this one and thought it was a solid 3.5 ⭐️ read (rounded to 4 for GR).
Thank you to Netgalley, the author and the publisher (W.W Norton & Company) for the eARC.

#ChristmasPresents #NetGalley
A good read.
Madeline Martin has built a life for herself as the young owner of a thriving business, The Next Chapter Bookshop, despite her tragic childhood and now needing to care for her infirm father. When Harley Granger, a failed novelist turned true crime podcaster, drifts into her shop in the days before Christmas, he seems intent on digging up events that Madeline would much rather forget. She’s the only surviving victim of Evan Handy, the man who was convicted of murdering her best friend Steph, and is suspected in the disappearance of two sisters, also good friends of Madeline’s, who have been missing for nearly a decade. It’s an investigation that has obsessed her father Sheriff James Martin right up until his stroke took his faculties. Harley Granger has a gift for seeing things that others miss. He wasn’t much of a novelist, but his work as a true crime author and podcaster has earned him fame and wealth—and some serious criticism for his various unethical practices. Still, visiting Little Valley to be closer to his dying father has caused him to look into a case that many people think is closed—and some want reopened. And he has a lot of questions about the night Stephanie Cramer was killed, Ainsley and Sam Wallace disappeared, and Madeline Martin was left for dead, bleeding out on a riverbank. Since Evan Handy went to jail, three other young women have gone missing, most recently a young college dropout named Lolly. Five young women missing in the same area in a decade. Are they connected? Was Evan Handy innocent after all? Or was there some else there that night? Someone who is still satisfying his dark appetites?
Although it could've been better.
Thanks to NetGalley and Penzler Publishers for giving me an advance copy in exchange of an honest review.

Madeline has built a life for herself as the owner of a thriving bookshop despite her tragic childhood and needing to care for her infirm father. When Harley, a failed novelist turned true crime podcaster, drifts into her shop, he seems intent on digging up events that Madeline would much rather forget. She's the only surviving victim of Evan Handy, the man convicted of murdering her best friend. Since Evan went to jail, three other young women have gone missing, the latest being Lolly. Are they connected? As Christmas approaches, Madeline and her childhood friend Badger return to the past, discovering that the truth is much closer to home than they think.

CHRISTMAS PRESENTS is an exceptionally crafted Christmas thriller about Madeline's escape from a killer and the past that comes back to haunt her. Considering the horrifying ordeal that left her almost dead, Madeline has made a life for herself as a bookshop owner. Off the bat, I respected Madeline's strength in moving on, especially when the love for books is involved! I instantly felt connected to Madeline and quickly sympathized when Harley, the popular true crime podcaster, came around to reopen the investigation. Madeline not only lost her best friend, but her two other close friends were missing, a wound with no closure. With a recently missing person, Harley decides to pick at it. Little did he know his actions would open Pandora's box and rock Madeline's world again.

Unger's narrative was written with multiple POVs, transitioning effortlessly and establishing her talented, seasoned authorship. I had so much fun peeling back the layers and learning more about what Madeline went through. Although I cracked the case early on and wasn't startled by the reveal, it didn't detract from the mystery. Unger's storytelling, as a whole, didn't disappoint, especially how she blended the cozy Christmas season into one murderous plot. I positively recommend CHRISTMAS PRESENTS; it's a thrilling gift that keeps on giving!

What a thriller this is, I kept the pages turning trying to figure out who was the killer/kidnapper. Harley really got on my nerves, he was such a lousy person. Loved the character of Maddie, she was stronger than she thought as she faced her fears about what happened years ago. Another great story from this author.

Don't mistake this gripping thriller for a holiday story. It takes place in a period of time leading up to Christmas. I am a huge fan of the author and this novella did not disappoint. A step beyond your typical cozy, this was a fabulous read and kept me guessing.

This CHILLING 226 page novella by Lisa Unger may take place in the five days leading up to Christmas, but this is definitely NOT a Christmas story!Thank you net galley and the publisher for this arc in exchange for a review

Review of Christmas Presents by Lisa Unger

As always, I thrilled to see a new Lisa Unger book available on NetGalley. I snatched this one up quicker than you you could say merry Christmas. I did in fact read this one in December and as you all know at this point, yes I am that far behind in my reviews. Overall, I really enjoyed this one. It grabbed from the beginning and didn’t let up till the end. I almost wish it was longer. That would be my only semi complaint. But overall I really enjoyed it and I’m looking forward to reading her newest that’s out.

I am giving this one five stars. I didn’t get to it in time to give a full review and I apologize for that