I received a free copy of, Christmas Presents, by Lisa Unger, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Book shop owner, Madeline Martin, having had a traumatic time before, she is ready to glide into the Christmas season unfazed, but a true crime podcaster, has different plans. I could definitely do without the language in this story, I did not care for the language, though it was a very cool read, besides that.

Thank you NetGalley and Penzler Publishers for the ARC!

There aren’t enough words to describe how AMAZING this book is. I could NOT put it down. You are hooked from the first page and have to literally devour this in one setting. Will recommend this to EVERYONE.

This story centers on a small town that went through some traumatic events several years ago and suddenly a famous podcaster comes to investigate. Old wounds come open and Madeline is at the center. I couldn’t stop reading this to find out what would happen!


I received an early copy from Netgalley, but all thoughts are my own.

When a famous crime podcast investigator comes to a sleepy country town to stir the hornets nest by investigating the crimes committed by convicted murderer Evan Handy. It's up to life long best friends Madeline and Badger to face the horrible winter night when 17 year old Madeline was attacked and allow the truth to finally come to light. Is Evan innocent? Why are more young women missing? Why do they all look like Madeline?
I had figured out the who early on but that was ok because I was more interested in the Why and what happened. I did find Madeline frustrating and maddening, she never listened to anyone, not Badger, not her father, not her friends. It made her come across a little self-centered and naive, also for Badger being her best life-long friend she sure treated him like crap and never once considered his feelings.
There was nothing spectacular about this book, I found it a little slow and lacked more excitement. The ending also really frustrated me, was I happy about the ending? Yes, but I felt like yhe main characters should have had a nice heart to heart ( that the readers were in on) that didn't leave the readers feeling like it was just thrown together. So final answer: it was just OK. #NetGallery #Christmas Presents #LisaUnger #suspense #novella

I just finished reading Christmas Presents after a wicked 18 hour read. Everyone should heed my warning. This book is a frenzied five star read. This is probably one of the best psychological thriller I have read in years.
One horrible Christmas break evening, one friend is murdered, two friends disappeared and the fourth left to die on the bank of the lake. What really happened??? Now, years later, another woman disappeared. Granger, mystery writer and up and coming podcast host, is on the scene. Who will discover the real truth???
Sooo good!!!!!
Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to preview this book.

Thank you to NetGalley for the chance to read this!
Christmas thriller novels are not something I would typically pick up, but this did not disappoint. It did a really great job of setting the scene: decades old murder / disappearance, podcast host coming to reinvestigate the seemingly closed case, and the only survivor having to question if what she remembers is TRULY what happens.
In between, we see glimpses of a current crime, which makes the reader know almost from the get-go that something is definitely not as it seems.
I thought the pacing was really well done, the lead's survivors' guilt / desire to avoid the past very palpable, and the very minor romance side story was believable. I saw the 'twist' coming a mile away but it still worked well for the story. My only minor critique: I loved the idea that the podcaster was going to go see the real killer who claimed his innocence...I just wish we had really gotten to see that. That characterization could have brought so much more depth to this story.
But all in all a good and captivating thriller.

For a Novella this was a bit longer but the length fit the story. I am a Lisa Unger fan and this was on par with her other books, twists and turn that keep you guessing what really happened.

This book has 3 different points of views that overlap and eventually merge into a great story - a great Christmas themed thriller book and an easy Sunday afternoon book

Wow! This was like reading a suspenseful movie. This was such a fun read and super fast-paced! A great thriller that’s “Christmas” themed! I would totally recommend this book, I had been looking forward to reading more from this author! I REALLY enjoyed, Last Girl Ghosted by Lisa Unger and this one was also really good and totally bingeable!!! Definitely recommend for a quick twisty read!

I think I'm officially hanging up my Lisa Unger hat - it's not her, it's me. I've been trying desperately to like her last few books to no avail. I am going to simply assume it is her writing style and stop trying.

Who doesn’t love true crime podcasts?

Madeline is the owner of The Next Chapter Bookshop which doesn’t leave her much time to care for her father who had a stroke. As Police Chief, this is difficult for him.

When Harley, a crime podcaster comes into the shop right before Christmas, she is fairly certain it has something to do with the past and herself.

Madeline is the only known surviving victim of Evan Handy. Evan was convicted of her best friend’s murder and is a suspect in the disappearance of more. Madeline can’t forget that night and doesn’t want to revisit it. Even if it means finding out what happened to the other girls.

Madeline’s father is still sure he knows the murderer. But is unable to communicate that.

While Harley sees a lot that others do not, she doesn’t trust him.

The problem is that since he went to prison, three more young women have gone missing. One named Lolly, recently. So what is going on? Did he have an accomplice?

When a Christmas blizzard blankets the area, Madeline will find out more than she ever dreamed about that night and her friends. And the truth is big!

It is nice that thriller authors are jumping on the novella scene between big releases. Lisa Unger is always on point!

NetGalley/ October 24, 2023, Penzler Publishing/ Mysterious Press

For a Christmas novella this one was super dark, which was fantastic. It's a quick read, but it doesn't skimp on character development and great setting. I felt at home with these folks and found myself wishing that I was able to spend even more time with them.

This book was ok and a quick read. The story was interesting but I felt that it jumped around too much which made it difficult to follow at times.

This book follows Madeline Martin who overcame a tragic event as a teenager and the podcaster who shows up in her small hometown 10 years later to try and uncover the truth surrounding her case and the potential connection to some missing women.
I really enjoyed the modern take of a podcaster investigating a crime. The characters were well written and it was a fast paced book. My only complaint is that the ending seemed rushed. I didn’t realize this was a novella, it could have used a few more chapters.

Thank you to Netgalley for the advanced copy..

Thanks NetGalley for the ARC of Christmas Presents by Lisa Unger
I feel very fortunate to have received this advanced copy of a Lisa Unger novella, she is an author I really enjoy. This was a great book, I enjoyed the plot and the characters, they were easy to follow. The author weaved in a great twist, I didn't see the ending coming, I was shocked with who dunnit.
Near the beginning of the novel I was unsure when I was reading present day or it was an event from the past, but it became evident as I continued to read
The main character is Madeline, had a traumatic event happen 10 years ago, a writer has come to the small town to reopen this cold case and Madeline needs to decide if she really wants to revisit the past
Great read! I recommend

Madeline Martin survived an attack by her high school boyfriend, Evan Handy, who also killed her best friend. Two other friends went missing that night. As an adult she helps care for her father, who suffered a stroke, and owns a small bookstore. A true crime podcaster named Harley Granger shows up a few days before Christmas. He has moved to town to revisit the crime and help find answers to what really happened that night, and where the two missing girls are.

This was a short and fast-paced read. I didn’t realize it was a novella and I do think it could be developed more and become a full-sized novel. The ending felt a little rushed. I loved the setting and the characters, especially Madeline and her friend Badger. The killer was not a big surprise, I wish there had been more suspects and speculation around that.

Overall, a solid quick little thriller from Lisa Unger. This is the third book of hers I have read and will continue to read books by her.

Thank you to NetGalley and W.W. Norton & Company for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Christmas Presents by Lisa Unger is the antithesis of the holiday cozy read. I've never read a Christmas thriller, but this novella delivers! The story follows multiple character points of view in the days leading up to Christmas in a small town as a true crime podcaster tries to uncover clues to a cold case. I thought the setting was descriptive and the characters were interesting and compelling. I recommend this novella for fans of Lisa Unger and thriller lovers looking for something different to read in the Christmas season.

Thank you to NetGalley, Lisa Unger, and Mysterious Press for the review eARC in exchange for my honest review!

Bookstore owner Madeline Martin has a traumatic past. Ten years ago her best friend Steph was murdered, two more friends, Ainsley and Sam Wallace disappeared and she narrowly escaped death herself. Since that night three other women have gone missing. Now in present day podcaster Harley Granger has moved into town and has decided to revisit the cold case of the two missing girls that disappeared ten years ago.

I really enjoyed the alternating POVs, and found it easy to follow along. I love the podcast aspect. I wish we could have heard more about Evan and his past.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

𝙄𝙣𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙖𝙙 𝙤𝙛 𝙥𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝘾𝙝𝙧𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙢𝙖𝙨, 𝙖 𝙩𝙧𝙪𝙚 𝙘𝙧𝙞𝙢𝙚 𝙥𝙤𝙙𝙘𝙖𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙞𝙨 𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙪𝙥 𝙖 𝙘𝙤𝙡𝙙 𝙘𝙖𝙨𝙚…

Although this is a novella, I felt so immersed in the characters and had such a fun time reading it. Normally I would’ve saved it for the winter season, but I was in the mood for something quick and fun… so I picked this one up, and I’m glad I did.

This is my first read by this author - maybe I should’ve started with a novel. I had so much fun reading this though. I remember staying up so late finishing this because I just had to know how it would end.

The setting is super eerie, especially with the mystery surrounding the story. Madeline and Harley both were super interesting characters. I loved the podcast aspect of Harley and the sense of solving the case.

The novella is told from different POVs and timelines. I was very intrigued from the beginning. It has a small-town aspect during the Christmas season, and I was loving every moment.

The ending was a bit predictable IMO and I do wish this was an actual novel, but I still had such an entertaining experience with this story. The setting was by far my favorite!

This is the perfect holiday novella if you’re looking for something quick and thrilling during the Christmas season. I definitely had a fun time reading it and would recommend it!

Thank you so much NetGalley and Mysterious Press for the review eARC in exchange for my honest review!

Can y'all keep a secret?

I still write letters to Santa and I was wishing HARD for this book, so I sent the big guy an early request..

I know my secret is safe with you, because you know... Snitches get stitches.

Anyway...

This book right here is literary gold and I am going to make sure everyone knows it!

Christmas Presents.

For a kid who celebrates Christmas all year round, to see this book pop up was destiny and I was living for it. We have already established I am the creepy customer singing Jingle Bell Rock through Trader Joes BUT did you know I once aspired to be one of Santa's toy building elves?

Im rambling again,..

Any who, Lisa Unger, and I go way back to 2006 with Beautiful Lies (If you haven't read this there is still time and it's one of my favorites!!) This is when Unger courted me and I fell under her spell. It was the start of a beautiful "book-ship" and I was never going to end this. I have read everything to date including Secluded Cabin Sleeps Seven and In The Blood and super excited for The New Couple in 5B BUTTTTT and there is a big BUT, I will be blown away if anything can top the way I feel about Christmas Presents.

This book had everything I never knew I needed jam packed within 224 pages. Please Please Please, give me more!!! Reading is my passion, podcasts are my obsession, so when you combine the two, I am left swooning. The character development was executed with perfection. Madeline and Harley felt so incredibly real, I swore I wanted to ask them to dinner. The twist? Well, it just about knocked me on my tush.

Anyone who rates this book under 5 stars is lying and a criminal

Teaser:

Instead of presents this Christmas, a true crime podcaster is opening up a cold case…

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?

As Christmas approaches and a blizzard bears down, Madeline and her childhood friend Badger return to a past they both hoped was dead—to find the missing Lolly and to answer questions that have haunted them both, discovering that the truth is more terrible and much closer to home than they think.

Coupling a picturesque, cozy setting with a deeply unsettling suspenseful plot, Christmas Presents is a chilling seasonal novella that can be enjoyed all year long.

About the Author: Lisa Unger is a New York Times and internationally bestselling author. With books published in thirty-three languages and millions of copies sold worldwide, she is widely regarded as a master of suspense.

3⭐️

For the majority of this book I was really enjoying this story. I really liked that although though this is a novella there are multiple timelines and povs being told. The pieces start to come together fairly quickly.

I really liked the premise of a true crime podcaster coming to a small town to get more information and find the truth of the story. I thought that was really great, The pacing is also really well done.

Where this book did lose me was at the end. It was a bit lack luster and just landed flat for me sadly. With this being a novella the ending completely changed how I felt overall about this book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penzler Publishing for this advanced reader copy, My review is voluntarily my own.