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.

A podcaster goes to his hometown and starts looking into a cold case crime. Madeline is the only survivor of a crime where her best friend was killed, two other friends have been missing for years, and Madeline herself was left for dead but miraculously survived. The story goes back between the crime and present time. Thank you @netgalley for the Advanced Reader Copy! #christmaspresents #lisaunger #netgalley #advancedreaderscopy #thriller #mysterynovel #truecrimepodcast #bookstagram #booklover #reader #bookblog #lovetoread #fictionreader #bookreview #bookrecommendation #readersofinstagram #bookloversofinstagram #takeapagefrommybook #readallthebooks #booksbooksbooks #booksofinstagram #bookwormproblems #bookaholic #booknerd #whattoread #readingtime #bookaddict #ilovetoread #ilovebooks #needtoread #readallday

Another great book by Lisa Unger. This plot deals with the Disappearance I have two girls many years ago, as well as the murder, an attack of another girl. The book was filled with interesting characters.,great story line and a believable conclusion. I simply could not put it down. Followers of Lisa Unger will not be disappointed.

I am a big Lisa Unger fan so I was excited for the "Christmas Presents" as a shorter than usual but not a novella read. True to Ms. Unger there was very well written character development and I do like the true crime podcast aspect. The ending wasn't mind blowing but still satisfying as a clear resolution.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book in advance of publication.

This is my first read from Lisa Unger and I absolutely loved her writing style. It is 'Christmas in July' !!
I loved Madeline and Badger. It was a pretty quick read that takes place at Christmas time. Highly recommend.

Thanks for the advanced copy of Christmas Presents Lisa Unger’s new book!! This book is a quick beach read and as always full of suspense that keeps the reader captivated.

Great holiday read and perfect stocking stuffer for the mystery lover. A wonderful book to add to the holiday displays on your New Books shelves this year. Readers will be enraptured by the story unfolding both in the current timeline and in the past as unraveling the mystery will save lives and solve a decade old crime.

Christmas Presents
Lisa Unger
Pub Date October 24, 2023
Mysterious Press
Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the ARC of this novella. This book left me wanting more. I believe there is enough interest in the plot and characters to warrant a full size novel. Fast paced opening which caught my attention. The culprit was quite predictable and I feel editing could have improved this greatly.
3 star

I am enjoying this new "true crime podcast' storyline that's appeared in several books lately including Christmas Presents! A podcaster visits a small town to try and figure out what happened one night many years when three women end up dead and one survives but remembers nothing. And another woman is now missing. It features some of my personal favorites - a small town bookshop owner, winter scenery, and an uncertainty about who you can trust. It's listed as a novella which I was surprised to see - I wouldn't categorize it that way.
This isn't a Hallmark movie, but if you like things a bit darker, grab this to read under your tree this holiday season! Thank you to NetGalley and Mysterious Press for the chance to read this in advance! Christmas in July didn't disappoint!

I'm definitely a Lisa Unger fan, so I was super excited to see a fun "little" novella from her!

However, it's pretty long for a novella (Full disclosure, I have not done any research into what makes something a novella). I also felt that the first 70% was pretty boring. Then, the climax was just kind of out there. I mean, mid conversation, it was basically "Oh, it was so-and-so?" And that's it. I don't know. It just felt very weird.

Overall, it wasn't bad, but wasn't anything groundbreaking either.

This was a good story, although I often felt confused by the way events were presented. The premise of the book was good and the characters are well described and real. I wasn’t too surprised when it became clear who the predator actually was because there were some few clues. I always enjoy books by Lisa Unger and this was no exception. I received an arc of this book from NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions expressed are my own.

Thank you to Net Galley, Mysterious Press and the author for a sneak peek of this book to read and review!

As always, Lisa gives you all the elements you are looking for in a great thriller … but when she adds in a Christmas setting? BAM! Whole ‘nutha level! This was a nice switch up from the normal holiday cozy mystery or Hallmark-y rom com that is so popular with holiday reads. AND it’s a novella so it moves pretty fast. The characters, the plot and all the twisty reveals are packaged up with a big, pretty bow giving you one heck of a great Christmas suspense!

I read this as a Christmas in July selection and it was perfect for it … but the creepy factor would certainly be more intense on a dark and snowy night, sitting by the dim, twinkly lights of the tree … just sayin’.

Lisa Unger never fails me. I received an advanced copy of this book through NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Christmas Presents is a novella, I started last night and finished this morning. There are several moving parts, good character development and background, and plot inside of just 200 + pages. Some books over 300+ pages don't get that covered.

Madeline Martin (we could be related) survived an attack by her criminal boyfriend, who killed her best friend Steph, and subsequently, her other 2 best friends went missing. Her friend "Badger" saved her while looking for his little brother Chet.

In the current year, Madeline is the owner of the bookstore in town and is very successful, but her dad, who was the Sheriff, had a stroke 6 months earlier. And now an author and true crime podcaster, Harley Granger has come to town to investigate. Just when another girl goes missing.

The suspense was really well done, the way it cut between Harley, Madeline and Lolly, the missing girl, the flashbacks to 17 year old Maddie, and her interest in Evan Handy. I may have guessed who the other bad guy was, but it didn't bother me because of the quick pacing, and I couldn't put it down.

TW for drugging, sexual assault, kidnapping, and murder. 4/5☆ out 10/24/23.

I was immediately captivated by the intriguing and unique premise of this Christmas thriller. In a world dominated by True Crime Podcasts, the incorporation of this element felt remarkably relevant, grounding the plot in a chilling realism. Lisa Unger's talent for hooking the reader from the very first page was on full display, making it a swift and engaging read, yet without sacrificing the spine-tingling, ominous atmosphere she is known for.

The contrast between the cozy setting of the book and the suspenseful, thriller plot was a stroke of brilliance. It drew me deeper into the story, creating a gripping and immersive experience that I couldn't put down. Despite being a quicker read than some of her other works, it didn't diminish the intensity of the narrative, and I found myself completely engrossed in the mystery.

The one critique I have is that it would be useful to know whose point of view we are reading at the beginning of the chapter, as well as the time. it flips from past to present through points of view and you have to figure that out by yourself.

This fast-paced mystery is perfect for any reader, even those who might not typically gravitate towards thrillers. It has the power to captivate and enthrall all kinds of audiences. If you're looking for a thrilling and exciting read that will keep you on the edge of your seat, this book is an absolute must-read. Lisa Unger's ability to blend the cozy with the suspenseful is masterful, leaving you with that wonderful creepy feeling that lingers long after you turn the last page. #ChristmasPresents #NetGalley

Quick novella from Unger, that I wish was a full length story...or a short story. There was a lot of repeating, but also not enough information. A conundrum of most novellas
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.

Book Title: The Christmas Presents
Author: Lisa Unger
Publisher: Penzler Publishers/Mysterious Press
Genre: Holiday Mystery
Pub Date: October 24, 2023
My Rating: 4 Stars
Pages: 288

Note from Author, Lisa Unger
~I was visiting with Otto Penzler of Mysterious Bookshop and Mysterious Press fame and he asked
me “have you ever thought about writing a Christmas novella?” I had, in fact. I’m always looking for
he shadow side of a beautiful thing, and Christmas with all its glitter and high expectations has
been on my mind for a while now. So, I started writing, and the result is this novella entitled
:Christmas Presents".!
Ms. Unger added ~
Don’t expect something sweet, cozy, and sentimental — well, maybe it’s a little sentimental in the
darkest possible way. Hope you enjoy! ~

This is my twelfth : Lisa Unger novel. I especially liked " Secluded Cabin Sleep six". "Confessions on the 745", "Ink and Bone", "The Red Hunter", and "Darkness, My old Friend"..

I loved the idea of reading a Christmas story on a hot July day. However based on Ms. Unger Unger’s note plus the others I read I was sure this just may be more of a mystery than a Christmas story!

Ten years ago Madeline boyfriend Evan Hardy had a big party that was crashed by many uninvited students. Madeline was attacked at a party and left for dead. Her best friend Stephanie Cramer was killed and friends Ainsley and Sam Wallace went missing.
Evan Handy went to prison for the murder of Stephanie Cramer and he is presumed to have killed the Wallace sisters and hid their bodies.
However while he was incarnated other young women went missing ~ so was he innocent of these earlier crimes?

Madeline is now the owner of The Next Chapter Bookshop. Her father was the sheriff at the time of her attack he retired but soon after had a stroke and needs Madeline’s care.
Harley Granger a famous podcaster who tries to solve cold cases has comes to town to revisit the crimes and also wants Madeline’s help in hoping to find new information.

While this is going on Lolly Morris a dancer at a local bar called “Headlights” appeared to be abducted after work. The Security camera show her talking to someone in the parking lot and then later having a late dinner at a local diner with a man perhaps the person from the parking lot. . However she left alone in her own car.

Story kept me glued to my reading chair. Enjoyed this thriller and did love the added flavor of Christmas.

In the acknowledgement Ms. Unger] thanks many people but also tells us more about her how her chat with Otto Penzler did turn out to be the inspiration for his Christmas Novella.
She adds that perhaps he thought it was going to be a bit ‘Cozier” than how it turned out. But, he did indulge in her psychological thriller tendencies. She finished her thank you to us readers and adds how appreciative she is to us for making her writing life a wild and wonderful ride. Merry Christmas! (Insert diabolical laughter here.)
With that I totally busted out laughing and thought yep that is why I love reading her stories!

Want to thank NetGalley and Penzler Publishers- Mysterious Press for this early eGalley.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for October 24, 2023.

Lisa Unger has written her way onto my favorite authors list!

I was hooked from the first few lines which I have to say is typical of Ungers books.

This book has it all, a crime podcast, twists and turns, likable characters, unlikable characters and characters that you root and cheer for, which I have to say is quite a feat for a novella.

If you like thrillers about true crime podcasts with some twists and turns, this one is for you.

Christmas Presents was a twisty mystery that I definitely enjoyed. I must say though, that I had figured out who the murderer was before long.

17-year-old Madeline Martin had a boyfriend, Evan Handy, who turned out to be a murderer. He murdered her best friend. Steph, and her friends Sam and Ainsley turned up missing. In her struggle to save her friend, Evan's sliced her face. She was left to die by the river , but her friend Badger came and rescued her. 10 years later, the disappearance of the two girls remained unsolved.

At the behest of Mrs. Wallace, Sam and Ainsley's mother, Hardy Granger, author and crime solver came to town in hopes of solving the mystery of the missing girls. There were also two women who were murdered, and a stripper named Lolly who had gone missing.

Lolly had been held captive by someone dressed in a Santa's mask. He had untied her hands and feet and she was able to escape out of a window. She ran from him as fast as she could over the snow while barefoot. That same night, Madeline and Badger decided to go out to his family's lake house in search of answers. While in route they came across lolly and her kidnapper who turned out to be someone else in the story. Once arrested, he confessed to killing the other two women. He also kidnapped and killed Sam and Ainsley. It seems he'd had an ongoing relationship with Evan who encouraged his darker side to surface. So Hardy got his story and the murders were solved along with the disappearances of the two girls.

The title of the book came from the Christmas presents that Madeline received every year. She thought they were from Evan or that Evan had arranged to have delivered to her, but they weren't from him. I was surprised to learn who they came from. Even though this book was an easy read, and even though I had figured out who the murderer was, I stuck with it because the author did a good job developing the story. I gave it four stars.

Thank you to Netgalley for this advance reader copy. Talk about a mystery! Five young people missing in the same area. This is a case for a totally mysterious who done it.. Madeline and Badger have a mystery to solve! Come along with them as they delve into this crime solving question. Even though the title is situated around Christmas you can enjoy this thriller. any time of the year.