Thank you to NetGalley, High Bridge Audio & Lisa Unger for an audio arc of Christmas Presents in exchange for an honest review.

Synopsis (quoted): "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.

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.

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?"

Lisa Unger is always hit or miss for me, but nevertheless, I will always sign up for her new titles!

This one was a 3.5 star read for me, but I'll round it up to a 4.

It was a quick & easy listen, not hard to follow along without losing track. It was well-paced and the story was interesting enough, but not really anything special or stand-out. I thought the character of Harvey Danger was almost completely irrelevant. If his character were eliminated, the story still stands.

It was just "ok" for me. I've definitely read better from Unger. I will await her next on in early 2024!

Christmas Presents by Lisa Unger
Narrated by Jennifer Pickens

The story starts with a young woman reflecting on her messed up life but ready to head home and fess up to her mother. She knows not to get close to strange men but spends a little time with one. Already the tension is high before we even get to Chapter 1.

Next we meet Madeline Martin whose facial scar is a reminder that she is the survivor of a night that took three of her friends. Despite the fact that Evan Handy went to prison for his crimes and is still there now, more women have gone missing. Did Evan have help when he committed his crimes or did someone else commit them instead? The mirage of safety has been shattered, someone is out there taking women again.

Failed author, successful podcaster Harley Granger is on the trail of a breakthrough in the story. He may be unethical, willing to do and say anything for a story, but there is a little bit inside of him that would like to get the facts of what really happened the night Madeline and the other girls met their horrible fates. Even if he can't get Madeline to talk, he'll get others to talk, maybe snoop around where he shouldn't be snooping, and maybe pull a few tricks to liven up the podcast. This is his gig and his success thrives on creativity, ethical or not.

From the very beginning of the story, the feeling of bad things happening is strong. We go back and forth in time and see what led up to that fateful night of death and disappearances ten years ago. In the present there is a sense of dread too, a girl is missing, again! I had my suspicions and I was correct but I really wasn't sure until close to the end. You can never know you are safe, can never let your guard down! Narrator Jennifer Pickens does a really good job of voicing the weariness and jadedness of Madeline and the missing girl.

Thank you to HighBridge Audio and NetGalley for this ARC.

The blurb had me intrigued. I knew it was a short book, and as I feared, I think the length did the story a disservice. This plot could have been more, so it is a bit of a lost opportunity. There are several different portions that could have gone much deeper. I mean, in 200ish pages, we have a dead woman, a scarred woman who escaped, two missing girls, and a kidnapped woman. Plus, the initial investigating sheriff is debilitated due to a stroke. And we have a podcaster poking around wondering if the right guy is in prison. That is a lot to tackle in 200 pages. Either scale the scope back to keep the length or properly develop all portions and make it longer. I will stop ranting about this.

For the most part, the plot, skeletal as it is, is interesting. However, there is a pretty big plot hole revealed towards the end. <spoiler> Chet has been in contact with Evan, in prison, this whole time. Exchanging letters and emails- where Chet talks about his crimes and Evan encourages him. Um, mail is checked in prison. This would not happen unnoticed for decade. </spoiler>

The audiobook is narrated by Jennifer Pickens. Her tone is appropriate for the book and no complaints about her narration.

I received an audio copy in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this Lisa Unger book. But I love everything that I have read by her. This is set in a coastal town. Pay attention, as there are many characters. It keeps your interest the whole way through.

Many thanks to Net Galley and HighBridge Audio for an audio copy for an honest review.