I really enjoyed this. A look at some darker figures of the Christmas season was interesting. A nice change up from holiday romcoms.

This was an incredibly interesting book about the history of Christmas monsters and ghosts from how they came to become folklore to their ongoing evolution and popularity. This wasn't something I had thought about much before, but I found it so interesting to find out what we know about these stories origins and what the can tell us about how Christmas, and midwinter in general, was celebrated historically in Europe.

As someone who studies the history of Christmas, this is right up my alley. If you are from North America (or even the UK), your holiday celebrations tend not to have many pesky or dark creatures involved. However, much of the rest of the world does have their own supernatural figures/beings who often take a different vibe.
Because I study the holiday season, I tend to be fairly picky about books in related subjects. However, I am happy to share that I think Clegg has done a fantastic job with The Dead of Winter! She has taken a truly novel approach to an interesting subject and it pays off.

This book is set up as a series of quasi-essays rather than straight history, and I think that makes them even more readable. Clegg travelled to all of these different regions to experience their current “forms” and I think that it helps drive home why history is both interesting and needed. Although I have to say, some of these Christmas-related celebrations are far more violent and upsetting than many of us realise.

Note: I am quite a scaredy-cat, and I was able to read this no problem when I never read horror.

The history here is solid, as well. It is not an academic book, so Clegg is not determined to cover every single aspect of a figure. While she does not miss anything major, this helps the book to move at a good pace. I think that the subject matter is also unique enough that this will interest anyone who is curious about folklore/mythology in general, not only in regards to Christmas. This is a great book for someone interested in the darker side of Christmas or the origins of current figures!

I adore Creepy Christmas, and this is a unique history of some of the most macabre Christmas traditions we still see remnants of today.

There are a fair number of books on this subject so I was a little worried I wouldn’t get much new information out of this, but Clegg has done a wonderful job of giving us some fantastic and unique insights into the subject. And I loved the way she organized the material.

The tone is fun but still largely focused on being informative, and it’s a quick read if you’re looking for something holiday themed with a bit of a dark twist.

This was fun, interesting and informative. I love any opportunity to read about non-commercial holiday folklore.

This book was strange. Using the premise of a fictional trip, or so it seems, the narrator takes us on a tour of dark and macabre traditions associated with the Yule season in England and Europe. Though full of facts and old traditions, I felt it dragged a bit.

The darker side of Christmas has always fascinated me. I picked this up because I wanted to learn more about the history and lore behind the different holiday traditions/myths. While this novella did teach me some interesting things, it was written in such a way that made me feel like a bystander in a non-fiction travelogue. I was really hoping to feel immersed into the lore, but this fell flat for me. I did love the descriptions of the places the narrator visits though! The audiobook narration was also wonderful and set an exceptional dark, semi-eerie tone as well.

Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for an advance listening copy of this title.

There's a chill in the air which means that winter folklore books are on their way! This year we get Dead of Winter, which is a solid book for some midwinter monsters. The book was a mix of deeper dives into folklore and descriptions of the author's visits to witness traditions. The monsters are mostly European, which is fine, but the blurb doesn't really mention that specifically. We get to visit some of the classic monsters and maybe a few you might not regularly encounter. I really enjoyed the history of winter-time debauchery. This was something I hadn't seen explored in as much detail, so that was an enjoyable element offered by this book. I suppose my only complaint is that some areas were more tourist visit and less history and I would have enjoyed a deeper dive into those areas as well. Hannah Curtis does a lovely job narrating and has a perfect cadence for the material. Thank you NetGalley and Hachette Audio and Algonquin Books for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

This book is so informative, but it was also entertaining in the descriptions of "Christmas'" past. I knew that the idea and festive traditions of Christmas were taken from the Pagan Yule, but I had not known anything about Saturnalia or the dark and scary characters and festivities of Yule. I have since watched the Krampus parade (online) in Germany and WOW! I'd be scared of, let alone children seeing Krampus! But I also think my kids would love the tales and stories.

The narrator on this audio did a lovely job narrating this book. Her voice is cozy and warm. I think, for myself personally, if I had read this as a physical book, I would have remembered more about it. But that has no bearings on narration or book itself, juts a personal observation. :)

I love reading about history and folklore, especially if it’s about a season or a holiday that I love. This book was on my radar wayyyyy before it was published so I had been patiently waiting for a bit.

I enjoyed reading it a lot and learning a bit more about the “old ways,” along with series of traditions and beliefs. With that being said, I wasn’t a huge fan of the writing style. It’s a hybrid between memoir and non-fiction —which I love— but I did not like the author’s many asides and opinions sprinkled in as footnotes. Personal opinion: those work better as discussions on the actual text, especially since footnotes take you out of reading and it’s not as impactful, for me. Others may love it though!

As far as the book goes, I loved the breakdown of traditions and the idea of what happened in the old days. It’s always fun to look closely at what we do and believe, especially when it yields some interesting conclusions.

Needless to say, this book has me still thinking about those spooky winter nights near Christmas and the new year where you could have an unsettling visitor at your door.

3.5 ⭐️ Very immersive storytelling. Love learning about the darker side of beloved holidays/traditions. Connecting past to present traditions. The narration was easy to listen to. I do think this would be more enjoyable as a physical book maybe with doodles to go along with the tales. Overall informative and enjoyable.

Narrator(s): Hannah Curtis | Sarah Clegg
Length: 4h 34m
Source: ALC - NetGalley, Hachette Audio
Release Date: November 12, 2024
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Such a FANTASTIC dive into the dark and disturbed part of December/Christmas we just don’t really hear about.
Think of the TRUE Grimm’s fairy tales…but centered around a time when everything *should* be bright and merry.
Folklores from around the world shed light on some of the most gruesome and terrifying tales from different cultures.

Krampus.
Witches.
Monsters.
And nightmares linger in the history of many countries and it was so fascinating to listen to these creepy tales.

Hannah Curtis was such a pleasure to listen to.
Her voice was crisp and so pleasant in my earholes.
And Sarah Clegg, who is the author and an Oxford-trained historian, narrated a few parts and her voice was simply mesmerizing.
Her storytelling was addictive and I can’t wait to read more from her!

{I received a complimentary copy of this audiobook. All reviews are my own.}

The Dead of Winter is a non fiction book that explains about all those dark traditions and fold tales surrounding the darkest parts of our year, the winter. I found reading this book fascinating and insightful as it takes us on a journey through the centuries and all over the world. From Krampus to those mid winter traditi0ns and Christian Martyrs, it will leave you shivering and not from the cold!

Antonia Beamish who narrated the audio version has a wonderful storytelling voice, which is both lulling and interesting,

Thank you Netgalley, Granta publishers and W. F. Howes Ltd ( audio version ) for the arc of this compelling book


5 stars

1.5 soggy stars.

When I read the description of this new compilation, I was deeply intrigued and very excited to read it. Sadly, it was a huge disappointment.

Had this account been written by an actual Witch or practicing Pagan (who understands the energies and traditions involved), this could have been incredibly valuable and inspiring. Unfortunately, it was written by a university researcher who views everything through a deeply Christian lens, and travels around to different ritual celebrations as a complete tourist (and writes her experiences down as if she were a traveller of old who has been invited to partake in the most non-Christian, uncivilized rituals for no other reason than to tell her civilized friends about it upon her return).

I am giving 1.5 stars for the great research. I so rarely actually rate books this low (1-2 stars), but while this writing may have been solid enough to be a research paper, people absolutely need to STOP co-opting the belief systems of others for profit.

Further, this could have been an even better book with the inclusion of similar and differing rituals from across both Eastern snd Western Europe, rather than a handful of cherry-picked locales.

Much gratitude to Netgalley and the publisher Hachette Audio, for an Audio-ARC of this book, in exchange for my (probably much TOO honest) review.

"In Salzburg I catch sight of a Krampus at a Christmas market prowling under a glittering tree, and watch as he stalks his prey – a small child trying to persuade his mother to buy him sweets. Perhaps it’s just that I’ve spent too long immersed in the darkness of the season, but to me at least, there’s no contradiction between the glittering fairy lights and the horned, shaggy monster. In a world of snow and Christmas magic, he looks right at home."


Out of all that were mentioned, I find Grýla, Lucy and Krampus stood out the most. Learned a little bit more about Krampus including the other names he goes by: Perchte , Klaubauf, Kramperl, Ganggerl and Toifi. The superficial differences between the monsters yet traditions surrounding them are almost identical, and you’d be hard pressed to tell them apart on a dark night. How dangerous, violent and terrifying the Krampus run/parade can get that even the regular spectators aren’t entirely safe.
Fascinating..menacing..lovely bedtime read
If you tend to like the darker side or aspects of folk lore and other winter tales. The narration is good and read it with a digital copy as well.

I received a complimentary copy of this audiobook. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you to NetGalley and Hachette Audio 🖤


3.45✨

Super fun book of short stories (short... myths, monsters, and fairy tales, I should say) about all the things that go bump in the night around Christmastime. Krampus, of course, plays a prominent role, but he was far from the only creature to make an appearance.

As an avid lover and researcher of mythology, fairy tales, and legends myself, I had heard of most of these tales and creatures before. But it was nice to have a tome where they're all in one place, and there WERE at least a couple that were new to me.

I originally gave it a 3.5-star rating rounded up to 4, but after reflection, I had to drop it back down to 3 simply because I felt like some of the tales could have been more fleshed out. Also, the writer put a LOT of herself and her travels into the book, which is fine. There is nothing inherently wrong about that, but at times, it did kind of take away from the magic of the tales themselves.

Still, if you want to know more about all the fun and creepy things that haunt your Christmas (and winter) dreams, I recommend giving this one a read.

In The Dead of Winter, historian Sarah Clegg dives into the eerie traditions lurking behind our modern Christmas cheer. She introduces us to Europe’s dark holiday legends—like Krampus, who punishes naughty kids in Austria, and Mari Lwyd, a ghostly horse visiting Welsh doorsteps. Clegg’s deep research and her knack for storytelling make each chapter feel like opening a spooky advent calendar. Her insights into how pagan rituals shaped Christmas reveal a fascinating blend of fear and festivity at the heart of winter celebrations.
Clegg also explores social tensions in these traditions, such as the Lord of Misrule’s topsy-turvy role reversals. Adding to the book’s charm, she recounts her firsthand experiences at events like Krampus runs, which add vivid, personal detail. While her focus on European lore leaves some global traditions unexplored, *The Dead of Winter* is a rich, unique read. It’s perfect for those looking to spice up the season with a little holiday horror and a deeper appreciation of the festive season’s hidden layers.

A wonderfully spooky deep-dive into the scarier traditions of the winter holiday season, the book is the perfect thing for transitioning between Halloween and Christmas!

The warm and fuzzy Christmas as we know it is a creation of the Victorians and Coca-Cola's marketing team. Before the 19th century, much darker traditions existed, from England's terrifying "guisers" who wore animal skulls and demanded money and food, to the perchtas (witches) who rampaged through the night on a wild hunt. There's also Krampus, St. Nicholas' demonic helper, who threatens misbehaving children with switches, and the Yule Cat, Iceland's child-eating feline monster. In this essay, I will draw similarities between these dark Christmas creatures' insistence on obedience and that of the Christian church... Just kidding. That is another book entirely.

I read this on audio and liked that author Sarah Clegg read the introduction and the epilogue. Narrator Hannah Curtis read the rest, and she has the perfect voice for this spooky chronicle of folkloric traditions from across Europe (primarily the UK and northern Europe).

For example: You may be aware of St. Lucia, the Nordic figure that sees angelic blond girls dressed up with crowns of candles, but did you know that in the past, she was said to punish naughty children by gutting them, stuffing them with straw and sewing them back up again? We also learn about the Lord of Misrule, a figure, often a servant or peasant, who was given free reign over Yuletide festivities -- and a lot of misbehavior, including drunkenness and sometimes violence. (Given that my usual reading material is romance, I would be remiss if I didn't mention that the Lord of Misrule makes an appearance in KJ Charles' Masters in This Hall.)

There are some horrifying monsters discussed in this book, but nothing more chilling than the humans who used these folkloric traditions to persecute and subjugate women. The church-led witch hunt casts its shadow over proceedings, particularly the perchtas' freedom and revelry. This could have been a book on its own.

This is a slim book, so we don't spend much time on any one tradition, but it is a fabulous overview of the darker side of the holidays. It's brought to life by Clegg's attendance at some events that are still going on -- or in resurgence -- today, from a guiser event at a posh gastropub to a frankly terrifying Krampus parade in Germany. These traditions aren't what they once were, but they live on.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for this advance listening copy.

I have already recommended this one to my friends and posted about it all over Facebook. It is wonderful! I love the history and the explanation of the creepy things. I love old timey creepy traditions. The narration was absolute perfection! I was all about her voice and the way she told these stories.