This was a pretty fast, easy, suspenseful read that kept me wanting to find out more. This was my first book by this author and I’ll definitely read more.

My only critique is the ending seemed a bit abrupt. But it ended well.

Thanks to the author, publisher, and NeGalley for this ARC. All opinions are my own.

Thanks Penzler Publishers and NetGalley.

This was a quick thriller that wasn't quite my cup of tea, but it was a decent read nonetheless. A cold case is reopened as a blizzard approaches. Not a bad novella.

Lisa Unger never disappoints! This was a quick, dark Christmas story with a hopeful ending. It even brought a tear to my eye. I do think the killer was fairly obvious, but that didn't take away from my enjoyment of the story. Madeline's bookstore sounded so wonderful it made me wish I could shop there! I'm looking forward to Lisa Unger's next novel.

Expected publication: October 24, 2023

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

I'm really struggling with how to review this one. I enjoyed it for what it was, but I also feel like it could have been even better if it were a full-length novel. The story itself was really good and kept me interested, but some of the suspense that is usually present in a mystery just wasn't there because there just wasn't as much time to build it. For example, in a longer book there probably would have been some more fleshed-out characters, which would have meant more suspects. Because of how few people were involved in this story, it was pretty easy to pinpoint the bad guy despite a few red herrings planted by the author to point suspicion at someone else.

Specifically one thing I really didn't like was that throughout the book there are multiple references to an upcoming interview between Harley Granger and Evan Handy, but because of other events that happen that never comes to fruition. I understand that it would have been difficult to fit that element in from a timing perspective, but I wish the author had just never mentioned it as a possibility because I was really looking forward to that and was disappointed that it doesn't actually happen.

I will say this, my absolute favorite part of this book, and the element that is the primary reason I am rating it 4 stars instead of 3 is the "podcast transcript" that is at the end of the book. A lot of thrillers/mysteries struggle to find a way that makes sense narratively to wrap up all of the loose ends and questions that come along throughout a book. Because of the nature of this story, pretty much every question I had got answered, which I loved as someone who hates unanswered questions at the end of a book. I understand why they happen sometimes, but that doesn't mean I have to like it.

So basically to make a long review short, if you read mysteries because you want to be kept guessing until the very end, I would suggest looking for something longer(including some of Lisa Unger's full-length novels, I've read some and enjoyed them), but if a well-laid out story is enough for you even if you are able to figure out the big twist early on, I would definitely recommend this one.

This one for me was just.. fine. That’s the best way I can describe it. It didn’t really stand out and I felt like I’d already read this. It wasn’t bad but it also just didn’t keep my attention the way I had hoped.

Ten years ago in small town upstate New York at Christmas, one young woman was murdered k one was left for dead and two went missing. Now, the killer is in jail, murders are occurring again and a suspected serial killer is once again on the loose. But is he connected to the original crimes?
This was a short novella that had a lot of characters that I found myself instantly invested in-Madeleine, the one surviving victim, who now owns the town bookstore. Then Harley comes to town to do a podcast and reopen the cold case and write a book about the missing girls but Madeline doesn’t want to reopen those wounds. After all, it took one of her best friends, and two of her others havent been seen again since that night. And it left her with a scar so she can never forget what happened. Madeline’s dad, who happens to be the former sheriff of the town but who is now recovering from a stroke, was investigating the case at the time and never gave up searching for the girls, until he was unable to anymore.
As Christmas draw near, Madeleine and her lifelong friend Badger return to a past they both had hoped was behind them to try to find a missing girl and find answers to questions that have been haunting them both for all these years and the truth is much closer to home than they know.
This was a chilling, suspenseful plot that I was able to read in one sitting.
Thanks to Mysterious Press and NetGalley for this eArc in exchange for my review.

I liked this novella because it was quick and twisty. I like to be shocked at the end but I figured out whodunit half way through. Still glad I read it for the fast thriller it is.

Christmas Presents is a seasonal novella by bestselling author Lisa Unger. It focuses on the small town of Little Valley and its tragic and haunting past that is being resurfaced by true crime podcaster Harley Granger. However, not only are the events of ten years ago of interest but there have been several recent missing women as well as the current disappearance of a woman named Lolly. Madeline Martin, owner of The Next Chapter bookstore, is the only survivor of her ex boyfriend and murderer Evan Hardy. She lives with her ex Sheriff dad who is recovering from a debilitating stroke and she navigates her life with her ever present best friend Badger by her side. Every Christmas since that horrific day, Maddie receives a little present that she is convinced is from Evan, who is locked up for life due to his crimes. Harley’s unwavering investigation of the crimes has unsettled locals and has brought up many questions and speculation as to whether the killer is in fact in prison or is the murderer still at large.

What I liked about this novella:
-dual timelines
- POV chapters of Grady, Maddie, and Lolly
-short chapters and pacing
-small town setting during Christmas
-true crime podcast aspect and Madeline’s Next Chapter bookstore
-the mysterious Christmas presents Maddie received and the reveal of who has sent them and why
-Badger and Maddie’s relationship

What I disliked about this novella:
-not as twisty as Unger’s other books
-needed more character development and the psychology of why they behave how they do-Unger usually excels at this but I think that due to the condensed nature of the novella that is not feasible
-would have made a better full book thriller that could be expanded
-predictable

My rating: 3 ½ out of 5

My final takeaway-I recommend this book to fans of Unger who want a seasonal short read. However go in with low expectations since it was more predictable with less character development for which she is known for in her thrillers.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Penzler Publisher Mysterious Press for this eARC which comes out October 24 2023.

This is my first Lisa Unger book and it won’t be my last!

Christmas Presents is a POV style novella told through the eyes of Madeline, Harley, and Lolly. The past intersects with the present and back again and their stories collide.

I loved the spacing of this book and the writing style! It was a fun, quick read that I didn’t want to put down. The author’s timing was magnificent! With each passing page, the intensity ramped up and it felt like you were tumbling into each chapter with more urgency. It was executed so well!

My only real critique, using that term loosely, is the title. Although it is relevant to the overall story, something about “Christmas Presents” doesn’t make me want to run out and buy this book. Luckily, I read it and know that it is the type of book I will gift this winter to fellow book lovers!

Thank you to NetGalley and Penzler Publishers - Mysterious Press for the opportunity to read this ARC before it’s scheduled October 24th release date.

This is my second experience with stories told by Lisa Unger. I find her writing to be very good. It places you in the action and goosebumps arise as things take place. I felt like this was somewhat of an open ending---the mystery wrapped up sadly but neatly in a way that left one feeling as though it wasn't truly wrapped up. I will definitely be reading more from this author in the future.

It’s a little bit creepy -missing young women, a celebrity writer/podcaster and 10 years of personalized Christmas gifts that mysteriously arrive annually. The intrigue steadily builds from the very beginning. The short, fast chapters make this a quick read. I liked how it was written.
Thank You to NetGalley, Penzler Publishers and Lisa Unger for the opportunity to read and enjoy this ARC.

Christmas isn’t a time when sinister crimes are suppost to happen but in the small town of Litte Valley
they are forever haunted by the event that happen on that joyous occasion. This novella by Lisa Unger is about a true crime Podcaster Harley Grangerl trying to unwrap the untold details of a solved crime that to him and the local sheriff feel like certain moments are lacking total closer for the victims families.
I actually wish that this book was not a novella but a full length novel because I longed at points for more detail and for being a short story I feel that some parts were more predictable not really having twist like I expected. It felt like the turn of events happened so rapidly, just when I was getting pulled into the story it was completed. I enjoyed the characters but felt like they had so much potential to have more background or depth. Expectly Evan Handy I wanted to know more; dissect deeper into his though process. I absolutely loved the meaning behind the title and thought it was very quick read.

Overall this book could be a prequel to a more in-depth story following the true crime podcaster on another mystery. It has the rubric for a good series and I feel Lisa Unger could truly bring it to life.

Christmas Presents is available on Oct 24, 2023; so if your looking for a spooky short read close to the holiday it will be ready for purchase.

I'm so thankful for Netgalley,
Lisa Unger, Penzler Publisher,
and Mysterious Press for the early copy of this creepy novella for an honest review.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. Christmas Presents is a 'novella'. The 'novella' is about a cold case. Madeline was a victim of a violent crime. A crime podcaster Harley Granger comes into town around Christmas to do a pod cast about a the cold case. The book weaves together the past and present to solve the case.

This definitely put me in the holiday spirit, both Halloween AND Christmas!

This was a super quick read that still gives you enough back story and time to get to know the characters.

Madeline survived a brutal attack when she was a teenager, and she has the scar to prove it. She was Evan Handy’s only surviving victim, a man who was convicted of murdering her best friend, Steph, and who was suspected in the case of two missing siblings…

As an adult, Madeline has been trying to move on for years. But, the arrival of Harley Granger, a true crime podcaster, stirs up a lot of old dust. He thinks there was always more to the story, a notion that Madeline’s cop father shared until a medical condition took away a lot of his functionality. Between the two of them, they won’t stop until they figure out the truth… because more girls have gone missing.

I really enjoyed this one. It’s got a fast pace and and an intriguing storyline. I loved the little bit of romantic happy ending sprinkled in for a couple individuals. Christmas is hopeful after all, even when you take Christmas and make it murdery.

This was a short read for me finishing in one day, afterwards realizing it was a novella. A small town experiences a traumatic situation years prior leaving one girl dead, two girls missing and leaves one girl almost dead, Madeline. Madeline who survives is now running a bookstore trying to go on with her life till a podcaster shows up wanting to re-investigate what really happened that fearful night. In the meantime another girl goes missing after having a hamburger with a guy. As the story continues it goes between the girl being held captive and Madeline revisiting the past and what happened and asking more questions and how these two girls can cross paths. I do kind of wish it was more of a longer book going more in depth and why's in some areas but in all I think it was a good short thriller fast read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penzler Publishers for this ARC

Thank you NetGalley for the eARC!
This was a quick read, and I always enjoy Lisa Unger's writing style. Unfortunately, this book was rather predictable. In the past, Unger's books have been a little more difficult to predict, but I guessed the outcome of this one fairly early on. It may just be that this is a novella, and it was still an enjoyable read.

Thanks to NetGalley and Mysterious Press for my ARC in exchange for my honest review. This book will be published October 24, 2023.

This Christmas novella was a quick read, but not an especially thrilling read. It’s the story of a famous podcaster and true crime author who comes to town to try to solve a decade old disappearance of 4 missing women. Maddie survived with a bad scar but doesn’t remember much from that night. Her Dad was the sheriff investigating the unsolved murders. The chapters bounce back and forth between present and 10 years ago.

My favorite part, and it’s a very small part, has to do with the title of the book. No spoilers here but I liked the thought behind the Christmas presents.

This was average for me. I didn’t really love or hate it. It moved along quickly, and I will continue to read this author. Thank you NetGalley for this ARC.

Madeline Martin is the owner of a small bookstore, The Next Chapter Bookshop. Just before Christmas a man comes in to buy a gift for his father. The man turns out to be Harley Granger, a true crime writer and podcaster. Madeline is a huge fan, but when he asks Madeline about her past and Evan Handy, it triggers memories and feelings she has tried to keep suppressed. Madeline barely survived Evan Hardy’s attack when she was in high school and her friends weren’t all so lucky. Will bringing up those painful memories help answer what happened to two friends that went missing after that fateful night? Madeline feels she needs to try, especially after another woman goes missing. Someone has been leaving Madeline Christmas presents every year - she has kept this to herself for fear that they are somehow from Evan Handy, even though he is locked up in jail. Madeline is also caring for her father, the retired town sheriff who suffered a stroke. He had been looking into the Handy case all these years, trying to figure out where the missing girls might be. Madeline decides to go through her father’s files, with the help of her best friend Badger, in search of any clues that might help answer questions from the past. I enjoyed this book. It was short, a quick read but interesting and well written. I give this book 4 stars out of 5.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book is a creepy Christmas Present! Lisa Unger manages to capture the Christmas spirit with a chilling creepy twist. Even though I guessed the plot twist it still kept my interest and I will recommend this book to everyone! #ChristmasPresents #NetGalley