What can I say - other than what a cracker this read was, dark funny crime thriller it promises and that’s exactly what you get.
Mrs Claus has a naughty list you really don’t want to be on!
Such a brilliant concept Jessica is just so badass I love her then put Fearne in the mix and you have an hilarious duo.
I read how to slay at work and how to slay on holiday which were both great too but I think this may have pipped them to the post such a fun dark thrilling read.
I cannot wait to see where Sarah Bonner takes us to slay next 😃

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Festive season is coming a little early with this amusing tale of mischief and murder.

Justice is clearly a dish served cold and a little creatively depending on what's available 🤣

Fearne lives an interesting life and I did quite like her despite the fact she doesn't initially appear to have much of a backbone. She's a long suffering wife but devoted none he less and her and Immy are great.

I liked the friendship that Jessica and Fearne have and it seems Jessica is quite good at judging character and making quick decisions.

This was a fun festive read and I thought the ending was great and leaves us with potential for more!!

How To Slay At Christmas by Sarah Bonner.
I loved the cover and blurb of this book. The cover definitely caught my eye. I got into this book straight away. I couldn't put it down. I loved Jessica character. Fearne grew on me. This had me in a fit of giggles. I loved it. The writing style and the story. This was a change in genre I needed. It had a bit of everything. Murder, tension, friendship, humour, and of course Christmas. The ending was different. I definitely recommend this book.

Jessica loves everything about Christmas, but has a dark secret. Fearne hates everything about Christmas and also has a secret. What happens when their worlds collide? Will it be instant hate or instant friendship?

Jessica plays Mrs Claus in various towns because she loves making kids and their parents happy. Nothing and noone is going to take the happy out of her holiday and all evil must be eliminated. Unfortunately, Christmas isn't that long so she spends her time playing poker during the off season to help pay her bills the rest of the year.

Fearne's husband is in charge of the annual Christmas market and takes Fearn for granted. Fearne writes tame novels that her husband knows about, but unbeknownst to him, she also writes graphic novels and has a little nest egg of her own.

This book has a lot of secondary characters that you'll also grow to enjoy. You'll find yourself being understanding of why Jessica does what she does.

Overall, this is an enjoyable book. I didn't find it gory at all as the author doesn't go into graphic detail about the murders. If you're looking for a quick read, with a twist at the end, I think you'll enjoy this one!

Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for an ARC of this book.

I will always welcome some murder and a little Christmas magic even in August 😂😍

I was a fan of the first two ‘Slay’ books and I’m a fan of this one.

Sarah always does short snappy chapters that reel you in and cliffhangers that make you want to keep reading!
This is easily readable in about 1-2 days but I had to adult 😂 so it took me 3!

Jessica’s infectious love of Christmas and everything the holiday season stands for will have you grinning and feeling warm to your heart… she likes it with a side of Murder too. I loved each kill and how she planned them.
The Christmas market theme was fab and if you’re saving this one for the holiday season you’ll definitely add to the Christmas vibes when you read it!

I enjoyed the dual POV’s from her and Fearne, I thought they were great characters and loved their developing friendship.
It was fun to have the mystery POV every so often and all gets revealed towards the end. Thought the ending was *chefs kiss*

I felt for Fearne at times but also just wanted her to stand up for herself a bit more. You could see where things were going within her storyline. It did make me chuckle towards the end.

I thought all the supporting characters were great, even the ones we disliked. They were written in a way to make you feel like that! I loved Alvi and his pack of doggies 😍

I could say plenty more about what I enjoyed but it won’t fit on the page 😂

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and author for an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

With friends like these, who needs enemies? The "Slay" series has another winner. 3rd book in the series introduces us to Jessica, a woman who loves Christmas and is not afraid to kill to keep it traditional. Murder mysteries that are this entertaining can become addictive, as fans of Benjamin Stevenson and Elle Cosimano can attest. Sarah Bonner keeps the story moving quickly as the characters pass judgment with every bah-humbug.

Entertaining from first to last!

Ellesbury Christmas Market is a much looked forward event for some, but an annual dread for others. Jessica Williams is one of the former; she adores Christmas and everything that goes with it - after all - it's the perfect cover for her murderous intentions towards those who seek to spoil the season. Fearne Dixon, on the other hand - detests the annual festivities. Her husband is in charge of the market every year and, every year, it puts him in a dreadful mood and this tips over into family life. She tries her best to support him and ends up running around trying to deal with things which crop up here, there, and everywhere. How will these two women fare at this year's celebrations?

A smashing read with a bit of everything going on. Madness, murder and mayhem galore and, although there are some serious moments, it is all such fun. Thoroughly enjoyable and definitely one I would recomment - whether you love Christmas or not, there is someone in this novel for you. 4.5*.

My thanks to the publisher for my copy via NetGalley.

I love all of this author's books and I loved this Christmas tale too.
I liked that Jessica was killing off the bad guys but also I liked the supporting characters and there was a lot of love in this story. I think it's the best in the Slay series.

Mrs. Claus comes to town for her annual holiday slaying. Imagine her surprise when another killer turns up in the same town. Friend or foe?

I kept thinking as I was reading How To Slay At Christmas that it reminded me of another book. It actually wasn’t until I was sitting down to write this review that I remembered the book: This Girl's A Killer by Emma C. Wells. This is not a bad thing as Wells’ book is darker and filled with dark humor. How To Slay tells various viewpoints and I have to say that Jessica is a lot kinder than Cordelia (from This Girl).

I picked the book because of the title and the theme. I have a few readers who like some murder during their holiday season and I try to accommodate. I had a lot of fun with Sarah Bonner’s latest release in the “How to Slay” series. I have never read the author before so no worries, you can just jump into the series with this book.

Bonner gives us the main viewpoints of Jessica, Mrs. Claus, and her new best friend and town resident Fearne. Fearne is unsatisfied and unhappy in her life and marriage. She keeps secrets from her husband because he would not approve. Most of the time, it seems that she will kill him herself. I find this relationship to be pretty interesting as no one likes Fearne’s husband. I have to admit that I spend most of the book waiting for him to be knocked off 😆.

Jessica is a mix of wanting a “normal” life and fixing life’s problem people. I have to say that for someone who does no exercising or training, she’s pretty good. Unbeknownst to Jessica, there is someone researching her so we get to hear all about her past exploits. I have to admit that I didn’t guess the “who” of this character. I had a stray thought about it, but didn’t really expect it to be true.

The story is fun and well-written. You really don’t know how it’s going to end until it does. This is the best part of a mystery and a thriller; if you can’t guess the ending then it’s worth the read.

How to Slay at Christmas is a great addition to the holiday murder pile. It is actually a book that I might read again during the holiday season.

Thank you to Boldwood Books, the author and NetGalley for a pre-approved DRC in return for an honest review

Well, looks like Im going to have to break a habit of a lifetime and read a Christmas book outside of December!

I've never read anything by this author before, but after finding out that this book is quite similar to 'Happy Bloody Christmas' by Jo Middleton (which was a delicious Christmas treat in 2024!) I am hoping that I will love Sarah Bonner's book just as much! Apparently both are great for readers who, like me, like their festive fiction dark, hilarious and just a little bit twisted. This is the third in the murderous 'How to slay' series and promises just as much sublime dark humour as the first two, If this book lives up to expectations I will definitely be reading the others. Oh and if Sarah Bonner puts out another festive offering, I will endeavor to read that as well...in December!

#HowtoSlayatChristmas #NetGalley

📱E-Book Review📱

How To Slay At Christmas
Sarah Bonner

🌟🌟🌟🌟

This is my first "slay" read and I'm not surprised that it just happened to be the festive book I pick up first.
I've had other novels by this author on my tbr for quite some time and I'm so glad that I've finally had chance to devour this book!

This being my first read really didn't feel lacking at all and I'd definitely say it worked as a standalone read here.
However, I definitely have to go back to read the previous novels now, as I loved this one so much!

This book kicks off with a bang and I honestly couldn't wait to get to the grissly parts and see what it was that sets Jessica and Fearne off on their dark journey.
Although, Christmas Is always a stressful time of year, the slightest thing could make some people snap!?

I loved the dark humour and the dual pov chapters which meant I just had to keep reading late into the evening.
I love the dual pov as this also gives us a different view of events as well as being able to really delve into the characters emotions and motivations.
We also see a few chapters from an anonymous pov which kept me guessing throughout and came as a shock when the reveal came.

The writing style and fun (can I say fun?) storyline had me hooked from start to finish and I found myself cringeing and laughing ...sometimes at the same time.

A great read and I can't wait to catch up with the others "slay" books soon.

As the title suggests this is a Christmas read. We have Jessica who loves everything to do with Christmas, even going as far as playing Mrs. Claus each season. Then we have Fearne, who is the complete opposite and hates everything to do with Christmas with a passion, mainly due to supporting her husband in running the annual Christmas market for the last decade.

This is a slight deviation from the usual cute wholesome Christmas love story that we usually get. Now don’t get me wrong we do have a love story, we have instant friendships, girl power, and reconnecting, but we also have a nice dose of murder and mayhem along the way.

I really enjoyed this book, I love the humour that litters the story, the lines of right and wrong are blurred and this story definitely sits in the grey space between. I love the women’s friendships and their sassy attitudes. I really enjoyed Sarah‘s writing style, there were some great plot twists and I certainly didn’t expect that ending!I will definitely be on the lookout for more of Sarah’s books. This was a great four-star read for me and I would definitely recommend.

Holy Killer Read! Yes, another Christmas tale, but with a twist. It’s a dark funny page-turner that balances the macabre with a hearty dose of humor.

Jessica Williams loves Christmas and is a Mrs. Claus serial killer with a Dexter vibe. How could you not love a character who is delightfully unhinged and hell-bent on restoring the Christmas spirit by taking out those horrendous holiday grinches on her naughty list?

Fearne Dixon is stuck in a joyless marriage. She’s the perfect foil to Jessica’s wildness and somehow gets caught up in this twisted tale. It’s such an interesting dynamic that shows how drastically different lives can intersect when you least expect it.

Just when you think you’ve got the characters figured out, we’re introduced to a smorgasbord of others: Hanna, Sebastian, Alvi, Immy, Lena, Bella Donna, Erin… the list goes on! Honestly, it’s a lot to keep track of, and while the vibes were there, it felt somewhat overwhelming at times.

The plot is definitely a wild goose chase. The book couldn’t quite decide if it wanted to be a campy satire or a cozy crime tale, which is where it stumbled a little. Elements like serial murder, found families, animal rescues, and… wait for it… werewolf erotica? Yeah, it’s a lot to juggle. Towards the end, it was twist after twist, but it seemed to lack a solid resolution.

But hey, maybe I’m overthinking it. After all, despite its chaotic nature, it was still a cutting and chaotic holiday thrill. If you’re looking for something festive with a twist—and with a blend of murder, mayhem, and maybe a few laughs—How to Slay at Christmas could be your perfect pick this season. Just remember to embrace the chaos and enjoy the ride!

Thank you to Ms. Bonner for giving me the opportunity to read this book with no expectation of a positive review.

Jessica Williams loves Christmas! She lives for it and kills while she is at it, too. But judge her not. She has a moral compass and only kills bad men who deserve it.

Fearne Dixon is about to explode, and her husband/baby doesn't help at all. You know, at some point, both women will find each other.

Together with the community at Ellsbury Christmas Market, you will have a fun, witty, dark humored read that won't feel so much like Christmas but more like various characters having their own fun while also crossing each other's path. Oh, and there are also pets looking for a home, so sweet.

Thank you, Netgalley and Boldwood Books, for this ARC. All opinions are entirely my own.

You had me at Christmas in the title! I was so excited to read this so when Boldwood Books gave me the chance, I was there!

I knew from the synopsis straight away this was something I was going to enjoy. A bad ass Mrs Claus seeking revenge? Sign me UP.

The story is told through the POVs of Jessica and Fearne, both equally as bad ass as each other. There is also a mystery POV that doesn’t get uncovered until the end.

I really enjoyed the way this book was written, it was a fast paced thriller which was funny at times. I couldn’t put it down! There was even a sneaky unexpected plot twist that caught me off guard!

Was the ending far fetched? Yes. Did I still eat it up? Also yes.

If you have any content triggers, I advise you to read any trigger warnings beforehand.

I recommend this to anyone who loves a female led thriller with a bit of humour.. or anyone really 😂

This is a book in a series but you do not need to have read the others in the series but having read this one I am going back to the others.

Jessica Williams is Mrs Claus at the Ellsbury Christmas Market Grotto, she seems the perfect Mrs Claus, she loves Christmas, but do not get on her bad side or you will end up on her naughty list and that results in death!

The story is told from her viewpoint and that of Fearne Dixon the wife of the Manager of the Market, she hates Christmas, she is an author but has two pen names, one a bit racy which she keeps from her husband and the safer option which he knows about. There is also a third viewpoint, an unidentified person who seems to be on to Mrs Claus as this is not her first Killer Christmas.

I really enjoyed this book, funny in places, dark in others but highly recommended

Mistletoe and Murder perfect holiday fun! Jessica Williams spends most of the year playing poker tournaments, but when the holiday season comes along she gets into the holiday spirit by playing Mrs. Claus and doing away with people who deserve it on her off hours. It doesn't take Jessica long to add names to her "naughty list (no spoilers).

I loved the description of the Ellsbury Christmas Market. It sounded so festive. It took me awhile to warm up to Fearne Dixon, wife of the market's manager. She is not a fan of Christmas, but I did like the fact she wrote werewolf erotica. She and Jessica become BFFs. We get the teenage runaway and also an influencer (they seem to be everywhere these days), the boyfriend?, Alvi, who rescues dogs, and of course dead bodies.

This is a fun quick read. Sarah Bonner has found herself a niche with the Slay books. This is the third book, all stand alone. I have enjoyed all of them. They are the perfect suspend reality, sit back, grab some popcorn and a glass of wine and prepare to be entertained. The author takes along a few twists and turns to get to that "unhinged" conclusion. (Now, you have to pick up a copy after that description). If you are a fan of dark comedy, this is for you! I eagerly await the next "Slay" book.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher, Boldwood Books, for an ARC. The opinions in this review are my own.

It’s a little early for a Christmas book, I know – but if you add only one Christmas read to your TBR this year, then I highly recommend it be this one!
Deliciously dark, wickedly witty, and soaked in festive blood—How to Slay at Christmas is a murderous holiday book unlike anything I’ve read before. If you've ever wanted to throttle a carol-singing coworker or run from the relentless cheer of Christmas markets, this book gets you.
Jessica Williams is not your average holiday heroine. She’s gleefully unhinged, perfectly poised in her Mrs. Claus costume, and on a personal mission to rid the world of those who make the festive season miserable for others. Her weapon of choice? Anything sharp and unexpected. The tone is outrageous and over-the-top in the best way—it’s humour meets slasher, and I was absolutely here for it.
Then there’s Fearne Dixon: resentful, sarcastic, and trapped in a Christmas hellscape run by her husband. While Jessica brings the manic energy, Fearne grounds the story with a simmering fury that feels all too relatable. Their eventual collision is as chaotic as it is inevitable, and it’s a joy to witness the unravelling.
Sarah Bonner manages to balance humour, gore, and a surprisingly sharp commentary on holiday expectations and emotional burnout. The characters are vividly drawn, the pacing is quick, and the kills—yes, plural—are delightfully creative. Think Dexter meets Love Actually, but messier, bloodier, and much more satisfying.
This isn’t a feel-good Christmas story, but it’s definitely a feel-better one—especially if you’ve ever fantasised about escaping the forced jolliness of December. I laughed, I gasped, and I may never look at a Christmas market the same way again.
A perfect holiday palate cleanser.

I absolutely loved this book; yes it might be a little implausible but I thoroughly enjoyed it nonetheless and it's a great, deliciously dark and really quite amusing story.

It's got everything you could want ... murder, serial killer, strong female characters, cute animals, friendship, a bit of romance, drama, tension, dark humour and, of course, Christmas with all the trimmings.

It's well written, fast paced and a perfect quick read and, as I said, I thoroughly enjoyed it and would definitely recommend it to anyone who enjoys something a little different.

Thank you to the author, Boldwood Books and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of this festive book that's not just for Christmas 😊

Such a good series. I love that these all have a similar underlying theme that makes them a series, but that they All feature different characters and settings. This novel features a Mrs.Claus seeking to rid the world of baddies, while battling her own desire for family and belonging. Christmas will never be the same in some towns.

I sped through this one and did not see the ending coming! Looking forward to the next one.