The Horror Collection: Christmas Edition | Horror Book Review

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Kevin J Kennedy Presents The Horror Collection: Christmas Edition is a WILD collection of horror Christmas tales. I mean… seriously, prepare yourselves for how often I use the word “wild” here.

Let’s dive in!

My Thoughts on Kevin J Kennedy Presents The Horror Collection: Christmas Edition –

I can go on and on about how much I love Christmas horror, but if you’ve been following me, you already know that! So let’s get right to my notes on each tale!

The Peddler’s Journey by Ronald Kelly –

While snuggling in for a story before bed, these two kids beg their grandfather to tell them about the ghostly peddler. After the story, one of the boys decides to sneak out of bed and wait for the peddler to arrive.

What a heartwarming tale! Minus the terrifying lore of this poor man’s fate, this was such a fun tale to kick things off with for this collection!

Ho Ho Hangry by Lindsay Crook –

When Santa wakes up after eleven months of slumber, he’s ready for his usual feast. But this year, Mrs Claus informs him they’ve all gone vegan… and as the title hints, this doesn’t go well.

What a WILD ride! Not gonna lie, the scene where Santa was so excited to land and get burgers had my stomach grumbling too, but that was short-lived!

Wassailing Through the Mire by Dexter McLeod –

After the death of her cold, this woman moved to a home, where she got a great rate thanks to a grief group. But when she starts to see things happening in the neighborhood, she gets nervous.

Phew, I had to skim the bits of story that popped in here and there that were about her son. So tread lightly there if sick kids are a trigger for you. The rest of the tale was so eerie!

Happy Hero Hank by Milan Kovačević –

Determined to turn things around and make a better man of himself, this man goes looking for a toy he knows his son would love. But how he gets it isn’t from a store…

My gosh, the scene in the alley was absolutely gut-wrenching. Such a quick moment with a lot of impact! What a horrifically sad tale.

The Advent of Misery by Viggy Parr Hampton –

Giving her son an old Advent calendar, this poor man is shocked at what he begins to find. Like watching a car crash, he just can’t pull himself away from opening a new drawer each day.

I don’t know what was worse, the calendar or the girlfriend! Sheesh. This poor guy!

Welcome to Paradise by Glenn Rolfe –

When going out to a bar one night to try to meet someone to bring back and have a little fun, these two find themselves with a perfect match.

Goodness gracious, this tale. I had read this recently, and revisiting was still WILD.

The Clatter by Devin Cabrera –

Hearing a noise on the roof, this boy goes to investigate. When he finds blood in the chimney, he thinks Santa may have gotten stuck and is determined to get to the roof to help…

The suspense here was WILD! Each time something happened, I was expecting the worst. This was so much worse than I thought!

Anti-Claus by Graham Masterton –

After hearing a long, dark, and wild tale that piqued his curiosity, this man ends up coming home with a box that may just be able to make him rich… but one that comes with a terrible cost.

Oh my gosh, the number of times I wanted to scream at this character to make the connection we all could see coming! I was SO nervous!!!

Under the Mistletoe by James Newman –
Um… What. What?!

Presence by James Newman –

Warning his wife that she needs to ease up on her holiday gifting, this woman doesn’t listen until it’s far too late.

This was so fast and chilling! My gosh, that ending! I loved this one so much!

Fear Actually by Ryan Colley –

Finding an unlabeled gift on their front steps, this family brings it inside even though alarm bells go off in their minds. They’re about to realize they should have trusted those feelings.

This longer tale had such an eerie buildup! The action was just something else! What absolutely wild horror here!

The Best Cookie Dough Ever by Lisa Morton –

Warned not to eat raw cookie dough, this girl can’t help but snag some when given the first opportunity. She has been warned that her parents are into weird stuff, but her curiosity gets the best of her.

This took such a wild path! Oh my gosh. What a tale.

Devil on the Shelf by Brad Ricks –

Looking for a little holiday cheer, this mother and daughter go out to buy new decorations. Spying an Elf on the Shelf, the mom thinks it’s perfect. For a short time, it is. But then the girl breaks the one rule…

We were gifted an Elf on the Shelf… they always slightly creeped me out, though I love seeing the creativity people get up to with them. But this line, “You touched me. The game’s changed now…” now I’m not so sure I even want the unopened thing in our house!

The Human Advent Calendar by Iain Rob Wright –

Absolutely brutal. With this title, you get a glimpse at what’s to come. This was so much better than I could have ever guessed. The best grief horror holiday tale mixed with body horror that I’ve ever come across.

Wish I Could Be Home for Christmas by David Moody –

Getting stranded in a small town after a road washes out, this man realizes he’s having the best Christmas ever. Of course, up until the moment he’s not.

I was so nervous to see where this was going! Yet again, I had a guess, but I was nowhere even REMOTELY close.

The 200th Anniversary by Veronica Smith –

Oh dear…This Christmas, Santa is in for a rough night. But he’s not the only one.

What a fun ride of unfortunate events for the big guy! And that ending!! LOVED this one!

Christmas Hours by Amy Cross –

Tending a bar for just a few hours on Christmas, this man sees people come and go for just one last drink.

Phew. If there’s one tale to read this holiday season… this one is it. This was somehow heartbreaking and heartwarming at the same time.

My Favorite Passages from The Horror Collection: Christmas Edition –

“Come on,” said Jerry. “I’m in serious need of a drink.” We were walking back to the helicopter when Jerry stumbled. “You got it wrong again,” I told him. “It’s drink first, then fall over.” “Goddamned tripped on something.”
– Anti-Claus by Graham Masterton

Christmas Eve had draped itself across the neighbourhood in silence. Frost clung to the hedges and silvered the rooftops – the breath of winter heavy in the air. The garden path glittered faintly, every blade of grass tipped in white, while the street beyond lay deserted – a hush of parked cars glazed with ice, curtains drawn tight against the cold.
— Fear Actually by Ryan Colley

The house seemed to swallow the noise whole. Glasses remained untouched, forks hovered above plates. Even the candles on the table flickered as if they, too, had been startled.
— Fear Actually by Ryan Colley

My Final Thoughts on The Horror Collection: Christmas Edition –

Holiday horror fans, grab this one to kick off your holiday reading this year! This was SO much fun to dive into. As always, there’s such a great variety of horror here.

Purchase your copy of The Horror Collection: Christmas Edition