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Christmas Eve Carnage
CHRISTMAS IS CANCELED!!!
Life has been difficult for the Feltcher family since the loss of loving wife and mother, Courtney Feltcher.
Her husband, Jack Feltcher, buries his grief in his job, working long hours and neglecting his children
The Feltcher children struggle with the loss of their mother, and a father who is too busy with work to be present.
Chad Reynolds, an ex-con with a bone to pick plots his revenge, while a malevolent Christmas elf rises.
A nor’easter slams the town as Chad and Sprinkles are on the loose.
There will be no silent night, only…
CHRISTMAS EVE CARNAGE!!!
Life has been difficult for the Feltcher family since the loss of loving wife and mother, Courtney Feltcher.
Her husband, Jack Feltcher, buries his grief in his job, working long hours and neglecting his children
The Feltcher children struggle with the loss of their mother, and a father who is too busy with work to be present.
Chad Reynolds, an ex-con with a bone to pick plots his revenge, while a malevolent Christmas elf rises.
A nor’easter slams the town as Chad and Sprinkles are on the loose.
There will be no silent night, only…
CHRISTMAS EVE CARNAGE!!!
166 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 22, 2023
42 people are currently reading
413 people want to read
About the author
John Lynch
14 books180 followersJohn Lynch is a United States Marine Corps Veteran. He writes horror in Rhode Island with his cat, and English Bulldog.
He is most known for his debut novel, The Warrior Retreat.
Sign up for for my newsletter here https://johnlynchbooks.substack.com/ and follow him over on book bub https://www.bookbub.com/profile/john-... for sales notifications
He is most known for his debut novel, The Warrior Retreat.
Sign up for for my newsletter here https://johnlynchbooks.substack.com/ and follow him over on book bub https://www.bookbub.com/profile/john-... for sales notifications
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 91 reviews
December 20, 2024
Lynch's Christmas Eve Carnage is a gruesome and twisted horrorfest of the highest order.
This ultimate slow burn storyline creeps along, and then, out of nowhere, explodes like a Jack-in-the-Box. Suddenly it's all nonstop jaw-dropping acts of violence. Absolutely shocking. Just... harsh.
Immediately downloaded book two on my Kindle. Gotta find out what torturous acts Sprinkles (the evil elf) could possibly do to top this.
This ultimate slow burn storyline creeps along, and then, out of nowhere, explodes like a Jack-in-the-Box. Suddenly it's all nonstop jaw-dropping acts of violence. Absolutely shocking. Just... harsh.
Immediately downloaded book two on my Kindle. Gotta find out what torturous acts Sprinkles (the evil elf) could possibly do to top this.
December 22, 2025
Exactly what it says on the tin
December 25, 2023
Christmas Eve Carnage was the perfect length for a slasher horror to take me into Christmas! Definitely can easily be read in one sitting.
Will the Feltcher family survive a Christmas Eve night of terror with an ex-con out for revenge and Sprinkles the Christmas elf? Sprinkles was definitely giving Leprechaun/Chucky vibes here with the way he taunts the family!
There most certainly is gory carnage here, and it doesn’t let up!
Chad Reynolds has just been released from prison, back out into the world, where he has no home, no job - nothing. He could have been released five years earlier, but he had his bail denied thanks to his “extra-curricular” prison-time activities being reported by an officer, Jack Feltcher.
He doesn’t see a life for himself, so is hell-bent on getting revenge on Jack before he is inevitably thrown back into jail. Where at least he gets warm meals and has a roof over his head.
Jack is a grieving widow, working all the hours under the sun to make sure he can provide for his three children - Katy, Adam and Cindy. Also to distract his mind from the loss of his beloved wife, Courtney.
But will he be there during Christmas Eve night, when his children need him the most?
Cindy finds an old, dirty Christmas ornament that belonged to her mother - an Elf doll. She has a dream that the elf tells her its name is Sprinkles. But was that really a dream? Could she have accidentally unleashed an evil entity back into their home?
4 Stars 🎅🔪💀
Will the Feltcher family survive a Christmas Eve night of terror with an ex-con out for revenge and Sprinkles the Christmas elf? Sprinkles was definitely giving Leprechaun/Chucky vibes here with the way he taunts the family!
There most certainly is gory carnage here, and it doesn’t let up!
Chad Reynolds has just been released from prison, back out into the world, where he has no home, no job - nothing. He could have been released five years earlier, but he had his bail denied thanks to his “extra-curricular” prison-time activities being reported by an officer, Jack Feltcher.
He doesn’t see a life for himself, so is hell-bent on getting revenge on Jack before he is inevitably thrown back into jail. Where at least he gets warm meals and has a roof over his head.
Jack is a grieving widow, working all the hours under the sun to make sure he can provide for his three children - Katy, Adam and Cindy. Also to distract his mind from the loss of his beloved wife, Courtney.
But will he be there during Christmas Eve night, when his children need him the most?
Cindy finds an old, dirty Christmas ornament that belonged to her mother - an Elf doll. She has a dream that the elf tells her its name is Sprinkles. But was that really a dream? Could she have accidentally unleashed an evil entity back into their home?
4 Stars 🎅🔪💀
December 17, 2023
John Lynch has a restraining order against me after I tried kidnapping him so I could keep him in my closet and force him to write little stories for me for free because I love his writing so much
-this would be the title of my early 2000s emo classic
-this would be the title of my early 2000s emo classic
February 5, 2024
A Horror Bookworm Recommendation
Christmas Eve Carnage by John Lynch
https://horrorbookwormreviews.com/
A mother passes away of cancer, leaving a father and children to struggle through challenging times. The over-worked sole parent immediately begins having trouble paying the bills and putting food on the table. As the coping continues and the holiday season approaches, the youngest child discovers an old musty Christmas Elf in the attic. As the holiday spirits come alive…so does the holiday toy.
Christmas Eve Carnage is not your typical holiday book. By that, I mean it bestows gifts of chaotic bliss and ominous ornaments. Yes, there is the jolly white-bearded man in the red suit and yes, there is a magical nutcracker (the mouths to these dolls were used to crack nuts, ya know). However, the star of this sinister show happens to be a morbid toy dressed in a green hat and tunic, jingled bell slippers and wielding a lethal candy cane (Chucky ain’t got nothin on this large chunk of plastic). Author John Lynch has created one of the craziest character driven stories I have ever read. And yes, these crimson-stained pages come with festive trigger warnings of psychopathic blood and viscera.
John Lynch wraps this gift of disgusting seasonal imagery and tops it with a nasty bow of sickening shenanigans. Lynch makes his merry way of building effective techniques of the naughtiest kind. Talk about feeling uneasy. This review wouldn’t be complete without having mentioning the beautiful cover showcased by Jorge Iracheta. This is the full package folks. I’m officially putting my anonymous comment in the John Lynch suggestion box to write a sequel.
Christmas Eve Carnage by John Lynch has so many great moments and priceless quotes. I would like to leave this review with my favorite quote from the book…”he beat his meat like it owed him money.” If this doesn’t make your candy cane stiff, nothing will. A five star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ holiday Horror Bookworm Recommendation.
Christmas Eve Carnage by John Lynch
https://horrorbookwormreviews.com/
A mother passes away of cancer, leaving a father and children to struggle through challenging times. The over-worked sole parent immediately begins having trouble paying the bills and putting food on the table. As the coping continues and the holiday season approaches, the youngest child discovers an old musty Christmas Elf in the attic. As the holiday spirits come alive…so does the holiday toy.
Christmas Eve Carnage is not your typical holiday book. By that, I mean it bestows gifts of chaotic bliss and ominous ornaments. Yes, there is the jolly white-bearded man in the red suit and yes, there is a magical nutcracker (the mouths to these dolls were used to crack nuts, ya know). However, the star of this sinister show happens to be a morbid toy dressed in a green hat and tunic, jingled bell slippers and wielding a lethal candy cane (Chucky ain’t got nothin on this large chunk of plastic). Author John Lynch has created one of the craziest character driven stories I have ever read. And yes, these crimson-stained pages come with festive trigger warnings of psychopathic blood and viscera.
John Lynch wraps this gift of disgusting seasonal imagery and tops it with a nasty bow of sickening shenanigans. Lynch makes his merry way of building effective techniques of the naughtiest kind. Talk about feeling uneasy. This review wouldn’t be complete without having mentioning the beautiful cover showcased by Jorge Iracheta. This is the full package folks. I’m officially putting my anonymous comment in the John Lynch suggestion box to write a sequel.
Christmas Eve Carnage by John Lynch has so many great moments and priceless quotes. I would like to leave this review with my favorite quote from the book…”he beat his meat like it owed him money.” If this doesn’t make your candy cane stiff, nothing will. A five star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ holiday Horror Bookworm Recommendation.
February 20, 2024
So, I read this book in less than 24hours. I went in knowing it was Christmas horror, and that’s it. Boy was I in for a treat! Right away we are introduced to holiday icons of different caliber than the norm. And relatively quickly, mayhem and bloodshed unfolds. I found myself hating and liking characters, only possible due to the exquisite personalization afforded to each. Even the characters who only briefly appeared were easily visualized and liked or disliked. The storyline is superb. The gore is goriffic, and if you enjoyed Playground by Aron Beauregard and/or Everything Is Temporary by Jon Cohn, this book is like a beautiful mix of the two, plus heaps of its own brutal chaos that will leave you ignoring your responsibilities and possibly hissing at anyone who dares interrupt Sprinkles and his spread of holiday …. Cheer? Definitely recommend this festive little bloodbomb of a book!
December 16, 2025
NAUGHTY, NAUGHTY!
December 1, 2024
Christmas Eve Carnage, by John Lynch, is a slasher horror.
Courtney Feltcher, the mom and wife, passsed away from cancer. She leaving her husband Jack and three children behind.
Jack buries his grief by working long hours as a guard at a prison, He works overtime to escape the grief and to avoid children. . All his kids want is a parent who is home, especially for the holidays.
His youngest child found a dusty elf, named Sprinkles, in the attic and convinced it was her late mothers. However, Cindy starts to notice something is not right with Sprinkles the elf. He can talk. She starts to get scared when he hurts people
Sprinkles is not the only one with a thirst for blood.
A former prisoner, who served extra time because of Jack has been released, and he wants revenge. He stakes out the family home, secure in the knowledge that Jack will be working, and plans to slaughter everyone in the home.
The prisoner's plan gets complicated when he crosses paths with a blood thirsty elf. Then the Christmas blood bath starts.
The gore in "Christmas Eve Carnage" is exquisite. Lynch wrote a story with two blood thirsty villains. It is hard to put down.
December 17, 2023
Black Christmas. Krampus. Silent Night. Christmas Eve Carnage. As Lynch says in the book, Christmas horror just hits different.
John Lynch has a penchant for fast, fun reads that dig deep enough into character to give the reader a complete picture of who we're rooting for/against without ever letting the tempo dip. We get to know the Feltcher family dynamics, get more than a glimpse at Chad's motivations, and a connection to some of Lynch's other short fiction (included, if you haven't read his story collection).
It doesn't veer quite into extreme horror, but the walls still drip with blood and brains, and there are no compunctions about delving into some holiday season sexual deviancy. In short, Christmas Eve Carnage reads like the book John Lynch set out to write, with the horror grisly and bold, without ever feeling forced and obnxious. It's a nice balance that not every book succeeds in walking.
If we're treated to a reunion with Sprinkles, I'll be there to read it.
John Lynch has a penchant for fast, fun reads that dig deep enough into character to give the reader a complete picture of who we're rooting for/against without ever letting the tempo dip. We get to know the Feltcher family dynamics, get more than a glimpse at Chad's motivations, and a connection to some of Lynch's other short fiction (included, if you haven't read his story collection).
It doesn't veer quite into extreme horror, but the walls still drip with blood and brains, and there are no compunctions about delving into some holiday season sexual deviancy. In short, Christmas Eve Carnage reads like the book John Lynch set out to write, with the horror grisly and bold, without ever feeling forced and obnxious. It's a nice balance that not every book succeeds in walking.
If we're treated to a reunion with Sprinkles, I'll be there to read it.
December 14, 2023
After multiple failed attempts at reading Christmas themed Horror this was so refreshing. John really nailed it with this one. A great balance of humour, solid characters, blood and gore. The character development is really great in this novella. You are so attached to these characters when shit starts to hit the fan (in true Lynch style).
You can tell he put a lot of thought into this story as it felt really well crafted and put together. The sprinkling of terms and names in reference to his past works was a nice addition for those who are fans of his past books. Overall, this was a really fun read that had me coming back anytime I had a free moment. Fun, imaginative, bloody fun for everyone! If you’re looking for a Christmas Horror, do not miss this one.
You can tell he put a lot of thought into this story as it felt really well crafted and put together. The sprinkling of terms and names in reference to his past works was a nice addition for those who are fans of his past books. Overall, this was a really fun read that had me coming back anytime I had a free moment. Fun, imaginative, bloody fun for everyone! If you’re looking for a Christmas Horror, do not miss this one.
November 19, 2024
“Deck the halls with blood and excrement, fa la la la la . . .”
This story sat on my kindle shelf far too long. My only regret is not reading it sooner! I LOVED this book so freaking much. I love Christmas but when it’s combined with horror?! That’s an added bonus. 🙌
Christmas Eve Carnage follows a family who’s lost their mother. Their father works many hours and is rarely home because he wants to give his kids the best life possible. They wouldn’t be able to have the things or do the things they love without his sacrifice and dedication to his job in order to make that happen. The holidays are approaching and the youngest kid, Cindy, finds her mother’s elf from many years past. This is all she has left of her mother so she clings to this elf 24/7 in fear of losing the last shred of her mother forever.
However, Cindy starts to notice something amiss with Sprinkles the elf. He can talk…but when he hurts her bully on the playground this is when she starts to get scared. From here on things are completely unhinged. Sprinkles gives zeros and runs completely amok. He engages in some rather sinister and bloody activities. Just how safe is the Feltcher family?
Meanwhile we have an ex-con seeking revenge against the father of the Feltcher family and he’s on a mission to make this the last Christmas they’ll ever see.
This book was amazing from start to finish. John had me in a chokehold as to how this story would end. I can’t recommend this book high enough. I’m looking forward to the release of book two!
This story sat on my kindle shelf far too long. My only regret is not reading it sooner! I LOVED this book so freaking much. I love Christmas but when it’s combined with horror?! That’s an added bonus. 🙌
Christmas Eve Carnage follows a family who’s lost their mother. Their father works many hours and is rarely home because he wants to give his kids the best life possible. They wouldn’t be able to have the things or do the things they love without his sacrifice and dedication to his job in order to make that happen. The holidays are approaching and the youngest kid, Cindy, finds her mother’s elf from many years past. This is all she has left of her mother so she clings to this elf 24/7 in fear of losing the last shred of her mother forever.
However, Cindy starts to notice something amiss with Sprinkles the elf. He can talk…but when he hurts her bully on the playground this is when she starts to get scared. From here on things are completely unhinged. Sprinkles gives zeros and runs completely amok. He engages in some rather sinister and bloody activities. Just how safe is the Feltcher family?
Meanwhile we have an ex-con seeking revenge against the father of the Feltcher family and he’s on a mission to make this the last Christmas they’ll ever see.
This book was amazing from start to finish. John had me in a chokehold as to how this story would end. I can’t recommend this book high enough. I’m looking forward to the release of book two!
December 2, 2024
This Christmas won't be the same for Cindy Feltcher! With a psychotic elf taking the form of her late mother's doll and an ex-con with a grudge against her father, expect all hell to break loose!
I really enjoyed this story! It was well written and fast-paced. I only wish we could have had more of Sprinkles the elf. The sequel comes out in a few days, I can't wait to read it!
I really enjoyed this story! It was well written and fast-paced. I only wish we could have had more of Sprinkles the elf. The sequel comes out in a few days, I can't wait to read it!
July 21, 2024
Cindy Fletcher LOVES Christmas! Unfortunately Christmas is very sad this year because her mom passed away. Her older siblings don't spend much time with her and her dad is never home and always at work. Despite it being sad, Cindy still wants to decorate and celebrate because that's what her mom would want. As she's looking at decorations, she spots an elf that was her moms and instantly takes it everywhere. What she doesn't know is that Sprinkles is alive and deranged and this Christmas eve will be bloody
This was SO much fun! Very fast paced with a lot of punch and blood! Sprinkles is so fun, think: Chucky but an elf. I loved his quick remarks and the kills were great! I also enjoyed the little bonus story on how Santa came about. A human tree?! Yes please! This was a fun Christmas in July read! Go check this one out if you love holiday horror, this is perfect!
This was SO much fun! Very fast paced with a lot of punch and blood! Sprinkles is so fun, think: Chucky but an elf. I loved his quick remarks and the kills were great! I also enjoyed the little bonus story on how Santa came about. A human tree?! Yes please! This was a fun Christmas in July read! Go check this one out if you love holiday horror, this is perfect!
December 23, 2023
Christmas will never be the same!
Mom is dead from cancer, dad is a workaholic and and starting on being an alcoholic. Chad is a mad prisoner who didn't get paroled. Now he wants revenge. Little Cindy thinks she found her moms old doll. Christmas is what mom liked best!
Christmas carnage all around!
John Lynch really nailed this one with blood gore and scares all around! You'll never look at Christmas elves again like they are normal!
Great job!
Mom is dead from cancer, dad is a workaholic and and starting on being an alcoholic. Chad is a mad prisoner who didn't get paroled. Now he wants revenge. Little Cindy thinks she found her moms old doll. Christmas is what mom liked best!
Christmas carnage all around!
John Lynch really nailed this one with blood gore and scares all around! You'll never look at Christmas elves again like they are normal!
Great job!
January 8, 2024
This was exactly what I wanted it to be. Crazy, over the top Christmas slasher on the surface, a dysfunctional family, killer seeking revenge, and an evil elf to make sure the carnage doesn’t let up. One thing that slashers often lack is well-developed characters, but this is something Lynch excels at. It was clear while reading how much fun he had while writing the book. Highly recommended!
January 11, 2025
It's a festive family Christmas story.. nah, I'm lying. It's brutal in all the right ways. Merry Christmas 🎅
Fun ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Characters ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Writing ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Horror⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Plot ⭐️⭐️⭐️
If you're looking for a holiday read. This one is required reading for splatterpunk fans.
Fun ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Characters ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Writing ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Horror⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Plot ⭐️⭐️⭐️
If you're looking for a holiday read. This one is required reading for splatterpunk fans.
December 2, 2025
This one was completely unhinged and filled with gore. I kept finding myself laughing one moment and saying “ew, gross” the next. It starts as a bit of a slow burn, but the payoff is absolutely worth it. If you’re in the mood for a bloody, over-the-top Christmas horror read, this is the one.
December 26, 2024
4.25⭐️ This was so much fun!
November 27, 2024
Woah
This was a wild ride! I wasn't expecting it to end the way it did. I love Christmas Horror. This was great.
This was a wild ride! I wasn't expecting it to end the way it did. I love Christmas Horror. This was great.
December 25, 2023
Perfect blend of gore and holiday chaos! The writing was really gripping and you can't help but blaze right through it. I'd recommend this one highly to splatterpunk fans looking for a little Christmas treat.
December 22, 2024
‼️Splatter Chatter’s December Book Club Pick‼️
📕 🩸 📕 🩸 📕
The Fletcher household has been through a lot. After the loss of a wonderful wife and mom, everyone is going through the grief in their own ways. Jack is a single parent now and has lost himself in his job at the prison and when he’s not doing that he’s losing himself to the bottle. The Fletcher children are doing their best to be there for each other and the youngest Fletcher, Cindy is hoping for a good Christmas.
Cindy stumbles upon an odd Christmas decoration.. an elf with a weird vibe. There is more than meets the eye to this elf - who is known as Sprinkles - and let’s just say his Christmas magic is.. messed up. And now while Sprinkles is causing trouble, Chad Reynolds has been released from prison and has a vendetta against Daddy Fletcher. While a big snow storm hits, the Fletcher household is about to get hit with its own bloody violent night.
I am not big into Christmas books at all but this one was fun! Add a little blood, gore and mayhem and I start feeling a little bit more into the holiday spirit. Sprinkles is a little shit and when others have mentioned he gives Chucky vibes they aren’t lying. I haven’t read anything by John Lynch before and I liked his style. Some awesome one liners and nasty gag worthy gore. Merry Crisis! Have fun with this one.
📕 🩸 📕 🩸 📕
The Fletcher household has been through a lot. After the loss of a wonderful wife and mom, everyone is going through the grief in their own ways. Jack is a single parent now and has lost himself in his job at the prison and when he’s not doing that he’s losing himself to the bottle. The Fletcher children are doing their best to be there for each other and the youngest Fletcher, Cindy is hoping for a good Christmas.
Cindy stumbles upon an odd Christmas decoration.. an elf with a weird vibe. There is more than meets the eye to this elf - who is known as Sprinkles - and let’s just say his Christmas magic is.. messed up. And now while Sprinkles is causing trouble, Chad Reynolds has been released from prison and has a vendetta against Daddy Fletcher. While a big snow storm hits, the Fletcher household is about to get hit with its own bloody violent night.
I am not big into Christmas books at all but this one was fun! Add a little blood, gore and mayhem and I start feeling a little bit more into the holiday spirit. Sprinkles is a little shit and when others have mentioned he gives Chucky vibes they aren’t lying. I haven’t read anything by John Lynch before and I liked his style. Some awesome one liners and nasty gag worthy gore. Merry Crisis! Have fun with this one.
December 27, 2025
Fun read!
Christmas chaos in full effect! There's a lot going on here, corrupted Christmas magic bringing to life a murderous elf, a killer out for revenge and a family struggling with grief.
Lynch did a great job in describing how each of the Feltchers were handling their grief. Or hiding from that grief.
You'd think that these very different themes could come together to deliver a cohesive story, but it definitely did and it's a story that'll stick with you. Especially Adam's fate.
Great bloody Christmas fun!
Christmas chaos in full effect! There's a lot going on here, corrupted Christmas magic bringing to life a murderous elf, a killer out for revenge and a family struggling with grief.
Lynch did a great job in describing how each of the Feltchers were handling their grief. Or hiding from that grief.
You'd think that these very different themes could come together to deliver a cohesive story, but it definitely did and it's a story that'll stick with you. Especially Adam's fate.
Great bloody Christmas fun!
January 17, 2024
Christmas Eve Carnage is a really fun read. This book feels sleazy in the very best way. It reminds me of the slasher films of the 80s - totally off the rails and full of gore. It reads like a mash-up of Silent Night, Deadly Night and the Chucky franchise, which makes it an instant classic for me. I hear John Lynch has possible plans for a sequel, and I can't wait to see what (or who) Sprinkles gets into next!
December 18, 2023
Huge thanks to John for sending me a digital copy of this one!
Over the last number of years, I’ve had the joy of watching John’s writing progress. From his first short stories, through to now, his progression and dedication to his craft have been amazing and with the ever-growing list of die-hard fans he’s accumulating, it warms my heart to know others see it too.
With this, his newest release, a Christmas-themed, extreme release, I was excited to see what hijinks he got up to and more importantly, I was excited to see if his take on Christmas horror would be something I’d enjoy, as (much like I said in a previous review posted today,) I struggle with Christmas stuff. But, there’s always an exception to the rule and I’m pleased to say, Lynch throttled this one in the throat.
What I liked: The story centers around the Feltcher family kids on Christmas Eve. Their mother died from Cancer recently, and since then their father – a cop – works double and triple shifts while drinking his sorrow and staying as far away from the house as he can. Everything reminds him of his wife.
When his youngest daughter finds one of the moms old Christmas Elves, at first nobody blinks an eye. But the Elf is magical and a maniac and soon he’s going to have his fun.
This story runs alongside a secondary plot. Where someone that the dad jailed has been released and wants his revenge. So, he heads to the house, ready to kill them all.
Lynch does a great job of setting everything up and when the blood starts flying, boy does it fly. We get Sprinkles the elf stabbing and biting, we get the deranged ex-con, stabbing and slicing and we get the kids trying to survive a double-headed attack.
The ending is not only a total blood bath, but if you couple it with the minor epilogue, we just may get more Sprinkles carnage, and I for one would be all for it.
What I didn’t like: I think the biggest thing for me was that I wished it was one or the other. Sprinkles or the ex-con. The character of Chad is great, and he was a blast to see him want to take his vengeance out, but when Sprinkles arrived, the reader is focused on him. When Chad returns, the reader is focused on him. I think ideally if the story had been one or the other, it would’ve elevated it even more.
Why you should buy this: This is exactly like all of the wonderfully brutal late 80s and early 90s Christmas horror movies that we all grew up watching and loving. Lynch delivers a chaos filled story filled to the brim with ripping and shredding and at the end of the day, the reader won’t really care who survives, as they’ll be more invested in who dies and how they die. And Lynch does that perfectly.
Over the last number of years, I’ve had the joy of watching John’s writing progress. From his first short stories, through to now, his progression and dedication to his craft have been amazing and with the ever-growing list of die-hard fans he’s accumulating, it warms my heart to know others see it too.
With this, his newest release, a Christmas-themed, extreme release, I was excited to see what hijinks he got up to and more importantly, I was excited to see if his take on Christmas horror would be something I’d enjoy, as (much like I said in a previous review posted today,) I struggle with Christmas stuff. But, there’s always an exception to the rule and I’m pleased to say, Lynch throttled this one in the throat.
What I liked: The story centers around the Feltcher family kids on Christmas Eve. Their mother died from Cancer recently, and since then their father – a cop – works double and triple shifts while drinking his sorrow and staying as far away from the house as he can. Everything reminds him of his wife.
When his youngest daughter finds one of the moms old Christmas Elves, at first nobody blinks an eye. But the Elf is magical and a maniac and soon he’s going to have his fun.
This story runs alongside a secondary plot. Where someone that the dad jailed has been released and wants his revenge. So, he heads to the house, ready to kill them all.
Lynch does a great job of setting everything up and when the blood starts flying, boy does it fly. We get Sprinkles the elf stabbing and biting, we get the deranged ex-con, stabbing and slicing and we get the kids trying to survive a double-headed attack.
The ending is not only a total blood bath, but if you couple it with the minor epilogue, we just may get more Sprinkles carnage, and I for one would be all for it.
What I didn’t like: I think the biggest thing for me was that I wished it was one or the other. Sprinkles or the ex-con. The character of Chad is great, and he was a blast to see him want to take his vengeance out, but when Sprinkles arrived, the reader is focused on him. When Chad returns, the reader is focused on him. I think ideally if the story had been one or the other, it would’ve elevated it even more.
Why you should buy this: This is exactly like all of the wonderfully brutal late 80s and early 90s Christmas horror movies that we all grew up watching and loving. Lynch delivers a chaos filled story filled to the brim with ripping and shredding and at the end of the day, the reader won’t really care who survives, as they’ll be more invested in who dies and how they die. And Lynch does that perfectly.
December 4, 2024
Ho Ho Ho what fun! Said no one ever!! This is definitely a horror story set on Christmas!
Gory, violent, action packed, killer elves, a darn right mean Santa and rather amusing! Well worth a read if you love Christmas time and horror!!!
I say yet again another great read by JL! 👏👏👏
Gory, violent, action packed, killer elves, a darn right mean Santa and rather amusing! Well worth a read if you love Christmas time and horror!!!
I say yet again another great read by JL! 👏👏👏
May 31, 2024
I love horror, I love slashers, so when I see a book that is both a great horror and slasher book I will very gladly sing its praises! Christmas Eve Carnage is a seasonal horror book, but I read it in May and loved it, and just really loved what John did with the characters and third act conclusion. With some minor edits and changes to the more lewd content here, add in perhaps a bit more character work, I'd absolutely give this book five stars because this book SLAPS.
One of the best slashers I've ever read, I'd highly recommend this because there is so much heart to this story and I absolutely stan.
One of the best slashers I've ever read, I'd highly recommend this because there is so much heart to this story and I absolutely stan.
December 23, 2023
Christmas horror at its best. Not enough words to describe all the feelings that this book made me feel. It was my first John Lynch but here's to another author I'm gonna put on my extremely crowded authors to read list.
December 16, 2025
4.25 stars
Well, this wasn't quite what I expected 🤣. I really had a fun time with this one. The kills were gnarly, and I did form a connection with a few of the characters (unfortunately 😬). I think that overall, this story was very well-crafted and thought out. I enjoyed the two separate storylines converging into a final bloodbath. The ending and some of the deaths were very unexpected. I also enjoyed the short story "prequel" at the end, which was basically an R-rated slasher version of The Santa Clause. It was a fun little extra treat for sure!
I did wish there was a bit more character growth - it seemed every time there was about to be any growth or redemption arc, they died 😅. However, as a slasher this is usually the case, so it fit that formula rather nicely if you think of it that way. I was also curious about Santa, who we only heard from at the very beginning - but I guess that's what Book 2 is for 🤷♀️.
I definitely recommend checking this out for a quick holiday horror read!
Well, this wasn't quite what I expected 🤣. I really had a fun time with this one. The kills were gnarly, and I did form a connection with a few of the characters (unfortunately 😬). I think that overall, this story was very well-crafted and thought out. I enjoyed the two separate storylines converging into a final bloodbath. The ending and some of the deaths were very unexpected. I also enjoyed the short story "prequel" at the end, which was basically an R-rated slasher version of The Santa Clause. It was a fun little extra treat for sure!
I did wish there was a bit more character growth - it seemed every time there was about to be any growth or redemption arc, they died 😅. However, as a slasher this is usually the case, so it fit that formula rather nicely if you think of it that way. I was also curious about Santa, who we only heard from at the very beginning - but I guess that's what Book 2 is for 🤷♀️.
I definitely recommend checking this out for a quick holiday horror read!
December 27, 2023
Move over Leprechaun! We have a new seasonal slasher ICON in the house who goes by the name of Sprinkles! I LOVED IT! This was just the bite-sized amount of Christmas Eve carnage I needed. I started it on 12/24 but just did not finish it due to all the other commitments and activities I had going on. But it can definitely be read in one sitting if you've got some time. And there's still plenty of time to squeeze it in before the year's up - after all, this week is basically just an extension of slothful, lazy bonus Christmas until NYE, right?! It's been so cool watching John Lynch grow as a writer and put out compelling story after compelling story. I loved this one and JUST saw today there is a sequel in the works! Because I have to quote Stu Macher in Scream, " 'Cause let's face it, baby, these days ya gotta have a sequel!”
December 22, 2024
This book is such a great read if you can not stand those freaking elves!
We follow the Feltcher family as they are going through Christmas after losing their mother. Their dad is never home, as all he does is work, and the kids are left on their own to get through the holiday. When Cindy finds an elf that belonged to her mother, she latches on and won't let go. But she does not know that Sprinkles is not the nice kind of elf and is plotting terror upon the family. Also lurking in the shadows is Chad, a former inmate who feels wronged by their father for extending his prison sentence, and he wants to get his revenge. Can the family survive Sprinkles and a crazt ex-con and have a happy holiday?
We follow the Feltcher family as they are going through Christmas after losing their mother. Their dad is never home, as all he does is work, and the kids are left on their own to get through the holiday. When Cindy finds an elf that belonged to her mother, she latches on and won't let go. But she does not know that Sprinkles is not the nice kind of elf and is plotting terror upon the family. Also lurking in the shadows is Chad, a former inmate who feels wronged by their father for extending his prison sentence, and he wants to get his revenge. Can the family survive Sprinkles and a crazt ex-con and have a happy holiday?
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