The Naughty List

by Octavia Grant

Twas the night before Justice, when all through the house,
Not a creature was stirring, not even the louts.
They lay in bed sleeping, they had not a care,
About the people, they’d hurt or treated unfair.

They had no way of knowing their deeds had been tracked.
Not by blogs, or the news, but a crazed maniac.
He sat jotting names, being careful not to miss
Any transgressors to place on the naughty list.

The Naughty List is a book of transgressions committed when people think no one is looking. Read along and ask yourself, is it wrong to commit a crime if no one knows you did it?

Genres: Horror, Christmas, Short Stories

117 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 15, 2024

About the author

Octavia Grant discovered her passion for creative writing in 2002 during her junior year at Georgetown High School in Georgetown, South Carolina. She began writing professionally in 2016 and, two years later, took full ownership of her literary career by becoming an independent author. A bestselling black thriller author and the bestselling author of Cutthroat, Octavia has penned more than 30 novels known for their psychological depth and gripping suspense.
Her work and voice have earned national recognition, including speaking on the Thrilling Tales Author Panel at ESSENCE Fest, Thriller Panelist at National Book Club Conference (NBCC), interview with Narrator iiKane, literary reviewer and film commentator Tamara Walker of Tam Telling Tales, and features in WYB Lifestyle, VoyageJacksonville, Canvas Rebel, and Bold Journey. She has also been honored as one of 160 Black Women in Horror and received multiple accolades for her psychological thriller novella Dear Vicky, including the Black Girls Who Write It’s Lit Award for Best Black Mystery/Suspense, the Audio in Black North Star Award, and the AAMBC Award for Mystery/Thriller Book of the Year.
In addition to these achievements, Octavia has been named Best Thriller/Suspense Horror Author by the Literary Gem Awards and Best Female Author by the Get Caught Up Podcast. Her storytelling continues to push boundaries within the thriller genre, centering bold narratives that captivate, challenge, and resonate with readers worldwide.

Reviews

[Shawnaci Schroeder · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5
This book was a ride!! I’ve read so many books by this author and they never disappointing! This one was probably the most spooky that I’ve read of hers. It was really fast paced too!

[Ga.selle (Semi-hiatus) Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Santa mocked. “I can admit that I’m a little messed up. But you won’t admit the same and that’s why you’re here."




Such a fun and entertaining read! A total of 26 transgressors with a list of their profession and crimes committed. Their shocking and scandalous secrets revealed one-by-one by a man in a Santa suit, reading their secrets like a five-star book. I did not expect / predict that ending. So good! 😁🎅🩸🔪

[Rashawnda · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was the gasp after each transgression shared for me 😩😂😩!!! Baby!!!!! This was good! I can think of a few ppl that are on this list IRL and need their 💩 laid bare just the same!!! The way I gagged at some of these folks was whew 😅!! Man THIS was a naughty list amplified and EVERY MF BODY got what they deserved!!! That ending tho 😩😩😩

Octavia!!! Sis!! Hats off to you!! 4.5✨

[April · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Santa knows if you’ve been naughty or nice, this story will make you want to be nice at all times! In this story, Santa makes people on his naughty list be accountable for their past transgressions in incomprehensible ways! As each person is has to fess up to their sins, some beg for second chances, some are prideful and choose not to, some deny their transgressions altogether. But Santa knows all, and not owning up to your sins further sends him a blind rage. Thoroughly enjoyed and one I’ll probably re-read each holiday season.

[Jahda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nah Octavia is sick

[Samyra Alexander · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whoa!

Santa wasn’t playing around with the people on the naughty list. It was intriguing to learn how everyone got on the list. The twist at the end blew me. I’d recommend this to anyone who likes to see the bad guy get what they deserve.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

HAHAHAH she does it again. Love these novellas

[Kristin · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Fright Before Christmas🎄🔥
26 individuals are held captive while a sinister Santa reveals the not-so-secret transgressions that landed each of them on his naughty list.

This was kind of like a Christmas version of a Saw movie. Just when I thought each transgressor’s heinous acts couldn’t get any worse, Miss Grant went ahead and doubled it! The plot twist was just as satisfying as I hoped it would be. It’s actually pretty wild what people will do when they think no one is watching.

Highly recommend, but proceed with caution: This is NOT your typical cozy holiday story. 😭

[Deirdre Megan Byrd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honestly my favorite from her so far! Such a different format.

[⌞giselle⌝ · Rating 5 out of 5]

this was sick! Saw, but make it seasonal. loved reading about every transgression & the ending was so satisfying.

[Anna J. · Rating 4 out of 5]

See… what I noticed about me and Octavia Taneka Grant situationship is she loves to have me thinking I’m crazy.

[JazzReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

wtf..

This book was wild and I was not expecting that ending at all. Octavia Grant always takes me by surprise with the way her mind works.

[Ebony Essence · Rating 5 out of 5]

Don’t you just love Christmas??

Maaaannnnnn! Octavia you got it. This was so real. The way i was floored after these transgressions is mind blowing. What’s crazy though it’s not like none of this stuff isn’t true. We’ve all see/heard stories like this. But the way Octavia broken them people down at the end basically letting them know karma will always spend the block was chefs kiss. Listen, don’t play out here and if you want to be forgiven then be honest, real and change your walk. Lastly, when Santa revealed himself i was like “OH ISH!!!!!!”

[reading mom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let me tell you something!! Those transgressions had me floored honey!

I was just like bro what more can a person endure????

Clearly we can see the more!

[CiCi · Rating 4 out of 5]

It just kept getting worrseeeeee oh em gee
Octavia is going to hook you in for a wild ride every single time.

[Breana · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was wild! & I definitely did not expect that epilogue. I really enjoyed this, I caught myself comparing the transgressors to see who was worse. Octavia has done it again, this novella was definitely a banger!!

[Gina 🥰 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Did not expect that ending!!! So good!

[Natarsha · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s an Octavia Grant book, be prepared for your mind to be blown.

[Semi · Rating 3 out of 5]

ehh it’s ok wouldn’t recommend

It was interesting but slow.. if the list would have been cut to 12 I think it would have been better. Short & to the point. Instead it dragged out way too long.

[Zoe Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is not a Christmas gathering you want to be attending. There’s over 20 of you in a room, headed by someone dressed as Santa. As Santa begins to list everyone’s name, profession and their crime it soon becomes clear that Santa really does see everything, and all their dirty little secrets are revealed.

Festive thriller novella, each chapter gives us a different transgressor, the ending was unexpected and this was a great little read perfect for a one sitting read. I’m off to download more of the authors work.

[Brittany · Rating 5 out of 5]

Leave it to Octavia Grant to blow your mind!!! I have read many of her books (even though I readily give her the side eye in my mind each time lol). I just can’t find myself staying away from her books and this one was one of my favorites! This book kept me hooked from the beginning with the initial scene with the demented Santa and his captors all the way to the end with the big shocking reveal/twist that really made me think. Not only did book keep me hooked by engaging my mind on all the captors various dirty deeds but had me reflecting on the message that was expressed in the ending. Another fave of mine for the year!

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Twisted Naughty List

What an unexpected plot twist at the very end! I loved how this story was written out, with each transgressors story and why they were on the list. Octavia Grant is quickly becoming a go-to read.

[Lexes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jigsaw meets "Santa" vibes

This kind of put me in the vibe of Saw as each person backstory is provided and brought to life the crimes they committed. Majority deserve 10xs worst but you would have tk dive into this story because it's too entertaining for spoilers

[BookedoutLoud · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was crazy. Some people felt remorse to what they done while others didn’t. These people are sick!

[Larryce · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW! WOW!!

[Dee · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book had me glued to it. As I read the book I was able to but all the pieces together. It was a good read, kept me on edge.

[karmie 🏹 · Rating 2 out of 5]

truly a creative mind.., 😭

[Keona Yvette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read. This gave me Tales From The Hood movie vibes. If you know you know lol

[Dollee · Rating 1 out of 5]

GARBAGE JUICE !!!!!!!!!! Smt . I NEVER THOUGHT A BOOK COULD WASTE MY TIME LIKE THIS. IM MORE UPSET I JUST DIDNT DNF IT

[ZaKiyyah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I will never look at Santa the same

I loved the way this story was formatted! The way it ended was quite a shocker! I will never look at Santa (or whoever he “really” is) again!