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The Secret Gift
Giving gifts has never been so deadly…
When Brenda partakes in a game of ‘Secret Santa’ with her friends, she is expecting some harmless festive fun. But she gets a lot more than she bargained for when she makes a shocking discovery, one that turns the simple act of swapping gifts into a deadly game of revenge, murder and mystery.
Some gifts are best left undelivered…
A fast-paced psychological thriller short story full of twists from the bestselling author of UK #1 The Doctor’s Wife , The Couple’s Revenge and Til Death Do Us Part
When Brenda partakes in a game of ‘Secret Santa’ with her friends, she is expecting some harmless festive fun. But she gets a lot more than she bargained for when she makes a shocking discovery, one that turns the simple act of swapping gifts into a deadly game of revenge, murder and mystery.
Some gifts are best left undelivered…
A fast-paced psychological thriller short story full of twists from the bestselling author of UK #1 The Doctor’s Wife , The Couple’s Revenge and Til Death Do Us Part
62 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 11, 2024
845 people are currently reading
1068 people want to read
About the author
Daniel Hurst
98 books4,242 followersDaniel Hurst is an Amazon #1 bestselling author of fast paced psychological thrillers. His most popular titles include Til Death Do Us Part, The Passenger and The Doctor's Wife, the latter title reaching #1 on the Amazon UK Kindle store in February 2023. A regular KDP Select All Star since he became a full-time author in 2021, Daniel prides himself on writing fast, releasing stories often and engaging with his readers.
You can visit him at www.danielhurstbooks.com, where you can also download a copy of his FREE thriller 'Just One Second.'
You can visit him at www.danielhurstbooks.com, where you can also download a copy of his FREE thriller 'Just One Second.'
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 301 reviews
December 22, 2024
Oh, Daniel Hurst … what a darkly humorous spin you always put on the holidays!
The prologue opens with a beautifully decorated Christmas tree, but I don’t think Santa delivered what’s underneath it!
Jumping back a few days before this, when boss Mariah sets up an office Secret Santa gift exchange to boost morale, she can’t envision where all this gift giving will end up. Poor Brenda pulled her boss’s name. Ugh … so much pressure! As luck would have it, the perfect present for Mariah is delivered right into Brenda’s hands one day while out shopping.
What will Mariah think of Brenda’s gift? Well, you only need to read 62 short pages to find out, but I promise you it’s a story filled with Hurst’s trademark OTT twists, murder and betrayals. It’s nothing particularly new, but it’s a perfectly enjoyable read if you need a murdery micro-dose of holiday craziness!
The prologue opens with a beautifully decorated Christmas tree, but I don’t think Santa delivered what’s underneath it!
Jumping back a few days before this, when boss Mariah sets up an office Secret Santa gift exchange to boost morale, she can’t envision where all this gift giving will end up. Poor Brenda pulled her boss’s name. Ugh … so much pressure! As luck would have it, the perfect present for Mariah is delivered right into Brenda’s hands one day while out shopping.
What will Mariah think of Brenda’s gift? Well, you only need to read 62 short pages to find out, but I promise you it’s a story filled with Hurst’s trademark OTT twists, murder and betrayals. It’s nothing particularly new, but it’s a perfectly enjoyable read if you need a murdery micro-dose of holiday craziness!
December 22, 2024
*Holiday Read 2024*
Tis the season for holiday Christmas parties!
SOME have you bring a White Elephant gift.
SOME have you play “Secret Santa”.
And, SOME (all?) have a guest who isn’t happy with the gift that they receive!
Let the team building games begin!
Daniel Hurst gifts us with a fun and festive 62 page short story and the opportunity to download his psychological thriller “Just One Second” for FREE from a link on his website when you finish.
Happy Holidays! 🎁
Tis the season for holiday Christmas parties!
SOME have you bring a White Elephant gift.
SOME have you play “Secret Santa”.
And, SOME (all?) have a guest who isn’t happy with the gift that they receive!
Let the team building games begin!
Daniel Hurst gifts us with a fun and festive 62 page short story and the opportunity to download his psychological thriller “Just One Second” for FREE from a link on his website when you finish.
Happy Holidays! 🎁
December 23, 2024
A thrilling Christmas read! 🎁
If you enjoy “Secret Santa” gifts, then this short story is for you! Will everyone at the office get the gift they wish for? Or the gift they deserve?
This story is told between the POV’s of Mariah and Brenda. Mariah is the new boss at the office who enjoys doing a gift exchange, and is in charge of the “Secret Santa”. Brenda is employed at the office, and she feels that the person she needs to buy for is a very unlucky pick. But, the gifts she gives are worth more than she knows…
This was a quick, suspenseful Christmas read that I really enjoyed. I’ve been wanting to read more by this author, so this short story was perfect!
“Eye for an eye. Or, as it was Christmas, a gift for a gift.” 🎁
If you enjoy “Secret Santa” gifts, then this short story is for you! Will everyone at the office get the gift they wish for? Or the gift they deserve?
This story is told between the POV’s of Mariah and Brenda. Mariah is the new boss at the office who enjoys doing a gift exchange, and is in charge of the “Secret Santa”. Brenda is employed at the office, and she feels that the person she needs to buy for is a very unlucky pick. But, the gifts she gives are worth more than she knows…
This was a quick, suspenseful Christmas read that I really enjoyed. I’ve been wanting to read more by this author, so this short story was perfect!
“Eye for an eye. Or, as it was Christmas, a gift for a gift.” 🎁
November 17, 2025
Short story about an office that holds a Secret Santa swap that turns into a game of revenge and murder. Another entertaining read by Daniel Hurst, set around Christmas.
December 23, 2024
3.5
Well, the first line sure grabs the attention. I mean, it’s Daniel Hurst so you know what you’re going to get. One line in the big reveal has me bursting out laughing it’s so outrageous, ridiculous and silly but in the festive spirit and all that jazz (or rockin’ around the Christmas tree) I’ll go with the flow. The gift of knowledge- sometimes it’s a gift but often it’s not ….it can be deadly. Totally OTT but great murderous fun at 60 odd pages. Available on KU.
Well, the first line sure grabs the attention. I mean, it’s Daniel Hurst so you know what you’re going to get. One line in the big reveal has me bursting out laughing it’s so outrageous, ridiculous and silly but in the festive spirit and all that jazz (or rockin’ around the Christmas tree) I’ll go with the flow. The gift of knowledge- sometimes it’s a gift but often it’s not ….it can be deadly. Totally OTT but great murderous fun at 60 odd pages. Available on KU.
December 22, 2024
Mariah and her husband Michael run a successful company and Brenda is an employee. Mariah decides it would be fun to hold a Secret Santa gift exchange one Christmas and there are more surprises than anyone expected. I don't like to use the word "enjoyable" in connection with a story that includes death and infidelity but this was an entertaining short story incorporating much revenge on the part of various characters. The author's note at the end emphasizes how clever he is. I for one didn't pick up on it while reading the story.
December 28, 2024
Beware of the Secret Santa!
When an office Secret Santa swap turns into a game of secrets, revenge, and murder, it is everyone for themselves. In this lethal game of cat and mouse, Brenda and Mariah might get more than they bargained for.
The Secret Gift is a fun and festive short story to read this holiday season. I really enjoyed the first half, but unfortunately the denouement felt comically over the top. I guess this is what Hurst is known for, but I have only read one of his full length books so far. It is a fast read that is sure to keep thriller readers entertained!
Be sure to check out all of the characters’ names, as they contain special meanings!
3/5 stars
When an office Secret Santa swap turns into a game of secrets, revenge, and murder, it is everyone for themselves. In this lethal game of cat and mouse, Brenda and Mariah might get more than they bargained for.
The Secret Gift is a fun and festive short story to read this holiday season. I really enjoyed the first half, but unfortunately the denouement felt comically over the top. I guess this is what Hurst is known for, but I have only read one of his full length books so far. It is a fast read that is sure to keep thriller readers entertained!
Be sure to check out all of the characters’ names, as they contain special meanings!
3/5 stars
January 2, 2026
“Nothing spoils the sight of a beautiful Christmas tree more than two dead bodies lying underneath it.”
😳😳😳
This was such a fun story. The plot had some depth, and the characters were fascinating.
😳😳😳
This was such a fun story. The plot had some depth, and the characters were fascinating.
December 28, 2024
What an enjoyable holiday read filled with suspense, twists, and a strong need for revenge. This story takes Secret Santa to a whole new level! Once you start, you won’t want to stop, and it’s short enough to read in one sitting. Highly recommend this twisty short story that reminds the reader that revenge is a dish best served cold, but piping hot works well enough, too, when circumstance call for it.
January 20, 2025
Who knew that Secret Santa could be such a dangerous game?
December 14, 2024
This was short and sweet and to the point. I love a good revenge story with a dash of holiday spirit.
December 24, 2024
"I told you Secret Santa was fun. It really does help boost morale."
What was supposed to be a silly and festive gift exchange morphs into murder(s) in this short story. I wouldn't want to work at this establishment!
What was supposed to be a silly and festive gift exchange morphs into murder(s) in this short story. I wouldn't want to work at this establishment!
December 30, 2024
A quick deadly Christmas novella.
This one felt very simplistic. Not twisty really but very comic like and one dimensional. An eye for an eye for an eye if you will.
Short and sweet what more can I say.
This one felt very simplistic. Not twisty really but very comic like and one dimensional. An eye for an eye for an eye if you will.
Short and sweet what more can I say.
December 26, 2024
Pretty predictable. But quick and easy read!
October 10, 2025
3.5⭐️!! Rating novella are always so hard bc of the limited information but the beginning was predictable but the ENDING?! WHAT DID I JUST READ???
December 20, 2024
Short and sweet and to the point. Oh, and not to mention shocking. Daniel Hurst is back with a seasonal short story with something of a twist to the traditional Secret Santa game that will take just an hour to devour.
There are the usual twists and a good dose of revenge piled into this one but it does seem to lack Hurst's usual fervour. It is nothing if not predictable. And it did lack the final twist that Hurst is renowned for. That's not to say it isn't an entertaining read, as all his thrillers aim to be. And a nice quick one too.
I did like the little holiday twist he sprinkled into the story by way of the characters' names, in a nod to those who have delivered some well known Christmas favourites over the years.
Let's hope your secret santa doesn't end up as this one did!
This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.
There are the usual twists and a good dose of revenge piled into this one but it does seem to lack Hurst's usual fervour. It is nothing if not predictable. And it did lack the final twist that Hurst is renowned for. That's not to say it isn't an entertaining read, as all his thrillers aim to be. And a nice quick one too.
I did like the little holiday twist he sprinkled into the story by way of the characters' names, in a nod to those who have delivered some well known Christmas favourites over the years.
Let's hope your secret santa doesn't end up as this one did!
This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.
December 18, 2024
A perfect story to get you in the secret Santa giving mood.
December 25, 2024
"Nothing spoils the sight of a beautiful Christmas tree more than two dead bodies lying underneath it"
Oh my days this has got to be one of my favourite short Christmas reads so far! An unhinged boss & employee...Mariah and Brenda...Even though I guessed the first part there was one thing that I wasn't expecting .. the twists were fun and some were a given but it didn't take away from the fun of the book at all! I'll definitely be coming back to this author in the future!
Oh my days this has got to be one of my favourite short Christmas reads so far! An unhinged boss & employee...Mariah and Brenda...Even though I guessed the first part there was one thing that I wasn't expecting .. the twists were fun and some were a given but it didn't take away from the fun of the book at all! I'll definitely be coming back to this author in the future!
January 6, 2025
A Secret Santa swap turns sinister. A quick, entertaining holiday short story filled with betrayal, revenge and murder.
December 21, 2024
An enjoyable holiday read filled with suspense, twists, and a strong need for revenge. Highly recommend this twisty short story
December 17, 2024
An alright, quick christmassy short story. It had an interesting plot line but I just found it very repetitive throughout which became a little irritating & quite unrealistic. Sadly just not for me
December 25, 2024
An original plot, but a bit repetitive for my taste. For me, the ending was disappointing and not realistic.
April 18, 2025
I love reading a little short story in between books that you can finish in an hour
March 11, 2025
Entertaining relationship listening 🎉👩❤️💋👩
This kindle ebook novella is from my Kindle Unlimited account
The office is having a Christmas secret gift party on Friday. On Monday the president and a woman are found dead naked. The wife becomes president and hires a man. They are having another secret gift Christmas party. On Monday the president is found murdered.
I would highly recommend this novella and author to readers of romantic family and family relationship adventure mystery novels 😘😎 2025 😏🙄
This kindle ebook novella is from my Kindle Unlimited account
The office is having a Christmas secret gift party on Friday. On Monday the president and a woman are found dead naked. The wife becomes president and hires a man. They are having another secret gift Christmas party. On Monday the president is found murdered.
I would highly recommend this novella and author to readers of romantic family and family relationship adventure mystery novels 😘😎 2025 😏🙄
December 23, 2024
'Tis the season... for the annual office Secret Santa exchanges
Taking interoffice relationships to a whole new level! This story packs a wollop in the short space it has and twists, and turns abound.
Secret Santa office exchanges make for interesting results!
A short story packing a wallop will harken our minds to all those interoffice shenanigans, and possible behind the scenes shenanigans, we suspected, proved, or were oblivious to.
I've decided I will be VERY grateful for the ugly scarf, stupid mug, or wine bottle I receive.
The alternative would not be nearly as enjoyable...
Taking interoffice relationships to a whole new level! This story packs a wollop in the short space it has and twists, and turns abound.
Secret Santa office exchanges make for interesting results!
A short story packing a wallop will harken our minds to all those interoffice shenanigans, and possible behind the scenes shenanigans, we suspected, proved, or were oblivious to.
I've decided I will be VERY grateful for the ugly scarf, stupid mug, or wine bottle I receive.
The alternative would not be nearly as enjoyable...
February 16, 2025
Excellent once again Mr Hurst
I absolutely love Daniel Hurst style of writing. This was a short but suspenseful story again. This had in-offic drama, sex, spite. Suspense and murder. Great quick read
I absolutely love Daniel Hurst style of writing. This was a short but suspenseful story again. This had in-offic drama, sex, spite. Suspense and murder. Great quick read
July 6, 2025
Who says you can’t have a thriller under 100 pages.
I won’t see Secret Santa game the same.. jk
I won’t see Secret Santa game the same.. jk
December 1, 2025
Great quick read
December 25, 2024
This is OK but predictable.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 301 reviews