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Holidays & Homicide #2

A Christmas To Die For: A Thriller Novella

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A Christmas To Die For is a suspenseful novella filled with terror, a dash of gore, and packed with Christmas spirit. Each book in the Holidays & Homicide series can be read as a standalone.

In the chilling standalone sequel to I’ll Be Alone for Christmas, true crime podcaster Sabrina Maske is chasing her biggest story yet. Determined to reclaim the top spot for Maske of Sanity, she and her friends Mara and Phoebe travel to an infamous cabin in Frosthaven Falls, where a string of gruesome murders took place just one year ago. It’s the kind of story that could make or break them—if they survive long enough to tell it.

But the folks of Frosthaven Falls aren’t eager to revisit their darkest chapter. Undeterred, Sabrina digs deeper, ignoring the warnings and the creeping sense that something is very wrong. As secrets unravel and tensions explode, the danger surrounding them closes in. The cabin’s dark past isn’t finished with them yet. And neither are the killings.

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First published October 1, 2025

138 people are currently reading
783 people want to read

About the author

Kristin Mulligan

5 books233 followers
Based in Southern California, Kristin Mulligan writes stories that blur the line between heart-pounding suspense and heartwarming romance.

Her two romance novels are open-door and full of steam and spice. The Acts Of Life features sibling rivalry, secrets, and a jaw-dropping twist, while Grounded delivers laugh-out-loud moments, emotional depth, and a swoony touch of forbidden love.

Her novella series, Holidays & Homicide, twists familiar holidays into dark, suspenseful tales. The series includes I’ll Be Alone for Christmas and A Christmas to Die For , two chilling Christmas stories steeped in secrets, mystery, and murder. Her newest novella, Crazy Little Thing Called Love , is set around Valentine’s Day and explores obsession, terror, and a kidnapping that will keep readers guessing until the very end. Each title stands alone and can be read in any order. The next installment is tentatively scheduled for release in April 2026.

Fueled by a genre-hopping imagination and far too much cold brew, Kristin is also an exhausted boy mom to the fastest five-year-old you’ll ever meet. She works full-time, and when she’s not chasing her son around, she’s stealing quiet moments to catch her breath and write a few more words.

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5 stars
218 (15%)
4 stars
464 (32%)
3 stars
569 (39%)
2 stars
167 (11%)
1 star
17 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 160 reviews
Profile Image for Matt.
4,850 reviews13.1k followers
December 4, 2025
Looking for some holiday reading that packs a punch, I turned to this novella by Kristin Mulligan. After the drama at Frosthaven Falls last year, there is a buzz about the crimes that took place. Sabrina Maske, a true crime podcaster, is eager to pull back what happened and what’s happened in the past year. Eager to make a splash on Maske of Sanity, Sabrina and her team head to Frosthaven Falls to see for themselves. However, some prefer to keep the events from Frosthaven Falls in the past, as the locals remain vague when speaking to these strangers from L.A. Sabrina refuses to give up that easily and starts pushing for info to use in her podcast. Soon, the group receives a warning to leave before things get troublesome, but that, too, is ignored. When things begin to happen around the cabin property, Sabrina and her team wonder if the hauntings are not yet done, which would ensure the killings are about to pile up as well. Kristin Mulligan delivers another chilling story that is sure to keep the reader hooked.

Christmas is the ideal reading time, no matter what genre interests you. Kristin Mulligan pens another novella, mixing the wonders of the holiday season with a dash of the macabre. Narrative ideas build as the story gains traction, using multiple perspectives to ensure the most impactful piece. Mulligan uses short chapters to tease the reader with something thrilling. Great build-up creates a climactic ending that turns the entire reading experience on its head and is sure to keep the reader gripped until the last sentence.

Characters work to hold the tension as Kristin Mulligan crafts them with ease. I was committed to seeing how Sabrina and her team would handle all that was put before them, as the piece proves highly entertaining with a sliver of chilly darkness. The reader can also enjoy a handful of secondary characters that complement the core three well, though nothing is entirely as it seems.

Surprises emerge as Kirstin Mulligan works her magic with a number of well-placed ones. There is much in the story that works well during the countless twists from chapter to chapter. All these ensure the reader is kept on the edge of their seat. I am eager to see where things might be headed with a third novella set to be released by Mulligan in early 2026. I enjoyed this short piece and it complements other of my reading challenges quite well. Let’s see what else I can find this holiday season to keep me highly entertained.

Kudos, Madam Mulligan, for another great story that is easily read in one sitting.

Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
Profile Image for April.
621 reviews179 followers
December 10, 2025
The moment they mentioned returning to Frosthaven Falls a year after those grisly cabin murders from book one, I was instantly irritated and intrigued all over again lol. Talk about reopening old wounds!

This story unfolds through 3 POVs, Sabrina, Mara, and Phoebe. I genuinely enjoyed how each woman brought a different layer of tension, fear, and suspicion to the plot. Their dynamics were intriguing, especially knowing every single one of them is hiding something. How can they possibly survive the insanity that Foxhaven Falls has waiting for them if they can’t even trust each other?

The audiobook narration was great, keeping the tension high and the pacing smooth as everything began spiraling. And let me tell you, that went real left, real fast! I was not prepared for some of those twists.

While it can be read as a standalone, I do recommend reading book one first. The references to the previous year’s events hit harder when you fully understand the trauma and chaos they survived. A suspenseful, chilling holiday thriller & perfect if you love small towns with sinister histories.
Profile Image for Magen • Bone Chilling Books.
268 reviews582 followers
December 23, 2025
3.5 stars!

I was a good follow up novella to I’LL BE ALONE FOR CHRISTMAS. I loved how it ended, which made for a good setup for book 3.

I wasn’t as invested in the story as I was for the first one. I felt like the first one I was more on the edge of my seat, and it felt more suspenseful than this one.

Regardless, though, it still piqued my interest and I enjoyed the story. Looking forward to seeing how this rolls into the next book!
Profile Image for Kelly-Marie.
11 reviews2 followers
October 22, 2025
The first book was better. The ending was unsatisfying in this one. Overall it was a good story a little too drawn out, the plot picked up but a little too late towards the end.
Profile Image for Evalyn.
12 reviews19 followers
January 1, 2026
A twisty, gory, holiday read I raced to finish to see what played out! These girls were a bit annoying but I couldn’t believe the secrets they were hiding! The final twist was very unexpected and I loved how this novella had multiple pov’s. I read the first in this series last year and I liked them both pretty much equally but this was a good follow up worth a read especially if you liked the first!
Profile Image for Jamie Engel.
613 reviews238 followers
December 31, 2025
I am obsessed with these thriller novellas.

this is the second in series and follows a group of podcasters trying to gather info of the events from the last book.

the ending in this one blew my mind was not expecting that at all!! highly recommend if you need a palette cleanser or something to get you out of a slump.

overall: 5

thriller
novella
holiday
murder
Profile Image for Andie Brown.
142 reviews3 followers
June 15, 2025
Kristin does it again. Though this has Christmas in the title, it truly can be read anytime of year as a quick, horrific (in the BEST WAY!) read. While best read after "I'll Be Alone For Christmas", you can read this as a standalone, but I promise you'll want to read IBAFC as well to put all the pieces of the puzzle together.

You've heard people call novels gripping, and this one is just that. I could not put it down. The multi-POV keeps the story flowing quickly and truly keeps you on the edge of your seat. You need to know more. You need to see what happens next. You need to know why and how and who! The twists and turns will truly keep you guessing.
Profile Image for Nikos Drosinos.
171 reviews22 followers
December 8, 2025
3.5⭐️- I enjoyed this but I have to say it didn’t quite hit the highs of the first book 😅📖. The suspense and twists kept me reading, and there were definitely some shocking moments 😲⚡.

I loved the holiday horror vibe ❄️👻 it’s still creepy and tense, perfect for a quick festive scare 🕯️🩸. That said, the plot was very slow until much layer in the book 🐌. When the plot finally picked up, it felt too late and a bit rushed 🏃‍♀️💨, and a few characters didn’t feel as fleshed out as in the first book 😕. The ending was a twist I didn’t see coming 🌪️ yet it left me with more questions than answers ⁉️

Overall, it’s a fun, quick read with enough tension to keep you engaged 😌🔪, but it’s not quite as satisfying or polished as the original. Still worth reading if you love holiday-themed horror 🎄🔥.

Profile Image for Elaine Rainbolt.
150 reviews6 followers
December 17, 2025
I liked this storyline. 3 girls go to a small town where multiple murders happened years ago. These girls are doing a podcast about the murders but don't realize the danger they are in. I liked the twist but I actually liked book 1 of this series better.
Profile Image for Caitlin Stucky.
485 reviews20 followers
November 6, 2025
This was such a fun, fast paced holiday novella! I was entertained and kept at the edge of my seat and surprised by the ending!! Kristin gives us twists and turns with all of her books and I love it!!!
Profile Image for Cristy Krause.
2 reviews
December 28, 2025
I'd give a 3.5 if I could do half stars. The ending is what took off that half for me.
Profile Image for Jess Lewis.
120 reviews
August 2, 2025
4⭐️ Slay bells ring, are you listening?

This book? Ate.
Kristin said “festive but make it fatal” and somehow made murder feel wee bit merry. The shout out to my favorite holiday hit by *NSYNC hooked me!

I was so sure I had the Final Girl pegged. I was wrong. Like spectacularly wrong.

Fast paced, twist filled and just the right amount of creepy.. A quick, chilling read that proves Christmas can be murderously fun. Perfect for thriller fans who like their holiday reads with a side of “holy shit.”

Read it. Then trust no one.
Profile Image for Nikki.
426 reviews45 followers
December 4, 2025
I really enjoyed this thrilling slasher holiday read! If you read her previous holiday novella, I’ll Be Alone for Christmas, then you’ll instantly understand the history behind Frosthaven Falls.

It’s the site of a grisly Christmas Eve murder spree and in this book, a trio of podcasters are determined to revisit it one year to the date for what they hope will be redeeming and groundbreaking content. What they don’t expect is that they all have secrets to hide and this cabin’s dark history may have more in store for them than they hoped.

For a novella I think this packed a serious punch and delivered everything I hoped for out of it. The pacing and storyline were well crafted. The reveals surprised me, the horror element shocked me, and the juxtaposition of cozy holiday vibes paired with eerie holiday horror was chef’s kiss. While this can be read on its own, I would recommend reading the first in the series for deeper context! This is the perfect holiday thriller novella to break up your fluffy holiday romances!

•𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐂𝐚𝐧 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭 •
+ Holidays & Homicides
+ novella (under 200 pg read)
+ slasher/light horror
+ cozy snowy town
+ cabin with a murderous past
+ three friends with secrets
+ podcasters
+ twisty and suspenseful with
an unexpected ending
+ 2nd in an interconnected series
+ can be read as a standalone but I
recommend reading the first book
+ intriguing characters
+ indie author & book

𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫: Kristin Mulligan
𝐏𝐮𝐛 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞: October 21, 2025
𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐞: Thriller • Interconnected Series •
Holiday Slasher • Novella
𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭: Physical 📖
𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: ★★★★☆ 𝟒.𝟓
𝐕𝐞𝐫𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐭: Entertaining and twisty!

Thank you to the author, Kristin, for my #gifted copy!
Profile Image for La Femme Readers.
581 reviews81 followers
December 7, 2025
A true crime podcaster, Sabrina Maske, is chasing her biggest story yet. Determined to reclaim the top spot for Maske of Sanity, she and her friends Mara and Phoebe travel to an infamous cabin in Frosthaven Falls, where a string of gruesome murders took place just one year ago. But the folks of Frosthaven Falls aren’t eager to revisit their darkest chapter. As secrets unravel and tensions explode, the danger surrounding them closes in. The cabin’s dark past isn’t finished with them yet, and neither are the killings.

"A Christmas to Die For" is presented as a standalone sequel within Mulligan's Holidays & Homicides series. I thoroughly enjoyed the initial installment and was eagerly anticipating this release. This narrative features multiple points of view, focusing on Sabrina, Maura, and Phoebe, who collectively host a true crime podcast that has experienced a decline in popularity. In hopes of boosting attention, they revisit Frosthaven Falls to revisit a nightmarish cabin from the past.

Initially, I found myself drawn to most of the characters, with the exception of Sabrina. I hoped someone would get rid of her since she was so unlikable. Regarding Maura, I found her character the most relatable, as I also work as an assistant. The beginning of the narrative unfolded at a somewhat measured pace, but once the plot twists and action sequences commenced, it became quite exhilarating! Although I missed Romee's presence from the first book, I thought this was a fun follow-up. I appreciate Mulligan's character development and the detailed settings she creates. Lucky for us, there is a third book in the Holidays & Homicides series coming soon!
Profile Image for Mickey.
835 reviews300 followers
December 17, 2025
True crime podcaster Sabrina is heading to Frosthaven Falls with her two friends, Mara and Phoebe. They decide to go to a cabin where, exactly a year ago on Christmas Eve, a young woman was brutally attacked and several people lost their lives. What they don’t realise is that someone has some special Christmas plans for them.

I absolutely loved the first book; unfortunately, I didn’t like this one as much. Don’t get me wrong—it was still a good read, but it just didn’t compare. Most of the book was build-up, with all the action happening in the last couple of chapters, and then it was just done. I feel like it could have been stretched out a little more.
I look forward to reading book three for Valentine’s Day.
Profile Image for Sara.
127 reviews8 followers
December 24, 2025
A Christmas to Die For
By @kristinmulligan

If you love your Christmas stories dark, tense, and dripping with dread, A Christmas to Die For delivers. Kristin Mulligan packs nonstop suspense, chilling atmosphere, and just the right dash of gore into this fast-paced novella that kept my heart racing from start to finish. The snowy setting, true-crime vibes, and escalating danger make this the perfect bite-sized thriller for readers who like their holiday cheer… deadly. ❄️🩸🎙️

#AChristmasToDieFor #KristinMulligan #CreepyChristmas #HolidayThriller #ChristmasGoneWrong #DarkHolidayReads #ThrillerReads #SuspenseBooks #HorrorVibes #TrueCrimeFiction #BookstagramThriller #WinterThriller #HolidayHorror #FastPacedReads #BookishFear
Profile Image for Jessa Layne • readwithjessa.
312 reviews21 followers
December 8, 2025
In this chilling holiday sequel, we follow true crime podcaster Sabrina Maske as she heads to the infamous cabin in Frosthaven Falls with her friends, hoping to capture the story that could finally push her show back to the top. The town wants their dark past buried, but Sabrina keeps digging, even as the sense of danger grows and the killings begin again. Secrets start to spill and the cabin’s violent history tightens its grip on them, leaving survival anything but guaranteed. I thought this was such a great holiday thriller novella and the podcast setup made it even more twisty and fun to follow. The ending completely caught me off guard and shocked me! Kristin used such descriptive writing that the audio made me feel like I was watching a show or movie. I really enjoyed this one!
Profile Image for Alicia ◡̈.
536 reviews4 followers
January 1, 2026
3⭐️

⁀➷ 🆁🅴🆅🅸🅴🆆

I love a good mix of Christmas + horror. This was a good novella. It just didn’t hit as hard as the first book did. I feel as if when the plot started to finally pick up, it was too late and rushed. 🙁 The twist at the end I honestly didn’t see coming, though!

⁀➷ 🆀🆄🅾🆃🅴🆂

"sᥒ᥆ᥕst᥆rms hᥲ᥎ᥱ ᥲ ᥕᥲy ᥆f tᥙrᥒιᥒg smᥲᥣᥣ pr᥆bᥣᥱms ιᥒt᥆ bιg ᥆ᥒᥱs… ᥱspᥱᥴιᥲᥣᥣy ᥕhᥱᥒ ᥒ᥆ ᥆ᥒᥱ's ᥲr᥆ᥙᥒd t᥆ hᥱᥣp."

⁀➷ 🆃🆁🅾🅿🅴🆂

• Isolated Cabin
• Final Girl Vibes
• Everyone Has A Secret
• Popcorn Thriller

⁀➷ 🆂🅴🆁🅸🅴🆂 🆁🅴🆅🅸🅴🆆

• I’ll Be Alone For Christmas — 4⭐️
• A Christmas To Die For — 3⭐️
• Crazy Little Thing Called Love — TBR

✦❘༻༺❘✦
Profile Image for Felicia Hilliard.
201 reviews
November 21, 2025
This was a fun festive read. The ending totally caught me off guard. Looking forward to more from this series!
Profile Image for Angela.
243 reviews4 followers
December 6, 2025
Meh. It was fine with just the first book.
Profile Image for Alex Fleck.
40 reviews
December 10, 2025
I absolutely loved how fast paced this book was. What I loved is that all of my predictions were wrong throughout the entire book.
It ended in a way I didn’t think possible. I hope that another book comes out and tells us if Holly got away with it or not. For now, this book will stick with me for the near future.
Profile Image for Pasquina Santina.
231 reviews
December 15, 2025
I like how it was kind of a continuation of the first book, but I was confused about the storyline…. And it was a bit all over the place at times. Not as good as the first one
Profile Image for Brian Krup.
240 reviews2 followers
December 25, 2025
I didn’t enjoy this as much as the first novella, I’ll Be Alone for Christmas, but it was still a fun, quick thriller to round out my holiday reads for the year.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 160 reviews

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