The Christmas Tree Killer

by Chris Frost

This winter, fear comes gift-wrapped.

In the dead of winter, the Pennine Way is treacherous. As snowstorms hit, hikers have been told to stay away. But not everyone has heeded the a lone walker finds a parcel in the snow, addressed to her. But there’s no festive treat inside. Instead? A severed limb.

DI Tom Stonem is called in to investigate as more gruesome packages appear under the trees. Each is wrapped like a Christmas present, with tags addressed to local residents. Are the intended recipients of these sinister gifts involved in the bloodshed? Or victims of a killer’s cruel game?

As Stonem unwraps the case, the secrets of the forest get ever darker. As December ticks down, it looks like this Christmas, murder is the gift that keeps on giving…

Genres: Christmas, Thriller, Crime, Mystery, Fiction

296 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 6, 2025

Reviews

[Maddie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Christmas Tree Killer is second book in DI Tom Stonem series and it's as gruesome as brilliant. Really well-written, with few surprises thrown in, it's so so good.
Tom Stonem is a great lead, complex and flawed and relatable. It was great to see more of him and hopefully there's more to come soon.

[sophhhhh · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.25 stars | audiobook

i enjoyed it but not as much as the first one. i remember being impressed with it, especially for a christmas book. this one got a little repetitive and the ending shocked me but i wasn’t suprised if that makes sense? just wasn’t what i wanted ig? i’m still excited for the next one tho😛😛 especially for the romance subplot 😛😛

[Scott A. Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Stars. The second one was another excellent Christmas Mystery. Stoneman and Lauren are very good characters with a lot of potential. I hope that the series continues for a long time. This mystery was very strong,holding to the end.There is definitely more for these two in the future. A great Holiday read.

[Jessica Huntley · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great sequel and an exciting plot. 😀

[Caroline | dogtailsandcrimetales · Rating 4 out of 5]

★★★★.5

Christmas is fast approaching and once again DI Tom Stonem is tasked with finding a dark and twisted killer… Amidst a snowstorm, a lone hiker finds a wrapped package addressed to her under a tree along the Pennine Way, but inside is no festive treat. More and more packages appear, yet the intent and identity of the killer remain as elusive as ever, and DI Stonem is once again facing heavy criticism as the local press questions how fit he is to serve after his last case, The Killer’s Christmas List…

When Chris Frost promises you an anti-cozy Christmas, he really means it. Nothing makes that clearer than DI Tom Stonem’s growing anxiety every time he sees a Christmas tree and dreads checking underneath it for a gift wrapped in robin paper. The story pulled me in right away, especially the image of Northumberland buried in deep snow with a lone wrapped gift sitting under a tree in the middle of the forest. Eerie. Even more so when you realize it has your name on it. The characters were wonderfully odd and hard to read, all acting suspicious in their own ways. No one more than Lauren’s new fiancé. That’s right, no one felt safe. I suspected them all.

Tom and Lauren complement each other again, and I still find her a bit sharper than he is. Considering he’s her superior, it makes for some fun dynamics. The local police team added some much needed humor to this dark tale, and I genuinely enjoyed their presence. I am already excited for next Christmas, since this series is quickly becoming a holiday staple for me. I am really hoping for another sequel next year. Highly recommend!

[Katherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this follow up to The Killer's Christmas List, you are met with a very grisly opening scene. A hiker finds a severed limb wrapped in festive paper, but this is just the beginning of a race against time to find out who is responsible.

I was delighted to hear that a second book in this series was being released. It definitely lived up to my expectations!

The plot had me hooked from the very start. It kept me reading into the small hours as I promised myself "just one more chapter". I can't remember the last time I zoomed through a book so quickly.

I enjoyed getting to know Tom more, he is a really great character and the little details into his thoughts and ideas brought him to life for me.

As I progressed through the story I kept going over the suspects in my mind, trying to figure out what had happened. I was kept guessing throughout, excited every time I thought I had spotted a new clue.

The Christmas Tree Killer is a fantastic book that is perfect for the winter months.

Thank you HarperNorth and NetGalley for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

[Nat Eveleigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this book.

Tom and Lauren are detectives, and return to the second instalment of this series. This time their jobs take them away from home after a severed foot is found wrapped neatly as a Christmas present. the hunt begins to find the owner of the foot and who put it there.

I really loved this story. It was fast paced, and every page had something new to tell. It was so gripping that I finished it in record time. Each character was well written, whether I liked them or not, they make the story as good as it is. This is a brilliant story for the festive season, so much more preferable than the lovey dovey ones in my personal opinion. Highly recommended, and cant wait for the next one.

[Trina Dixon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Its a couple of weeks before Christmas and Madison is walking the Penine Way alone. Underneath a pine tree she finds a present with a gift tag addressed to herself. Upon opening, she's horrified to discover a severed limb.
DI Tom Stonem, still reeling from events from last Christmas) is sent with DS Lauren Rea to investigate. The bloody trail continues when more gruesome presents are found. Is there a link between the victims and the recipients.
This is a fast paced novel, set over a couple of weeks leading up to Christmas, it's a rollercoaster of a novel, just as you think you have it all sewn up another curveball throws you in a different direction. It's a clever read and has you reeling. Another sure fire hit from Chris Frost

[K · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maddison is hiking the Penine Way when she sees a parcel wrapped in festive paper, on closer examination it has a label with her name on it, she screams on unwrapping it and turns and runs. Haltwhistle is a small place and the police request help, Tom and Lauren are sent, hoping this is not a repeat of the Christmas before, but the parcel had contained a human foot and soon another parcel is found, this time containing a human hand.
Tom struggles with flash backs to the year before but is determined to solve the case, hopefully before Christmas.
A fast paced story with plenty of twists and an unexpected outcome. My thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the arc.

[Julia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Realising this was book 2 in the DI Tom Stonem series, I read book 1 first which I thoroughly enjoyed.

The Christmas Tree Killer was an easy, enjoyable read with a serial killer at the heart and a touch of romance thrown in for good measure. I was rooting for the ‘couple’ by the end and a good twist added to the story.

You do not need to read book 1 first, book 2 does follow on, but also doesn’t reveal the outcome of the book 1.

[Jean · Rating 5 out of 5]

Madison leaves her fiancé before Christmas to walk the Pennine way in the snow to think of her relationship when she finds a Christmas present addressed to her under a tree but inside is a severed foot.
DI Tom Stonem and his partner Lauren are put on the case when another present is found addressed to another local who Madison knows.
A fast moving story I just couldn't put down wanting to know what was happening.
Loved Tom and Lauren and can't wait to find out what happens to them in the next one of the series.
Would definitely recommend
Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC and I give my honest review

[William · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Christmas Tree Killer(DI Tom Stonem 2)by Chris Frost: ratings story 10/10, characters 10/10,easy to read 10/10, gripping christmas crime story which will have you on tender hooks, plot DI Tom Stonem investigating a serial killer who leaves gruesome Christmas gifts, including a severed limb, for residents of the Pennine Way. I was given this advanced ARC copy of this novel by the kind people at HarperNorth and NetGalley
#chrisfrost #thechristmastreekiller #christmascrimenovel #myenjoyablereads #highlyrecomemded #HarperNorth #NetGalley

[Angela Owen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book in this series and another great read.

Tom and Lauren are asked to investigate after a severed foot is found wrapped up as a Christmas present. As more Christmas presents are found which get more gruesome each time Tom is running out of time to solve the investigation.

I was hooked from the first chapter as the story was fast paced and really kept me guessing until the end.

An excellent read and I can’t wait for the next one to find out what happens with Tom and Lauren.

Thanks to NetGalley, Chris Frost and the publisher for an advance copy in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

[Jane Bridger · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was good to be back with Tom & Lauren they are great characters. Tom & Lauren are called in to assist with a grisly crime where various body parts are wrapped in Christmas paper and addressed to different people who all know each other. Tom is still suffering with the after effects (debilitating oanic attacks) of the crime he worked on last Christmas although he can't accept he is suffering from PTSD. I would love to see the characters in a nine Christmas novel.

[Terry]

A very good 2nd book in the series. It could be read as a stand alone but the first was really good too. So you might as well read that one too.
Poor DI Tom is on the case again. But this time it’s Christmas gifts wrapped and left at places on the penine way. Only problem is these are not gifts you would want to receive.
I found this easy to read, flowed nicely and I really like Tom as a character. Hopefully he pops up in another book in the future.

[Bookgirl888 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Is it ever the wrong time for a Christmas thriller?! Absolutely not! This was full of suspense from the start and had me guesssing all the way to the end. Even when I thought it was solved, there was another twist and I was shocked again. Really pacey and I fell in love with Tom and Lauren. A must read for fans of Christmas, murder abd maybe a kiss under the mistletoe!

[BamBam Bookish · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted a trashy Christmas murder book and I got one, so despite my 2 star rating I am a fan and I will read the 3rd book I've heard is coming out next year...however, there were so many inconsistencies in the details of this book I kept thinking "Oh that's a really obvious error, I'm assuming that's going to be relevant further down the line" and yet it never was. It's like nobody proof read it and it was annoying me by the 3rd or 4th thing I spotted. Also, the ending I was like really???? Is that it? I felt like there could have been an extra twist, or more of a motive as it just seemed random. But like I said...If there's a 3rd Stonem book I'll still read it!

[Kayl_may · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the first book in this series and couldn’t wait to read the second instalment, I was not left disappointed… another 5 star read! A great Christmas police procedural. Lots of twists and red herrings. I love Tom and Lauren’s chemistry. I pray there will be another DI Tom Stonem book released next winter!

[Charlie Morris (Read, Watch & Drink Coffee) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always talk about needing more Christmas-themed thrillers, and this is what I mean!! I really enjoyed the first book in this series, but I loved this one even more!

With another gripping crime and investigation (this one consisting of body parts being wrapped up with a bow - yum!), the story had me hooked with plenty of body parts and even more suspects.

Most of all, I really enjoy the characters, and there is a lot of great character development in this series. They are an engaging bunch to spend time with, who really pick up your spirits alongside all of the murder.

The Christmas Tree Killer is exactly what you want from a Christmas thriller - snow, blood, mystery and revenge alongside laughter, teamwork, and festive cheer.

[Heather Cairns · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read with a decent twist at the end I didn’t guess

[Richard Howard · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a bit of a stretch for me. The solution to the interesting puzzle was not really believable and the two main cops spent an unlikely amount of time obsessing over each other.

[Sofie - sofie's bookquest · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read as an ARC through Netgally.

2.5/5 stars

The Christmas Tree Killer smashed my love for Christmas with a traditional crime novel following a detective's pov. I think I might have read to many books in this genre to be super amazed and entertained. The story was well written and the murders are interesting. But the book follows very traditional and tropy crime suspects and motivations. Also not a big fan of the chemistry between the two detectives we followed. But if you are looking for a traditional crime novel set during the Christmas time you should give it a shot.

[Sharon · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is book #2 of the DI Tom Stonem series. It's the first book I've read in this series and it can easily be read as a standalone. It's Christmas and DI Tom Stonem is leading the investigation into severed body parts being packaged up as Christmas presents and left under Christmas trees around a little village in the Pennines. It's gruesome and shocking, and it's a difficult case for the team to try and solve. It was my first introduction to DI Stonem and I found him to be a likeable character, clever in his case solving and having good relationships with his team. It was an interesting read, and I found the idea of body parts being left around the village a little gory but strangely amusing!! The investigation is well worked and there are plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing as to who the murderer is. I enjoyed the beginning part of the book, being introduced to the characters and settling into the story, but as it moved on it did become a little slow in pace for me and I found myself wanting the conclusion to come a lot quicker. The location was the best part for me, and despite body parts scattered around, it sounded so amazing especially with the snowy setting. Overall, it was an okay read which was good for the time of year!

[Lydia Bailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I used to enjoy reading thrillers/crime novels but after a while they all seemed to get very ‘samey’ and a gave them a wide berth for a few years. In 2025 I’ve got back into them- mainly thanks to Net Galley- and have enjoyed many of the ones I’ve read. I do generally still find them much of a muchness though so this one was a pleasant surprise. It stands head and shoulders above your average crime novel & keeps you guessing all the way through without getting too surreal. The characters of Tom & Lauren are very likeable & I’m looking forward to book 3 to see what happens with them.

[Karen Barber · Rating 3 out of 5]

Only a year after the case that nearly broke him DI Stonem finds himself caught up in a similarly bizarre case.
A walker on the Pennine Way finds a wrapped present with her name on it in woodland. She opens it and discovers a severed foot. Not long after another gift is discovered. This time a severed hand with its ring finger missing. The team have little to go on, but they know they have to work out the connection between the potential recipients and the victims. The clock is ticking.
Nice to see the developing friendship between our two detectives, and the story itself was quite engaging. Once we learn what’s going on it becomes a little more run-of-the-mill but it certainly made for an entertaining read.

[Clare · Rating 4 out of 5]

After the first book i was expecting this to be just as good and unfortunately it just didn't quite hot the spot.
The story was good and had a few twists, but for me personally everything was overshadowed by the MMC deciding he has feelings for his colleague!! Why do you need to do this, just stick to the crime and murders.

[Maureen · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Christmas Tree Killer by Chris Frost (Chris McDonald) is book 2 in the DI Tom Stonem series. I loved book 1, The Killer’s Christmas List, so I was looking forward to this. What a great read it was too. A hiker on the Pennine Way, Maddison, comes across a tree with baubles on it and a wrapped Christmas present underneath addressed to her. Tom and his partner DS Lauren Rea have travelled to Haltwhistle to investigate. Tom is still suffering from the intense case from the year before. I was absorbed in the story as it drew me in. With this bizarre crime, someone is playing games and there are quite a few twists. It wasn’t till the end that I knew who the murderer was. Love the author’s writing. Some beautiful passages I found as I read it. I loved Tom’s way of unwinding. He likes to sit down with a book and a hot chocolate, not that he got the chance during this investigation.

[Kerry Henderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Many thanks to Netgalley and Harper North for the opportunity to read this book.
Its christmas and murder is afoot once more. Tom finds himself caught up in another festive mystery. Presents are being found with body parts inside but who do they belong to and can he find the killer. Can Tom handle this after last years christmas horror?

This is book 2 in the series and follows along after the first one. You don't necessarily have to read it first but it wuld help explain certain things about Tom. I do like that he isn't completely fine, that he still struggles because it makes this more real and honest. The plot itself is clever and twisted. This is no cosy festive msytery. Its much darker but its so good. The ending was really good. I lliked the big reveal and how it all came about. PLus the end scene with Tom was perfect too. I do like Tom he's been through a lot but still works hard to solve crimes. a brilliant christmas murder mystery if you like them darker.

[Hobart · Rating 3 out of 5]

This originally appeared at The Irresponsible Reader.
---

‘Obviously the timing isn’t ideal, what with it being so close to Christmas…’

Tom shivered. He hoped that festive murders were not going to become his professional speciality. He supposed the dark of winter was a good time for hiding dark deeds – but some were darker than others.

WHAT'S THE CHRISTMAS TREE KILLER ABOUT?
You don't have to unwrap every package with your name on it. Especially if you're out on a long hike in the woods by yourself and you come across a package with your name on it. I'm just saying. Of course, the impulse to open it is going to be there—curiosity killed the cat, right? And in this case, traumatized the hiker. Because there was a severed foot underneath the wrapping paper.

Now, as feet are usually attached to people and not typically used in even White Elephant exchanges, the police get involved. The local force isn't quite up to dealing with a case this extensive, so they call in help from another local force. That help ends up being DI Tom Stonem and his partner. Before they can make too much progress with this foot, another body part is found—and the gift tag bears another name.

It's pretty clear that this is going to be anything but a holly or jolly Christmas unless Tom and his colleagues can figure out what's going on (and where the rest of the body/bodies are).

WELL, NOW I FEEL LIKE A JERK...
As soon as I saw that Frost was giving us another Christmas-themed mystery, I started joking about it to myself (and I think in a post or two here). Naturally, I wasn't the only one—Tom and a couple of colleagues indulged in some dark humor about it.

But a local reporter (who had a run-in with Tom before) isn't joking about it. As the investigation doesn't produce instant results, he starts taunting Tom and even runs a story. I'll give you a sample of.

The headline was repeated here, bold and unapologetic. Beneath it was a photograph of him from last year pinning a journalist to a wall outside Gateshead police station. Tearing his eyes away from the photo, he started on the article.

CHRISTMAS CURSE FOR DI STONEM

Another holiday season, another body count – should DI Tom Stonem still be leading investigations?...

For most, Christmas brings music, mince pies and cherished moments with family. For DI Tom Stonem, it seems to bring something far more sinister: murder.

The embattled detective, who transferred to Gateshead following what police sources once called ‘commendable service’ in Manchester, has once again found himself at the centre of a high-profile homicide investigation – his second Christmas running.

This gets to Tom--who's still dealing with the events of last year's case, and is starting to make some progress. This sets him back and gets into his head.

It: 1. Is a really good idea, and worked well with the story on many levels.
2. Made me feel like a jerk for mocking the guy.

I got over it, sure. Still...

PERSONAL STORIES
The romantic subplot(s) worked out pretty much the way you think they would—the primary one seems a bad idea for all involved, but that’s not for me to say. Frost did it well enough, but it could maybe have used a little more subtlety in the depiction.

The familial stories, on the other hand, were done well. I hope we get to see a bit more of Tom’s family in the books to come. I thought that went really well.

SO, WHAT DID I THINK ABOUT THE CHRISTMAS TREE KILLER?

‘Standard practice out here, apparently. I don’t think I’m made for the country.’

‘Nor me,’ she said, a wry smile on her face. ‘Though, don’t you think it’s funny that we’re repulsed at some dead moles when we’re potentially walking towards another severed human foot like it’s just another day at the office.’

Some of the procedural moments bothered me—they spent too long before trying to track down people associated with the first “gift’s” recipient, I had a hard time buying that from an investigative point of view. And from the point of view of someone who’s read a lot of books like this? You just knew it was going to end badly, the only question was how. Also, there was one person they should’ve looked at more closely early on—but if they had, this would’ve been a short story. So, I get why they didn’t—but maybe Frost could’ve sold it a bit better.

It's a clever little mystery novel—with some decent red herrings, some good twists and reveals along the line. The pacing was good—maybe its strongest suit—once you get into this, you have to see it through—and your attention isn’t given a lot of room to waver.

It’s maybe not your mother’s idea of a pleasant Christmas read—but it’ll scratch an itch for a good segment of readers. If you can find a corner to tuck yourself away in for a couple of hours without delighted children or chatty relatives, it’d be a perfect read for Dec. 25.

If only for the sake of his reputation, I do hope that Tom’s next adventure happens on a nice, summery day. Or perhaps mid-Spring. Regardless of the season, if Frost does bring us another book featuring him—I’m eager to read it.

[Jackiesreadingcorner · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s great to be back with DI Tom Stonem—honestly, it feels like a lifetime since I read book one and the author’s other work. I was so pleased to get my hands on this one. Although it’s book two in the series, it can easily be read as a standalone, though reading the first book does give valuable insight into Tom’s PTSD.

A year has passed since Tom nearly died during his previous case. He’s now, albeit reluctantly, seeing a psychotherapist and slowly starting to take their advice on board. Just as he’s working through this, a new case pulls him to Haltwhistle, where a young hiker discovers a Christmas-wrapped foot. The disturbing question quickly becomes: who does the foot belong to—and where is the rest of the body? Tom works the case with DS Lauren Rea, and he’s relieved to have her by his side. Their partnership is one of the strengths of this series.

The timeline starts on 14th December. With Christmas approaching fast, can they catch the killer in time? Tom and Lauren arrive on the 15th, the morning after the foot is found. The hiker, Maddison, who discovered it while walking the Pennine Way, insists on continuing her journey—despite the fact the parcel was addressed to her. Then, on the evening of the 15th, another wrapped parcel appears, this time addressed to someone named Niall.

At the mortuary, they learn that the foot and hand found so far are both from a male—but possibly not the same male. If the fingerprints come up empty, identifying the victims is going to be an uphill battle.

By 2 a.m., the team reconvenes to share updates and assign tasks. The next day, the DCI schedules a press conference and expects Tom, as SIO, to attend. This is a major trigger for him given past events, and he struggles to stay calm—made worse when a panic attack hits.

After the press event, a woman calls, asking to meet Tom and Lauren. She reports her husband missing and immediately recognises the hand from the photograph because of a distinctive scar. Now the question becomes whether the foot belongs to him as well.

As the investigation unfolds and another body part surfaces, things grow even more complex: the parts appear to come from different people. Who would do this? And why? The only link so far is that the people they’ve interviewed all knew each other from school ten years earlier.

This is another brilliant read from the author. I’ve read all his books and have never been disappointed. The plot is clever, with some excellent twists—plenty of opportunities to guess, second-guess, and still be surprised. Several chapters are told from the perpetrator’s perspective, but cleverly written without gendered pronouns, keeping you guessing whether it’s one person or more.

Will they catch the killer? Will they find the remaining body parts? What’s the motive? There are so many questions pulling you through the story.

I really like Tom Stonem and Lauren Rea. They’re relatable, likeable, and the humour they share adds warmth and balance to the darker elements. The plot flows well at a solid pace, keeping your attention throughout. I’m already looking forward to whatever comes next.