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The Christmas Tree Killer
This winter, fear comes gift-wrapped.
*FROM THE KINDLE TOP 20 BESTSELLING AUTHOR*
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…
REAL READERS LOVE THE CHRISTMAS TREE KILLER!
‘An absolute banger of a book. Complex characters that are so well drawn, environments that put shivers down your spine … and most of all another cracking story. I devoured it.’ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
'A gripping, atmospheric page-turner that keeps you guessing until the final reveal.' ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
‘I loved book 1, The Killer’s Christmas List, so I was looking forward to this. What a great read it was too’ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
‘It is the right amount of dark and I found this storyline just as gripping as the last.’ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
'I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would recommend it for a dark winter’s evening with the fire on and a strong drink.' ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
*FROM THE KINDLE TOP 20 BESTSELLING AUTHOR*
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…
REAL READERS LOVE THE CHRISTMAS TREE KILLER!
‘An absolute banger of a book. Complex characters that are so well drawn, environments that put shivers down your spine … and most of all another cracking story. I devoured it.’ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
'A gripping, atmospheric page-turner that keeps you guessing until the final reveal.' ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
‘I loved book 1, The Killer’s Christmas List, so I was looking forward to this. What a great read it was too’ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
‘It is the right amount of dark and I found this storyline just as gripping as the last.’ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
'I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would recommend it for a dark winter’s evening with the fire on and a strong drink.' ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- GenresThriller
Audible Audio
Published November 6, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
November 6, 2025
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.
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.
December 15, 2025
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.
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.
November 6, 2025
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.
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.
December 17, 2025
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.
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.
December 28, 2025
The Christmas Tree Killer, the second book in Chris Frost’s series, is every bit as creepy and chilling as the first — if not more so. Set in the atmospheric Pennines alongside Hadrian’s Wall, the location immediately captures the imagination. The bleak winter landscape perfectly mirrors the darkness of the crimes, making it easy for the reader to visualise the horrors that unfold.
DI Tom Stonem returns as a compelling and well-drawn protagonist, though he is still suffering badly from PTSD following the horrific case he dealt with the previous Christmas. This ongoing trauma, and his continued counselling, add depth and realism to his character. His working relationship with DS Lauren Rea is equally engaging. They function well as a team, yet both are harbouring secrets that gradually come to light as the investigation progresses. This evolving dynamic adds an extra layer to the story and provides moments of warmth and humanity amidst the otherwise grim subject matter.
The case itself is complex and unsettling. Body parts are discovered beneath decorated Christmas trees, each one addressed to a different recipient. Who do the remains belong to, and where are the people named on the tags? As Tom and Lauren begin to piece the clues together, the investigation becomes increasingly tangled and disturbing. The eventual resolution comes about more by chance than methodical deduction, which initially took me by surprise. However, on reflection, it does make sense given how the story unfolds.
While the ending leaves a few questions unanswered, this feels deliberate rather than frustrating, clearly paving the way for the next instalment in the series — one I am very much looking forward to reading.
DI Tom Stonem returns as a compelling and well-drawn protagonist, though he is still suffering badly from PTSD following the horrific case he dealt with the previous Christmas. This ongoing trauma, and his continued counselling, add depth and realism to his character. His working relationship with DS Lauren Rea is equally engaging. They function well as a team, yet both are harbouring secrets that gradually come to light as the investigation progresses. This evolving dynamic adds an extra layer to the story and provides moments of warmth and humanity amidst the otherwise grim subject matter.
The case itself is complex and unsettling. Body parts are discovered beneath decorated Christmas trees, each one addressed to a different recipient. Who do the remains belong to, and where are the people named on the tags? As Tom and Lauren begin to piece the clues together, the investigation becomes increasingly tangled and disturbing. The eventual resolution comes about more by chance than methodical deduction, which initially took me by surprise. However, on reflection, it does make sense given how the story unfolds.
While the ending leaves a few questions unanswered, this feels deliberate rather than frustrating, clearly paving the way for the next instalment in the series — one I am very much looking forward to reading.
November 17, 2025
Book 2 in the DI Stonem series.
I absolutely loved book 1 and I was really looking forward to this. And it did not disappoint! Full of drama and twists I didn't see coming I was hooked from start to finish. Can't wait to read more.
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 warning: 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…
I absolutely loved book 1 and I was really looking forward to this. And it did not disappoint! Full of drama and twists I didn't see coming I was hooked from start to finish. Can't wait to read more.
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 warning: 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…
December 27, 2025
Fantastic seasonal read. Follow up from "The Killer's Christmas List by the brilliant author Chris Frost. I'm based in North East England and it's so refreshing to have a series of books based up here in our neck of the woods with local references. The story is a classic Who did it? Made even better by reading this one over the festive period too. Just finished my 25th book of 2025 so fairly good going to round off the year.
DI Tom Stonem has a potential love interest emerging which was good character development and the plot was very original indeed. Excellent storyline and plot twists etc.
DI Tom Stonem has a potential love interest emerging which was good character development and the plot was very original indeed. Excellent storyline and plot twists etc.
December 11, 2025
Once again, I picked up a book that’s 2nd in a series with very little said about “what happened last year.” Very frustrating. The twist in this book is too hard to believe.
December 17, 2025
Another fabulous Murder mystery from Chris Frost.
I shall look forward to the one he brings out next year
I shall look forward to the one he brings out next year
December 21, 2025
4.5 ⭐
I absolutely love this series, the first book was fantastic and this one was just as good!
I absolutely love this series, the first book was fantastic and this one was just as good!
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews