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When the Bell Tolls
A Christmas Carol retelling
139 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 1, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
December 5, 2025
this is The retelling of A Christmas Carrol. A little darker maybe And just Fantastic. best version I have ever read!! with the grandfather telling this tale to his Grandchildren on A night sleep over. this one might even bring A tear to the eye. HIGHLY RECOMMEND !
November 30, 2025
Glorious, absolutely glorious! The concept, the story ideas, the execution, the atmosphere, the authors! "When The Bell Tolls" starts with a grandpa speaking to his grandchildren, telling them the story of Dickens' "A Christmas Carol," when a grandkid doubts the veracity of the tale. What follows is a brilliant retelling of the famous Christmas story - the HORROR edition, so to speak! -, each chapter presenting the viewpoint of a different character, from Marley and Tiny Tim to Scrooge himself, interspersed with very short conversations between the grandpa explaining some detail and the kids reacting to it. It's an awesome idea, and holy moly (or should I say "Blimey!"), does it work!
The conversations are written by Lisa Breanne, who came up with the idea of the book, and the chapters are authored by easily recognizable names from the indie horror scene: M.L. Rayner (Jacob Marley), Ben Young (Bob Cratchit), Jyl Glenn (Emily Cratchit), Matt Lutton (Tiny Tim), Savannah R Fischer (The Ghost of Christmas Past), Steven Pajak (The Ghost of Christmas Present), Matt Shaw (The Ghost of Christmas Yet To Come), Jason Kuykendall (Ebenezer Scrooge)!
The stories are true gems: bleak, dark and haunting as needed (no gore, just heavy wintery atmosphere), hopeful, moving and heartfelt if the story demands it. They reconceive Dickens' story, giving it a new spin, retouching the fantastic elements with the skill only a horror author can apply! And all of them infused with so much of the Christmas spirit! It's an incredibly attractive combination of the familiar and the uncanny, made to be read aloud (so many different voices), the perfect gift for kids who love horror and those adults who appreciate a Christmas story retold with new depth, novel complexities and riveting insight - brimming with love, faith, and hair-raising brushes with Death (literally!). And Leanne's twist in the end - genius!
I can't praise the book enough, I loved this new take on the Christmas Carol! Highly recommended!
The conversations are written by Lisa Breanne, who came up with the idea of the book, and the chapters are authored by easily recognizable names from the indie horror scene: M.L. Rayner (Jacob Marley), Ben Young (Bob Cratchit), Jyl Glenn (Emily Cratchit), Matt Lutton (Tiny Tim), Savannah R Fischer (The Ghost of Christmas Past), Steven Pajak (The Ghost of Christmas Present), Matt Shaw (The Ghost of Christmas Yet To Come), Jason Kuykendall (Ebenezer Scrooge)!
The stories are true gems: bleak, dark and haunting as needed (no gore, just heavy wintery atmosphere), hopeful, moving and heartfelt if the story demands it. They reconceive Dickens' story, giving it a new spin, retouching the fantastic elements with the skill only a horror author can apply! And all of them infused with so much of the Christmas spirit! It's an incredibly attractive combination of the familiar and the uncanny, made to be read aloud (so many different voices), the perfect gift for kids who love horror and those adults who appreciate a Christmas story retold with new depth, novel complexities and riveting insight - brimming with love, faith, and hair-raising brushes with Death (literally!). And Leanne's twist in the end - genius!
I can't praise the book enough, I loved this new take on the Christmas Carol! Highly recommended!
November 17, 2025
When The Bell Tolls is a retelling of A Christmas Carol, told through the many perspectives of the characters that fill the story.
But if for one moment you think this is the story you know, think again.
With a narrative thread expertly sewn by Lisa Breanne running through this anthology, the story comes alive in a truly new way. With some titans of the indie horror world on hand to pen the characters rich and varied stories, this anthology is the perfect haunting Christmas read.
From M.L. Rayner’s trademark classic atmosphere giving Marley the gravitas and heartbreak that his character sorely needed, we veer to the world of the Cratchits, brought to life by Ben Young, Jyl Glenn, and Matt Lutton. Jyl’s tale of Emily Cratchit is haunting, harrowing, and has a real depth that stayed with me long after I finished. Matt and Ben breathe new life into Tiny Tim and Bob respectively, adding so much complexity to each.
The ghost of Christmas Past goes to Savannah Fischer, a heart-wrenching tale of the spirit that is the hardest to define. Steven Pajak takes The Ghost of Christmas Present, a bleak yet somehow still warm story that only he could do justice. Then we come to the last in this Parliament of Matts: The Ghost of Christmas Yet To Come, brought to bone-chilling life by Matt Shaw. This was one of my top three stories: allowing the perspective of the Ghost whilst maintaining the ethereal mystery that he cannot be truly brought to life. Expertly done.
Finally, Jason Kuykendall gives voice to Scrooge himself: and I was blown away by the strength of Jason’s narrative voice, his style, and the elegance of his quiet darkness. Bravo.
Under the expert narration provided by the over-arching story that Lisa Breanne has given us, this is a totally new take on A Christmas Carol, and personally I think this might be my favourite version to date. And I love the Muppet version.
Do not wait on this one: this needs to be read in the darkest of winter evenings as the cold envelops you. A perfect, quiet horror, this is Christmas at its best, told by the best voices that could have possibly given life to the characters.
But if for one moment you think this is the story you know, think again.
With a narrative thread expertly sewn by Lisa Breanne running through this anthology, the story comes alive in a truly new way. With some titans of the indie horror world on hand to pen the characters rich and varied stories, this anthology is the perfect haunting Christmas read.
From M.L. Rayner’s trademark classic atmosphere giving Marley the gravitas and heartbreak that his character sorely needed, we veer to the world of the Cratchits, brought to life by Ben Young, Jyl Glenn, and Matt Lutton. Jyl’s tale of Emily Cratchit is haunting, harrowing, and has a real depth that stayed with me long after I finished. Matt and Ben breathe new life into Tiny Tim and Bob respectively, adding so much complexity to each.
The ghost of Christmas Past goes to Savannah Fischer, a heart-wrenching tale of the spirit that is the hardest to define. Steven Pajak takes The Ghost of Christmas Present, a bleak yet somehow still warm story that only he could do justice. Then we come to the last in this Parliament of Matts: The Ghost of Christmas Yet To Come, brought to bone-chilling life by Matt Shaw. This was one of my top three stories: allowing the perspective of the Ghost whilst maintaining the ethereal mystery that he cannot be truly brought to life. Expertly done.
Finally, Jason Kuykendall gives voice to Scrooge himself: and I was blown away by the strength of Jason’s narrative voice, his style, and the elegance of his quiet darkness. Bravo.
Under the expert narration provided by the over-arching story that Lisa Breanne has given us, this is a totally new take on A Christmas Carol, and personally I think this might be my favourite version to date. And I love the Muppet version.
Do not wait on this one: this needs to be read in the darkest of winter evenings as the cold envelops you. A perfect, quiet horror, this is Christmas at its best, told by the best voices that could have possibly given life to the characters.
November 15, 2025
This is more than a re-telling of A Christmas Carol, this is the story brought to life from the perspectives of the characters.
Each character arc is written by a different author that brings an intensity of character narrative that seamlessly combine.
ML Rayner’s Jacob Marley is deeply atmospheric, you savour every word as you discover the man shackled to his own regrets and his reasons to warn his old colleague. I particularly loved the attention to detail in following the true Dickensian spirit of character naming (that’s all you’re getting - no spoilers!)
Ben Young’s Bob Cratchit captures despair and helplessness, and his need to display a positive outlook, whatever life throws at him
Jyl Glenn’s Emily Cratchit shows an inner strength and dedication to her family, where even the smallest of changes alerts her to something troubling.
Matt Luton’s Tiny Tim is heartbreaking. It goes behind the facade of his outward optimism and exposes a selfless maturity that propels him beyond his pain.
Savannah R Fischer’s Ghost of Christmas Past provides a heart-tugging back story of life before she passed. Her portrayal has such an authentic voice that immediately draws you in.
Steven Pajak’s Ghost of Christmas Present is so powerful. This is as far away from.a Hallmark narrative than you can get with its poignant portrait of the realities of the world.
Matt Shaw’s Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come has a heart-pounding intensity, it is dark and sinister, but its absolute beauty is the imagery it conjures in your mind where the unsaid has a real foreboding.
Jason Kuykendall’s Ebenezer Scrooge has a uniqueness in setting and provides that lump in your throat moment. Did he learn his lesson? (No spoilers!)
Lisa Breanne’s Narrator does more than just interlink the chapters, it has a distinct character arc that keeps you guessing.
A fabulous read.
Each character arc is written by a different author that brings an intensity of character narrative that seamlessly combine.
ML Rayner’s Jacob Marley is deeply atmospheric, you savour every word as you discover the man shackled to his own regrets and his reasons to warn his old colleague. I particularly loved the attention to detail in following the true Dickensian spirit of character naming (that’s all you’re getting - no spoilers!)
Ben Young’s Bob Cratchit captures despair and helplessness, and his need to display a positive outlook, whatever life throws at him
Jyl Glenn’s Emily Cratchit shows an inner strength and dedication to her family, where even the smallest of changes alerts her to something troubling.
Matt Luton’s Tiny Tim is heartbreaking. It goes behind the facade of his outward optimism and exposes a selfless maturity that propels him beyond his pain.
Savannah R Fischer’s Ghost of Christmas Past provides a heart-tugging back story of life before she passed. Her portrayal has such an authentic voice that immediately draws you in.
Steven Pajak’s Ghost of Christmas Present is so powerful. This is as far away from.a Hallmark narrative than you can get with its poignant portrait of the realities of the world.
Matt Shaw’s Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come has a heart-pounding intensity, it is dark and sinister, but its absolute beauty is the imagery it conjures in your mind where the unsaid has a real foreboding.
Jason Kuykendall’s Ebenezer Scrooge has a uniqueness in setting and provides that lump in your throat moment. Did he learn his lesson? (No spoilers!)
Lisa Breanne’s Narrator does more than just interlink the chapters, it has a distinct character arc that keeps you guessing.
A fabulous read.
December 1, 2025
When the Bell Tolls Review
It is not even a question. This is the best retelling of A Christmas Carol I have ever read. The story is short but packed with heart and award-worthy prose. What stood out to me most was the writing itself. It is absolutely phenomenal. The character voice is a masterclass that pays tribute to Dickens and the era. I typically fly through stories I love because, well, I love them. But this time, I slowed down to savor every word, and I am glad I did.
The format is brilliant. It is a story within a story and uses the same characters found in the classic tale. The narrater (a grandfather telling the tale) is written by Lisa Breanne. Her writing is flawless and balances the darkness of the tale with the light-hearted exchanges of a grandfather, whose identity is revealed at the end, as he tells the story. It expertly prepares the reader for the next foray into Dickens’ timeless classic.
M L Rayner Author shows Jacob Marley’s spirit bearing witness to Ebenezer’s cold indifference to the suffering around him, even as his clients beg for respite. The prose is hauntingly beautiful and poetic, and the narrative voice evokes the time and place with elegant precision.
Ben Young shows us what a father should be as he tells Bob Cratchit’s story. He is a provider, resolute, and willing to do anything to care for his family. Fathers everywhere can only hope to have even a sliver of his tireless devotion.
Jyl Glenn threads in the creepiness, lacing her chapter with frightful happenings inside the Cratchit house while grounding the story in classic horror narrative. She also illustrates the cost of the lessons to be learned, a cost well worth paying. Her depiction of Emily Cratchit highlights the strength of a mother’s love and gives the story both weight and perspective. Jyl’s chapter keeps the classic horror elements grounded and effective.
Matt Lutton “Tiny Tim” chapter reveals what happiness and unbridled joy truly are and how much perspective matters. It is heavy, heartfelt, and poignant.
The Ghost of Christmas Present chapter is a gut punch of truth. Steven Pajak pulls away the façade we all wear during Christmas. It is about truth, whether we like it or not. It reveals the truth of human want and ignorance and the beautiful suffering that grows from it.
I was thrilled to see Savannah R. Fischer was included in this anthology (is this an anthology? It didn’t feel like it) She depicts the Ghost of Christmas Past, and as always, her prose is gorgeous. I loved The Broken Chord so much, and she delivered my favorite line in the entire collection:
“Let’s get two things straight and one thing curly. I love Christmas, I am a ghost, and yes, these curls are all natural.” I absolutely loved it!
Matt Shaw delivers a splendid depiction of the consequences of a heartless Scrooge. Throughout the entire chapter, I did not want to turn the page as Scrooge witnesses the darkness that awaits him if he refuses to change. It’s portrayed with expert precision.
Jason Kuykendall take on Ebenezer offers a different fate that becomes an act of ultimate love. Honestly, I prefer this ending over every other retelling I have read.
I never expected a Christmas Carol retelling to rank this high on my list of favorite reads of the year. Yet here it is, sitting right beside The Sorrowstones and Nick’s The Exorcist House: Resurrection.
It is not even a question. This is the best retelling of A Christmas Carol I have ever read. The story is short but packed with heart and award-worthy prose. What stood out to me most was the writing itself. It is absolutely phenomenal. The character voice is a masterclass that pays tribute to Dickens and the era. I typically fly through stories I love because, well, I love them. But this time, I slowed down to savor every word, and I am glad I did.
The format is brilliant. It is a story within a story and uses the same characters found in the classic tale. The narrater (a grandfather telling the tale) is written by Lisa Breanne. Her writing is flawless and balances the darkness of the tale with the light-hearted exchanges of a grandfather, whose identity is revealed at the end, as he tells the story. It expertly prepares the reader for the next foray into Dickens’ timeless classic.
M L Rayner Author shows Jacob Marley’s spirit bearing witness to Ebenezer’s cold indifference to the suffering around him, even as his clients beg for respite. The prose is hauntingly beautiful and poetic, and the narrative voice evokes the time and place with elegant precision.
Ben Young shows us what a father should be as he tells Bob Cratchit’s story. He is a provider, resolute, and willing to do anything to care for his family. Fathers everywhere can only hope to have even a sliver of his tireless devotion.
Jyl Glenn threads in the creepiness, lacing her chapter with frightful happenings inside the Cratchit house while grounding the story in classic horror narrative. She also illustrates the cost of the lessons to be learned, a cost well worth paying. Her depiction of Emily Cratchit highlights the strength of a mother’s love and gives the story both weight and perspective. Jyl’s chapter keeps the classic horror elements grounded and effective.
Matt Lutton “Tiny Tim” chapter reveals what happiness and unbridled joy truly are and how much perspective matters. It is heavy, heartfelt, and poignant.
The Ghost of Christmas Present chapter is a gut punch of truth. Steven Pajak pulls away the façade we all wear during Christmas. It is about truth, whether we like it or not. It reveals the truth of human want and ignorance and the beautiful suffering that grows from it.
I was thrilled to see Savannah R. Fischer was included in this anthology (is this an anthology? It didn’t feel like it) She depicts the Ghost of Christmas Past, and as always, her prose is gorgeous. I loved The Broken Chord so much, and she delivered my favorite line in the entire collection:
“Let’s get two things straight and one thing curly. I love Christmas, I am a ghost, and yes, these curls are all natural.” I absolutely loved it!
Matt Shaw delivers a splendid depiction of the consequences of a heartless Scrooge. Throughout the entire chapter, I did not want to turn the page as Scrooge witnesses the darkness that awaits him if he refuses to change. It’s portrayed with expert precision.
Jason Kuykendall take on Ebenezer offers a different fate that becomes an act of ultimate love. Honestly, I prefer this ending over every other retelling I have read.
I never expected a Christmas Carol retelling to rank this high on my list of favorite reads of the year. Yet here it is, sitting right beside The Sorrowstones and Nick’s The Exorcist House: Resurrection.
November 21, 2025
When The Bell Tolls
5🔔🔔🔔🔔🔔
This is a fantastic retelling of A Christmas Carol. As a huge lover of Christmas I couldn't wait to dig into this one. And wow I was blown away. Please have your tissues ready.
Matt Rayner as Jacob Marley..classic and poetic... I read this chapter twice.
Ben Young as Bob Cratchit.. brought me to tears. The love Bob has for his family is so deep.
Jyl Glenn as Emily Cratchit..was creepy and unsettling, yet Emily was the mother we could all wish to be.
Matt Lutton as Tiny Tim.... my love for Tiny Tim grew in this story thanks Matt
Savannah Fisher as The Ghost of Christmas Past ..."I am the Ghost of Christmas Past. You’ve forgotten the true meaning of Christmas—of light and love, family and hope, and of giving freely of oneself. I’m here to remind you.” ❤️
Steven Pajak as The Ghost of Christmas Present ... this chapter will make you stop and think is there more I can do?
Matt Shaw as The Ghost of Christmas yet to come... I was quite scared of this Ghost, but aren't we all to some point.
Jason Kuykendall as Ebenezer Scrooge ... I won't tell you much about this chapter... but you will definitely see Scrooge in a different way.
Lisa Breanne The Narrator did an amazing job telling Robert's story. My heart was full by chapter 6 and had me remembering all my loved one that have left.
The Dedication in the book was amazing and has me missing my mom and grandma.
5🔔🔔🔔🔔🔔
This is a fantastic retelling of A Christmas Carol. As a huge lover of Christmas I couldn't wait to dig into this one. And wow I was blown away. Please have your tissues ready.
Matt Rayner as Jacob Marley..classic and poetic... I read this chapter twice.
Ben Young as Bob Cratchit.. brought me to tears. The love Bob has for his family is so deep.
Jyl Glenn as Emily Cratchit..was creepy and unsettling, yet Emily was the mother we could all wish to be.
Matt Lutton as Tiny Tim.... my love for Tiny Tim grew in this story thanks Matt
Savannah Fisher as The Ghost of Christmas Past ..."I am the Ghost of Christmas Past. You’ve forgotten the true meaning of Christmas—of light and love, family and hope, and of giving freely of oneself. I’m here to remind you.” ❤️
Steven Pajak as The Ghost of Christmas Present ... this chapter will make you stop and think is there more I can do?
Matt Shaw as The Ghost of Christmas yet to come... I was quite scared of this Ghost, but aren't we all to some point.
Jason Kuykendall as Ebenezer Scrooge ... I won't tell you much about this chapter... but you will definitely see Scrooge in a different way.
Lisa Breanne The Narrator did an amazing job telling Robert's story. My heart was full by chapter 6 and had me remembering all my loved one that have left.
The Dedication in the book was amazing and has me missing my mom and grandma.
November 23, 2025
We all know the story of Ebenezer Scrooge and his three spirits of Christmas, that helped changing his wretched paths.
And if you loved that story, you absolutely need to read When the Bell Tolls.
This imaginative retelling not only brings a fresh spin to the classic story, but through the voices of some extremely talented authors, it gives life to the classic's characters in a way even Dickens would be jealous about.
With a delicate pen on fresh paper, what the authors brought forth is an image so complex, daunting and heartbreaking of not only Scrooge, but of the spirits and Marley, Cratchit and Tiny Tim as well.
Perfect and hauntingly astonishing! 💖
And if you loved that story, you absolutely need to read When the Bell Tolls.
This imaginative retelling not only brings a fresh spin to the classic story, but through the voices of some extremely talented authors, it gives life to the classic's characters in a way even Dickens would be jealous about.
With a delicate pen on fresh paper, what the authors brought forth is an image so complex, daunting and heartbreaking of not only Scrooge, but of the spirits and Marley, Cratchit and Tiny Tim as well.
Perfect and hauntingly astonishing! 💖
November 17, 2025
This retelling of A Christmas Carol is easily one of the best versions I've ever read. It brings a fresh new look at the well known tale by having authors write for different characters perspectives, and gives a more in depth portrayal of their lives and motivations.
With tales from ML Rayner, Ben Young, Jyl Glenn, Matt Lutton, Savannah Fischer, Steven Pajak, Matt Shaw, and Jason Kuykendall, the story is written by absolute powerhouses of the indie horror world, and each individual story is woven seamlessly together by Lisa Breannes narrator, who has their own mysterious tale to tell and will keep you guessing right up until the very end.
This is an unputdownable story and I can't wait to add it to my collection of annual Christmas readings.
With tales from ML Rayner, Ben Young, Jyl Glenn, Matt Lutton, Savannah Fischer, Steven Pajak, Matt Shaw, and Jason Kuykendall, the story is written by absolute powerhouses of the indie horror world, and each individual story is woven seamlessly together by Lisa Breannes narrator, who has their own mysterious tale to tell and will keep you guessing right up until the very end.
This is an unputdownable story and I can't wait to add it to my collection of annual Christmas readings.
December 1, 2025
Hey there, book lovers! It’s your old pal, Ninetoes, coming to you from Ninetoes Loves Books Headquarters. Today, I look at When the Bell Tolls: A Christmas Carol Retelling. I have coffee in my system and my thinking cap on, so let’s get to it!
When I heard of this book, my first question was, “Do we need a retelling of A Christmas Carol?” In the spirit of transparency, I am a fan of Charles Dickens, and A Christmas Carol is one of my favorites of his stories. That being said, I went into this one with some trepidation.
This book is an anthology, with eight contributing authors: John Ward, M.L. Rayner, Ben Young, Jyl Glenn, Savannah R. Fischer, Steven Pajak, Matt Shaw, and Jason Kuykendal. Each author covered an aspect/character of Dickens’ classic tale, from Jacob Marley to Ebeneezer Scrooge and all points in between. THIS is where the magic of this book comes in. Each author understood their assignment and they delivered in a way that would make Charles Dickens smile! Each story is excellent. Truly, there is not a bum story in the bunch, and what makes it even better is that the next story stands on the shoulders of the previous tale to deliver a thoroughly enjoyable reading experience. However, I would be remiss if I failed to mention the narrator of this tale, masterfully written by Lisa Breanne!
If I were forced to pick out a story that stood out among all of them, I would have to choose Emily Cratchit by Jyl Glenn. She gives us a look at a character who is more of a footnote than a character. If memory serves correctly, Emily is mentioned in passing, and not much attention is given to her. In Ms.Glenn’s hands, she is brought to life and given the credit she deserves.
Savannah R. Fischer, Steven Pajak, and Matt Shaw gave us the three ghosts that visit Scrooge, and they brought our real-world concerns into a tale that is 182 years old. Each ghost is truly haunting in its own right; however, Ms. Fischer broke the mold of the Ghost of Christmas Present in a most unique way (and you are going to have to read the book to find out what I mean!) This does not take away from Mr. Pajak and Mr. Shaw; their ghosts were thought-provoking and relatable, but the one Ms. Fischer had brought tears to my eyes.
I would be remiss if I did not mention Jason Kuykendal’s handling of Ebeneezer Scrooge. He takes us beyond Christmas dinner with the Cratchits and shows us the true meaning of the word redemption, but the question remains: is it enough to balance the scales of a lifetime of evil?
I asked at the beginning if we needed a retelling of A Christmas Carol, and the answer is a definitive yes, if it is THIS book! It is imaginative and builds upon a classic making it a story all of its own while respecting the source material.
I give this book 5 very enthusiastic bookmarks out of 5!
When I heard of this book, my first question was, “Do we need a retelling of A Christmas Carol?” In the spirit of transparency, I am a fan of Charles Dickens, and A Christmas Carol is one of my favorites of his stories. That being said, I went into this one with some trepidation.
This book is an anthology, with eight contributing authors: John Ward, M.L. Rayner, Ben Young, Jyl Glenn, Savannah R. Fischer, Steven Pajak, Matt Shaw, and Jason Kuykendal. Each author covered an aspect/character of Dickens’ classic tale, from Jacob Marley to Ebeneezer Scrooge and all points in between. THIS is where the magic of this book comes in. Each author understood their assignment and they delivered in a way that would make Charles Dickens smile! Each story is excellent. Truly, there is not a bum story in the bunch, and what makes it even better is that the next story stands on the shoulders of the previous tale to deliver a thoroughly enjoyable reading experience. However, I would be remiss if I failed to mention the narrator of this tale, masterfully written by Lisa Breanne!
If I were forced to pick out a story that stood out among all of them, I would have to choose Emily Cratchit by Jyl Glenn. She gives us a look at a character who is more of a footnote than a character. If memory serves correctly, Emily is mentioned in passing, and not much attention is given to her. In Ms.Glenn’s hands, she is brought to life and given the credit she deserves.
Savannah R. Fischer, Steven Pajak, and Matt Shaw gave us the three ghosts that visit Scrooge, and they brought our real-world concerns into a tale that is 182 years old. Each ghost is truly haunting in its own right; however, Ms. Fischer broke the mold of the Ghost of Christmas Present in a most unique way (and you are going to have to read the book to find out what I mean!) This does not take away from Mr. Pajak and Mr. Shaw; their ghosts were thought-provoking and relatable, but the one Ms. Fischer had brought tears to my eyes.
I would be remiss if I did not mention Jason Kuykendal’s handling of Ebeneezer Scrooge. He takes us beyond Christmas dinner with the Cratchits and shows us the true meaning of the word redemption, but the question remains: is it enough to balance the scales of a lifetime of evil?
I asked at the beginning if we needed a retelling of A Christmas Carol, and the answer is a definitive yes, if it is THIS book! It is imaginative and builds upon a classic making it a story all of its own while respecting the source material.
I give this book 5 very enthusiastic bookmarks out of 5!
December 18, 2025
A darker retelling of A Christmas Carol, this one is dripping with emotion and delves deep into human nature, holding true to the original but enhancing it with depth and bringing each character to life in imaginative ways.
Filled with a who's who of indie horror, each character is written by an author as they each struggle through the consequences of Scrooge's actions as well as take him through a journey of his life in the case of the Christmas ghosts.
The horror aspect is kept light here situationally, instead focusing on the perspective of each character. Each tale is woven seamlessly into the flow of the book and are consistently amazingly written. Its a tale that focuses on humanity and the darkness they face both externally and internally and this retelling does it better then any of the ones I've read in the past.
You're definitely going to need your tissues handy for this one.
It's a beautiful retelling of a classic that really should be read by anyone who's a fan of the original and want to dig deeper into each character. An easy five star recommendation.
Filled with a who's who of indie horror, each character is written by an author as they each struggle through the consequences of Scrooge's actions as well as take him through a journey of his life in the case of the Christmas ghosts.
The horror aspect is kept light here situationally, instead focusing on the perspective of each character. Each tale is woven seamlessly into the flow of the book and are consistently amazingly written. Its a tale that focuses on humanity and the darkness they face both externally and internally and this retelling does it better then any of the ones I've read in the past.
You're definitely going to need your tissues handy for this one.
It's a beautiful retelling of a classic that really should be read by anyone who's a fan of the original and want to dig deeper into each character. An easy five star recommendation.
November 26, 2025
A Christmas Carol has always been a favourite of mine, a simple story of a miserable, wealthy businessman who puts money above people and relationships.
But this beautifully crafted ‘anthology’ goes deep into all the characters, including Scrooge himself, written by a variety of some of the best indie horror authors on the scene right now. As one character’s story is told, the next one picks up seamlessly, and the reader could be excused for thinking the work is by one author only, such is the elegant storytelling.
I loved everything about this masterfully assembled retelling, and would recommend it to anyone who is a fan of any of the versions they have read or watched. Thank you to all involved for providing me with a wonderful reading experience.
But this beautifully crafted ‘anthology’ goes deep into all the characters, including Scrooge himself, written by a variety of some of the best indie horror authors on the scene right now. As one character’s story is told, the next one picks up seamlessly, and the reader could be excused for thinking the work is by one author only, such is the elegant storytelling.
I loved everything about this masterfully assembled retelling, and would recommend it to anyone who is a fan of any of the versions they have read or watched. Thank you to all involved for providing me with a wonderful reading experience.
December 2, 2025
When the Bell Tolls, curated by Lisa Breanne, features several of our beloved indie authors. This is a retelling of the story of Ebenezer Scrooge and A Christmas Carol.
I quite enjoyed reading this one. Getting different flavors, so to speak, from the different authors was a lot of fun.
Lisa's sections are a wonderful fireside tale. I think (it's still simmering some) my favorite section aside from that was Jason Kuykendall's. I'm going to have to go find more from him.
I will say there were some tense issues and some person issues, but I imagine those got fixed during the final edit prior to release today.
👻👻👻👻 from me. Excellent holiday read.
I quite enjoyed reading this one. Getting different flavors, so to speak, from the different authors was a lot of fun.
Lisa's sections are a wonderful fireside tale. I think (it's still simmering some) my favorite section aside from that was Jason Kuykendall's. I'm going to have to go find more from him.
I will say there were some tense issues and some person issues, but I imagine those got fixed during the final edit prior to release today.
👻👻👻👻 from me. Excellent holiday read.
December 3, 2025
This was incredible. And haunting. A truly splendid take on the classic. I am blown away by the diverse range of authors that came together to make this a truly seamless and gutting tale. I found a new respect for many authors in this collection, as this tale pushed them out of their usual styles and into a new one. Grief horror. Because to me, this is a tale of grief, and growth. And these incredibly authors definitely grew while writing their excerpts. We all know the story… but the depth and feeling instilled in this compilation is spectacular. I wholeheartedly recommend you check this out.
December 1, 2025
This was by far the best retelling of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol that I have ever read. Nine amazing Indie Horror authors wove together an absolutely amazing story. Each author does an amazing job of bringing their character to life. And Lisa's narration is the perfect weave to hold everything together. I absolutely cannot wait to get my physical copy for another read through.
December 1, 2025
What a great retelling of Scrooge. This story flows together so well, though there is a different author for every character! It was a really quick read and a great one for this time of year!
I loved every author's rendition of their character, each one put a whole new perspective on the characters in the story. Most versions, you only get Scrooge's point of view, but in this one, you get to know each character on their own level.
What a great collaboration! Make sure to get your hands on this one, I promise you won't regret it!!
I loved every author's rendition of their character, each one put a whole new perspective on the characters in the story. Most versions, you only get Scrooge's point of view, but in this one, you get to know each character on their own level.
What a great collaboration! Make sure to get your hands on this one, I promise you won't regret it!!
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