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On One Ghastly Christmas Eve
24 days. 24 chapters.
A horrifically delicious tale of mystery, gore, and intrigue to shake up the festive season. The countdown to Christmas Eve begins here—one chilling chapter for each day of December.
An annual family Christmas Eve dinner takes a disturbing turn when a Secret Santa gift gives its recipient far more than they bargained for…
Meryl is thrilled to have her daughter, Roxy, home for Christmas after her first term at university. But she’s caught off guard when Roxy’s unannounced new boyfriend, Ben, turns up to what was supposed to be a family only dinner. Determined to be gracious, Meryl makes an effort—and at first, Ben seems charming, thoughtful, and surprisingly well-prepared for the family’s holiday traditions.
But when the Secret Santa presents are exchanged, Meryl receives a grotesque and horrifying gift that sends the entire household spiraling into chaos. Her first suspicion falls on the outsider at the table—Ben. Yet, as the night unfolds, she begins to wonder: could she be wrong? Is family more dangerous than a stranger? And what exactly is hidden inside that present… and who could be cruel enough to give it?
Count down to Christmas with this holiday horror advent novel—one terrifying chapter per day until Christmas Eve.
A horrifically delicious tale of mystery, gore, and intrigue to shake up the festive season. The countdown to Christmas Eve begins here—one chilling chapter for each day of December.
An annual family Christmas Eve dinner takes a disturbing turn when a Secret Santa gift gives its recipient far more than they bargained for…
Meryl is thrilled to have her daughter, Roxy, home for Christmas after her first term at university. But she’s caught off guard when Roxy’s unannounced new boyfriend, Ben, turns up to what was supposed to be a family only dinner. Determined to be gracious, Meryl makes an effort—and at first, Ben seems charming, thoughtful, and surprisingly well-prepared for the family’s holiday traditions.
But when the Secret Santa presents are exchanged, Meryl receives a grotesque and horrifying gift that sends the entire household spiraling into chaos. Her first suspicion falls on the outsider at the table—Ben. Yet, as the night unfolds, she begins to wonder: could she be wrong? Is family more dangerous than a stranger? And what exactly is hidden inside that present… and who could be cruel enough to give it?
Count down to Christmas with this holiday horror advent novel—one terrifying chapter per day until Christmas Eve.
- GenresHoliday
148 pages, ebook
Published November 28, 2025
35 people are currently reading
103 people want to read
About the author
Tiffany Hepworth
8 books19 followersA horror, mystery, science fiction, thriller and crime author making her debut at 19 years old. It is a well known fact that she started writing books at just 9 years old (as said in a news interview) and has been writing gripping page turners with violent twists ever since. She prides herself in writing original stories full of cliff hangers and gory descriptions.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
December 21, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️On One Ghastly Christmas Eve by Tiffany Hepworth is a chapter a day Christmas advent read. I tried to stick to the one chapter a day, but let's be real... I caved on Day 21 😅. Hear me out! "Unknown" basically threatened me into finishing the rest ASAP! I was like, "Okay, okay!" and I'm so glad I did! What. A. Ride! I was on the edge of my seat for 21 suspenseful days, totally convinced I had it all figured out... WRONG! The twist had my jaw on the floor 🤯.
Tiffany, you are a diabolical genius! You took the most wonderful time of the year and turned it into my worst nightmare in the best way possible!
Thank you for including me in your acknowledgments. I appreciate you! 🫶❤️.
Also, are you okay? Lol That ending was WILD and blew my mind!
If you are looking to add suspense and horror to your holidays, I highly recommend this!🎁
Tiffany, you are a diabolical genius! You took the most wonderful time of the year and turned it into my worst nightmare in the best way possible!
Thank you for including me in your acknowledgments. I appreciate you! 🫶❤️.
Also, are you okay? Lol That ending was WILD and blew my mind!
If you are looking to add suspense and horror to your holidays, I highly recommend this!🎁
December 7, 2025
good read
Was a really good did not feel like a Christmas book though ! all the twist did not see coming at the end
Would recommend
Was a really good did not feel like a Christmas book though ! all the twist did not see coming at the end
Would recommend
December 4, 2025
Meryl has a secret that leads to an unsettling holiday season as a stalker sets out to make her think she's crazy. No one believes her including her son and the police!
At times fraught with intense suspense as Meryl tries to figure out who is gaslighting her. Will she figure it out in time?
At times fraught with intense suspense as Meryl tries to figure out who is gaslighting her. Will she figure it out in time?
December 19, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Review – On One Ghastly Christmas Eve by Tiffany Hepworth
What the actual f…ck did I just read.
No really. My jaw is somewhere on the floor, my brain needs a neck brace, and my inner cortex looks like it just survived a hit-and-run. This book didn’t end — it detonated.
Tiffany Hepworth just joined the very short, very unhinged list of authors who can crawl inside my skull, rearrange the furniture, and then set the place on fire on their way out. Obviously. So yes, Tiffany, I will be sending you an invoice for the extended therapy sessions I now require. Merry Christmas to me.
There is something deeply sinister about the human brain. About the soul. About how tightly they’re stitched together until one starts to rot and drags the other down with it. This book understands that. Exploits it. Uses it as a weapon.
Don’t worry — I’m not planning on dissecting anyone. Yet. But I get it now. And that alone feels illegal.
This story gnawed its way into my head the same way Meryl’s mind slips through her fingers — slow, horrifying, inevitable. I was there. Inside her despair. Her agony. That suffocating weight of a dark, twisting secret she’s been hauling around like a corpse no one else can see. I felt it in my chest. In my teeth. In places books aren’t supposed to reach.
And the worst part? I thought I had it figured out. I really did. And yeah — I wasn’t entirely wrong. But even my own disturbed brain did not see that coming. Not even close.
Want to know what “that” is? Read the book. Suffer like the rest of us. It’s short enough to ruin your mental stability before Christmas dinner.
Five frightening, cluster-crappy, brain-damaging stars. No hesitation. If someone can do this much damage in less than 2 hours- it deserves it.
I currently feel mildly possessed, the Christmas spirit is strong, and I don’t believe in suffering alone. So come on. Hop aboard.
Join me on this “formerly stable mental state” fading train.
Choo-choo, motherf—kers. 🎄🖤
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Review – On One Ghastly Christmas Eve van Tiffany Hepworth
Wat. De. F…ck. Heb ik net gelezen.
Serieus. Mijn kaak ligt ergens op de vloer, mijn brein heeft een nekkraag nodig en mijn innerlijke cortex ziet eruit alsof hij zojuist is aangereden en is doorgereden ook. Dit boek eindigde niet — het ontplofte.
Tiffany Hepworth heeft zich zojuist aangesloten bij dat hele korte, totaal ontspoorde lijstje auteurs dat zonder kloppen mijn schedel binnenwandelt, het meubilair herschikt en het huis vervolgens in brand steekt op weg naar buiten. Uiteraard. Dus ja Tiffany, ik stuur je een factuur voor de verlengde therapiesessies die ik nu nodig heb. Vrolijk kerstfeest voor mij.
Er is iets diep sinisters aan het menselijk brein. Aan de ziel. Aan hoe strak die twee aan elkaar vastzitten totdat er eentje begint te rotten en de ander genadeloos meesleurt. Dit boek snapt dat. Misbruikt het. Gebruikt het als wapen.
Geen zorgen — ik ben niet van plan iemand te ontleden. Nog niet. Maar ik snap het nu. En alleen dat voelt al strafbaar.
Dit verhaal vrat zich mijn hoofd in zoals Meryls brein langzaam uit haar handen glipt — traag, gruwelijk en onvermijdelijk. Ik was daar. In haar wanhoop. Haar pijn. Dat verstikkende gewicht van een duister, diep verdraaid geheim dat ze meesleept als een lijk dat niemand anders ziet. Ik voelde het in mijn borst. In mijn tanden. Op plekken waar boeken niet horen te komen.
En het ergste? Ik dacht dat ik het doorhad. Echt. En ja — ik zat niet helemaal fout. Maar zelfs mijn eigen verknipte brein zag dit niet aankomen. Niet eens in de buurt.
Wil je weten wat “dit” is? Lees het boek. Lijd net zo hard als de rest van ons. Het is kort genoeg om je mentale stabiliteit te slopen vóór het kerstdiner.
Vijf angstaanjagende, cluster-crappy, hersenbeschadigende sterren. Zonder twijfel.
Ik voel me momenteel lichtelijk bezeten, de kerstsfeer hangt in de lucht, en ik geloof niet in alleen lijden. Dus kom mee.
Spring aan boord.
Welkom in de trein richting “ooit mentaal stabiel”.
Tsjoek-tsjoek, motherf—kers. 🎄🖤
Review – On One Ghastly Christmas Eve by Tiffany Hepworth
What the actual f…ck did I just read.
No really. My jaw is somewhere on the floor, my brain needs a neck brace, and my inner cortex looks like it just survived a hit-and-run. This book didn’t end — it detonated.
Tiffany Hepworth just joined the very short, very unhinged list of authors who can crawl inside my skull, rearrange the furniture, and then set the place on fire on their way out. Obviously. So yes, Tiffany, I will be sending you an invoice for the extended therapy sessions I now require. Merry Christmas to me.
There is something deeply sinister about the human brain. About the soul. About how tightly they’re stitched together until one starts to rot and drags the other down with it. This book understands that. Exploits it. Uses it as a weapon.
Don’t worry — I’m not planning on dissecting anyone. Yet. But I get it now. And that alone feels illegal.
This story gnawed its way into my head the same way Meryl’s mind slips through her fingers — slow, horrifying, inevitable. I was there. Inside her despair. Her agony. That suffocating weight of a dark, twisting secret she’s been hauling around like a corpse no one else can see. I felt it in my chest. In my teeth. In places books aren’t supposed to reach.
And the worst part? I thought I had it figured out. I really did. And yeah — I wasn’t entirely wrong. But even my own disturbed brain did not see that coming. Not even close.
Want to know what “that” is? Read the book. Suffer like the rest of us. It’s short enough to ruin your mental stability before Christmas dinner.
Five frightening, cluster-crappy, brain-damaging stars. No hesitation. If someone can do this much damage in less than 2 hours- it deserves it.
I currently feel mildly possessed, the Christmas spirit is strong, and I don’t believe in suffering alone. So come on. Hop aboard.
Join me on this “formerly stable mental state” fading train.
Choo-choo, motherf—kers. 🎄🖤
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Review – On One Ghastly Christmas Eve van Tiffany Hepworth
Wat. De. F…ck. Heb ik net gelezen.
Serieus. Mijn kaak ligt ergens op de vloer, mijn brein heeft een nekkraag nodig en mijn innerlijke cortex ziet eruit alsof hij zojuist is aangereden en is doorgereden ook. Dit boek eindigde niet — het ontplofte.
Tiffany Hepworth heeft zich zojuist aangesloten bij dat hele korte, totaal ontspoorde lijstje auteurs dat zonder kloppen mijn schedel binnenwandelt, het meubilair herschikt en het huis vervolgens in brand steekt op weg naar buiten. Uiteraard. Dus ja Tiffany, ik stuur je een factuur voor de verlengde therapiesessies die ik nu nodig heb. Vrolijk kerstfeest voor mij.
Er is iets diep sinisters aan het menselijk brein. Aan de ziel. Aan hoe strak die twee aan elkaar vastzitten totdat er eentje begint te rotten en de ander genadeloos meesleurt. Dit boek snapt dat. Misbruikt het. Gebruikt het als wapen.
Geen zorgen — ik ben niet van plan iemand te ontleden. Nog niet. Maar ik snap het nu. En alleen dat voelt al strafbaar.
Dit verhaal vrat zich mijn hoofd in zoals Meryls brein langzaam uit haar handen glipt — traag, gruwelijk en onvermijdelijk. Ik was daar. In haar wanhoop. Haar pijn. Dat verstikkende gewicht van een duister, diep verdraaid geheim dat ze meesleept als een lijk dat niemand anders ziet. Ik voelde het in mijn borst. In mijn tanden. Op plekken waar boeken niet horen te komen.
En het ergste? Ik dacht dat ik het doorhad. Echt. En ja — ik zat niet helemaal fout. Maar zelfs mijn eigen verknipte brein zag dit niet aankomen. Niet eens in de buurt.
Wil je weten wat “dit” is? Lees het boek. Lijd net zo hard als de rest van ons. Het is kort genoeg om je mentale stabiliteit te slopen vóór het kerstdiner.
Vijf angstaanjagende, cluster-crappy, hersenbeschadigende sterren. Zonder twijfel.
Ik voel me momenteel lichtelijk bezeten, de kerstsfeer hangt in de lucht, en ik geloof niet in alleen lijden. Dus kom mee.
Spring aan boord.
Welkom in de trein richting “ooit mentaal stabiel”.
Tsjoek-tsjoek, motherf—kers. 🎄🖤
December 30, 2025
Love the concept of a horror advent calendar!
It was definitely hard not to read ahead as this story left you needing to know what happened next!!
As we get closer and closer to Christmas, one of our main characters Meryl is being terrorized by random items belonging to her deceased husband showing up when no one could have possibly put them there, being stalked and more and more grisly happenings occurring around her. Someone is determined to let her know they know her secret!
What is her secret? What truly happened in the past? Is there really a stalker or is Meryl experiencing a psychotic break down from keeping some unknown huge secret from her past? These and more are the questions that will keep the reader up at night clamoring for answers.
I thoroughly enjoyed this read and the twist at the end! Would definitely recommend for horror fans or psychological thriller fans looking for something different, with maybe a little more edge!
Would definitely be interested in reading more by this author!
It was definitely hard not to read ahead as this story left you needing to know what happened next!!
As we get closer and closer to Christmas, one of our main characters Meryl is being terrorized by random items belonging to her deceased husband showing up when no one could have possibly put them there, being stalked and more and more grisly happenings occurring around her. Someone is determined to let her know they know her secret!
What is her secret? What truly happened in the past? Is there really a stalker or is Meryl experiencing a psychotic break down from keeping some unknown huge secret from her past? These and more are the questions that will keep the reader up at night clamoring for answers.
I thoroughly enjoyed this read and the twist at the end! Would definitely recommend for horror fans or psychological thriller fans looking for something different, with maybe a little more edge!
Would definitely be interested in reading more by this author!
December 6, 2025
What a read! This was absolutely brilliant and perfect for the Christmas season if you’re a horror/psychological fan. Although it was supposed to be an advent read for December I began the prologue to be prepared for the first of December and I was addicted!
The book is told from two perspectives. Meryl who loves Christmas but is darkened with a deep secret that she has kept hidden. Her usual Christmas Eve get together is torn apart with a secret Santa gift you wouldn’t want to receive. The second perspective is unknown.
This one really kept me guessing I thought that I had it worked out and then the twists just kept coming! There were some brilliant descriptions also in this book relating to the contrast of horror and Christmas. Even right at the end when the book was unfolding it was far from what I was expecting and ends with a truly excellent horror vibe for this book. I would definitely recommend this book as a 5 star read.
The book is told from two perspectives. Meryl who loves Christmas but is darkened with a deep secret that she has kept hidden. Her usual Christmas Eve get together is torn apart with a secret Santa gift you wouldn’t want to receive. The second perspective is unknown.
This one really kept me guessing I thought that I had it worked out and then the twists just kept coming! There were some brilliant descriptions also in this book relating to the contrast of horror and Christmas. Even right at the end when the book was unfolding it was far from what I was expecting and ends with a truly excellent horror vibe for this book. I would definitely recommend this book as a 5 star read.
December 28, 2025
An advent calendar book, which I did thoroughly enjoy reading a chapter a day.
This is the best advent book I read. It's dark, twisted, and full of gore, everything that I love.
The book starts on Christmas Eve with Meryl and her family enjoying the festive period. They share their secret santa presents, but Meryl is in for a nasty surprise.
The book then goes back in time to the beginning of December and the run up to Christmas, except it isn't festive for our poor Meryl who is being stalked and tormented by an unknown person which comes to its ghastly climax on Christmas Eve.
Who wants chocolate in an advent calendar when a book full of dark secrets and blood guts and gore is more fun.
This is the best advent book I read. It's dark, twisted, and full of gore, everything that I love.
The book starts on Christmas Eve with Meryl and her family enjoying the festive period. They share their secret santa presents, but Meryl is in for a nasty surprise.
The book then goes back in time to the beginning of December and the run up to Christmas, except it isn't festive for our poor Meryl who is being stalked and tormented by an unknown person which comes to its ghastly climax on Christmas Eve.
Who wants chocolate in an advent calendar when a book full of dark secrets and blood guts and gore is more fun.
January 1, 2026
Definitely not your traditional Christmas story, because if that’s what you expect, it’s not here. In this Christmas advent calendar, each chapter takes you deeper and deeper into the horrors of an unseen, unmentioned killer haunting Meryl, until she feels as if she’s going out of her mind. The action is relentless. The climax comes at the Christmas Eve dinner with the family, where the revelation of who is doing what comes as a complete surprise. This was a very enjoyable short read that’ll keep you guessing throughout.
December 24, 2025
wonderfully atmospheric and engaging read that completely pulled me in from the very first page. Tiffany Hepworth has such a confident storytelling voice.
And that ending… wow. I genuinely didn’t see it coming, and it elevated the whole story for me. It’s rare to find a Christmas tale that surprises you so completely while still feeling satisfying and earned.
Perfect for curling up with on a dark winter evening, this is a clever, memorable story that lingers after you’ve finished. Highly recommended for anyone who enjoys Christmas stories with a twist rather than the predictable.
And that ending… wow. I genuinely didn’t see it coming, and it elevated the whole story for me. It’s rare to find a Christmas tale that surprises you so completely while still feeling satisfying and earned.
Perfect for curling up with on a dark winter evening, this is a clever, memorable story that lingers after you’ve finished. Highly recommended for anyone who enjoys Christmas stories with a twist rather than the predictable.
December 26, 2025
Wow!
This was mind blowing! The ending was a twist that I didn’t see coming. It was hard not to read this all in one sitting, but I didn’t do that. I read it as an advent book. This kept me guessing the whole time. When I thought I figured it out, another twist came that proved me wrong. The book was written well and will definitely read a book of hers again.
This was mind blowing! The ending was a twist that I didn’t see coming. It was hard not to read this all in one sitting, but I didn’t do that. I read it as an advent book. This kept me guessing the whole time. When I thought I figured it out, another twist came that proved me wrong. The book was written well and will definitely read a book of hers again.
November 30, 2025
Enjoyed it.
Murder Christmas and family. It definitely wasn't who I thought all along. Her hallucinating was just icing on the cake. The whole book was well written and kept you guessing and turning pages.
Murder Christmas and family. It definitely wasn't who I thought all along. Her hallucinating was just icing on the cake. The whole book was well written and kept you guessing and turning pages.
December 11, 2025
So took me two days to read it pretty quick read I wasn't quite sure how this was going to go not as I suspected. I won't say much more except for that I enjoyed it and the last line of the book was classic."Who said children had no purpose?" 😂❤️
December 25, 2025
This book was an advent book where you read one chapter a day. I have not read anything by this author. This book was good. I was definitely surprised at the ending and it did have a few twists and turns in it.
December 5, 2025
Disturbing and disgusting
December 12, 2025
This horrifying tale had an interesting plot & twists I didn’t see until the ending. At times it was hard to follow along but it made sense to the state of mind of the characters.
December 18, 2025
excellent
Definitely recommend five star read
Couldn’t put down once started won’t be disappointed didn’t see the ending at all fabulous
Definitely recommend five star read
Couldn’t put down once started won’t be disappointed didn’t see the ending at all fabulous
December 23, 2025
this was such a good Christmas thriller! loved the final reveal and twist at the end!
December 22, 2025
Never saw the ending coming, very well written, great story of horror and gore!!!
December 18, 2025
Well I didn't see that coming!
Tried to read as an advent book but I got too excited today and needed to know who it was lol
Tried to read as an advent book but I got too excited today and needed to know who it was lol
December 13, 2025
Very good book! I thought I had it figured out, of course, but I hadn’t. I couldn’t put the book down.
December 23, 2025
The word ghastly is seldom used these days, and I love that it’s included in the title. I don’t know if it’s the same for everybody, but for me, it makes the title memorable. This book launches into seasonal festivities with confidence, opening with a Secret Santa gift giving. Something abhorrent is in the box, but we don’t know what it is—yet! And then from Christmas Eve, the timeline wanders around a bit; we go backwards and forwards in time to find out why Meryl has taken such a vehement dislike to Roxy’s new boyfriend. And I like the flittering style.
It’s written in the popular Advent structure where you can read one chapter a day through December. I didn’t, and read the book as normal, but I get that it would be a fun thing to do. The brittle resentments during a family gathering work well, using uncomfortable moments to build an atmosphere of awkwardness and foreboding.
The character dynamics are great, and suspicion ripples through the family when the mystery gift is opened. Character discomfort does much of the work as the tension and paranoia build. It’s rooted in traditional festive horror and examines trust and perception, with unreliable narration used perfectly. It’s a thriller served with turkey, shadowy undertones, and only a tiny helping of Brussels sprouts mixed with very little sentimental warmth. A cracker of a read.
It’s written in the popular Advent structure where you can read one chapter a day through December. I didn’t, and read the book as normal, but I get that it would be a fun thing to do. The brittle resentments during a family gathering work well, using uncomfortable moments to build an atmosphere of awkwardness and foreboding.
The character dynamics are great, and suspicion ripples through the family when the mystery gift is opened. Character discomfort does much of the work as the tension and paranoia build. It’s rooted in traditional festive horror and examines trust and perception, with unreliable narration used perfectly. It’s a thriller served with turkey, shadowy undertones, and only a tiny helping of Brussels sprouts mixed with very little sentimental warmth. A cracker of a read.
December 15, 2025
The only thing I can appreciate is how we couldn't figure out who the killer was until the last chapters. But I hated how messy it was. We have psychosis and ghosts, is never clear if the killer was the stalker, and the last chapters felt like the author was in a rush to deliver the manuscript and finished it off.. with a possession??? Is a fast read, I'll give them that, but the ending was bland and rushed, a true disappointment 😞
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 24, 2025
Wow
I don't quite know what to say. So many twists and turns, and then the end??? I'm not sure about the end. I guess the good guy doesn't always win. There were quite a few grammatical errors but overall, a decently good book.
I don't quite know what to say. So many twists and turns, and then the end??? I'm not sure about the end. I guess the good guy doesn't always win. There were quite a few grammatical errors but overall, a decently good book.
November 30, 2025
Very fun and thrilling book for Christmas. Kept me guessing and I didn't want to put it down. Quick read that made me want to read more!
January 7, 2026
I read this book over the new year and I enjoyed the read. It was a good fast read.
December 29, 2025
This is an unsettling, atmospheric holiday thriller centered on Meryl, a woman whose secret makes her the target of a terrifying gaslighting campaign. The isolation she feels when the police and her son dismiss her claims adds a layer of genuine dread to the story. It’s the perfect festive read for fans of psychological horror. My plan to read it day by day in December failed immediately; the hook was so strong I binged the entire book in a few sittings!
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews