All Through The House: A HOLIDAY HORRORS SHORT THRILLER STORY

by K.J. Reed

Welcome to Holiday Horrors, a multi-author collection of standalone thriller and horror short stories. In this series, you'll question whether Christmas is about Santa's Sleigh... or Santa's Slay. What holiday nightmares keep you up at night?

This year, Santa’s making a list—and checking it twice.
For the Tinsel family, being “naughty” comes with a deadly price.

The stockings are hung from the Tinsel's family chimney with care, in the hopes that St Nick will soon be there.
But this year, when the jolly man in red arrives, he does not bring joy. He only brings death.
Trapped in their family mansion on Christmas Eve, this night before Christmas... might just be The Tinsel family's last.


Because when Santa comes to town... nobody sleeps through the night.
Make sure you check out all of the Holiday Horrors Collection!

47 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 5, 2025

About the author

KJ Reed is an English indie author who writes primarily dark, psychological fiction. Although she is an English author, KJ writes America-based fiction since her love for all things dark and twisty comes from growing up watching and reading American TV and fiction. She lives with her amazing husband and stereotypically nightmarish ginger cat, Milo and has loved writing since she could put pen to paper.

Reviews

[Bookaholic__Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Talk about family drama and an awkward Christmas....Jeez! Looks like the Tinsel family is on the naughty list! The characters names are ABSOLUTELY ridiculous but I kind of appreciated it, makes this fast paced thriller just a smidge more festive.

[Jessica Huntley · Rating 4 out of 5]

A brilliant fast paced festive thriller with treacherous families and a super satisfying ending.

[Danielle Fear · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first time I have had the chance to read anything by K.J. Reed and it certainly wont be my last!!
This short story really packs a punch! The characters are well developed despite having ridiculous Christmas themed names 🤣
If you are looking for a quick Christmas read to get you in the festive mood.... this might be the wrong direction to go in... but if you love a twisty thriller then this is definitely for you!!

[Alyssa Fujimoto · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG! I think I might be scared of Santa now 😂🤦‍♀️ this book was amazing from beginning to end. And let me tell you, the ending was a shocker! Definitely would recommend this short Christmas thriller! Also I will be reading more by this author as it was my first & loved it!!

I was honored to be an ARC reader for this book!

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun, quick holiday thriller novella! I enjoyed the overall plot. I did subtract one star because I think we could have gotten a bit more in depth with the characters, even in the novella format. That said, this was a very enjoyable quick read and look forward to reading other stories in this collection!

[Madame Strange · Rating 4 out of 5]

“All Through The Night” - I would not want to be spending Christmas with the Tinsel’s

★★★★☆

Another fast paced, horror infused holiday story.
This short story by KJ Reed is part of the “A Holiday Horror Story” and I got to enjoy this one as an ARC.
Christmas for the Tinsel Family is not quite as Merry.. 👀

[Suzan Larson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Are you on the naughty list, the Tinsel family is and it’s not a good place to be! Fantastic short story! It comes with a little bit of everything. Sibling rivalry, domineering daddy and Santa! What more could you ask for. Probably nothing but you’re going to get more, and you’re going to love it! I was very lucky to be an ARC reader for this short story!

[Brandie Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fun and quick short read.
I really enjoyed how the characters were written in this book. You could really feel the family connection/competitive in the family.
The ending was also very unexpected which I enjoy in books
This is definitely a must read!

[Julie Lanaux · Rating 2 out of 5]

This one was just OK. The writing seemed somewhat--juvenile? It was rather simplistic, and it was hard to overlook the ridiculous names of the cast. The story was decent, but the names were just such a distraction.

[T || · Rating 4 out of 5]

All Through The House, is a cool story with an unexpected twist. Based around the Tinsel family having a family Christmas. When the expected happens! I was quite surprised at the twist! that was not what I expected

the story was a fast paced, action packed horror.

1 of 12 Christmas Horror story collections and ive read a few of them !

do recommend it if you want a quick horror read =)

Do expect chaos and mentions of blood

[Christy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a short story about the Tinsel family and their Christmas Eve. I liked the dynamic between the brother and sister because I feel we call relate to them to some degree. I found this to be a quick and easy holiday horror treat!

[Terri Lyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Don’t be like the Tinsel Family and end up on the naughty list ~ if you are, you have no idea what Santa house in store for you! This was a quick read with an unpredictable twist in the end. I’ve always enjoyed KJ Reed’s books and this won’t be the last.

[Sónya · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW! This story kept me on the edge of my seat looking forward to what was coming next! Let me just do you a favor and let you know now, you don’t have it figured out. You’re going to want to read this every Christmas season.

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

*ARC Review*
This was a fun quick holiday read! Overall I enjoyed the plot/premise but do wish the characters had more substance.

[Sarah Ehrlich · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a good christmas themed thriller novella 🎄🎅✨️

[Laura Welsh · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'll never look at a Santa suit the same way again! This was the chilling short story of the Tinsel family. Stuck in their remote home during a snowstorm on Christmas Eve, they get a little present with a threatening poem. That's when the craziness begins!

This was my first book by K.J. Reed, and it won't be the last!

[Jine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wish this was longer! This was a short but scary holiday novella! I really enjoyed the story of a family who is stalked by Santa on Christmas Eve! Would absolutely recommend this one!

[Crystal O · Rating 5 out of 5]

Twists, murder, greed, family drama all packed into a short story. Christmas Eve will mot be the same for the Tinsel family ever again when Santa comes to destroy it! #holidayhorrors

[Jewel Roper · Rating 4 out of 5]

Was a quick read. It grabbed my attention and got straight to the point. It had me guessing how it was going to end and I definitely didn’t see the way it actually ended coming.

[Sarah Hoffman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Suspenseful, quick read.

[Victoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed every second of the book. It was like watching a mini movie in my head. The action and drama were perfect and had me hooked.

[Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

A tense, gripping short story where family rivalry cuts deep and Santa is out for revenge👀

[Sarah Carvell · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a super quick little horror holiday story! Seriously could be a great tv episode! A little cliche but lovable anyway.

Christmas decorations as weapons. A family who may or may not be on the naughty list, and a Santa who slays. It’s the perfect cozy little holiday read for this Christmas season!

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great holiday read! The Tinsels make a dysfunctional family holiday seem minor.

[Janet Guzman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Damn Santa 🤣🤣🤣🤣that was INSANE loved it

[Micki-D · Rating 5 out of 5]

A short bloody holiday of horror for the tinsel family. You better be good for goodness sake cause Santa Clause is coming to town and the Tinsel family has been deemed naughty. All through the house is a gripping short Christmas novella.

[Rachel Browning · Rating 4 out of 5]

“All Through The House” by K. J. Reed is a tense, fast-paced holiday thriller that delivers chills from the start. Secrets unravel and danger closes in. A dark, gripping read perfect for anyone who loves their Christmas stories with a sinister edge.

[Dark Romance Obsessed Siren · Rating 4 out of 5]

🧜‍♀️ARC Review🧜‍♀️

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

You’ll definitely be glad you’re not a part of tinsel family after this shorty but goody! 😳 set ups, double crossing, and murder; the tinsels play dirty in a winner takes all.