Naughty List

by Ashley Marie

Silence your screams—they'll only draw him closer. Your name burns on the naughty list, and Saint Nicholas doesn't just hunt tonight—he hungers. His gaze bores through walls, piercing your skull, cataloging every sin you thought hidden. You chose darkness? Now darkness CHOSE YOU. When jingle bells become death knells, go ahead and run—nothing whets his appetite like fear-sweat before he unwraps you like a gift nobody wanted. He'll drain your holiday spirit drop by crimson drop, humming "Santa's Coming to Town" while your steam rises like Christmas morning cocoa.

119 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 1, 2025

Reviews

[Jaz Mills · Rating 2 out of 5]

ARC Review
Unfortunately this book was not my favorite it honestly starts off weird and confusing not much backstory to go off of. It’s got a ritualistic murder that is way too drug out into several chapters and it’s just so boring and I struggled to stay on it and focused it doesn’t have any attention grabbing moments that make you wanna keep reading. Sure it’s detailed and it mentions a lot of blood but not exactly a horror story that you’d like to binge.

[Carissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not my usual type of book but glad I gave this one a chance. Saint Nicholas is out to collect his judgements for the naughty list and boy does he collect. Every time I thought one was bad, the next was worse. I couldn't decide which death was worse but I'm thinking Amber's topped it all. The worst part was Mr. Crawford having to get a taste of Amber's sins.
Human Christmas trees with skull tree toppers, candles made from human fat,town decorated in human body parts and organs. It's definitely full of blood and gore but I would still recommend if you like horror/thriller books. Kinda made me think of Krampus in a way lol

[Taneshia · Rating 2 out of 5]

ARC Review

I was very excited to get the opportunity to read this book! Sold on the initial description of it. Unfortunately it fell flat for me. The first few chapters I was unsure of what was happening for the plot other than a sacrifice but for what? It was not clear for me so was hard to keep going, no connection. This may be a specific critique for myself but it was too descriptive, and for things that had no relation to the story. I did not need to know about each ornament in the room.

I appreciate the opportunity to have read the book!

[Micki-D · Rating 3 out of 5]

A chilling Xmas horror novella that turns holiday cheer into blood soaked terror. Eerie, gruesome, and ritualistic. Ashley serves up Santa as a murderous collector of the naughty list so you might wanna be extra good this year cause he is out collecting names for his naughty list. This one is complete with macabre decorations and body horrors. Perfect for fans of holiday tales that are more twisted then a candy cane along with a side of holiday music woven into the pages but it isn’t so cherry it’s all blood guts and gore horror.

[The Book Ssirren · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is the flip side to the nice ones getting gifts. The naughty list is acted out in this amazingly gruesome story.
"The Judge of Winter finds you wanting." i love this! these people don't have a snowballs chance in he*l of getting out of their bad deeds in life.
the gore was out of control. it was bloody, and horrific, and I'm in awe by the imagination of this entire novella.
I did find some parts to be a big dragged out and repetitive , but overall, I loved this one.

[jor · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The Dark Saint walks the Earth this night. Christmas comes, brining not gifts but justice, not joy but reckoning. I am its herald, its executioner, its living embodiment. And I am coming to town."

Excited to jump back into horror with Ashley. This was eery and gruesome. Whenever Marie adds song lyrics in her stories I know it's gonna be an entertaining read.

[Joy Whiteside · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, what a read. This book is going to keep you on the edge of your seat and you will not believe what may occur. It will grab you and keep you reading. This book, wow. It moves along at a great pace, has characters that definitly get what is coming. This book will not disappoint. It has to be read no doubt about it.

[Mikaela Anne · Rating 2 out of 5]

ARC REVIEW:

Blood? Immortal Santa? Justice? This book’s got it.

I was really interested in this book at first- the imagery and vivid metaphors really captured my attention- however, it became repetitive to the point I was frustrated.

The concept had all the potential to be a higher rating for me.

[Lisa Reynolds · Rating 5 out of 5]

This needs to be made into a movie, the kills were great and the whole book had a gross creepy factor. I read this book in one sitting, I love splatter punk and this book is on the top of the list! Better hope you've been good and kept off the naughty list or you are in for an incredibly brutal mess. Some of the best kill scenes I have read.

[Alison Birks · Rating 5 out of 5]

The 12 days of Christmas are supposed to be happy times but not when you’ve been naughty, Santa punishes those who’ve been naughty only when you’ve been on the list 5 times, when you hear the jingle bells run, he will catch he always does and enacts 12 gruesome punishments on you

Please read the trigger warnings

[Ashley Bundy · Rating 5 out of 5]

He's making a list! Checking it twice! And you better be nice, or you're in BIGGGG trouble. I love a good Christmas horror, and Ashley Marie does NOT disappoint!

What would you do if everyone's childhood hero came after you in adulthood? Eek! More, please!

[Amber Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honestly, I love this book; it's one of my favorite holiday horrors.

I can't say much without spoiling it, but it's got a vengeful Saint Nick, murder, lots of gore (in vivid detail), violent reindeer, and multiple victims.

Check it out!

[Rebekah Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Want blood and gore with a splash of Christmas? This is for you

[Jennifer Wolf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Where to start? This was definitely the dark side of Christmas, and a scary take on Santa. The gore was 🤢. Would absolutely recommend to lovers of the horror genre!

[Samantha Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

as always ashley doesn't disappoint its creepy its gory and gripping and makes you sit on edge of your seat and devour the whole book. Nothing like a good horror set a Christmas

[Earth Angel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Welcome to the dark Saint Nick who delivers justice. Well this is a wonderful dark story filled with gore and blood. I will never think of Christmas Eve and Saint Nick in the same manner ever again. LoL.
If you have been naughty Saint Nick and his Reindeer of terror will come find you and even the score.
If you like gore and blood. This Horror Novella is perfect for you.

[Kalene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Naughty santa Holiday read? yes please!! this was amazing!!! my first read from this author and I loved it!!!!

[Beckreadz25 · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Judge of Winter sees you when you're sleeping and knows when you're awake. He knows if you've been bad or good so be good for goodness sake.

A macabre telling of St. Nick dispensing justice for the naughty list. The attention to details and perfection is astounding. This story is not for the weak-stomached or faint of heart. When you finish, "Deck the Halls" will take on a whole new meaning.