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The Three Rites of Christmas: A Holding Files Novel
“At the Angel’s Call,
First there will be Snow.”
The Holding – An organization dedicated to exploring the strange and inexplicable. Once, it was Nathan Cole's entire life.
Timber's Edge – A cheerful town nestled in a peaceful valley that takes its holidays very seriously.
When Nathan Cole arrives in Timber's Edge the week before Christmas, he finds a town under the watchful eyes of the mysterious Timber Angel. The Angel promises a magical holiday for all, but Nathan knows that no magic comes without a price.
As Nathan begins his search, every step begs more questions. Behind the joyful festivity and beneath the twinkling lights, a family guards its secrets, the visitors know more than they will say, and Memory leaks out of every corner.
And the Timber Angel sees everything.
The snow is falling. The Three Rites have begun.
If Nathan can't stop them, then everyone in Timber's Edge will pay, for no power ever comes freely.
First there will be Snow.”
The Holding – An organization dedicated to exploring the strange and inexplicable. Once, it was Nathan Cole's entire life.
Timber's Edge – A cheerful town nestled in a peaceful valley that takes its holidays very seriously.
When Nathan Cole arrives in Timber's Edge the week before Christmas, he finds a town under the watchful eyes of the mysterious Timber Angel. The Angel promises a magical holiday for all, but Nathan knows that no magic comes without a price.
As Nathan begins his search, every step begs more questions. Behind the joyful festivity and beneath the twinkling lights, a family guards its secrets, the visitors know more than they will say, and Memory leaks out of every corner.
And the Timber Angel sees everything.
The snow is falling. The Three Rites have begun.
If Nathan can't stop them, then everyone in Timber's Edge will pay, for no power ever comes freely.
- GenresFantasy
444 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 3, 2025
9 people are currently reading
793 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
December 14, 2025
4.0☆
What a wild ride!
This is Strowd's first novel, and for a first it is well thought out, well executed and a deeply layered story.
I received a copy for free, and I am voluntarily leaving my opinions of this novel. Thank you to the author, publisher and Goodreads for this opportunity.
The story is a unique mash up of the paranormal, mystery, sci-fi parallel universes, dreamscapes, memory and evil. Yet, Strowd was able to pull all of these components together to create a great cohesive tale. Well done, Mr. Strowd! Well done!
This is a very character driven novel. Each character is fully defined with a complete backstory that adds to the unfolding of the events in Timber's Edge.
Favorite Quote:
"We don't get to choose all of the things that happen to us, but we can pick what we do about them. And then we can make the most out of it."
Nathaniel Hawthorne Cole
What a wild ride!
This is Strowd's first novel, and for a first it is well thought out, well executed and a deeply layered story.
I received a copy for free, and I am voluntarily leaving my opinions of this novel. Thank you to the author, publisher and Goodreads for this opportunity.
The story is a unique mash up of the paranormal, mystery, sci-fi parallel universes, dreamscapes, memory and evil. Yet, Strowd was able to pull all of these components together to create a great cohesive tale. Well done, Mr. Strowd! Well done!
This is a very character driven novel. Each character is fully defined with a complete backstory that adds to the unfolding of the events in Timber's Edge.
Favorite Quote:
"We don't get to choose all of the things that happen to us, but we can pick what we do about them. And then we can make the most out of it."
Nathaniel Hawthorne Cole
December 22, 2025
I'm a Grinch, and I've reached the age where I'm really owning that. if you're wondering why I picked up a Christmas book, it's because the supernatural (?) and mystery aspect sounded intriguing, and I really hoped it would be more like an X-Mas adjacent story that was just set during the holiday season.
Unfortunately for me, the festivities are almost like a whole character, and the plot and mystery very much revolves around the days leading up to Christmas. I liked that this had an active mystery that readers could get involved with, and there were a few darker thrilling scenes that were fun to read as the mystery continued.
in terms of the supernatural aspect, this had a lot to give, almost too much - I admit I am a little bit confused even with, or perhaps because of, the info dumping. this debut is titled a Holding Files novel, implying there is more to be explored in this universe which I would be very interested in, as I liked what we encountered in this book, particularly Anslem; the MC's best friend and a powerful being that guards/is trapped (?) in an in-between world.
the MC himself, Nathan Cole, was not for me. I think this is because there are a lot of instances where the writing alludes to Nathan being a very mysterious, interesting guy, with a tragic history. however, he seems to be buzzing to tell the first person who asks everything, and therefore comes across as more of a dislikeable smartass - some characters even agree with me, so maybe this was by design. sadly, this made reading quite boring for me because we follow primarily Nathan or the writing tangents to his trauma and past, which I didn't actually care that much about...
whilst this wasn't for me, I think a lover of all things Christmas would really enjoy this - it's almost a cosy read despite the mystery and thrills because of all the Christmas and family traditions. a good one to read if you consume Christmas books instead of movies at this time of year and would like something that's not a romance.
finally thank you to NetGalley, Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op and Ethan M. Strowd for this eArc in exchange for my honest review.
Unfortunately for me, the festivities are almost like a whole character, and the plot and mystery very much revolves around the days leading up to Christmas. I liked that this had an active mystery that readers could get involved with, and there were a few darker thrilling scenes that were fun to read as the mystery continued.
in terms of the supernatural aspect, this had a lot to give, almost too much - I admit I am a little bit confused even with, or perhaps because of, the info dumping. this debut is titled a Holding Files novel, implying there is more to be explored in this universe which I would be very interested in, as I liked what we encountered in this book, particularly Anslem; the MC's best friend and a powerful being that guards/is trapped (?) in an in-between world.
the MC himself, Nathan Cole, was not for me. I think this is because there are a lot of instances where the writing alludes to Nathan being a very mysterious, interesting guy, with a tragic history. however, he seems to be buzzing to tell the first person who asks everything, and therefore comes across as more of a dislikeable smartass - some characters even agree with me, so maybe this was by design. sadly, this made reading quite boring for me because we follow primarily Nathan or the writing tangents to his trauma and past, which I didn't actually care that much about...
whilst this wasn't for me, I think a lover of all things Christmas would really enjoy this - it's almost a cosy read despite the mystery and thrills because of all the Christmas and family traditions. a good one to read if you consume Christmas books instead of movies at this time of year and would like something that's not a romance.
finally thank you to NetGalley, Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op and Ethan M. Strowd for this eArc in exchange for my honest review.
November 18, 2025
The Three Rites of Christmas is a haunting, snow-draped mystery that hums with folklore, memory, and quiet dread. Ethan M. Strowd’s debut is a slow-burning, character-driven tale that slips between the magical and the menacing, wrapped in the hush of a winter town that watches back.
When Nathan Cole arrives in Timber’s Edge, he finds more than festive lights and cheerful traditions—he finds a town steeped in secrets, where the past leaks through the cracks and the Timber Angel sees everything. As the titular rites unfold, the story deepens into something spectral and strange, with each step forward revealing another layer of sorrow, silence, and supernatural peril.
Strowd’s prose is immersive and lyrical, conjuring a world that feels both familiar and otherworldly. The atmosphere is thick with snow and suspicion, and the pacing is deliberate—perfect for readers who savor a slow descent into mystery. There’s a quiet elegance to the way grief, folklore, and memory intertwine, making this more than just a holiday thriller—it’s a meditation on what we carry, what we forget, and what watches in the dark.
For fans of ghost stories with literary depth and a wintry chill, The Three Rites of Christmas is a beautifully eerie gift.
With thanks to Ethan M Strowd, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC.
When Nathan Cole arrives in Timber’s Edge, he finds more than festive lights and cheerful traditions—he finds a town steeped in secrets, where the past leaks through the cracks and the Timber Angel sees everything. As the titular rites unfold, the story deepens into something spectral and strange, with each step forward revealing another layer of sorrow, silence, and supernatural peril.
Strowd’s prose is immersive and lyrical, conjuring a world that feels both familiar and otherworldly. The atmosphere is thick with snow and suspicion, and the pacing is deliberate—perfect for readers who savor a slow descent into mystery. There’s a quiet elegance to the way grief, folklore, and memory intertwine, making this more than just a holiday thriller—it’s a meditation on what we carry, what we forget, and what watches in the dark.
For fans of ghost stories with literary depth and a wintry chill, The Three Rites of Christmas is a beautifully eerie gift.
With thanks to Ethan M Strowd, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC.
January 5, 2026
"The Three Rites of Christmas" is a brilliantly crafted novel that wraps a chilling supernatural mystery in the deceptive warmth of a festive small town. Ethan M. Strowd masterfully builds the atmosphere of Timber's Edge, where every twinkling light and joyful carol feels layered with an eerie, watchful presence. The premise is instantly gripping: a town devoted to holiday cheer, presided over by a mysterious Angel whose magic demands a terrifying price.
Nathan Cole is a perfect guide into this uncanny world, a weary expert on the strange, whose skepticism slowly crumbles against the town's relentless, memory-haunted secrets. Strowd’s prose is evocative and precise, making the falling snow feel both beautiful and ominous. The plot unfolds with perfect tension, balancing classic mystery investigation with deeply unsettling supernatural elements. This is a holiday story for those who like their eggnog with a side of existential dread, and a standout entry in the paranormal thriller genre. Unputdownable.
Nathan Cole is a perfect guide into this uncanny world, a weary expert on the strange, whose skepticism slowly crumbles against the town's relentless, memory-haunted secrets. Strowd’s prose is evocative and precise, making the falling snow feel both beautiful and ominous. The plot unfolds with perfect tension, balancing classic mystery investigation with deeply unsettling supernatural elements. This is a holiday story for those who like their eggnog with a side of existential dread, and a standout entry in the paranormal thriller genre. Unputdownable.
December 18, 2025
This is a new author for me in which I enjoyed reading from beginning to end. I enjoyed this author creative details that brought the twist and turns pop and keep me turning pages fast to find out what would happen next. I also enjoyed this author's ability to pull me into the story from the beginning and keep me engaged throughout. This is a story good things coming at a price. Nathan finds a small town that is under the watch of a Timber Angel. This is a town where one family has secrets and they are guarded. The more questions Nathan asks the more he realizes the three rites have started and there is nothing he can do to stop it. I enjoyed all the characters in this story. They are strong, determined and add so much to the story. I enjoyed watching the growth of the story and the twists and turns had me sitting on the edge of my seat. This is a fast paced, hard to put down story that you don't want to miss. I highly recommend this suspenseful story this holiday.
December 22, 2025
**The Three Rites of Christmas** by Ethan M. Strowd is a captivating mystery that earns 4.5 stars. It follows Nathan Cole, a rational man who arrives in the enigmatic town of Timber's Edge before Christmas, where the Timber Angel promises magic but hides dark secrets.
As Nathan investigates, the cheerful facade reveals family secrets and the cost of magic. With dire consequences for the townsfolk, he races to uncover the truth behind the Three Rites.
Overall, this tale blends charm with darkness, making it a thought-provoking read for fans of magical realism and suspense. Highly recommended.
As Nathan investigates, the cheerful facade reveals family secrets and the cost of magic. With dire consequences for the townsfolk, he races to uncover the truth behind the Three Rites.
Overall, this tale blends charm with darkness, making it a thought-provoking read for fans of magical realism and suspense. Highly recommended.
November 6, 2025
Really enjoyed this one. For a debut, it’s way better than I expected—great atmosphere, super readable, and the mystery kept pulling me along. The characters felt real, the pacing never dragged, and the winter setting gave it just the right vibe.
December 18, 2025
He is going to a town where things may not be as jolly as it all seems. He will find even more questions than answers but he is determined to find those answers as powers comes rules which may be unseen. See how he gets on
I received an advance copy from hidden gems and a great read
I received an advance copy from hidden gems and a great read
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews