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The Xmas Day Butcher
Set in the creepy small town of Whisper’s Creek—a man named Lenny Frost has been pulled into a psychological game of terror, after his wife has gone missing.
During the span of the 24 days leading up to Christmas, he must piece together a series of Christmas-related clues—a twisted, sinister puzzle created by someone named the Xmas Day Butcher.
The Xmas Day Butcher needs Lenny to learn the dark history of who he is, before Christmas Day.
If he doesn’t discover the true identity of the Xmas Day Butcher in time—Angela—his missing wife, will die.
Amongst the snowfall and the joyous Christmas spirit—something truly dark and sinister hides beneath the surface.
Whatever you do…don’t look in the stockings near the Christmas tree this year…
During the span of the 24 days leading up to Christmas, he must piece together a series of Christmas-related clues—a twisted, sinister puzzle created by someone named the Xmas Day Butcher.
The Xmas Day Butcher needs Lenny to learn the dark history of who he is, before Christmas Day.
If he doesn’t discover the true identity of the Xmas Day Butcher in time—Angela—his missing wife, will die.
Amongst the snowfall and the joyous Christmas spirit—something truly dark and sinister hides beneath the surface.
Whatever you do…don’t look in the stockings near the Christmas tree this year…
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 518 reviews
December 3, 2025
To all the people that told me this book was good, you owe me 5 hours of my life back.
December 4, 2025
I could only get 16 pages in and had to dnf. The writing is juvenile and just not good. I can't bring myself to go any further.
December 17, 2025
Interesting concept.. terrible terrible execution of concept. 😵💫
December 5, 2025
This book feels like it was written in a weekend by a middle school student. Disappointed.
December 12, 2025
This book is awful. I teach middle school and felt like I was reading writing from one of my students. I was in a Facebook group of people raving about how good this is and I honestly don’t get it. They must be friends of the author or something. I finished it just so it didn’t take up any more of my December reading time and because I didn’t want to review it without reading the whole thing. Save your hours. Read something else.
December 4, 2025
I DNF this book. The writing was horrible! I was excited to have an advent style book but I can’t even get through the chapters.
December 9, 2025
Author clearly paid people or AI bots to leave good reviews.
The writing is juvenile, repetitive and unnecessary. How have we spent the first 3 chapters rehashing the same information?
I have never DNF’ed a book but this is not worth my time.
Don’t even both with it.
The writing is juvenile, repetitive and unnecessary. How have we spent the first 3 chapters rehashing the same information?
I have never DNF’ed a book but this is not worth my time.
Don’t even both with it.
December 6, 2025
Decided to jump through it and finish it off instead of drawing it out as there are other Xmas reads I need to get to.
The appeal is the advent calendar style set up of the book.
However the story is badly written. Each chapter repeats itself over and over again before adding a paragraph or two before jumping to the next day. It comes across as useless filler. Especially if you’ve already read the chapter beforehand.
My suspicion was correct on who the Xmas Day Butcher turns out to be but by the time of the reveal, I no longer cared.
The appeal is the advent calendar style set up of the book.
However the story is badly written. Each chapter repeats itself over and over again before adding a paragraph or two before jumping to the next day. It comes across as useless filler. Especially if you’ve already read the chapter beforehand.
My suspicion was correct on who the Xmas Day Butcher turns out to be but by the time of the reveal, I no longer cared.
December 20, 2025
This is one of the worst books I’ve ever read. And I read a lot. I love the advent style, I read the one last year by Per Jacobson with friends, this year we decided on this one because it had such a hype. I was doing advent style, but I needed to be done. I read the last 6 chapters today, I was really hoping it would get better, that the end would make it worth it… it did/was not.
The writing is very immature. I felt like I was reading something a middle school boy wrote. Things did not add up or make sense. The main characters wife is missing and instead of looking for her he spent majority of his days sleeping. The police couldn’t help because “it was snowing”. Numerous other details I won’t include because of spoilers. So many details included that didn’t need to be.
It was just all over not good. I have a strong feeling all the 5 star comments are people the author knows. Because there is just no way.
The writing is very immature. I felt like I was reading something a middle school boy wrote. Things did not add up or make sense. The main characters wife is missing and instead of looking for her he spent majority of his days sleeping. The police couldn’t help because “it was snowing”. Numerous other details I won’t include because of spoilers. So many details included that didn’t need to be.
It was just all over not good. I have a strong feeling all the 5 star comments are people the author knows. Because there is just no way.
December 14, 2025
Good idea, poor execution.
December 5, 2025
It’s bad, real bad. Couldn’t make it past chapter 4. I see the idea, but I stg this was written by AI. Don’t do it.
December 4, 2025
nope. almost instantly a DNF. this is badly written and makes no sense. definitely made with the help of AI, if you can call the poor choices the AI made as helping.
December 7, 2025
Honestly, this was not worth the hype it received. I almost DNF’d it but kept reading to see if it got any better. It did not.
December 8, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
This story had a lot of intriguing characters, as we follow along this mystery with Lenny while he searches for his missing girlfriend, Angela. It’s obvious that something happened in this small town years ago that people do not like to discuss, but it’s apparent that today’s events have something to do with a decades old murder. Entertaining read that overall held my attention.
This story had a lot of intriguing characters, as we follow along this mystery with Lenny while he searches for his missing girlfriend, Angela. It’s obvious that something happened in this small town years ago that people do not like to discuss, but it’s apparent that today’s events have something to do with a decades old murder. Entertaining read that overall held my attention.
Read
December 5, 2025dnf @ 15% I dont understand how this has such a high rating. The writing is so juvenile, and the main character is a miserable human
December 9, 2025
DNF. I could not get past how bad the writing style of this book was. Definitely not for me and couldn’t make it through.
December 16, 2025
This was my first read by Guerrero (or as I call him, the hat man!) I was impressed from the beginning as most chapters ended on a good cliffhanger and the description and imagery was insanely good.
However, as the story got to around halfway, I felt the chapters started to slow down a bit and not as much was happening. I was also disappointed when I got to the end and realised I had predicted the ending just after half way through. I also felt there were some small plot holes and I still had quite a few questions left unanswered.
It hasn't put me off his other books though and I'm looking forward to reading others in the future!
However, as the story got to around halfway, I felt the chapters started to slow down a bit and not as much was happening. I was also disappointed when I got to the end and realised I had predicted the ending just after half way through. I also felt there were some small plot holes and I still had quite a few questions left unanswered.
It hasn't put me off his other books though and I'm looking forward to reading others in the future!
December 12, 2025
Absolutely LOVE anything Spencer Guerrero!!
This book is just another in the Spencer collection that absolutely delivers! Reading Advent style is so much fun!!! Oh Lenny..... absolute MUST READ!
This book is just another in the Spencer collection that absolutely delivers! Reading Advent style is so much fun!!! Oh Lenny..... absolute MUST READ!
December 30, 2025
I liked the concept.. but oof. The writing felt very juvenile. It was super repetitive. Some repetitive parts didn’t even make sense… like chapters 2 and 5 both had the main character saying “people wonder if it was Henry, Clara’s boyfriend” (like literally the same line) and then chapter 9 says “I had no idea that she was involved with him in an intimate fashion”. Like WHAT, Sir, YOU’RE the one who told ME they were together. Twice. And no one ever saw footprints in all this snow to follow when the killer would throw things through the window or knock on the door then magically sprint away through the snow??
And speaking of throwing things through the window… how was Lenny convinced he himself was the killer?? How tf could he be inside talking to the detective and simultaneously outside throwing axes through the window?? I wanted to like this but instead hate read it. Sigh.
And speaking of throwing things through the window… how was Lenny convinced he himself was the killer?? How tf could he be inside talking to the detective and simultaneously outside throwing axes through the window?? I wanted to like this but instead hate read it. Sigh.
December 11, 2025
1.5 stars. ⭐️✨
𝑳𝒆𝒏𝒏𝒚! 𝑺𝒕𝒐𝒑 𝒈𝒐𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒐 𝒔𝒍𝒆𝒆𝒑, 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒘𝒊𝒇𝒆 𝒊𝒔 𝒎𝒊𝒔𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒈!
This man has the nerve to be bundled up in bed with fluffy sheets, enjoying hot cocoa 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰𝐬 while his 𝐖𝐈𝐅𝐄 𝐈𝐒 𝐌𝐈𝐒𝐒𝐈𝐍𝐆!! 𝑳𝒆𝒏𝒏𝒚, 𝒃𝒆 𝒔𝒐 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒍 𝒓𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝒏𝒐𝒘! 😂
Loved the idea! It’s a fun concept to jump into, and I was excited for my first Christmas advent-calendar adventure and my first read from this author. But the execution of this clever concept wasn’t there for me.
The storytelling and character development felt thin. There was a lot of telling instead of allowing me to be engaged and experience the moment, and the pacing didn’t build tension, especially for an advent-type psychological thriller. Some of the twisty elements also seemed included purely for shock value. Though I could see where it was going, I did appreciate the misdirection elements surrounding the main twist.
Under all of the gimmicks, it ends up quite uninteresting. Great concept, just not carried through, which makes this a miss for me.
That said, the author seems funny and imaginative, and I can see how others might enjoy his style!
𝑳𝒆𝒏𝒏𝒚! 𝑺𝒕𝒐𝒑 𝒈𝒐𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒐 𝒔𝒍𝒆𝒆𝒑, 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒘𝒊𝒇𝒆 𝒊𝒔 𝒎𝒊𝒔𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒈!
This man has the nerve to be bundled up in bed with fluffy sheets, enjoying hot cocoa 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰𝐬 while his 𝐖𝐈𝐅𝐄 𝐈𝐒 𝐌𝐈𝐒𝐒𝐈𝐍𝐆!! 𝑳𝒆𝒏𝒏𝒚, 𝒃𝒆 𝒔𝒐 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒍 𝒓𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝒏𝒐𝒘! 😂
Loved the idea! It’s a fun concept to jump into, and I was excited for my first Christmas advent-calendar adventure and my first read from this author. But the execution of this clever concept wasn’t there for me.
The storytelling and character development felt thin. There was a lot of telling instead of allowing me to be engaged and experience the moment, and the pacing didn’t build tension, especially for an advent-type psychological thriller. Some of the twisty elements also seemed included purely for shock value. Though I could see where it was going, I did appreciate the misdirection elements surrounding the main twist.
Under all of the gimmicks, it ends up quite uninteresting. Great concept, just not carried through, which makes this a miss for me.
That said, the author seems funny and imaginative, and I can see how others might enjoy his style!
December 14, 2025
I have one word for everything about this book. CRINGE
December 7, 2025
If you need a break from the Hallmark fluff and want something that keeps your heart racing, The Xmas Day Butcher is the perfect holiday antidote.
The story centers on a small town haunted by a brutal legacy, and just when you think you have the mystery figured out, the ground shifts beneath you. This book is absolutely packed with twists, seriously, every time I thought I knew who the killer was or what was coming next, I was proven wrong. The atmosphere is the perfect blend of festive winter chills and genuine dread.
It’s fast-paced, dark, and exactly the kind of "edge of your seat" read you want if you love a good slasher vibe mixed with psychological suspense. Highly recommend if you want some adrenaline with your eggnog!
The story centers on a small town haunted by a brutal legacy, and just when you think you have the mystery figured out, the ground shifts beneath you. This book is absolutely packed with twists, seriously, every time I thought I knew who the killer was or what was coming next, I was proven wrong. The atmosphere is the perfect blend of festive winter chills and genuine dread.
It’s fast-paced, dark, and exactly the kind of "edge of your seat" read you want if you love a good slasher vibe mixed with psychological suspense. Highly recommend if you want some adrenaline with your eggnog!
December 27, 2025
Ugh. Saw a lot of positive reviews for this book. Decided to keep reading through, but yikes. The writing is juvenile and it just constantly flip flops all over the place. Kind of saw the ending coming, but ending wasn’t bad which is why I gave it two stars.
December 24, 2025
I couldn’t help myself, I finished it today 😅 I didn’t expect that ending
December 24, 2025
Terribly written and basic. Felt like a teenager had written this. Clichéd and superficial. Don't waste your time. Should have DNFd but I wanted to complete the advent calendar.
December 25, 2025
3.25 Stars
I absolutely love Spencer and I was really excited to try out his advent calendar for the Christmas holidays. The best part of the novel is the ending. Though I was expecting some of it, other stuff I did not. My biggest issue with this book was the fluidity between chapters. I felt that the author was trying to stretch the days which made the story drag a bit. There is a definite need to suspend belief in parts because the way the characters were so nonchalant about what was going on was farfetched. I really enjoyed the discussions on FB each day, it made for a very interactive experience.
Okay read.
I absolutely love Spencer and I was really excited to try out his advent calendar for the Christmas holidays. The best part of the novel is the ending. Though I was expecting some of it, other stuff I did not. My biggest issue with this book was the fluidity between chapters. I felt that the author was trying to stretch the days which made the story drag a bit. There is a definite need to suspend belief in parts because the way the characters were so nonchalant about what was going on was farfetched. I really enjoyed the discussions on FB each day, it made for a very interactive experience.
Okay read.
December 27, 2025
I read one other book by this author and saw a difference in writing with this one, which was good. I thought this was a decently fun advent thriller for the Christmas season.
December 12, 2025
Don’t bother with this one 🤦🏼♀️
December 24, 2025
Worst book I read all year. By a landslide. My friends and I chose this for our advent style book this holiday season because it had decent reviews early on… lies. There’s no way these people rating this book 4-5 stars actually read the book without incentive from the author. The main character is essentially just sleeping or passing out for 80% of the book. I’m sorry, your wife is missing and you’re just sleeping? Also, one detective and no outside sources to help with a missing person and murders? Because it’s snowing. But don’t worry, he can quickly dig into the frozen ground. Don’t waste your time with this one.
December 23, 2025
What a waste of time
The advent style of book has such potential.... but this book was seriously awful. No part of it was written well. Contradictions everywhere, and probably the laziest writing I've ever read. Still at the ending we had no explanation for why the main character passed out/blacked out nearly every day. So it's obvious it was just the author lacking the ability to write actual plot.
The advent style of book has such potential.... but this book was seriously awful. No part of it was written well. Contradictions everywhere, and probably the laziest writing I've ever read. Still at the ending we had no explanation for why the main character passed out/blacked out nearly every day. So it's obvious it was just the author lacking the ability to write actual plot.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 518 reviews