Belsnickel: A Winter Horror

by James Yates

The Great Thaw stole winter for three years – and in that time the world changed.

Before then, Saint Nick rewarded the good while Belsnickel corrected the bad, keeping the world in balance. But when the winters vanished, so did Belsnickel… and mischief flourished.

Now the frost has returned.

So has he!

On a family trip to a remote Highland retreat, Ben Baldwin expects sledges and log fires. Not a vengeful winter spirit, furious and on the hunt. Cut off by the storm and surrounded by the chaos.

Ben makes a discovery.

Belsnickel isn’t here to judge.

He’s here to punish.

Genres: Horror, Novella, Christmas, Short Stories

Unknown Binding

First published December 5, 2025

About the author

James Yates is a proud member of the Horror Writers Association. He writes horror fiction that blends the brutal, the supernatural, and the psychological. Focusing on working-class British settings and character-driven stories, his debut novel The Cleanse explores the monstrous in both man and myth. A lifelong devotee of horror in all its forms – from slasher to folk to the quietly unhinged – he draws from a background that understands just how grey the edges of humanity can be.

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Reviews

[LTJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Belsnickel: A Winter Horror” by James Yates is the perfect blood-filled holiday book to enjoy right before Christmas. This was the first time I’ve ever read Yates, and his writing style was solid. This was a short, sweet, and straight-to-the-point kind of read. It was one hell of a sleigh ride, which got me even more excited for the holidays.

Before I begin my review, here are the trigger warnings I found while reading…

- Kidnapping
- Graphic violence against children

If any of these trigger you, please do not read this book. Moving along, this was a good story that centered around the mythical Belsnickel of German folklore. You’ve probably heard of this anti-Santa Claus that visits the homes of bad kids who are on his “naughty list,” and it never ends well.

Imagine that setting, but done in a way that makes this feel very similar to a splatterpunk book. Since this is a short book with quick chapters, this can easily be devoured in a night or two, tops. For the most part, I couldn’t put this book down, and enjoyed it over my Thanksgiving break. It was perfect timing, too, since Christmas is right around the corner.

The horror scenes in this book were on a whole other level. I loved these parts because they were brutal and made me make many weird faces while reading. Truly, some insane horror scenes here that are very graphic against children. If you love slasher movies and books, you’ll love all the carnage here.

My only criticism of “Belsnickel: A Winter Horror” is that some parts dragged on. Some chapters had a bit of excessive dialogue, but nothing too bad or a slogfest. Once I reached the 75% mark, it was such a wild, fun, climactic race to the end. The bloodshed was real as it felt as if I was watching a TERRIFIER movie, much to my horror-loving heart’s delight.

Don’t worry, I would never spoil anything for my fellow horror readers, but I loved the suspense and edge-of-your-seat ending. It was fantastic, and the plot twists and turns blew my mind. I didn’t expect that coming, and was pleasantly surprised with a particular drop-the-mic moment.

I give “Belsnickel: A Winter Horror” by James Yates a 4/5 for being a holiday must-read horror book. You will not want to miss this if you love slashers with a Christmas twist. Belsnickel was an insane antagonist, and some of the horror scenes here were vicious. I loved every second of those horror scenes, and if some parts didn’t drag on, this would have been a perfect 5-Star read. Yates has a new horror reader in me, as I look forward to reading more of his work in the future.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author James Yates, and Victory Editing for providing me with an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) for review consideration. This horror book review reflects my honest, personal opinion.

[Summer R Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the author and the publisher or publishers for all your hard work! I'm leaving this review voluntarily and happily! Take a look!

This was a quick read and I enjoyed it. Is it really a Christmas horror? Yes and no. Christmas isent really mentioned till the very end but the lore and such deals with Christmas. This book contains death, death of children and more. There's no gore so if that's what your hoping for this isent the book for you. This is not a book about the joys of Christmas. No this is the dark side of it all and im not talking about Krampus. No this is something entirely els.

Belsnickel is similar to Krampus in some ways but different. This dark story would definitely make you think about things in this world and if such a thing was around there's no escaping it. It already be too late.

I think the length was just right and I just really enjoyed the story it told.

[Laura Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

BELSNICKEL
A WINTER HORROR BY JAMES YATES.
Release date set for the 5th of December 2025
4 ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨s.
This is a quick and fast short story.
I enjoyed it.
This is the 2nd book I've read by this autho

[Milt Theo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This slasher/ holiday horror novelette is absolutely demented! The premise is just bonkers: climate change (winter is NOT coming) disturbs the balance between Santa and Belsnickel, a figure drawn from German folklore. Santa rewards kids; Besnickel judges them and punishes them if needed.

But no winter at all for three whole years has thrown Besnickel into hibernation. When winter finally arrives, Besnickel awakens, unhinged and mentally imbalanced (to put it somewhat midly). Targeting three families in a cabin in Scotland, where they've gathered all together for a sweet winter vacation, he goes on a rampage, attacking (and *massacring*) children and adults alike!

Besnickel is a magical being, a sort of what South Park might have come up with if Santa and Hulk had a baby lol! He's driven by naughtiness and the need to punish it severely wherever he finds it. He's pretty much an unstoppable force, so the quasi-bleak ending makes a whole lot of sense. The epilogue is similarly nihilistic, though I felt some subtle dark humor at work there, behind the scenes, so to speak.

My only complaint is that this guy and the lore backing him up are just too strong for a story of merely a hundred pages! I wanted more. Perhaps even a proper novel! His origins unwrapped! He's hunting children in the midst of a zombie apocalypse! And Santa ...

Well, OK, I'm excited. This is a good book! Pick it up.

[ObscureVi · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review!

December came and as every other year a lot of Christmas themed books popped up in all range of genres... and being a horror lover, I just couldn't let this one pass.

I won't lie, I saw all the reviews praising the book for how gory it is and being in a mood for something shorter, but within the good old bloody genre I decided to give it a go myself.

Unfortunately, it was a miss for me. I just couldn't really get into it, despite the first two chapters did having me a bit hyped. I mean, classic slasher vibes, especially when we find ourselves in a cabin in the middle of nowhere.

It did have it's spark, like the chessy horror movies you will never admit that you like to watch from time to time, even if they're bad and yet you enjoy them despite everything, in it's own way.

[Missy (myweereads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Beneath that silence, buried deep within the bowels of the Scottish Highlands, under rock and root, something began to stir."

James Yates novella is about Ben Baldwin and his family. They are on a trip at a remote retreat in the Highlands. They expect to have a relaxing time away except they meet something furious and vengeful. The Great Thaw that had stole winter for three years, had made Belsnickel disappear too. Now however not only has the frost returend, so has Belsnickel and he's looking to punish.

Although this was a quick one to read it felt like it captured perfectly the wintery setting of the highlands and the foreboding dread of what was hunting them. The brutal and explicit scenes really drove the unsettling aspect home and made it feel like an entertaining splatterpunk winter horror story.

This was a great wee winter horror novella I think a lot of you would enjoy.

Many thanks to @netgalley for the copy.

[Dave Musson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A bloody and breezy read to set you up for winter and the upcoming festive season…and you’ll never look at Santa in the same way again.

While this gory romp in the snow-covered Scottish highlands is a little thin in parts, it more than makes up for the fact with the sheer energy in the writing and the action here.

There are some fun set piece, some shocking kills, and just a frantic rush to plough us through the story. I would have liked a bit more of the folklore behind it, and some of the scenes would have benefitted from a little more subtlety and build, but overall this was a heck of a lot of fun.

Very much a pre-Christmas, winter horror and one that you read in one sitting and really give yourself the chills.

Oh, and any story where the last word is ‘fuck’ is a winner for me!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the review copy.

[Sadie Harness · Rating 4 out of 5]

Festive, folk fuckery easing me into the winter spirit.

I really liked this one, a short read but so packed with brutality it still had the depth of a full horror plot. The story’s villain is carnage personified, such a scary being brought to life in just over 100 pages is impressive.

I love James’ writing style, just as I did in his previous novella and can’t wait to read the next one!

This is my honest review. Thank you to NetGalley, Victory Editing and James Yates for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC.

[Crystal Staley · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a wild ride!! This novella packs a punch- such a fast-paced, thrilling story. I really enjoyed learning a bit about the lore of Belsnickel and thought he was such a great character for this type of story. I was immediately invested into what was going to happen with the characters, rooting for them to make it out of this terrifying situation (even though I knew everyone wouldnt). The wintry setting added so much to the story as well. I highly recommend if you’re in the mood for a seasonal slasher story. Just beware of a big dude riding an elk—you may get more than you bargain for.

[S. Policar · Rating 5 out of 5]

We hear a lot about Krampus these days, it's really nice to find a story about the other punisher of bad kids: Belsnickel.

This Christmas novella is akin to movies like Krampus and A Christmas Horror Story.

I LOVED this book. It's fast-paced and doesn't hold back on the blood and gore very much. The ending's a bit predictable, but it's expected with this type of Lore story. But that doesn't subtract from the uneasiness the reader will feel.

I absolutely loved that Belsnickel decided he didn't need to bring the candy to reward the good children because to him there were only naughty children left in the world.

This story definitely made me think though. How far have we strayed from the Nice list? We've become complacent in a lot of ways and don't look at naughty and nice the way we used to as kids, and so our children have very little understanding of it themselves. Hopefully we've been good enough to avoid a visit from this evolved Belsnickel. I know I'll be listening extra carefully for the sound of a creepy whistle and the sound of metal clinking on the ground from now on.

[The Honest Book Reviewer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun, fast, and satisfyingly bloody Christmas horror novella. If you want a quick read that feel like an homage to 80s slasher films, this is for you. A perfect mix of gore, corniness, and festivity.

The characters aren’t deeply developed, which is hard to do in a novella, but they all play their roles well and the story wastes no time throwing them into danger. With tight pacing, quick tension and amazing atmosphere, this book hits that sweet spot between eerie folklore and pulpy fun.

Belsnickel is a great antagonist. He's sinister, intelligent, ruthless, and updated for the modern world. He feels similar to Jason from the Friday the 13th franchise, and I love that! He’s not just a creature in this book. He has purpose and menace, and this gives the horror some extra bite.

If you enjoy old-school horror vibes, or quick and gory reads, this is a great choice. I had a really good time reading this.

Thanks to Netgalley for providing a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Amanda Gold · Rating 4 out of 5]

GRRRRREAT THAW, WHAT A BLOODY MASTERPIECE!
Anyone for a quick Christmas horror slasher book?
I'm still reeling from the carnage! Belsnickel is the ultimate winter boogeyman, and I'm HERE. FOR. IT. The vibes are perfectly creepy, it’s Christmas time and the Scottish Highlands setting is the icing on the terrifying cake. Ben Baldwin, his family and friends have zero chance against this vengeful spirit, and I'm loving every minute of it! Nice quick read and would recommend to anyone who can handle a side of terror with their holiday cheer.

[Anna Bayer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Belsnickel A Winter Horror by James Yates. I am grateful to the publisher and author for providing me with this book through NetGalley. This book is a brief read, comprising 85 pages, and I assigned it a rating of 3.5 stars. Although the first 20 pages were somewhat slow-moving, I am pleased to have continued reading, as the narrative soon picked up pace and captivated me with its graphic and blood-filled storyline. For readers seeking horror and gore, I recommend persisting through the initial slower sections, as the payoff is ultimately worthwhile.

[nikki 📚 · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted something creepy and bloody to get me into the "Christmas spirit" and that is exactly what this book is. For a novella, the pacing was good and I felt there was enough character development for a fast paced horror. I enjoyed the setting the most; a secluded cabin resort in the deep of winter. Definitely gave the winter vibes.

Unfortunately, I fear this is just not the kind of horror I enjoy. Personally, I would have preferred not to have chapters from Belsnickel's point of view to increase the creepiness/mystery but I totally get that's not what this book is trying to be. If you like more slasher-y horror, you'll probably like this!

(Thank you to NetGalley, the publishers, and the author for providing a free e-Arc in exchange for an honest review.)

[Hana · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.75 ⭐️

This was a miss for me. While I liked the premise and thought Belsnickel was an interesting villain, I found there was no depth to the story.

I don’t expect brilliant character work in a slasher, especially when it’s a novella, but a lot of the characters were indistinguishable from one another. I wasn’t attached enough to them to find their deaths particularly impactful. The dialogue felt forced, the characters’ motivations were mostly skimmed over, and the ending was anticlimactic.

That said, I actually really liked the shift in writing style when we got to Belsnickel’s POV. I wish we’d gotten to see more of his devolution from this perspective, but the parts we did see were well done.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

[Kay Oliver · Rating 3 out of 5]

To truly enjoy this, you'll need to put a fair amount of logic and common sense aside. Things were exaggerated and flipped. It's a slasher with a lot of gore and little depth. It's a horror read for the fun of it. So, after adjusting a bit, I was able to enjoy most of it, but I'm not normally the right audience for this.

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Received as an ARC from Netgalley:

I love a good holiday horror novella, so this was right up my alley. An awesome wintery slasher novel with a supernatural twist.

Strong writing and entertaining folklore make this a definite recommend.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a trip, I knew it was a horror but the level of gore in a Christmas short story really caught me off guard.

Belsnickel is back and he's not really all that interested in naughty or nice.

Thank you NetGalley for the copy!

[Jacqui · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was way gorier than I thought it was going to be. Blood and guts abound, this was the winter break from hell for a group of friends and their kids. Every chapter held more surprises and the ending left me wanting more. I would've loved this in a full length novel.

Content warning - the kids cop it.

[Marguerite Blanchard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading this story on Christmas Day felt delightfully unhinged—in the best possible way. This is a short, sharp burst of holiday horror that wastes no time getting to the carnage. Yates delivers a graphic story, but doesn't cross into excess for shock’s sake. The violence serves the character of Belsnickel well, especially once he fully abandons any pretense of judging only children and decides that adults are fair game too. That shift gave the narrative a wicked, almost gleeful momentum.
The setting and characters are solid, and I enjoyed the contrast between the cozy winter atmosphere and the brutality unfolding within it. That said, the premise hinges on the idea that three years without winter has significantly weakened a near-deific being and led to a serious moral decline in children worldwide. For me, that timeline felt rushed. Five—or even ten—years would have made both Belsnickel’s loss of power and the societal degeneration far more believable. Similarly, there are a few moments that feel a bit rough around the edges, such as Francine being pulled soaking wet from a hot tub and running into the snow with no real acknowledgment of the physical consequences. A brief mention of someone covering her with a blanket or offering warmth would have gone a long way in grounding the scene.
That said, these are relatively minor quibbles in an otherwise enjoyable read. The children, while spoiled, didn’t strike me as truly deserving of the extreme punishment awaiting them, but that moral ambiguity actually adds an interesting layer to the story. The killing spree itself is darkly entertaining, and the cliffhanger ending—while expected—was well executed and left me satisfied. Overall, Belsnickel: A Winter Horror is a fun, fast-paced seasonal horror that delivers exactly what it promises, with just enough bite to make it memorable.

[Bibliothèque Edmundston Library · Rating 4 out of 5]

**spoiler alert** Reading this story on Christmas Day felt delightfully unhinged—in the best possible way. This is a short, sharp burst of holiday horror that wastes no time getting to the carnage. Yates delivers a graphic story, but doesn't cross into excess for shock’s sake. The violence serves the character of Belsnickel well, especially once he fully abandons any pretense of judging only children and decides that adults are fair game too. That shift gave the narrative a wicked, almost gleeful momentum.
The setting and characters are solid, and I enjoyed the contrast between the cozy winter atmosphere and the brutality unfolding within it. That said, the premise hinges on the idea that three years without winter has significantly weakened a near-deific being and led to a serious moral decline in children worldwide. For me, that timeline felt rushed. Five—or even ten—years would have made both Belsnickel’s loss of power and the societal degeneration far more believable. Similarly, there are a few moments that feel a bit rough around the edges, such as Francine being pulled soaking wet from a hot tub and running into the snow with no real acknowledgment of the physical consequences. A brief mention of someone covering her with a blanket or offering warmth would have gone a long way in grounding the scene.
That said, these are relatively minor quibbles in an otherwise enjoyable read. The children, while spoiled, didn’t strike me as truly deserving of the extreme punishment awaiting them, but that moral ambiguity actually adds an interesting layer to the story. The killing spree itself is darkly entertaining, and the cliffhanger ending—while expected—was well executed and left me satisfied. Overall, Belsnickel: A Winter Horror is a fun, fast-paced seasonal horror that delivers exactly what it promises, with just enough bite to make it memorable.

[Casca Wardle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this little winter horror story filled with mischief, some hilarious inappropriate dad jokes which had me giggling out loud and soaked with crimson gore when Belsnickel appears to do his gruesome duty. This is a very fast little read and gets straight to the point quite quickly so we don’t find out too much about the characters involved but we are introduced to enough of their personalities and lifestyles to know who they are when they go on their little adventure getaway. This is definitely a story to curl up with on a cold day with a hot chocolate or a stiff drink at hand. Some of the shocking scenes are brief but quite graphic so be prepared for some jaw dropping action, not to mention, the neverending suspense. This was my second book I’ve read of James Yates, and I was once again impressed with his storyline. I can’t wait to read more of his stories.

It’s a 5 out of 5 for me because it was something a bit different and it will have you hooked until that last page is turned.

[Mark Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

After really enjoying James Yates’ The Cleanse—with its unmistakably British grit and throwback vibe that reminded me of early James Herbert and Shaun Hutson—I went into Belsnickel with high hopes. Thankfully, this short Christmas horror absolutely delivered.

Yates’ writing once again has that grounded, distinctly British feel that makes the horror hit just a bit harder. The pacing is tight, the atmosphere is festive-but-menacing, and the story wastes no time pulling you straight into its dark little world. Despite being a quicker read, it never feels rushed; instead, it’s sharp, punchy, and full of character.

The ending in particular was a blast—clever, satisfying, and exactly the kind of twisty fun I want from a seasonal horror tale. It wrapped everything up in a way that left a grin on my face.

If you enjoy Christmas horror, folklore, or simply want a fast, well-written seasonal scare, Belsnickel is definitely worth your time. Another solid, entertaining hit from James Yates. I’d happily recommend it.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story was completely ridiculous in a way I really enjoyed. It starts off with winter finally coming back...after 3 years. And it is like people don't know what to do. I was like it has only been 3 years? Some of the things don't seem likely in that short of a timeframe (and some seem odd because well there are places on earth now that don't get cold in the winter so...), but it was fun. The character are not super distinctive and I did have a hard time keeping everyone straight in my head, but I also wasn't that bothered by that. It is a silly, fun, super violent at times holiday read.

I did love the Belsnickel lore and how that all worked in here. In fact I would have enjoyed more from the Belsnickel's point of view. He was by far my favorite. Though I do love these type of characters (companions of St Nicholas) so it was a great read. Lots of fun and it might have to go on the re-read list for next year!

Thanks to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for a copy of this book

[Mariah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Belsnickel: A Winter Story is a bloody axe murdering narrative to read with your peppermint tea this holiday. A cozy horror that jumps write into grotesque detail on a terrifying holiday adventure. The novella packs in the sense of wintry chills and windy scares with the descriptive writing. I was pleasantly surprised by how much action the reader is delivered in this novella. Think Santa Claus meets your paralysis demons.
I am a Krampus girlie, but this tone sets the narrative a bit different. He is something different and almost darker. His motivations are more benign. All I would have wanted more from this novel of is stronger character building. But is that always necessary for a slashin’ fun time aboard the sleigh. Get into the quiet stillness of the chills the holidays find us in this season.

For more reviews, recommendations, and impressions visit my blog, http://brujerialibrary.wordpress.com

[Horror Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an entertaining, fast paced, blood drenched story that won't take long to read.

The great thaw has seen perpetual summer for a few years. Winter is no more and it's caused chaos. But when scientists announce that winter is coming back, a group of families decide to spend some time in the woods at some cabins, enjoying a toasty fire and the snow.

However, the cold weather awakens Belsnickel, a creature who used to instill fear in the hearts of children. But he's got more than simple fear on his mind. He decides the humans have to go permanently. As family members begin to be horrifically killed, each shedding of blood making Belsnickel stronger, can any of them escape his wraith?

What more could you want from a good slashery type holiday horror? I highly recommend it. I received an ARC of this book through Netgalley. This review is voluntary and is my own personal opinion.

[haneen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Let's start with my rating: 3.5 stars. Not because I didn't enjoy the read, but because I wish it were longer. The story follows after a time when Saint Nick rewarded the good, and Belsnickel punished the bad, but the Great Thaw stole winter for three years, and everything changed. But the frost is back, and so is Belsnickel with a newfound vengeance. What happens when Ben Baldwin, expecting a cozy family vacation, is confronted by the avenging winter spirit? This was such a quick read for me, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I really appreciate the author's work in helping us understand the backstory and in delving into all the characters. I especially liked the prologue's writing. The horror scenes were very well written, and when a scene was happening, I felt sick to my stomach. I was watching a movie in real time. But this is a solid slasher holiday book!

Thank you for allowing me to read before publishing!

[Ristretto · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you’re looking for a little horror this Christmas, and I always am, Belsnickel: A Winter Horror has you covered. Short and not so sweet, it brings some winter horror as the holidays fast approach.

I really like the idea of climate change having an impact on magical beings. Belsnickel is like Santa’s bad cop co-worker, but in this world, there hasn’t been a real winter in three years, leaving him in a dormant state. When he finally awakens he’s pretty unhinged. Belsnickel smells naughtiness everywhere and is ready to hunt and punish. I had fun reading this but also felt like it was missing something. I didn’t feel much for the characters we were following which lessened the potential tension and suspense. It’s still a good pick for when you are looking for something short and gruesome to read by the fireside.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advance review copy. This review was written voluntarily.

[Dani ~ Booksbrewsandbees · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a short wintery horror but packed a punch!

Belsnickel is like the anti Santa - rather than bringing joy to people, he punishes those who have been ‘naughty’ but due to The Great Thaw there’s been no snow so Belsnickel has been lying dormant. However, the snow has now returned.

The book follows a group of friends and family who decide to stay in some remote cabins in Scotland for a break to enjoy the snow. Things soon start going wrong though when one of the parties nearly hit a large man riding an elk on the way to the cabins and they have the scent of misbehaviour on them.

I loved how quick paced this book was. It was perfect for a little bit of horror at this time of year! It was violent and gory in parts and even though it’s short, it didn’t feel like anything felt missing.

If you want something to break up all the holiday romance books that are popular at this time of year, I recommend this one!

[KaysKillerReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Winter is here and I needed to get into that holiday winter wonderland spirit. Of course, we horror lovers do things a little differently. We like our beautiful white Christmas scenes in our novels soaked in a beautiful crimson... blood.

This novel was exactly what I needed to slip into that winter “cozy” mood. The story takes place in a secluded, picturesque cottage set in the mountains of Scotland. It is the perfect setting for family relaxation, bonding, and, of course, bloodshed.

This is the perfect book for a cold snowy November or December night. It is not a Christmas novel; it is a winter novel. It is a quick read, and while I would have loved for it to be longer with more character development and storyline, I also appreciate a good fast-paced read.

All in all, I give this a solid four stars!