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The Christmas Cat From Hell
Christmas is coming, and the thing Julie wants most in the world is a kitten. But living things can't wait for Christmas morning.
It's a few weeks before the big day, and Julie thinks Christmas has come early when she gets a look at her new pet. He's the cutest, bestest little furry thing ever, or so she thinks.
When her neighborhood gets stranger as people disappear, the whole town gets worried. The big day is approaching, and Julie is sure that her new baby has nothing to do with it. But is she right? Or is her new pet The Christmas Cat From Hell?
D.W. Hitz creates a new take on the mythos of the Yule Cat in this tale of fear, horror, and love.
After reading this book, you'll never look at your cat the same way again.
It's a few weeks before the big day, and Julie thinks Christmas has come early when she gets a look at her new pet. He's the cutest, bestest little furry thing ever, or so she thinks.
When her neighborhood gets stranger as people disappear, the whole town gets worried. The big day is approaching, and Julie is sure that her new baby has nothing to do with it. But is she right? Or is her new pet The Christmas Cat From Hell?
D.W. Hitz creates a new take on the mythos of the Yule Cat in this tale of fear, horror, and love.
After reading this book, you'll never look at your cat the same way again.
147 pages, ebook
Published December 22, 2025
1 person is currently reading
20 people want to read
About the author
D.W. Hitz
39 books176 followersD.W. Hitz loves the outdoors and enjoys making it a background character in his work. He devours stories in all mediums. He enjoys writing in the genres of Horror, Supernatural/Paranormal Thriller, and Science Fiction/Fantasy. He aspires to tell stories that thrill the heart and stimulate the imagination.
When not writing, D.W. enjoys spending time with his family, hiking, camping, and playing with the dogs.
Be sure to sign up for his Patreon today at https://patreon.com/dwhitz to stay up to date with news and exclusive offers, plus discounts on signed books.
When not writing, D.W. enjoys spending time with his family, hiking, camping, and playing with the dogs.
Be sure to sign up for his Patreon today at https://patreon.com/dwhitz to stay up to date with news and exclusive offers, plus discounts on signed books.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
December 28, 2025
Another fine book by D.W. Hitz. This time we explore an old folktale about the Yuletide Cat. Man oh man, who knew that cats could be so dangerous. We head back to Custer Falls, a place that is no stranger to some of the most horrific stories. This is a creature feature set during the 12 days of Christmas. Before you ask, this is safe to read for animal lovers. In fact, the cat is the hunter not the hunted. Although, some of the kills are pretty gruesome, hehe.
This has the perfect Christmas vibe to it with the wonderful world building that's done in the beginning of the book. This was a great Christmas horror read. I always read what D.W. releases and for good reason. Grab this today!
This has the perfect Christmas vibe to it with the wonderful world building that's done in the beginning of the book. This was a great Christmas horror read. I always read what D.W. releases and for good reason. Grab this today!
December 31, 2025
Thank you to the author for providing a review copy.
I had a great time with this short but nasty book! That sweet, innocent little kitty couldn't be a bloodthirsty monster - could it? This is Custer Falls, so of course it is. Hitz always manages to make his characters seem like real people, even in a book this short. This is a fun read at any time of year. 4 stars
I had a great time with this short but nasty book! That sweet, innocent little kitty couldn't be a bloodthirsty monster - could it? This is Custer Falls, so of course it is. Hitz always manages to make his characters seem like real people, even in a book this short. This is a fun read at any time of year. 4 stars
December 26, 2025
Icelandic folklore meets animal horror, with a sort of creature feature-slasher vibe and a bit of possession on top - the result is Christmas horror delight: gory, dark, and intensely feline! The titular cat from hell is the Yule Cat, a huge monster that eats people, appearing close to Christmas and messing up with the body count.
Here the mythical Yule Cat is terrorizing a whole neighborhood in Custer Falls, the author's much troubled fictional small town. There's a large cast, but the characters are very well fleshed out. Figuring centrally a young girl who gets a cat as a Christmas gift from her family, the tale follows a Christmas countdown, each day someone new disappearing, while the neighborhood kids are trying to guess at what's happening.
Warning: animals are safe in this book, but people are fair game! In fact, this is no children's story: the chapters may be short, the main characters may be (mostly) kids, but there's real violence, both psychological and physical, and some scenes may disturb. On the bright side, however, there's a cute little cat parading around, lots of family love, nice brother-sister banter, warm friendships, and even sledding right on the street! Not to mention the grumpy neighbor and the always faultfinding grandma.
If you're after a engrossing Christmas horror story to read in one sitting, with a satisfying ending and a surprising epilogue as well, this is definitely it! Recommended!
Here the mythical Yule Cat is terrorizing a whole neighborhood in Custer Falls, the author's much troubled fictional small town. There's a large cast, but the characters are very well fleshed out. Figuring centrally a young girl who gets a cat as a Christmas gift from her family, the tale follows a Christmas countdown, each day someone new disappearing, while the neighborhood kids are trying to guess at what's happening.
Warning: animals are safe in this book, but people are fair game! In fact, this is no children's story: the chapters may be short, the main characters may be (mostly) kids, but there's real violence, both psychological and physical, and some scenes may disturb. On the bright side, however, there's a cute little cat parading around, lots of family love, nice brother-sister banter, warm friendships, and even sledding right on the street! Not to mention the grumpy neighbor and the always faultfinding grandma.
If you're after a engrossing Christmas horror story to read in one sitting, with a satisfying ending and a surprising epilogue as well, this is definitely it! Recommended!
December 27, 2025
The Christmas Cat From Hell by master storyteller D.W. Hitz is a fresh and ferocious take on the legend of the Yuletide Cat, and it takes place, of course, in an outlying neighborhood of Custer Falls. This riveting story is rich with suspense and terror and vivid, evocative characters you feel for and with.
Hitz’s incredible storytelling is on point in this dark and unnerving tale. I found it to be a driving story I didn’t want to put down. Just when I thought I had it figured out, there was a surprise twist adding another layer of mystery. And no spoilers, but the ultimate reveal slayed me.
This is a fun and intense horror read, and although there are scenes that are brutal and a bit grisly, they aren’t extreme horror-level graphic, more brutal to the mind, really, for what isn’t outright said. The Christmas Cat From Hell is fantastic, compelling horror reading any time of year. Highly recommended.
A Bibliophilia Templum review
https://bibliophiliatemplum.wordpress.com/2025/12/27/the-christmas-cat-from-hell/
Hitz’s incredible storytelling is on point in this dark and unnerving tale. I found it to be a driving story I didn’t want to put down. Just when I thought I had it figured out, there was a surprise twist adding another layer of mystery. And no spoilers, but the ultimate reveal slayed me.
This is a fun and intense horror read, and although there are scenes that are brutal and a bit grisly, they aren’t extreme horror-level graphic, more brutal to the mind, really, for what isn’t outright said. The Christmas Cat From Hell is fantastic, compelling horror reading any time of year. Highly recommended.
A Bibliophilia Templum review
https://bibliophiliatemplum.wordpress.com/2025/12/27/the-christmas-cat-from-hell/
December 25, 2025
The Christmas Cat from Hell is a fun, bloody riff on the legend of the Yule Cat. When Julie gets a tiny kitten a few days before Christmas, she overjoyed and immediately falls in love with the little ball of fluff. Around the time of his arrival, people in the neighborhood start mysteriously disappearing, and Julie soon notices her kitten is growing much quicker than expected. She doesn’t want to believe her baby is responsible, but it becomes harder to ignore the odd occurrences the closer they get to Christmas Day.
This book was so much fun! It had everything you’d look for in a Christmas story. It was funny, gory, and had some surprisingly sweet moments. I love Yule Cat folklore, and Hitz did a fantastic job putting his own spin on it. It’s a quick read if you need one more Christmas book and I highly recommend it!
This book was so much fun! It had everything you’d look for in a Christmas story. It was funny, gory, and had some surprisingly sweet moments. I love Yule Cat folklore, and Hitz did a fantastic job putting his own spin on it. It’s a quick read if you need one more Christmas book and I highly recommend it!
January 10, 2026
First, thank you to DW for sending me an ARC of this story. Once I had a minute to sit down and read, I just couldn’t put it down! This story explores the folklore of the Yuletide Cat. I wasn’t super familiar with it, but I enjoyed the hell out of this one!
Julie receives a kitten 12 days before Christmas. She had been asking her parents for one for months, and they finally gave in. It’s not long after that strange murders start happening in their neighborhood. As it gets closer to Christmas, more and more things start happening.
The storytelling is fantastic in this one. The pacing is great, and I didn’t want to stop once I had started. Great read!
Julie receives a kitten 12 days before Christmas. She had been asking her parents for one for months, and they finally gave in. It’s not long after that strange murders start happening in their neighborhood. As it gets closer to Christmas, more and more things start happening.
The storytelling is fantastic in this one. The pacing is great, and I didn’t want to stop once I had started. Great read!
December 24, 2025
I couldn't get enough of this book. Being a lover of cats and violence this one ticked all the boxes for me (and I don't like xmas related stories). I was definitely team Yule cat and the ammount of violence it brought was fantastic.I even found myself yelling " you get them human mouses" while laughing evilly. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes xmas horror, folklore and evil kitties. You will love this.
December 25, 2025
Fun and frightening Christmas tale! Just a little on the gory side, it's actually a perfect Christmas horror story for those who aren't into extreme gore.
Folk horror about the Icelandic Yule Cat, I was fascinated with the story since I had never heard that myth before. I guess Krampus isn't the only bad guy at Christmas!
The main characters were mostly children and it was such a good read from kid's point of view. I think the author did a great job making the kids act and think like kids if that makes sense.
Festive and chilling, put this on your holiday TBR!
Folk horror about the Icelandic Yule Cat, I was fascinated with the story since I had never heard that myth before. I guess Krampus isn't the only bad guy at Christmas!
The main characters were mostly children and it was such a good read from kid's point of view. I think the author did a great job making the kids act and think like kids if that makes sense.
Festive and chilling, put this on your holiday TBR!
December 24, 2025
The Christmas Cat From Hell is exactly what I’ve come to expect from any D.W. Hitz book - creative, well-written, and just tons of fun to read! Julie has been desperate for a kitten, and her parents surprise her weeks before Christmas with her new little fur-ball named Jinx. Coincidentally (?) a large creature has started stalking and brutally killing the neighbours around the same time Jinx showed up. This is a great fast-paced holiday read based on the tale of the Yule Cat. Highly recommend snuggling up with your fur baby and The Christmas Cat From Hell for some Christmas reading!
Review of advance copy received from Author
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 and interesting read. I know a little about the Yule Cat and this is definitely a darker take on it. There is death, blood and pain. If you enjoy something you dont hear about everyday this is something I think a lot of people will be interested in. I was able to finish this in one sitting and I really enjoyed the characters. The chapters aren't long at all and that's a huge plus for me. If you have a cat perhaps have them cuddled up beside them while you read this. No animals are harmed in this book.
This was a quick and interesting read. I know a little about the Yule Cat and this is definitely a darker take on it. There is death, blood and pain. If you enjoy something you dont hear about everyday this is something I think a lot of people will be interested in. I was able to finish this in one sitting and I really enjoyed the characters. The chapters aren't long at all and that's a huge plus for me. If you have a cat perhaps have them cuddled up beside them while you read this. No animals are harmed in this book.
January 10, 2026
Just a cat
I wanted a cat. I got 6 of them! Love us remarkable! Don't let the yule.cat get ya! I was hooked from the.first chapter! Book 2?
I wanted a cat. I got 6 of them! Love us remarkable! Don't let the yule.cat get ya! I was hooked from the.first chapter! Book 2?
January 2, 2026
Great
I loved this read and what a time to read it but over Christmas and the new year. I'm glad I don't have a cat haha. An unusual storyline but a great storyline that kept you entertained and gripped throughout. I loved the characters, little Julie being my favourite. It brought back old childhood memories and kept you in a Christmas spirit. It captures the family experience of this time of year and shows you friendships that go deep. This friendship between Julie and marcy is unbound and holds dear in the read. A real heart warming read with the twist of evil thrown in. Definitely recommend a read to anyone whom enjoys a little horror.
I loved this read and what a time to read it but over Christmas and the new year. I'm glad I don't have a cat haha. An unusual storyline but a great storyline that kept you entertained and gripped throughout. I loved the characters, little Julie being my favourite. It brought back old childhood memories and kept you in a Christmas spirit. It captures the family experience of this time of year and shows you friendships that go deep. This friendship between Julie and marcy is unbound and holds dear in the read. A real heart warming read with the twist of evil thrown in. Definitely recommend a read to anyone whom enjoys a little horror.
January 11, 2026
Title: The Christmas Cat From Hell
By: D.W. Hitz
Publisher: Fedowar Press, LLC
Published Date: December 22, 2025
ASIN: B0G21KCW4M
Page Count: 145
Triggers: violence, gore (moderate), disappearances/murders, child POV, folklore horror, pet-related peril vibes (no spoilers), tension with “what’s my sweet baby actually doing at night?” energy
Star Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Skull Dread Rating: 💀💀💀
(Festive fear with teeth. Not extreme, but it absolutely has claws.)
What Did I Just Walk Into?
A Hallmark Christmas… if Hallmark hired the Icelandic Yule Cat as a consultant and then let it “handle the neighborhood problem.” Julie wants a kitten so bad she can taste it, gets one early, and then the town starts bleeding people like it’s a hobby.
Here’s What Slapped:
The premise is peak holiday chaos. “Cute kitten” + “everyone’s disappearing” is the kind of math I enjoy.
Fresh folklore spin. If you only know Krampus, this is a fun “oh wow, Christmas has multiple HR violations” introduction to Yule Cat mythos.
Kid POV done right. The kids feel like kids—thought patterns, loyalty, denial, big feelings, small logic. It works.
Pacing is bingeable. Short chapters, steady escalation, and enough “wait… WHAT?” to keep you turning pages.
Surprisingly sweet under the blood. It’s horror, yes, but there’s heart in the friendships and family moments that keeps it from being mean-spirited.
What Could’ve Been Better:
A couple moments lean into “we’re in denial a little too long” territory (which is realistic… but also, ma’am, your kitten is leveling up like a Pokémon).
If you want full-throttle gore, this isn’t that lane. It’s more “grisly-but-not-extreme,” with the horror doing a lot of work in what’s implied.
Perfect for Readers Who Love:
Christmas horror that’s fun + creepy instead of brutal for brutality’s sake
Folklore riffs (especially Yule Cat / winter legend vibes)
Small-town weirdness with rising dread
Stories that balance blood + heart
Quick reads that still feel like a complete, satisfying nightmare
Reviewed by Robin for Robin’s Review
By: D.W. Hitz
Publisher: Fedowar Press, LLC
Published Date: December 22, 2025
ASIN: B0G21KCW4M
Page Count: 145
Triggers: violence, gore (moderate), disappearances/murders, child POV, folklore horror, pet-related peril vibes (no spoilers), tension with “what’s my sweet baby actually doing at night?” energy
Star Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Skull Dread Rating: 💀💀💀
(Festive fear with teeth. Not extreme, but it absolutely has claws.)
What Did I Just Walk Into?
A Hallmark Christmas… if Hallmark hired the Icelandic Yule Cat as a consultant and then let it “handle the neighborhood problem.” Julie wants a kitten so bad she can taste it, gets one early, and then the town starts bleeding people like it’s a hobby.
Here’s What Slapped:
The premise is peak holiday chaos. “Cute kitten” + “everyone’s disappearing” is the kind of math I enjoy.
Fresh folklore spin. If you only know Krampus, this is a fun “oh wow, Christmas has multiple HR violations” introduction to Yule Cat mythos.
Kid POV done right. The kids feel like kids—thought patterns, loyalty, denial, big feelings, small logic. It works.
Pacing is bingeable. Short chapters, steady escalation, and enough “wait… WHAT?” to keep you turning pages.
Surprisingly sweet under the blood. It’s horror, yes, but there’s heart in the friendships and family moments that keeps it from being mean-spirited.
What Could’ve Been Better:
A couple moments lean into “we’re in denial a little too long” territory (which is realistic… but also, ma’am, your kitten is leveling up like a Pokémon).
If you want full-throttle gore, this isn’t that lane. It’s more “grisly-but-not-extreme,” with the horror doing a lot of work in what’s implied.
Perfect for Readers Who Love:
Christmas horror that’s fun + creepy instead of brutal for brutality’s sake
Folklore riffs (especially Yule Cat / winter legend vibes)
Small-town weirdness with rising dread
Stories that balance blood + heart
Quick reads that still feel like a complete, satisfying nightmare
Reviewed by Robin for Robin’s Review
January 4, 2026
The Christmas cat from Hell explored an old folktale about the Yuletide Cat. It was a fun holiday creature feature slasher book of sorts. That is a gory dark Christmas delight. This cat should be on an episode of my cat form hell Id love to see him try and tame the Yule cat before day light comes.
A young girl gets a cat as a Christmas gift from her family jynx a beautiful black cat. This tale follows a Christmas countdown with each day someone new disappearing. All the neighborhood kids are trying to guess at what's happening. Only an older gentlemen knows what’s happening, cause he has experienced the Yule cat before & lived to tell about it. Most aren’t so lucky when it’s hungry strikes.
Oh and the ending came we talking about the ending please tell me there is another book in the works
A young girl gets a cat as a Christmas gift from her family jynx a beautiful black cat. This tale follows a Christmas countdown with each day someone new disappearing. All the neighborhood kids are trying to guess at what's happening. Only an older gentlemen knows what’s happening, cause he has experienced the Yule cat before & lived to tell about it. Most aren’t so lucky when it’s hungry strikes.
Oh and the ending came we talking about the ending please tell me there is another book in the works
February 1, 2026
Oh my God, a Custer Falls story with zero creepy crawly bugs! It's a Christmas miracle! 😂 Though I don't think several of the people in this story would agree.
This was the first time I've read a Custer Falls book where I've actually sympathised with the big bad. A bloodthirsty creature hellbent on punishing those who are horrible to children? What's not to appreciate? Until it goes on a hunger-driven rampage, of course!
And that ending 👀👀👀👀👀 some people just never learn.
I did start cackling when a couple of the characters mentioned how safe Custer Falls is and how nothing terrible could happen 😂 sure, buddy, whatever makes you feel better!
Hitz always manages to knock it out of the park, and The Christmas Cat from Hell joins the lineup! Full of blood and heart, this story will have you in it's shadowy grip before you know it!
This was the first time I've read a Custer Falls book where I've actually sympathised with the big bad. A bloodthirsty creature hellbent on punishing those who are horrible to children? What's not to appreciate? Until it goes on a hunger-driven rampage, of course!
And that ending 👀👀👀👀👀 some people just never learn.
I did start cackling when a couple of the characters mentioned how safe Custer Falls is and how nothing terrible could happen 😂 sure, buddy, whatever makes you feel better!
Hitz always manages to knock it out of the park, and The Christmas Cat from Hell joins the lineup! Full of blood and heart, this story will have you in it's shadowy grip before you know it!
Review of advance copy received from Author
This is my new favorite holiday read! This fast paced, quick read is a fresh, new take on the Yule Cat, and is a must read for cat lovers! Thank you so much to the author for my copy!
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews