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The Christmas Carol Killer: The chilling new thriller you need for 2026
Not yet published
Expected 22 Oct 26Who won't wake from this silent night?
*FROM THE KINDLE TOP 20 BESTSELLING AUTHOR*
It’s December and Durham is bustling with shoppers and visitors, as carollers fill the air with festive cheer – until a chilling murder shatters the peace. Retired teacher Alistair Morley is found dead, sheet music crammed down his throat, while The Coventry Carol plays in the background. DI Tom Stonem is called and soon thrust into a sinister investigation that reveals Morley was formerly choirmaster at the now-closed St. Bartholomew’s Academy.
As the body count rises, each victim is linked to the school and its mysterious past, and the killer’s twisted symphony plays out. When a cold case of a missing chorister also turns out to be far from closed, Tom is torn between uncovering the truth or uncovering secrets that threaten his nearest and dearest., the stakes escalate, and the killer’s final act looms ominously.
As Christmas Eve approaches, Tom must decipher the killer's chilling motives before the clock strikes for midnight mass. Will he unearth the truth behind the hidden messages in the carols – or become the next victim in a deadly performance?
*FROM THE KINDLE TOP 20 BESTSELLING AUTHOR*
It’s December and Durham is bustling with shoppers and visitors, as carollers fill the air with festive cheer – until a chilling murder shatters the peace. Retired teacher Alistair Morley is found dead, sheet music crammed down his throat, while The Coventry Carol plays in the background. DI Tom Stonem is called and soon thrust into a sinister investigation that reveals Morley was formerly choirmaster at the now-closed St. Bartholomew’s Academy.
As the body count rises, each victim is linked to the school and its mysterious past, and the killer’s twisted symphony plays out. When a cold case of a missing chorister also turns out to be far from closed, Tom is torn between uncovering the truth or uncovering secrets that threaten his nearest and dearest., the stakes escalate, and the killer’s final act looms ominously.
As Christmas Eve approaches, Tom must decipher the killer's chilling motives before the clock strikes for midnight mass. Will he unearth the truth behind the hidden messages in the carols – or become the next victim in a deadly performance?
- GenresChristmas
Kindle Edition
Expected publication October 22, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A thoroughly enjoyable read. This is the third book in Chris Frost’s detective series and we re-join detectives Tom and Lauren in the run up to Christmas – Tom’s least favourite time of the year – and of course there has been a murder.
Pacy and with enough clues - I was able to guess who did it, but the why and how eluded me until the reveals towards the end – hugely satisfying and so nice to be kept guessing. The subject matter is quite bleak and the killings are grizzly (but isn’t that why we read detective fiction?), Chris Frost handles the story of missing children, abuse and family relationships with sensitivity and a little humour to lighten the mood.
Although it helps if you’ve read the previous two books in this series (I have), there is enough background and reference to previous cases to bring new readers up to date with Tom and Lauren’s relationship; the emotional and psychological impact of previous cases and an understanding of why Tom Stonem makes bad choices (both personally and professionally).
I enjoyed seeing Lauren grow as a person and as a detective (can she have her own series please? She is astute, brave and has a lot to offer readers).
I read this as a Netgalley ARC, but already had it on pre order as it’s one I’ll definitely be adding to my shelf.
Five stars because this is a great story, well written and ticked all my boxes – strong, fully formed female characters; believable plot and a satisfying conclusion. Better still, Tom and Lauren still have unfinished business and knowing what they decide to do in the next instalment matters to me!
If you haven’t come across Chris Frost before, do check out his previous two Christmas books - and also his “alter ego” Chris McDonald – the Erika Piper detective series is excellent.
Pacy and with enough clues - I was able to guess who did it, but the why and how eluded me until the reveals towards the end – hugely satisfying and so nice to be kept guessing. The subject matter is quite bleak and the killings are grizzly (but isn’t that why we read detective fiction?), Chris Frost handles the story of missing children, abuse and family relationships with sensitivity and a little humour to lighten the mood.
Although it helps if you’ve read the previous two books in this series (I have), there is enough background and reference to previous cases to bring new readers up to date with Tom and Lauren’s relationship; the emotional and psychological impact of previous cases and an understanding of why Tom Stonem makes bad choices (both personally and professionally).
I enjoyed seeing Lauren grow as a person and as a detective (can she have her own series please? She is astute, brave and has a lot to offer readers).
I read this as a Netgalley ARC, but already had it on pre order as it’s one I’ll definitely be adding to my shelf.
Five stars because this is a great story, well written and ticked all my boxes – strong, fully formed female characters; believable plot and a satisfying conclusion. Better still, Tom and Lauren still have unfinished business and knowing what they decide to do in the next instalment matters to me!
If you haven’t come across Chris Frost before, do check out his previous two Christmas books - and also his “alter ego” Chris McDonald – the Erika Piper detective series is excellent.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I’m new to this series (and author), but from what I gather, DI Stonem doesn’t have the best of luck during the Christmas holidays. Perusing the titles of the previous two books in the series sorta backs that up.
This book is a tough read. Not a hard read. A tough one. Any time you talk about missing school kids, possible abuse of youth, etc., this is not going to be a fun time. What makes this book a book you can’t put down is that this is so well written and you care about these characters so much, you can’t stop reading. Like, seriously. Chris Frost is an exceptional writer.
This book is emotional. From the relationships of DI Tom Stonem and the people he works with (especially DS Rea), to the young man that has been missing for a long time, the peers of missing student, and ultimately, it is emotional for the reader as you just long for real justice to take place. It begs the question; how far would you go to see justice?
I loved this book. Seriously. It is so good. I immediately went and bought the audiobooks of the previous two books so I can go back and experience the full series.
I received this ARC from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an unbiased review.
This book is a tough read. Not a hard read. A tough one. Any time you talk about missing school kids, possible abuse of youth, etc., this is not going to be a fun time. What makes this book a book you can’t put down is that this is so well written and you care about these characters so much, you can’t stop reading. Like, seriously. Chris Frost is an exceptional writer.
This book is emotional. From the relationships of DI Tom Stonem and the people he works with (especially DS Rea), to the young man that has been missing for a long time, the peers of missing student, and ultimately, it is emotional for the reader as you just long for real justice to take place. It begs the question; how far would you go to see justice?
I loved this book. Seriously. It is so good. I immediately went and bought the audiobooks of the previous two books so I can go back and experience the full series.
I received this ARC from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an unbiased review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
It may still be autumn (and in my opinion, the best season) but it’s never too early for Christmassy vibes… especially when they come with murder and mayhem!
I LOVE this series. Three books in and Tom Stonem is firmly settled in the North East, with this case taking him and Lauren a little further south than the Angel of the North.
I absolutely smashed through this in one sitting. When Chris is serving up the bangers, the festive tension, the increasingly sinister murders and those wee glimpses into Tom’s personal life, there was no way I was putting this one down!
I adore @cmacwritescrime’s writing and love that with this series I still get the dark, gritty crime I’ve come to expect from him, but with a much more playful and festive edge. Basically, it’s classic Chris McDonald crime - with a lot more tinsel. Bloody brilliant! 🎄
Oh, and Joseph Morley?! 👏🏼🤣
I LOVE this series. Three books in and Tom Stonem is firmly settled in the North East, with this case taking him and Lauren a little further south than the Angel of the North.
I absolutely smashed through this in one sitting. When Chris is serving up the bangers, the festive tension, the increasingly sinister murders and those wee glimpses into Tom’s personal life, there was no way I was putting this one down!
I adore @cmacwritescrime’s writing and love that with this series I still get the dark, gritty crime I’ve come to expect from him, but with a much more playful and festive edge. Basically, it’s classic Chris McDonald crime - with a lot more tinsel. Bloody brilliant! 🎄
Oh, and Joseph Morley?! 👏🏼🤣
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A fast paced atmospheric Police Procedural that offers a grim twist on holiday cheer .This is the third book in the DI Tom Stonem series but is a good standalone .Retired teacher Joseph Morley is found dead with sheet music stuffed down his throat while a Christmas Carol plays on repeat in the background .Detectives Tom Stonem and Lauren Rea are thrust into a festive nightmare when a series of macabre killings begin to unfold all connected to the local choir and school where Morley was once a choirmaster. Exciting twisty and quite thrilling in places .A great read. Thank you to NetGalley for my ARC
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Slightly flawed Detective Tom Stonem gets results but doesn't always play by the book and his bosses are often frustrated by his actions.
In this novel, set again just before Christmas has him trying to solve the brutal murder of a retired schoolmaster. A Christmas carol is playing loudly on the stereo and the same song lyrics are stuffed into his mouth. The case takes Tom and the team to a boarding school and to investigate a cold case at the same time.
I love this series, I like the characters and how they work together. The storyline is a little harrowing and is fast paced. I couldn't put it down
In this novel, set again just before Christmas has him trying to solve the brutal murder of a retired schoolmaster. A Christmas carol is playing loudly on the stereo and the same song lyrics are stuffed into his mouth. The case takes Tom and the team to a boarding school and to investigate a cold case at the same time.
I love this series, I like the characters and how they work together. The storyline is a little harrowing and is fast paced. I couldn't put it down
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
A retired teacher is found murdered with sheet music down his throat and a Christmas carol playing very loud, the private school he worked at he taught the choir, could this be a coincidence or a clue?
Other bodies are found all relating to the school.
Detective Tom Stonen and Lauren Rea are on the case as well as hiding their romance from their boss.
Great twists and main characters.
Definitely worth a read.
Other bodies are found all relating to the school.
Detective Tom Stonen and Lauren Rea are on the case as well as hiding their romance from their boss.
Great twists and main characters.
Definitely worth a read.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Great police procedural. I haven't read any of the rest of this series but there was enough background information that this didn't matter
I liked Tom and Lauren they felt believable main characters, flawed but not too flawed and their interactions felt credible
The mystery is satisfying, enough twists to keep you engaged but not so many it gets confusing. Thanks to the author and Netgalley
I liked Tom and Lauren they felt believable main characters, flawed but not too flawed and their interactions felt credible
The mystery is satisfying, enough twists to keep you engaged but not so many it gets confusing. Thanks to the author and Netgalley
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
It took me a couple of chapters to get used to the writing style and then I was totally gripped from start to finish. I will definitely go back and read the first two in the series as absolutely loved this book. So well written. I was lucky enough to read an advance copy and leave this review voluntarily.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews