Her Dark Christmas

by Addison Michael

Trapped in a snowstorm. Alone with her family. A killer is waiting.

Kelsey Caper has been called many things—close to her family is not one of them. Cold. Detached. Clinical… Trauma will do that to a person. She loves her adopted family, but hates the secrets, lies, and smoldering drama that accompanies them.

When Kelsey reluctantly returns home for the holidays, she’s pleasantly surprised by the genuine reconnection with her family. But when her sister vanishes without a trace, the tentative peace is broken.

Now, she’s stuck in a remote mountain cabin with no cell service, no escape, and no one she can fully trust—forced into close quarters with the very people she tries to avoid. When her sister turns up dead in the snow, Kelsey becomes the prime suspect.

This holiday, it’s not about going home again—it’s about making it out alive.

Her Dark Christmas is an unsettling standalone psychological thriller. If you like domestic suspense, thrilling twists, and light spice, this holiday thriller is for you. Pick up this unputdownable thriller today for a gripping holiday page-turner.

Genres: Christmas, Holiday, Thriller

270 pages, Paperback

Published November 24, 2025

About the author

Addison Michael writes riveting, character-driven thrillers heavy in suspense with a focus on the intriguing motivations that make a person a murderer.

Addison grew up in a home where rules were not meant to be broken. As such, she was the "goodest" of the “goody two shoes” around. At 16 years-old, she survived a deadly head-on car collision. With a twinge of survivor's guilt, she developed a morbid fascination with who lives and who dies and why.

Being the oldest of six siblings forced Addison to lead by example. Her golden reputation solidified well into her thirties. But every good girl needs to have an outlet. Behind every smile and sweet comment, there is a dark side waiting to emerge. Addison Michael found the outlet for her dark side writing thrillers. She has an uncanny ability to step outside herself and create believable characters who navigate unbelievable circumstances involving murder, mystery, secrets, and suspense.

Reviews

[Bianca Denis Diotte · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️

[Jackie Vincent · Rating 4 out of 5]

I give this one a high 4

It was a very good read, had me like wtf most of it. As you can see I read this baby in 4 days lol so I was intrigued for sure had NO IDEA what the ending was going to be. I loved how the author just kept playing mind games. I ate this story up lol Kelsey man

Ellen ❤️ the ending stung 🐝

[VDKeck · Rating 5 out of 5]

Y’all! Her Dark Christmas is the perfect holiday nightmare, and I mean that in the BEST way.

Kelsey Caper walks into her family’s remote cabin with trauma, sarcasm, and zero patience—and honestly, same. The cozy vibes fade fast when her sister disappears, the snowstorm seals them in, and every family member starts acting like their secrets are leaking through the floorboards. When the sister turns up dead and Kelsey becomes the prime suspect? I legit clutched my chest.

The writing is sharp, atmospheric, and so immersive you can feel the cold creeping under the door. The characters are messy, suspicious, and deliciously complex, and the tension builds like a snowstorm you can’t outrun.

Addison Michael delivers twisty domestic suspense with just a hint of spice—and I devoured it.

✨ Fast, frosty, and unputdownable. A killer Christmas treat. ✨

[Leigh.empresselly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Addison Michael delivers a thriller you can’t put down. I highly recommend this for all thriller lovers!! A perfect thriller for anytime!!

Four adult siblings return home for a Christmas reunion. However, the introduction sets the scene for a very unprepared reunion!
Trapped in a remote cabin, a family is trying to survive as someone tries to pick them off one by one.

Addison gives us pieces to a puzzle as we learn how each sibling (and their macabre childhood traumas) play a part in the family dynamic.
Secrets are revealed, trauma and truth resurface, and trust is broken, making EVERYONE a suspect!

Addison does a phenomenal job building the suspense. I was caught up in the mystery of who the suspect could be and thought I knew a few times…and I was wrong every time! Plot twist well done! 👏🏻

The family drama was intense, there was some nice spicy spice, and either an introduction to two new characters … or a familiar surprise for fans! 🥰

Thank you for this ARC opportunity!

[Sara Duncan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I went into this book totally blind and I have now sat here for a few minutes after finishing this contemplating how to rate this. I'm going to give it a solid 3.5 stars. The twists and turns kept me reading that's for sure. But the ending felt very rushed. And some of the comments and thoughts from the main character at the end left me kind of like uh not the time or the place.. Also some of the writing style just lacked depth and detail that I felt like we were missing.

[Heather5510 · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️

[Kimberly · Rating 1 out of 5]

I’m sorry to say, but this was just not good at all. The twist was decent, but the writing to get there was very juvenile.

[Mallory Lovings · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am torn between 3.5/4 stars

[Colleen Lombardi · Rating 2 out of 5]

this book was actually horrible and I did not enjoy it at all. it severely lacked a plot and what was supposed to be a big “twist” actually made no sense.

[Maygin Mace · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was good! Pleasantly surprised that it was based in my state. I guessed the twist but I still enjoyed the book!

[Amanda Mc · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my word! There is no way you are going to be able to put this book down until it is finished. Brilliant storyline which will have you wondering if your mind is playing tricks as you try and work out who the psycho is.
Nice meeting some old friends in the book, made me feel at home.

[Cindy Howard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kelsey Caper is on her way home for Christmas. Kelsey hasn’t been home since she started her PhD in psychology and she’s nervous about that fact, but her sister, Casey, is desperate for her to be home so that the whole family will be there this Christmas.

Kelsey’s family is unique: Kelsey was adopted after her parents were murdered, her brother Thad was adopted after his parents were killed in a house fire, and her sister Casey was adopted after her parents were killed in an auto accident. Kelsey’s sister Ellen is the only biological child of Kelsey’s adoptive parents, but that makes no difference in this family as all the children were taken care of and loved equally.

This book, sadly begins with Ellen‘s murder as the family is assembling at their home in the mountains for Christmas, far from neighbors and any surrounding towns. But the creepy thing is, no one realizes that she’s been killed and just think that she’s having trouble getting to the cabin.😳
It’s not long before other attacks happen and no one in the family knows what’s going on. They know they’re in danger, they know they can’t contact police and, oh yeah, there’s a horrible snowstorm right now. To make matters worse, they don’t know if one of them is responsible for the attacks or if it’s an outsider.

This was a really good “locked in” thriller with a fun Christmas theme. The author wrote very well, rounded characters who had horrible things happen to them in the past, but came out on the other side victoriously. I simultaneously didn’t want anything bad to happen to the rest of the family, but also didn’t want any of those family members to be the perpetrator. The atmosphere of an isolated family cabin in the middle of a snow storm with no way of contacting anyone was slightly terrifying.
This is a first read from this author, but I’ll definitely be checking out her other books. I enjoyed this book!

[Simone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Her Dark Christmas is the kind of holiday read that grabs you by the collar and refuses to let go. Calling it a “Christmas read” almost feels too gentle—this is a Christmas nightmare wrapped in glittering lights, chilling snow, and the kind of tension that keeps thriller lovers (like me!) absolutely glued to the pages.

Addison Michael delivers a masterclass in pacing. The story races forward with a relentless energy, each chapter building the suspense higher and higher. The mystery is sharp, the atmosphere deliciously dark, and the twists land with perfect precision.

Her writing? Stunning. Addison’s voice is immersive, effortless, and completely addictive. Every book she writes feels like slipping into something familiar yet entirely unpredictable, and Her Dark Christmas might just be her best yet.

A gripping, fast-paced, edge-of-your-seat thriller that turns Christmas cheer into something far more sinister—and I loved every second of it.

Huge thank you to Addison Michael for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Neapolitan670 📚🖤 · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s another whodunnit Christmas read just to ensure your brain is working 🤭

Kelsey, has been out of touch with her adopted family for a while due to her studies. Her sister Casey, pushes her to go with them all to the cabin for Christmas and Kelsey, gives in. The family is made up of Mum, Dad, Kelsey, Casey her partner Brax, Thad his wife Melly and Ellen the biological daughter of the parents. The holiday turns into a nightmare as a body is found not long after their arrival, with no cell service and the snow coming down, how will they survive?

𝙲𝚊𝚜𝚎𝚢 𝚒𝚜 𝚜𝚝𝚊𝚗𝚍𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚋𝚎𝚜𝚒𝚍𝚎 𝚖𝚎 𝚒𝚗 𝚜𝚑𝚘𝚌𝚔, 𝚊𝚜 𝚒𝚏 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚜𝚗𝚘𝚠 𝚑𝚊𝚜 𝚏𝚛𝚘𝚣𝚎𝚗 𝚑𝚎𝚛. 𝙸 𝚗𝚞𝚍𝚐𝚎 𝚑𝚎𝚛 𝚘𝚞𝚝 𝚘𝚏 𝚑𝚎𝚛 𝚝𝚛𝚊𝚗𝚌𝚎, 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚜𝚑𝚎 𝚜𝚝𝚊𝚛𝚝𝚜 𝚜𝚑𝚊𝚔𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚏𝚛𝚘𝚖 𝚑𝚎𝚊𝚍 𝚝𝚘 𝚝𝚘𝚎.

It’s a story full of intrigue and trying to work out, the where people were, what motive they have. NGL I did figure it out quite early on, as there are clues should you choose to accept them 😉

[McKenzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite Christmas thriller reads so far!

This read was a little more on the predictable side but had my favorite thriller tropes that made up for it. I made some guesses earlier on but maybe it was from the breadcrumbs that the author tactfully laid down.

This book was kind of like an adult pretty little liars to me (which I love). I mean who doesn’t love the idea of an evil twin? I did go back and forth on an unreliable narrator vs an outside attacker.

This book kept me in a chokehold. Multiple perspectives but it wasn’t too crazy to keep track of everyone. The right amount of Christmas and the right amount of thriller.

Definitely a reread for me in future years. I’d read this author again as well.

[Renata Zoebisch · Rating 3 out of 5]

Calificación real: 3.5 ⭐️

Disfruté mucho este libro, fue un thriller bastante entretenido y que me dejaba cuestionando en cada página quién era el asesino. El final lo veía venir, pero a la vez no jajajaja si hubo momentos en los que me quedé así 😦😦 y eso busco siempre en los thirllers que veo.

Siento que me quedó debiendo la temática navideña, ya que la trama pudo haberse dado en cualquier momento del año jajaja no hubo nada que me diera ese “christmas touch”, más que te mencionan que se da en época navideña, fuera de eso, no hay nada que te dé esa vibra, y también me quedó a deber un poco el final, pero aún así lo disfruté mucho y lo recomendaría.

[Tam · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fantastic, gripping, journey this book takes you on! This was a very compelling story with a unique, captivating plot and well-developed, multi-faceted characters. I felt every emotion. I did not want to put my Kindle down. Kept me intrigued from the first page to the last. You CANNOT miss out on reading this book!!!

*I received a complimentary ARC of this book in order to read and provide a voluntary, unbiased and honest review, should I choose to do so.

[Joceline Casiano · Rating 4 out of 5]

Christmas thriller. I enjoyed the twist and turns of this book. I didn’t expect her twin sister to be the killer. I’m glad her family finally understood her at the end of the book. Each sibling had their own issues.thad and his wife Melly caught my attention the most I wish they went more into their history. Kelsey and her partner annoyed me. I feel bad that the mother is going through dementia and this whole time she was seeing the twin sister and not Casey.

[Nicole Bolzan · Rating 4 out of 5]

WOW I actually loved this book and I’m the last person to say this but….i wish it was longer!? The characters deserved more development and also they could have added way more context and color to the original twins story. I really was not expecting it kind of felt like the plot twist was entirely out of the blue but still shocked me. Felt rushed towards the end but rating it high because it was one of the best Xmas thrillers I’ve read and I couldn’t put it down

[Katherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Is it memory? Is it panic attacks? Is it the weird boyfriend with too many coincidences? The only thing we know for sure is that when mom has dementia a and people keep dropping into the snow, memory may not be on your side. Or in this case, on Kelsey’s side. But if she finally faces her inner child can she actually handle the truth that comes out?
Well, maybe. At the end of the day there’s still several holes in the plot that bugged me but overall I didn’t hate it.

[Lisa Mack · Rating 4 out of 5]

Possible Spoiler

This book hooked me from the start. It's a quick and easy read. The ending was a little rushed and a bit unsatisfactory but the rest of the book made up for it. Maybe it is the old foster care worker in me that caused my interest because I found myself staying up all night to finish it.

[Maddee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Addison Michael delivered an interesting psychological thriller that keeps you on your toes and guessing what will happen next. Just when you think you’ve figured it, she throws something in the mix and has you guess all over again. It was unique to see it come from multiple POV’s and even with one from a psych background. I would highly recommend this one!

[Brittny Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I felt like I was watching one of those scary movies where you yell at the characters to not do what they are doing! A great Christmas thriller even when I predicted the outcome. You do question a few of the characters so it puts doubts in your theory. I really enjoyed the twists and turns in this one.

[Meredith Molloy · Rating 4 out of 5]

📚: Her Dark Christmas by Addison Michael
⭐️: 4/5

A solid locked room holiday thriller with an ending that I didn’t see coming (but should have). Minus a star for a seriously questionable adoption plotline that I’m biased to be sensitive to. (But really, what kind of parents treat their kids like this? Yikes.)

[Jackie Javier · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another Kindle read. Took me longer to get through then I would of liked with Christmas and new years but overall I thought it was a great thriller, I kept in the back of my mind the whole time how I predicted this would end. My detective stills were on point with this. Perfect little Christmas thriller. Excited to read “When they disappeared”

[Lori Albertson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a pretty good thriller. Though I figured out the main twist, I didn’t know everything that was revealed. The ending seemed a bit rushed, and the way it was written had the characters explaining things a little oddly. This didn’t change my opinion of this being a good thriller.

[Angela Woodward · Rating 1 out of 5]

I hate to give bad reviews, but what was this? The writing genuinely felt like it was written for second graders. There was zero character development and literally no one reacts to grief the way this family did. I feel like I need a huge palate cleanser after that

[Alana Reid · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't normally review thrillers, but this book was too good not to. Out of all of the Christmas thrillers I have read this season, this is by far the BEST. You might see the twists coming, you might not, but either way this is well worth the read!!

[Samantha Bantom · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could not put this book down which resulted in my taking one day to read it. I will say if you can spot the easter eggs in the story you might be able to detect the plot twist. While I was able to figure it out I second guessed my self until it was revealed.

[jasmine werninger · Rating 3 out of 5]

December’s book club pick (2/2) should have been a quick and easy read with suspense and twists - this one just felt a little lackluster to me. 3 ⭐️ to a decent suspense with a plot twist at the end to pick the pace up. Could have been better, maybe just needed more thrill to wow me.