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Slasher Season #2
The Yule Day Slaughter
Not yet published
Expected 17 Nov 26From horror master Craig DiLouie comes the brutal and terrifying sequel to The Summer Fun Massacre. Summer camp was just the beginning...
Three years have passed since the undead killer known as the Hungry Hare massacred the counselors at Camp Summer Fun. Each night, Sheriff Tom Bailey stands guard, ever watchful for its return.
As winter blows across the High Plains, most are ready to move on from the tragedy and enjoy the holidays. But then the night once again fills with screams. A family slaughtered in their home. A crime scene that looks horrifyingly familiar.
And the killings have only begun…
Tom will need every ally he can call on to fight the Hare—most important of all Deputy Laura Turner, Summer Fun’s only survivor. Together, Sheriff and Final Girl must find a way to destroy the monster haunting Cross County.
Because the Hungry Hare is coming to exact final vengeance on the town that made it. This time, it wants them all…
Three years have passed since the undead killer known as the Hungry Hare massacred the counselors at Camp Summer Fun. Each night, Sheriff Tom Bailey stands guard, ever watchful for its return.
As winter blows across the High Plains, most are ready to move on from the tragedy and enjoy the holidays. But then the night once again fills with screams. A family slaughtered in their home. A crime scene that looks horrifyingly familiar.
And the killings have only begun…
Tom will need every ally he can call on to fight the Hare—most important of all Deputy Laura Turner, Summer Fun’s only survivor. Together, Sheriff and Final Girl must find a way to destroy the monster haunting Cross County.
Because the Hungry Hare is coming to exact final vengeance on the town that made it. This time, it wants them all…
- GenresHorrorMystery Thriller
Kindle Edition
Expected publication November 17, 2026
About the author
Craig DiLouie
65 books1,686 followersCraig DiLouie is an author of popular thriller, apocalyptic/horror, and sci-fi/fantasy fiction.
In hundreds of reviews, Craig’s novels have been praised for their strong characters, action, and gritty realism. Each book promises an exciting experience with people you’ll care about in a world that feels real.
These works have been nominated for major literary awards such as the Bram Stoker Award and Audie Award, translated into multiple languages, and optioned for film. He is a member of the HWA, International Thriller Writers, and IFWA.
In hundreds of reviews, Craig’s novels have been praised for their strong characters, action, and gritty realism. Each book promises an exciting experience with people you’ll care about in a world that feels real.
These works have been nominated for major literary awards such as the Bram Stoker Award and Audie Award, translated into multiple languages, and optioned for film. He is a member of the HWA, International Thriller Writers, and IFWA.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
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August 12, 2026Reading for review in a future issue of Booklist
July 26, 2026
I ADORED this! I think it even outshone Summer Fun a bit, and I loved getting back to all the characters. Get ready for a crazy ride with this one. The Hungry Hare is back and he’s pissed! I felt like this one was more gory but still dealt with the characters trauma and pain masterfully. The ending was a little shocking but I definitely understood it. I’ll be sad to let these characters go. By far, some of my favorite works by this author. I’d give more stars if I could. If you love a supernatural slasher DO NOT MISS THIS. Coming November 2026, although the first part (the summer fun massacre) is out now.
August 1, 2026
I LOVED the first book in this series and was so excited to read this second installation. Summer camp slashers and Christmas slashers are my fave. We see the return of the hungry hare in this book and he slaughters again. Will Tom Bailey and Deputy Laura be able to stop a supernatural killer?? I know I couldn’t wait to find out!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
DiLouie does it again with Yule Day Slaughter.
As in his previous book, Summer Fun Massacre, we see murder and mayhem vicariously through the eyes of a small town sheriff's department. The Hungry Hare is back and he's still hungry for human flesh and revenge.
I won't go into details about this book, or its predecessor, in an effort to not spoil either for future readers. What I will say is that the second book, in my opinion, is better than the first. While we still have the sheriff's department at a stalemate with supernatural horror, we lose the politics and pick up a fair amount of backstory about the Hare's origin. Which I appreciated because we all love something juicy we can sink our teeth into.
Is there blood? Is there gore? Sure. It's a slasher. But not as much as you would expect. It's there without actually having the heads thrown in your face. (Well, maybe a couple of times, but that's picking nits.) It's not gross-out fiction, is what I'm trying to say. The imagery is excellent. The writing grabs you by the shirt front and drags you, kicking and screaming, into the story even when we don't really want to go where we're being taken.
A solid win for DiLouie. I enjoyed the book immensely.
As always, my gratitude to NetGalley and Orbit Books/Run For It for allowing me to read ahead of publication date. You guys are great!
As in his previous book, Summer Fun Massacre, we see murder and mayhem vicariously through the eyes of a small town sheriff's department. The Hungry Hare is back and he's still hungry for human flesh and revenge.
I won't go into details about this book, or its predecessor, in an effort to not spoil either for future readers. What I will say is that the second book, in my opinion, is better than the first. While we still have the sheriff's department at a stalemate with supernatural horror, we lose the politics and pick up a fair amount of backstory about the Hare's origin. Which I appreciated because we all love something juicy we can sink our teeth into.
Is there blood? Is there gore? Sure. It's a slasher. But not as much as you would expect. It's there without actually having the heads thrown in your face. (Well, maybe a couple of times, but that's picking nits.) It's not gross-out fiction, is what I'm trying to say. The imagery is excellent. The writing grabs you by the shirt front and drags you, kicking and screaming, into the story even when we don't really want to go where we're being taken.
A solid win for DiLouie. I enjoyed the book immensely.
As always, my gratitude to NetGalley and Orbit Books/Run For It for allowing me to read ahead of publication date. You guys are great!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Craig DiLouie delivers another absolute banger with The Yule Day Slaughter. Dare I say this sequel might even be better than the first?
The Yule Day Slaughter is fast-paced, brutal, and absolutely gory read, pulling you right back into the Hungry Hare's world where he's set his sights on the entire town of Ledger. The story pulls us deeper into the legend behind the ghoul, revealing the dark history behind the local folklore the town has known for generations.
The whole book was wild from beginning to end and didn't let up. The kills were vicious, unpredictable, and unhinged. The previous rules went straight out the window and I was completely hooked. Tom Baily was determined to put an end to the Hungry Hare once and for all (even if it kills him); watching him piece everything together while trying to stop the killings made for one hell of a wild ride. I flew through this one in two days because I genuinely couldn't put it down.
There isn't really much more to say without giving away spoilers, but I will say this sequel definitely delivers! It brings the story full circle and you won't be disappointed. Craig DiLouie absolutely nailed it!
Thank you Orbit Books, Run For It, and NetGalley for the e-ARC.
The Yule Day Slaughter is fast-paced, brutal, and absolutely gory read, pulling you right back into the Hungry Hare's world where he's set his sights on the entire town of Ledger. The story pulls us deeper into the legend behind the ghoul, revealing the dark history behind the local folklore the town has known for generations.
The whole book was wild from beginning to end and didn't let up. The kills were vicious, unpredictable, and unhinged. The previous rules went straight out the window and I was completely hooked. Tom Baily was determined to put an end to the Hungry Hare once and for all (even if it kills him); watching him piece everything together while trying to stop the killings made for one hell of a wild ride. I flew through this one in two days because I genuinely couldn't put it down.
There isn't really much more to say without giving away spoilers, but I will say this sequel definitely delivers! It brings the story full circle and you won't be disappointed. Craig DiLouie absolutely nailed it!
Thank you Orbit Books, Run For It, and NetGalley for the e-ARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I haven't read The Summer Fun Massacre yet, but after finishing this book, I'm definitely going back to read it.
This was a fun and creepy horror read that kept me hooked from start to finish. The Hungry Hare is genuinely unsettling, and every time it showed up I was freaked out. The story had a good mix of slasher horror, suspense, and action, and it never felt boring. The small-town setting and winter atmosphere added a lot to the creepy vibe.
Even though this is a sequel, I was still able to follow along and enjoy the story. The ending had me turning pages as fast as I could to see how everything would play out.
If you like slashers, creepy monsters, small-town horror, and books that keep you on edge, I definitely recommend this one. And now I need to go back and read The Summer Fun Massacre!
This was a fun and creepy horror read that kept me hooked from start to finish. The Hungry Hare is genuinely unsettling, and every time it showed up I was freaked out. The story had a good mix of slasher horror, suspense, and action, and it never felt boring. The small-town setting and winter atmosphere added a lot to the creepy vibe.
Even though this is a sequel, I was still able to follow along and enjoy the story. The ending had me turning pages as fast as I could to see how everything would play out.
If you like slashers, creepy monsters, small-town horror, and books that keep you on edge, I definitely recommend this one. And now I need to go back and read The Summer Fun Massacre!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I enjoyed this book more than Summer Fun Massacre. I really liked the bond between Laura and Tom after the previous book and what all they both have gone through. Tom’s character was written exceptionally well.
I liked how this one is called Yule Day Slaughter and the killings take place in and around Christmas time. With Summer Fun we got the tale end of the murders and I wanted to have that campy feeling with it.
I liked how this one is called Yule Day Slaughter and the killings take place in and around Christmas time. With Summer Fun we got the tale end of the murders and I wanted to have that campy feeling with it.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
this may be due to the fact it’s summer and that’s all I want to consume and think about but this one really didn’t work for me. I think the summer one was a fun slasher that didn’t require much thought as I read it. I didn’t find this one as fun and I was as invested in the horror elements. I found character development lacking as well.
**thank you netgalley and orbit books for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review**
**thank you netgalley and orbit books for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review**
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I loved this book! It was definitely like no other Holiday Slasher Book I’ve read and I really appreciated that! A little horror mixed with some out of this world being. There was lots of deaths and tragedies which I enjoyed. The character storylines were built up perfectly and kept me intrigued with their lives and what was going to happen. Thank you #NetGalley for the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Another 5 star read from DiLouie. I fell in love with the characters in The Summer Fun Massacre and I was thrilled to see the story continue. It’s a bittersweet read, but excellently written and will surely leave you chilled just in time for winter..
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This is such a fun book and the writing is exceptional! I had a blast reading and I think it is even better than the first one. I was hooked and enjoying every bit of the story. Highly recommend! Thank you to NetGalley and Orbit for the opportunity
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I like this one a lot more than the first. It felt more fast paced, and had more exciting elements to it. It also gave final girl vibes with luara coming back as a deputy. Would definitely recommend the other horror fans
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Yes Yes Epic Story
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Wow this was so much fun to read! I absolutely adored this! The storyline was so good, characters interesting and the gore was 10/10. Horror slashers are some of my favorite reads and this hit every mark for me. The twists are excellent and I devoured this book so easily and quickly. This author is now hot on my horror list after this read. A great supernatural horror!
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews