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25 Nights

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You survived 25 Days. Now brace yourself for the nights.

Last December, readers followed an innocent family as they became pawns in a horrifying game of Secret Santa in Per Jacobsen’s international bestseller 25 Days.

This time around, the story dives deep into the mind of the villain; the man in the ski mask.

And what’s in there will not only offer a new perspective on the events of the first book—it may just change your view of him.

Once again, the rules of the game are
25 nights.
25 chapters.
One for each day in December as you count down to Christmas.

334 pages, Paperback

Published August 4, 2026

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About the author

Per Jacobsen

64 books609 followers
Per Jacobsen is an internationally bestselling Danish author known for writing thrillers with supernatural elements, including the Strung series, Dry, and 25 Days. He lives in southern Spain with his wife and children.

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5 stars
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15 (30%)
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4 (8%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
Profile Image for Kate Victoria RescueandReading.
2,249 reviews134 followers
November 2, 2026
“25 Nights” provides readers with an alternate POV of the first book “25 Days”.

You’ll get to see the events unfold as the actual man in the mask. His life and creation of his evil persona are also shown in flashbacks to his childhood and early adulthood. It’s tragic, but I was left wondering why he chose this particular family. It would’ve made more sense to me if he had gone after all his tormentors from his life instead.

Another fun advent read, but I can’t stick to just one chapter a day when it’s this fast paced and interesting. I need to know who, what, where, when, why, and how ASAP!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Mickey.
986 reviews298 followers
October 30, 2026
I enjoyed 25 Days, but I was definitely among the readers left wondering who the man in the ski mask was and WHY he was doing all of this. So, naturally, I needed answers.
I went into this expecting a continuation. Instead, we revisit the events of the first book through the eyes of the man behind the mask, with glimpses into the childhood and teenage years that helped shape him.
We’d jump from him being nine and bullied by his family, to college, back to childhood, then to his teenage years on the family farm. With no dates to help place things, I occasionally had to stop and work out where we were in his life as the timelines jumped around a bit.
The chapters where he was following Adam, Beth and their daughters were particularly interesting. Seeing the other side of familiar scenes added context, letting us into his thoughts and showing why certain events unfolded the way they did.
But I still finished with one fairly significant question: why THIS family?
His backstory helped me understand how he became the man in the mask, but I wasn’t entirely convinced I understood his motivation for targeting and tormenting them. Was it purely because of the cabin? Or did I miss something? If you’ve read it and have an explanation, please message me. Keep the comments spoiler-free!
As with 25 Days, the writing was strong and the pacing kept me turning the pages. Even with the occasionally confusing flashbacks, I stayed invested and flew through it.
And obviously, no, I did not stick to one chapter a day.

If this is heading onto your December TBR, make sure you read 25 Days first. You’ll want to meet the family before stepping behind the mask.
Profile Image for marianne✨.
158 reviews
November 9, 2026
4.5⭐️. Definitely just as good and chilling as the first book in the series! I flew through this one, and it kept me hooked the entire time. I really enjoyed finding out more about the killer and getting to know his backstory. The only thing that kept bothering me was the question of why this particular family became his victims in the first place. But overall, such a fantastic book and so well written! I’ll definitely be reading more by this author!
Profile Image for Eunice Anne.
188 reviews7 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
October 27, 2026
I actually haven’t read 25 Days yet, even though the author recommends starting there first! (Oops. I'll definitely be getting to it later, though). Even jumping in with 25 Nights as a standalone experience, I had a really solid time with it.

One of my favorite things about the book is the structure. The back-and-forth timeline transitions for the main character are handled so smoothly and add great psychological depth. Pacing-wise, I’ll be completely honest: at times, I found partly wishing the sheer tension and dread were dialed up just a bit higher. Maybe I'm just a little too desensitized to horror tropes at this point? Haha.

But just when I thought I had the rhythm of the story down, the final chapters hit with an absolute bombshell of a twist. I had to pause and take a breather after that chapter.I literally wasn't expecting that at all! It completely shakes up your perspective.

Such a genuinely wonderful and engaging read. It’s brilliant getting to look through the villain's lens, and now I definitely need to go back and read 25 Days to see the whole picture.

Cross-posted online:
Instagram: www.instagram.com/0nlyb00ks
Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/0nlyb00ks
Profile Image for Larissa.
5 reviews
October 6, 2026
✨Review of advanced reader copy✨

I really enjoyed reading this book! I thought it was a very well done sequel and the familiarity of the characters was nostalgic and made me want to re-read 25 days, such a fun read. Beautiful scene setting and descriptions (and seemed more intense than the prequel!). My only criticism is that I would have liked there to have been a twist as it felt like I was waiting for something unexpected to happen to throw the reader off course rather than simply following the story we are already expecting to exist.

Thank you to Sarah Jacobson for selecting me to be an ARC reader for this fantastic read. It left me wanting more and I will definitely be adding more books from Per Jacobson to my TBR 📚

I’m jealous of those readers who get to read the book for the first time as the intended advent calendar style read - such a fun concept that I enjoyed doing last year with the prequel.

Happy reading and Merry Christmas!! 🎄🥰
Profile Image for Jen.
411 reviews2 followers
October 4, 2026
25 Nights is every bit as good as 25 Days. I would recommend reading 25 Days before starting this one in order to fully appreciate the story and avoid being confused.
This story jumps between three different time periods, following Simon at nine, Simon at eighteen, and the man in the ski mask in the present. While the present-day storyline continues the events from the first book, the book is more focused on Simon’s childhood and how his experiences shaped the person he eventually became.
Simon has a very difficult childhood, and that part of the book was what made it so emotional. Seeing what he goes through at such a young age and then watching him grow into his teenage years gave me a better understanding of the person behind the mask. I also liked getting to see the same events from the killer’s perspective because it added another layer without simply repeating the first book.
The medium-length chapters kept things moving, and the ending was appropriate and left me satisfied with how everything came together. Overall, I thought this was a great follow-up to 25 Days and a much more emotional book than I expected.
If you like dark Christmas thrillers, troubled childhoods, and stories told from the killer’s perspective, then you will love this book.

Want to see spoilers or trigger warnings? Check out: https://www.spoiltheplot.com/books/25...
Profile Image for Tiffany.
235 reviews4 followers
October 14, 2026
I received a copy of this book for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

25 Nights by Per Jacobsen is the sequel to 25 Days. While the author's wife said it could be read as a stand alone, it was highly recommended to read 25 Days first. Unfortunately due to personal time constraints on my end, I did not get to read the prequel to this book.

This story follows the past of the Masked Man and goes between his childhood to present day. Unfortunately I don't know why this specific family has earned his wrath, but his childhood is what you hear about on true crime stories. I won't spoil it but it's pretty heartbreaking. The Masked Man tried to break free from his upbringing a couple times but each time, he was unsuccessful for one reason or another.

The family members were far more resilient than I imagine myself being of put in their positions! With that being said, I do need to read the first book to see if all of my unanswered questions get answered or if I'll be left hanging for a New Year's sequel.

This book is so hard to read one chapter at a time! After the end of each chapter, you're left wanting more and hoping to get answers! I did end up reading this all in one day because I will be traveling but also because I am impatient and need instant gratification. 🤣

TLDR: Read 25 Days first and then immediately read 25 Nights. You won't regret it!

Thank you, Per Jacobsen, for the book!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
36 reviews4 followers
October 11, 2026
Thankyou Sarah for my arc and I voluntary leave this my honest review.
I read 25 days last year as an advent style book one chapter per day. I like many others after reading that book wanted to know who is the man in the ski mask? 25 nights answers that question and gives his back story. The book is split into three timelines. Simon (the man in the ski mask) at age 9, Simon as a teenager and his point of view to the events unfolding in 25 days. Though there were several time lines it was written so well that it was easy to follow and understand which timeline the chapter was about. After 25 days I hated the man in the ski mask and had no empathy for him at all! Per during 25 nights made me feel sorry for Simon and I'm not surprised after all he endured in his younger years that he has issues and violent tendencies! I thought the story was interesting and gripping! Makes you wonder if he had a safe environment and loving family growing up then he might not have turned out like he is today! I did read 25 nights continuously this time and not a chapter a day. The book will be an advent style book again though intended to be read a chapter a day. I recommend this book its a very good sequel to 25 days!
Profile Image for BookishDogMamaKate.
188 reviews16 followers
October 19, 2026
This morning I listened to the audiobook 25 Nights by author Per Jacobsen.

During 25 Days…i experienced a family going on a vacation to a rural snowy cabin for some unplugged holiday time to reconnect. Little did they know they would be connecting with a Secret Santa, leaving sinister stockings…growing terror and danger as the calendar days were crossed off.

This sequel, 25 Nights…took me into the history and mind of the man behind the mask, weaving in the tale of the present day family in peril.

This book is meant to read as an Advent Calendar is opened. A day at a time. One chapter a day over 25 days.

Are you kidding author? Chilling, tense, full of emotion and suspenseful anxiety….i listened to this in one morning! As I did with 25 Days. There isn’t a place I thought “I think I’ll wait until tomorrow to see what happens next.” I needed to know now.

I definitely encourage reading or listening to book one first. For me, they seamlessly follow one another. Each at under 5 hours @ 1.0 for the audiobook… they deliver.

A perfect way to kick off some holiday horror thriller vibes.

Definitely recommend.
Profile Image for Erica.
481 reviews5 followers
October 31, 2026
I expected that this would either be a continuation of 25 Nights or even a completely different story, but instead I was pleasantly surprised to find that this is the story of 25 Days through the eyes of our masked man! For me, the creep factor started right away; but I also had compassion for our MMC. We learn about how he grew up. Now, I’m not excusing his behavior, but I really enjoyed ‘getting to know him’ if you will.

Pacing: I actually re-read 25 Days right before this which isn’t necessary but it made my enjoyment of this way more fun! The connection to the story was really great. These chapters are short and quick, with only about 4 or 5 being longer than the others. They are all easily read in a day-by-day fashion if you want to read it like a true advent.

Scare factor: Like with 25 Days, this is more anxiety-producing than it is gore. Yes, there are some ‘ick’ pieces but this is much lower on that scale. It’s more psychological and it does a steady job of building that tension and keeping it, just like in the first book.

Thank you to Sarah Jacabsen for the ARC of this e-book. I highly recommend adding this to your holiday TBR!
Profile Image for Theo Wynn.
278 reviews2 followers
November 8, 2026
25 Nights by Per Jacobsen is an excellent follow-up to 25 Days, and I would highly recommend reading the two books together to get the full experience. Just like the first novel, this one is structured in an advent-style format, with 25 installments that can be read one per day. I followed that format with 25 Days, and I honestly think it adds something special to the experience. Having a little piece of the story to look forward to each day made it even more enjoyable and kept me eager to see what would happen next.

Since this was an ARC, however, I ended up reading 25 Nights in one sitting, and it was just as much fun that way! Jacobsen does a great job of building on the story from the first book while delivering another entertaining, creepy holiday read. Without getting into spoiler territory, I really enjoyed where the story went and thought it was a satisfying follow-up to 25 Days.

If you’re looking for something a little darker to add to your Christmas reading list, this is definitely worth picking up. A spooky, twisted Christmas thriller with a horror element that makes for a very entertaining read. Highly recommended!
Profile Image for Dianne Karl.
61 reviews1 follower
November 7, 2026
When the author’s wife commented on a post I made telling me that a sequel to 25 Days was just released, I knew I had to read it! 25 Days is written as an advent adventure of sorts, and he did the same thing for 25 Nights. Anyone that knows me, knows that I could never 1. Wait until December to read this, and 2. Read just one chapter a day!! So yes, I cheated on both accounts! If you’re a fan of 25 Days (and really, if you haven’t read that one yet, why not??), you will devour 25 Nights. You’ll have a true glimpse into what makes the man in the ski mask tick. You’ll get to read parts of his childhood and adolescence to better understand him. I found myself pitying his little boy self, but the things he does as an adult make me quickly realize he deserves no pity now. The author says you can read both books simultaneously, and that might be a good way to do that! A solid 4 star read for me. I enjoy Per Jacobsen’s writing, so give him a follow and try his books! You won’t be disappointed!
Profile Image for Marin.
70 reviews
October 9, 2026
Summary:
"25 Nights" is a dark Christmas thriller that follows a disturbing game of fear and psychological manipulation in a snow-covered mountain setting. Through three timelines, Per Jacobsen explores the troubled past of a young man whose life takes increasingly disturbing turns, while a family faces a terrifying Christmas vacation.

Review:
A dark, atmospheric, and unsettling thriller with a wonderfully creepy Christmas setting. Author does a great job building tension and exploring the psychology behind disturbing behavior. The three timelines gradually reveal more about the characters, while the blend of psychological suspense and horror keeps things engaging. It's bleak, twisted, and occasionally brutal, making it a solid choice for fans of dark crime thrillers. Best read combining "25 Days" & "25 Nights" for the full experience.

Thanks to the author for ARC copy of the book
127 reviews
October 9, 2026
OMG OMG OMG!!!! I absolutely cannot wait till December 1st and put both 25 days and 25 nights together. I read 25 days last year when it came out and it was great! I just finished 25 nights and again Per knocked out of the park. 25 nights brings the understanding to where the man in the mask anger stems from and his thought processes when it comes to tormented this family. Absolutely brilliant! You can read either story by itself, but I would highly HIGHLY recommend reading it as a countdown to Christmas. I will not lie. . .it is hard to put a book down when the day's reading is done but well worth it and what an experience.
Profile Image for Josette Thomas.
1,420 reviews1 follower
October 29, 2026
I read the advent book from last year named 25 Days by this author. I was looking forward to reading this follow up. We were promised a back story on how the killer was formed and this book did not disappoint. This book was just as brutal as the first one. The only difference is that it is told in a timeline of horror of the killer’s past as well as adding in scenes from 25 Days. This book gave readers another look into what makes a killer. Are they born that way or does the environment cause the killer to come out? This topic is the question that comes up whenever people are exposed to a horrific story or real life crime.
Profile Image for Harley.
24 reviews1 follower
October 8, 2026
25 nights is a sequel to 25 days, and you do need to read 25 days before starting this book. In 25 nights we follow Simon, we have 3 timeline when he was 9, when he was a teenager and when he was the man in the ski mask. Reading the story about his childhood added a different element to the first book and really elevated the entire experience. I think I enjoyed this book more than the first for that reason alone.

Thank you Sarah Jacobsen for an ARC of this book, it was a great read and I highly recommend to anyone who enjoys a snowy woodsy thriller.
25 reviews
October 21, 2026
25 Nights is the follow up to last years advent book 25 Days and tells the 'other side' of the story. This was a really fun read, I love the advent format, reading a chapter a day leading up to the holiday and this story didn't disappoint. I would caution readers though that it's not a stand alone, it must be read alongside 25 Days to understand what is going on in present time, while also appreciating the backstory given in 25 Nights. I read this as an advanced copy sent by Sarah Jacobsen, and will definitely be re-reading both it and 25 Days come December!
Profile Image for Holly Sparks.
3 reviews
November 3, 2026
I read 25 day a couple of years ago and loved but but was left with a huge question. Who was ski mask man!?
I am so glad us readers got to figure this out and this book dives deep into his up bringing and why he is a murderer! I wonder if he only murders people who stay at the cabin because he feels like that is his safe haven?? Idk… this book did have me feeling a little sorry for him.. I don’t want to say much more and ruin it but read 25 days first if you haven’t! Or read them side by side. One day at a time is fun!

Thanks for letting me read this book early and review it ❤️
5 reviews
October 14, 2026
Thank you Sarah Jacobsen for an advance reader copy. I thoroughly enjoyed 25 Nights. This was an interesting and easy read, although I would highly recommend reading 25 Days first as this will provide the ‘bones’ for 25 Nights. For those who have read 25 Days, 25 Nights answers lots of questions! Good luck reading one chapter a day… I devoured it in no time!!
19 reviews
October 21, 2026
Oh my gosh, having insight to the behind the scenes story of 25 Days...it was just amazing how the author strung everything together. Readers can read as a stand alone or like the author mentioned read it in conjunction with 25 Days. Regardless of how you read it ... Just grab it now ... Tis the season!!!
22 reviews
October 26, 2026
Thank you to Per Jacobsen and HumbleBooks for an ARC of this book!

This follow up to last years 25 Days was a nice addition to the backstory of Simon, the man on the snowmobile. It follows three timelines, Simon as a child, a teen and an adult, and gives you a great perspective of who he is and why he does the things he does. If you've read 25 Days, you'll definitely want to read 25 Nights!
Profile Image for Kez.
145 reviews3 followers
November 5, 2026
I enjoyed this one a lot more than the first one because it gives you some insight that you don't get the first time around. It would be best to read this side by side with 25 Days, or at least read that one first so that you understand what is going on here. It was super interesting to delve into our masked killer's life and family and rounds up the story wonderfully.
Profile Image for Curses and Cliffhangers (Ashley).
18 reviews2 followers
October 15, 2026

I received an ARC of this book but I am leaving this review voluntarily and this review is wholly my own.

I really enjoyed this story. I highly recommend reading 25 Days first. Its not required to understand this book but you really will be missing some context and some appreciation for what is happening in this book. I would definitely tandem read it as well; which isn't as scary as it sounds since that means only reading two chapters a day since these are advent calendar style books. I liked this book even better then 25 Days. I wasnt sure what to expect with getting this side of the story but it blew away my expectations. The story was not what I thought it would be in the best way.
Profile Image for The Book Ssirren.
7,637 reviews187 followers
October 26, 2026
This was such an amazing read. I love the way it’s set up for one read a day for the month of December. This was such a wild read, and definitely had me invested. I devoured this in one day, I just couldn’t wait. This is a read definitely worth diving into.
Profile Image for Diane.
23 reviews
October 26, 2026
ARC Review

This is the companion novel to 25 Days. It didn't disappoint! The story gives us insight to what happened during the night time hours in the first book. I don't want to have any spoilers, so I'll just say that the book is just as much fun as the first one and go read it!
Profile Image for Jo Woodcock.
250 reviews5 followers
October 22, 2026
Well this book definitely didn't disappoint x it was as good as the first one. I read the whole book within 2 days and just wanted to keep page turning. Thank you 😊
47 reviews1 follower
November 5, 2026
Waiting for this book to come out. And boy it didn't disappoint. No spoilers you are just going have to read it.
Profile Image for Alexis.
14 reviews2 followers
October 16, 2026
Thank you to the author for an advanced copy of 25 Nights. I highly recommend either reading 25 Days first or even better reading both at the same time.

The intertwining of 3 timelines was an interesting concept that I enjoyed. We learn how “Ski Mask man” got to where he is present day. The author did an excellent job making the reader feel sympathy for the younger Simon despite the adult he turns out to be. I felt myself cheering him on at certain points throughout his younger years.

I am still left with a few questions though. What happened between Simon’s college years and his adult timeline? Was this the first family he did this to? Why this family?
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews