Their Last Christmas: An absolutely jaw-dropping psychological thriller packed with twists

by A.J. Campbell

Five years ago, their baby disappeared.
This Christmas, the truth is coming home.

On Christmas Day five years ago, Jessica and Jake’s newborn daughter vanished from her pram.

Evie was never found.

Jake blames himself for that brief moment of inattention. Jessie guards a secret that could blow their marriage apart.

Now, Jessie’s father is dying, and he has one final to bring the whole family together for the holidays.

But when a seemingly impossible gift appears beneath the tree, it’s clear someone in this family knows what happened to Evie.

And there are going to be consequences. Deadly consequences.

Click ‘Buy Now’ to discover the devastating truth behind Their Last Christmas!

A psychological thriller, packed with twists and turns, perfect for readers of Frieda McFadden, Harlan Coben, Linwood Barclay, Lisa Jewell, B.A. Paris, John Marrs, Alice Feeney, Shari Lapena, Maria Frankland, Daniel Hurst and Adele Parks.

Genres: Christmas

287 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication November 20, 2026

About the author

AJ Campbell is an Amazon USA top 40 bestselling author, who loves throwing characters into unbelievable situations and figuring it out from there. The result is psychological suspense novels full of twists, turns, and torment, with gasp-worthy endings. An avid hiker, AJ lives in the UK on the Essex / Hertfordshire border with her husband, sons, and cocker spaniel, Max. She is a Netflix junkie, a theatre tragic, and a wine and Asian food enthusiast. 

Connect with AJ here:

www.ajcampbellauthor.com
www.facebook.com/AJCampbellauthor
www.instagram.com/ajcampbellauthor/

Reviews

[Rachel Browning · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG! This is officially my favorite A. J. Campbell book yet! I was hooked right from the start. It's packed with suspense, dark secrets, and so much deception that you never know who is telling the truth or who you can trust. I absolutely loved the multiple POVs and unreliable narrators. And just when I thought I had things figured out, I was questioning everything all over again! I couldn't put this one down. It’s such a fantastic, twisty thriller!

[Diane Elizabeth Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

An Absolute Christmas Cracker!
I don't know how AJ Campbell has done it, and I didn't think it was possible, but she has gone up yet another level.

The foreboding is there from the very first page, and the first gasp arrives only pages later. Then they just keep coming. I felt for Jake, desperately trying to hold his family together, but it was Jessie I was living inside. I was right in her head with her, and I couldn't have told you what to believe. That's genius writing.

And I trusted nobody. Helen, Jessie's mum, is a cold Civil Servant who has always put work before her family, so of course I had her down as being involved in all sorts.
Nicki, home from Australia, with her twins isn't exactly on Jessie's Christmas card list, so I was sure she was hiding something.
Then there's Lavinia, the spinster aunt who does all the cooking and holds everyone together, and who might just be a bit psychic. Or cooking up a storm of her own. I couldn't decide which.
Even poor old Ralph got the side-eye, and I hated myself for it. This is his last Christmas, and Jessie's love for him made my heart ache, but that's the magic of this book. It makes you suspect everyone, even the people you most want to be innocent. I was convinced I was onto something with each of them, but of course, I never worked it out.

It's about fractured families, secrets, lies and betrayals, and the games our minds play when all we want is the truth (but maybe not the whole truth). It's fantastic, addictive writing, and it is my favourite book of the year.

I feel privileged every time I get an AJ Campbell ARC, and this one is something special. I can't praise it highly enough. If I could give it ten stars I would.

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great fast paced thriller from the very talented AJ Campbell.
This is by far my most favorite book to date by the talented AJ Campbell.
It’s hard to work out how I feel about each of the main characters, one minute I love them the next I loathe them, sometimes I wanted to cry over them others I want nothing more than some form of karma to happen to them.
This book was so enthralling that I couldn’t put it down and finished it in one sitting.
I can’t pick out anyone character as my favorite all I can say is Jessie and Jake went through what no parent should ever have to . Meanwhile Jessie’s mother Helen is she really a loving mother or is she just evil?
To find out more I suggest you snap up this book quick and settle down for a marathon read as once you pick up this book you won’t want to put it down until you have finished.
AJ Campbell has a way of drawing you into the story as if you are there

[Jo Woodcock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well im not a big fan of Christmas but WOW im a big fan of AJ Campbell books and this one is definitely one that's going to keep you hooked! There are so many hold your breath moments and twists you just don't see! This book is going to be a massive hit for readers when its published x its definitely a BIG YES from me. Thank you for letting me be part of your ARC team x

[KKEC Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Their Last Christmas by AJ Campbell
Holy holiday chaos. This was twisted and intense from page one.

I love how AJ tells a story. She curates her characters and weaves such perilous tales of chaos.

Jessie has been through a lot. First, postpartum psychosis after her son was born. Then her infant daughter was kidnapped, never to be seen again—no leads, no clues, just a forgotten bootie, and heartbreak.

Jake has tried keeping everything together. But his beloved wife hasn’t made it easy. She’s been lost inside her mind. Struggling with things he cannot help her with, he feels like he is drowning. He wants his family back. He wants some normalcy. He wants Jessie to be alright again.

But the secrets… the secrets that would shatter everything. And the destruction has only made everything darker. This may be the final Christmas for this family.

I devoured this book. It was fast-paced and intense. Filled with emotional angst and devastating truth. And so many secrets. Prepare to have your halls thoroughly decked, readers.

Publication date: November 20, 2026
Publisher: Code Grey

[Donna M · Rating 5 out of 5]

AJ Campbell hit it out of the park again! This just might be my favorite book of hers so far. If you love a book full of secrets, lies and betrayals with the anxiety grabbing you from page one, then this book is for you! Jessie and Jake went through every parent’s worst nightmare. To make matters worse, everyone was acting like she should get over it. It is written so well and plays with your mind so much that I pretty much suspected everyone at some point. If I had been in the story, and I felt like I was, I would have done exactly what Jessie did when she finds out the truth. Have I gotten your attention? If you want to know more, preorder a copy today! You won’t regret it!
Thank you to AJ Campbell for this ARC! I am leaving this review voluntarily!

[Dawn Ast · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! One of my favorite books this year. I could never put into words, to give the book justice on how good it is. A.J. Campbell is one of my go to authors. She created an exceptional, suspenseful, deceptive fast-paced thriller. I literally stayed up all night unable to put the book down until the ending. It was full of family secrets, unexpected twists, and well executed ending. I was invested in the story and the characters; the author has a gift of emerging you in the plot that you feel that you are in the book. A page turner with palpable tension. Pre-order today, this book exceeded my expectations and you definitely recommend

[Danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

AJ Campbell does it again! Absolutely loved this book! I was hooked from the start and couldn’t put it down. Full of twists, secrets and explosive family drama!
I was constantly guessing what had really happened to little Evie. Just when I thought I’d worked it out, another twist came along! Gripping, emotional and full of surprises. A definite 5 stars from me!

[Shaz Mcdill · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fantastic read,everytime I read an AJ Campbell book I say it's the best one yet but this is definitely the best one so far. Her books just get better every time and I can't wait for what's next.I recommend this one and guarantee you will not be disappointed. 5 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[Beth Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love a good Christmas thriller and this was phenomenal!! I was on the edge of my seat and couldn't wait to finish to see what happened. I don't know how she does it but she just keeps writing awesome books and I can't wait to read more!

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a gripping, suspenseful and emotional thriller. It kept me gripped from the start and I couldn't put it down until the end. Full of secrets, shocks, and twists and turns. Brilliant! The perfect read coming up to Christmas.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Their Last Christmas by A. J. Campell is another fantastic thriller and it may be her best one yet.
Jessie hasn’t had it easy. When her son was born, she suffered postpartum psychosis and then her infant daughter Evie was taken from her pram never to be seen again. Her husband Jamie has kept the family together. Since she has struggled with her disappearance. But Jamie has secrets of his own that she doesn’t want to tell Jessie or she will get worse.
Five years later her dad is dying and decides to bring family together for Christmas. Paranoia sets in when an unknown package comes to the house with one of Evie’s booties in it. Is there someone in her family know about Evie’s disappearance. She just needs to find out what.
This is another fantastic read by the author of one mother’s grief. The storyline was intense. Gripping and full of paranoia and I couldn’t stop kept turning the pages to find out what happened that fatal day. 5 stars from me

Thank you Amanda Campbell for a copy of Their last Christmas and being part of your ARC team.

[Mrs C F Henderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely fantastic book!
Twists I didn't see coming really tense.
A five star read
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
You are in for a treat!

[Ann Craddock · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Reader…..

Soo good!!! I was just as invested in finding baby Evie!!

Boy this book will not let you down. This has got to be one of my favourites by Amanda.

Baby Evie was taken but why is the biggest question throughout the book. Everyone seems to have secrets to hide!!!! The toll of loosing a child is certainly impacting poor Jessie and all she wants in her baby back.

Their last Christmas is supposed to be a beautiful time as it’s Jessie’s Dad’s last Christmas. but of course, some lies cannot stay hidden forever!

[Mrs Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book the writing was outstanding the story brought the characters to life and I was intrigued with the story line
This is another 5 star read from this author other readers will not be disappointed

[Karen Kilburn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read as an ARC what a fantastic storyline! From the first few pages I was in and read at every spare moment. Felt for the main character and felt for her husband and went with all the bumps as to who had done this. Highly recommended 5* deffo

[Teresa McNicholas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, what a fantastic read. AJ Campbell is a relatively new author to me but I've thoroughly enjoyed every book, looking forward to the next one 😀.

[Maria McKenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC reader - WOW just WOW couldnt put this down, fab from start to end, best them all. Loved it 😁😁