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12 Deaths of Christmas
12 short stories of terror.Demons from hell. Gods and Devils. Unspeakable monstrosities. Humans with a taste for flesh. An upscale clothing store in the middle of New York City that offers its customers more than they bargained for. A prodigal son returns home for his aunt’s funeral, only to discover that an ancient entity awaits. A town shelters against the first snow, and the evil it brings. A mad king. A hired assassin. A world in the balance and an eternal force manipulating all of them. And seven other tales of horror that will forever change the way you experience the holiday season. Twelve wicked tales of holiday horror to fill the long, dark nights of the season … with dread. ‘Tis the season … to die.The perfect horror anthology for any horror fan still trying to scratch their Clive Barker "Books of Blood" itch. "A great, though disturbing, read that I couldn't read before bed!" -- Natalie "Hooked after the first story, and 11 more twisted tales later, this horror anthology doesn't disappoint!" -- Jason "It was hair-standing-on-end-scary. Really gave me the willies. Any horror fan should definitely check this out." -- Kevin "Rudolph" "Satan Claws" "Walking in a Winter Harvestland" "The Snowman" "I'm Dreaming of a Whiteout" "Hung By the Fire" "I Saw Mommy Killing Santa Claus" "Roasting on an Open Fire" "Slayride" "The Most Terrifying Time of the Year" "Dear Savior Born" "The Three Wives' Men" Are you ready to face the monsters, human and supernatural, that fill the pages of 12 Deaths of Christmas? Fill your nights with hopeless gloom and despair … if you’re brave enough. Experience the horror! Snag your copy!What Readers Are Saying About Paul Sating "Great job Paul. You never disappoint your readers." - Ann "Another gripping page-turner from Paul Sating." - Stephanie "Paul Sating has done it again - don’t look behind you now." - Natalie "Paul Sating is at it again! I love books that keep me thinking and my mind working , this is one of those that keeps you on the edge of your seat and you want to finish it in one sitting!" - Brian "Paul Sating pulls no punches, and his stories are so varied that I never got tired of them! I don't think I ever will!" - Cheyenne
237 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 22, 2018
25 people are currently reading
62 people want to read
About the author
Paul Sating
42 books71 followersJoin Paul's newsletter and get three free stories: https://www.paulsating.com/free-books
Paul Sating is a fantasy author and podcaster who spends most of his time traveling the Pacific Northwest in search of elusive monsters everyone claims aren't real.
The creator of the Audio Fiction podcast, Paul began adapting many of those scripts to novel form and published his first three books in 2018. He is now fooling around with his first love--dark fantasy. He writes epic, urban, and even litrpg (a trust jack of all trades and master of none).
He stays grounded by rooting for bad soccer teams, traveling around his beautiful corner of the world, and spending every moment he can with the three people who don't let him think too highly of himself--his wife and daughters.
Paul Sating is a fantasy author and podcaster who spends most of his time traveling the Pacific Northwest in search of elusive monsters everyone claims aren't real.
The creator of the Audio Fiction podcast, Paul began adapting many of those scripts to novel form and published his first three books in 2018. He is now fooling around with his first love--dark fantasy. He writes epic, urban, and even litrpg (a trust jack of all trades and master of none).
He stays grounded by rooting for bad soccer teams, traveling around his beautiful corner of the world, and spending every moment he can with the three people who don't let him think too highly of himself--his wife and daughters.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
December 29, 2019
This was the last of my Christmas themed reads this season. Apparently hoarded up some time during the year and promptly forgotten about until rediscovery right in time. It’s also the one that took the longest to get through, even though it’s relatively slim and there are really only the 12 deaths. It certainly didn’t take long to write though, according to the author a mere month. For a book written in a month, it’s pretty impressive. The writing is very decent and the editing is on the level. Content wise you get what’s advertised. 12 tales of 12 deaths on or around Christmas time, all conceived and titled as puns on various Christmas themes. Each story is original…at first, at least, but then as the book progresses there are certain reuses and repeats, either due to the limited time frame the writing took or maybe there were just so many way to off someone seasonally. Essentially, there’s a lot of…coming to visit the family for Christmas, getting snowed in and things going terribly awry. Of these types of stories, the fourth one worked the best. But there were other things at play, other horrific scenarios, people were getting chased, haunted and dismembered at random. The character development and writing was surprisingly good for this sort of thing, but the endings slightly too abrupt…like there’s this totally credible well thought out narrative and then wham bam punchline and we’re done. But then again, it really did work pretty effectively for what it was supposed to be. Unless I’m being uncharacteristically generous in the spirit of Christmas. For genre fans…there’s plenty of bloody gore and guts. But the stories aren’t limited to that or guided by that as much, there are even moral…a lot of which may be that family is best avoided for Christmas…and otherwise. You leave a place for a reason and sometimes it’s best to just stay away. Revisits can be deadly. So yeah, a fun seasonal read. Recommended.
December 29, 2019
Twisted & creepy!!! Just what I was looking to read during the holiday season. There wasn't a boring story in this collection, and it was fun to see that some of these stories were taking place in the northwest. So, I could totally picture how these scenes could play out. I will definitely be reading more by this author in the future and I highly recommend this book to others.
January 13, 2021
Paul Sating's 12 Deaths of Christmas was a pretty good holiday horror collection. I found the audiobook of this on Hoopla and decided to give it a listen while I wrapped presents on Christmas Eve.
A note on the audiobook: Not sure what happened, but there was a story in this I was unable to listen to. I think it was the 6th story in the collection, and it had started just fine. However, a minute or two in, my headphones let loose the screech of a metallic banshee, then silence for a good minute before I hit the "next" button. I didn't attempt to go back because I didn't want to blow either my headphones or my hears out. I'm guessing it was an issue with the file, but who knows.
Other than that, most of these stories were written well enough and I found most of them to be enjoyable. They were all a bit standard-issue as far as horror goes, so I didn't find anything crossing from good territory to great. Of course we have demons and cults and family dramas and ancient horrors, most done relatively well and all done up with a nice Christmas paint job.
The stories I didn't like were either too stereotypically horror or too over-sexualized. I don't like anything that's over-sexualized, but it really rubs me the wrong way when sex is used in horror to make it more "scary" and "extreme." I mean, like, find a better way to communicate that please and thanks. Sex and horror is BORING and OVERDONE.
My favorite story, by far, was titled "Walking in a Winter Harvestland." It was very predictable, but I enjoyed it a lot.
My least favorite story was titled "Dear Savior Born." It was the most original and unique story of the lot, but it just dragged on endlessly.
Tbh, If there hadn't been a Christmas theme to these stories, I probably wouldn't have liked them as much. They weren't exactly unique enough for that. But when the holidays are here and that Christmas spirit hits, even my solidly-frozen Grinch heart starts to thaw.
I rated Paul Sating's 12 Deaths of Christmas 3 out of 5 stars. A good choice if you are in the mood for Christmas themed horror, but nothing outside the box.
A note on the audiobook: Not sure what happened, but there was a story in this I was unable to listen to. I think it was the 6th story in the collection, and it had started just fine. However, a minute or two in, my headphones let loose the screech of a metallic banshee, then silence for a good minute before I hit the "next" button. I didn't attempt to go back because I didn't want to blow either my headphones or my hears out. I'm guessing it was an issue with the file, but who knows.
Other than that, most of these stories were written well enough and I found most of them to be enjoyable. They were all a bit standard-issue as far as horror goes, so I didn't find anything crossing from good territory to great. Of course we have demons and cults and family dramas and ancient horrors, most done relatively well and all done up with a nice Christmas paint job.
The stories I didn't like were either too stereotypically horror or too over-sexualized. I don't like anything that's over-sexualized, but it really rubs me the wrong way when sex is used in horror to make it more "scary" and "extreme." I mean, like, find a better way to communicate that please and thanks. Sex and horror is BORING and OVERDONE.
My favorite story, by far, was titled "Walking in a Winter Harvestland." It was very predictable, but I enjoyed it a lot.
My least favorite story was titled "Dear Savior Born." It was the most original and unique story of the lot, but it just dragged on endlessly.
Tbh, If there hadn't been a Christmas theme to these stories, I probably wouldn't have liked them as much. They weren't exactly unique enough for that. But when the holidays are here and that Christmas spirit hits, even my solidly-frozen Grinch heart starts to thaw.
I rated Paul Sating's 12 Deaths of Christmas 3 out of 5 stars. A good choice if you are in the mood for Christmas themed horror, but nothing outside the box.
December 7, 2018
This book definitely scratches the itch for a pulpy, "Tales from the Crypt" style Christmas anthology. A number of the stories- including the twist on Krampus as a mythic embodiment of the slasher-film sexual mores come to life, and the story of a demonic winged being prowling a snowed-in town- work really well. However, author Paul Sating goes back to the same well repeatedly, and a number of "tells" immediately emerge. If religion is mentioned, it's going to be proven to be hypocritical and genuinely evil. If a person of color appears, you can bet every white character in the story is going to be shown to be a murderous bigot. Despite these frequent lapses into self-imitation, there were still stories where the twist at the end managed to surprise- and in some cases delight- me. Perfect for a snowy winter evening with low expectations and a love of grue.
May 24, 2019
I enjoyed this gruesome collection...though I would have liked to have been a little more scared. I could be just really jaded, which is entirely possible!
My favorite tales were “Walking in a Winter Harvestland,” “The Most Terrifying Time is the Year,” “Dear Savior Born,” and “The Three Wives Men.”
My favorite tales were “Walking in a Winter Harvestland,” “The Most Terrifying Time is the Year,” “Dear Savior Born,” and “The Three Wives Men.”
December 16, 2020
This was a really mixed bag of Christmas or winter themed horror stories.
From evil shop mannequins, to a demonic family, a look at winter in 1886 after a heavy snowfall spiced with a bit of cannibalism, a girl whose actions come back to haunt her, a boy who goes homes to his grieving mother who just wants to keep her son close, another boy goes home to find his father has changed JUST a little, "The sender" coming to take retribution from a bad man, a family row turns deadly, a man who witnesses a murder years ago finds his deeds have ramifications in the present, two lost boys find a satanic cult, an assassin tries to slay a mad King, a traveller finds a very strange village full of women rulers.
Most were really good but as with any anthology some were better than others, the poorest I thought was Dear saviour born.
That one wasn't my cup of tea overall but I rarely like even half of short stories but this has some really good quality, chilling tales for a winter night.
Original and inventive storylines but some are quite gruesome so not for that faint hearted!
From evil shop mannequins, to a demonic family, a look at winter in 1886 after a heavy snowfall spiced with a bit of cannibalism, a girl whose actions come back to haunt her, a boy who goes homes to his grieving mother who just wants to keep her son close, another boy goes home to find his father has changed JUST a little, "The sender" coming to take retribution from a bad man, a family row turns deadly, a man who witnesses a murder years ago finds his deeds have ramifications in the present, two lost boys find a satanic cult, an assassin tries to slay a mad King, a traveller finds a very strange village full of women rulers.
Most were really good but as with any anthology some were better than others, the poorest I thought was Dear saviour born.
That one wasn't my cup of tea overall but I rarely like even half of short stories but this has some really good quality, chilling tales for a winter night.
Original and inventive storylines but some are quite gruesome so not for that faint hearted!
January 6, 2021
Favorites:
Rudolph
Roasting on an Open Fire
The Most Terrifying Time of the Year
Rudolph
Roasting on an Open Fire
The Most Terrifying Time of the Year
March 18, 2019
A delicious feast for all horror readers and I found it a guilty pleasure as a bedtime read.
July 20, 2019
This is full to the brim with the dark, irreverent, and fantastic!
It's got demons, blood, snowmen, and Christmas. What more could you want from a holiday horror anthology!?
It's got demons, blood, snowmen, and Christmas. What more could you want from a holiday horror anthology!?
December 17, 2025
12 Deaths of Christmas is a dark, unsettling holiday horror anthology that fully delivers on its promise: twelve wicked tales designed to turn the most familiar season of comfort into something frightening and unforgettable.
This collection brings together demons from hell, gods and devils, ancient entities, hired assassins, mad kings, unspeakable monstrosities, and very human evil. The stories move through upscale New York City shops with deadly secrets, snowbound towns hiding more than cold, family reunions twisted by ancient forces, and worlds quietly balanced on the edge by eternal powers manipulating events behind the scenes.
What makes this anthology work is its variety. Each story offers a different kind of horror, supernatural, psychological, cosmic, and deeply human. Some tales focus on monsters beyond comprehension, while others reveal how terrifying people themselves can be when driven by hunger, power, or obsession. Together, the twelve stories create a steady sense of dread that builds rather than fades.
This is not a light or cozy holiday read. It is bleak, disturbing, and intentionally uncomfortable, the kind of horror that lingers. Fans of dark short fiction and readers who enjoy unsettling anthologies in the vein of Clive Barker’s Books of Blood will feel right at home here.
12 Deaths of Christmas is a strong choice for horror readers who want their holiday stories filled with hopeless gloom, despair, and genuine fear. If you’re ready to face monsters, human and supernatural, this collection delivers exactly what it promises.
This collection brings together demons from hell, gods and devils, ancient entities, hired assassins, mad kings, unspeakable monstrosities, and very human evil. The stories move through upscale New York City shops with deadly secrets, snowbound towns hiding more than cold, family reunions twisted by ancient forces, and worlds quietly balanced on the edge by eternal powers manipulating events behind the scenes.
What makes this anthology work is its variety. Each story offers a different kind of horror, supernatural, psychological, cosmic, and deeply human. Some tales focus on monsters beyond comprehension, while others reveal how terrifying people themselves can be when driven by hunger, power, or obsession. Together, the twelve stories create a steady sense of dread that builds rather than fades.
This is not a light or cozy holiday read. It is bleak, disturbing, and intentionally uncomfortable, the kind of horror that lingers. Fans of dark short fiction and readers who enjoy unsettling anthologies in the vein of Clive Barker’s Books of Blood will feel right at home here.
12 Deaths of Christmas is a strong choice for horror readers who want their holiday stories filled with hopeless gloom, despair, and genuine fear. If you’re ready to face monsters, human and supernatural, this collection delivers exactly what it promises.
December 2, 2021
The star is because I appreciate what could have been. The general concept of each story is truly creepy but the execution left much to be desired. The characters were one dimensional and lacked basic survival instincts. They didn't need to be the genii but the smallest amount of critical thinking would have gone a long way.
On another note, every story tasted of misogny (And yes, I can tell the difference between a characters actions/thoughts and the tone of a story). Also, the use of sexual assault as a plot device was predictable and detracted from what could have been truly terrifying reads.
Overall, I finished this book out of spite. I love a hot mess horror story but these were just missed opportunities that left a bad taste in my mouth.
On another note, every story tasted of misogny (And yes, I can tell the difference between a characters actions/thoughts and the tone of a story). Also, the use of sexual assault as a plot device was predictable and detracted from what could have been truly terrifying reads.
Overall, I finished this book out of spite. I love a hot mess horror story but these were just missed opportunities that left a bad taste in my mouth.
January 13, 2023
4.5 Holy cow, what did I just read? So this book is definitely for 18 or older cuz it's pretty graphic and a few spots. But most people that know me and my reading taste know that I don't like gratuitous sex, but I do like sex in a book if it has to do with the story and it definitely had to do with a few of the stories. Everything in here was definitely centered on christmas. It's funny because sometimes an anthology book about Christmas will have very little Christmas.
I don't think there was a single story in here that I didn't like and a few of course stood out to me as exceptionally good. I would definitely recommend this for a good holiday read.
Creepy/Scary: 4
Stories overall: 4.5
I don't think there was a single story in here that I didn't like and a few of course stood out to me as exceptionally good. I would definitely recommend this for a good holiday read.
Creepy/Scary: 4
Stories overall: 4.5
February 15, 2025
I may just be getting soft in my old age, but several of these stories were a bit too dark (aggressive, forced sex acts and sacrilegious undertones) for my taste. A bit reminiscent of Barker’s “Books of Blood,” in terms of tone, if not season, and I enjoyed some of them quite a bit, but there were also several that just didn’t really do it for me, and while I horror is still my favorite genre, this particular vein of horror just wasn’t quite for me.
November 16, 2020
This is the first book I've rated 1 star... ever.
Yes, it's a creepy anthology, which would normally be right up my alley. But it seems like old Alfred Hitchcock anthology stories that were dusted off and given a bit of an update. Then it was sprinkled with some sex, a dusting of foul language, a heaping tablespoon of gay porn, and off to the publisher.
Yes, it's a creepy anthology, which would normally be right up my alley. But it seems like old Alfred Hitchcock anthology stories that were dusted off and given a bit of an update. Then it was sprinkled with some sex, a dusting of foul language, a heaping tablespoon of gay porn, and off to the publisher.
December 19, 2024
Was this horrible…no. There were a few stories I enjoyed but I was honestly expecting more Christmas horror and I didn’t feel there was much of a Christmas theme so that was kinda disappointing. Like I said I did enough a few so I would say it might just be better for others.
September 18, 2020
Good Campfire Halloween Stories
December 31, 2020
Rather rapey. So many erections. Lots of religious cults. But the stories do highlight the horror that spending time with family at the holidays is for some people...
December 31, 2020
I’ll update with individual ratings for the stories when I have a minute.
January 14, 2021
I loved this series of short stories. These 12 stories are perfect for the 12 days of Christmas for those people who love the very dark and very graphic in horror.
December 30, 2023
3.5 fun christmas horror shorts
December 8, 2024
I really enjoyed this one - all of the stories were well-done - there wasn't one I didn't enjoy. The stories were also my preferred length for short stories, around 15 or 20 minutes each.
December 8, 2024
There's an awful lot of weird religion in this unhinged book about m*rder and s*x. These short stories weren't my favorite. More gross than scary.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 5, 2025
First off short stories are not my favorite.
However, I did not care for these short stories.
I believe I only liked or really enjoyed 1.
This writing was just not for me.
However, I did not care for these short stories.
I believe I only liked or really enjoyed 1.
This writing was just not for me.
December 30, 2025
I really liked this book, some stories more than others but the ones I liked really reeled me in! Definitely recommend this one!
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews