Reviews
“Carolyn has exceptional deductive skills and once again heads off tragedy for her friends. I enjoy how this novella leads us into the plot for the next full-length book, 6 months is a long time to wait. Maybe we will get another series before then.”
– Lisa S. – Amazon US
I was so fascinated I read this in a day! The whole series has been fantastic. I highly recommend to anyone wanting quick, thrilling books.
– Jeff H. – Amazon US
“Claustrophobic, chilling, and utterly addictive” A FESTIVE KILL is the perfect holiday nightmare — snow, secrets, and an unwelcomed stranger you wish had stayed outside. From the first page, I felt that creeping sense of dread. Carolyn is a fantastic, layered protagonist — wary, flawed, and tougher than she first appears. The storm might be outside, but the real darkness is inside that house. I devoured this in one sitting and was still thinking about that ending long after. Atmospheric, tightly written, and perfectly paced — an instant winter classic. Thanks, JKE for the great holiday read!”
– Marcy S. Culver City, USA
“The storm outside has nothing on this dinner party” Thanks to the author for the ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts! I read thrillers constantly, and this one grabbed me from the first line. The pacing, the dialogue, the sense that something awful is about to happen — it’s addictive. Carolyn is fascinating — her unease feels justified from the start, and when a stranger arrives, you know it’s not just car trouble. The twists were smart, not gimmicky, and that final scene? Cold perfection. A new must-read name in psychological suspense. I’ll be watching for whatever comes next.”
– Connor W, Westport, USA
“Short, sharp, and full of bite – This novella wastes no time getting under your skin. The storm, the stranded stranger, the undercurrent of menace — all perfectly timed. JK Ellem does a fantastic job layering unease until the truth hits like a gunshot.
It’s the kind of story that makes you want to reread the first page immediately after finishing the last. My only complaint? I wanted more pages!”
– Simone B. Caloundra, AUS
“A festive nightmare I couldn’t look away from” Forget cozy Christmas reads — this is the dark side of the holidays I didn’t know I needed. Every chapter peels back another secret, and the atmosphere is pure Hitchcock. Carolyn Ryder is a heroine you root for even as you question everything she says. Snow, blood, guilt — it’s all here. Five stars, and I’ll be leaving the lights on this Christmas Eve. I receive this book as an Advance Copy, and this is my honest review.”
– Lisa T, Reading, UK
