Madeline Martin has turned her life around after experiencing a traumatic life event ten years ago. As Christmas approaches and her bookstore continues to thrive, Madeline is unprepared when a local woman goes missing and a true crime podcaster shows up at her door asking her about the past. 

CHRISTMAS PRESENTS by Lisa Unger was such a fun novella (and also had me wishing for Christmas a little??? It’s October, I’m sorry!!)

This book draws you in right away, though the opening chapter doesn’t get hinted at again for quite a ways into the book, which threw me for a loop at first, and has all of that small town, nosy neighbors energy.

The investigative side of things was intriguing and the addition of a true crime podcast element was both fun and a bit unnecessary, BUT really amped up the story from its introduction!

Overall, a super fun murdery novella that will be perfect to pick up this holiday season!

Thanks to NetGalley, Penzler Publishers, and Mysterious Press for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Publication Date: October 24