I went into this hoping for a cute, cozy Christmas fantasy to break up some heavier reads, but unfortunately it just didn’t work for me.

There’s a real art to writing a short story or novella—fitting in a complete arc and character development within a limited word count is no easy task. While this is part of a larger novella series, it’s marketed as a standalone, and I found it lacking the depth and execution needed to fully pull me in. I actually think the premise could have shined as a full-length novel with more room to breathe.

The highlight for me was the audiobook. Charlie Albers delivered a wonderful narration, with a warm, engaging tone that suited the story perfectly. Her pacing was natural and easy to listen to—even at 2x speed, which I used just to get through the story more quickly. Without her performance, my rating would have been lower.

Thank you to Tantor Audio and NetGalley for the complimentary ALC, which gave me the chance to share my thoughts voluntarily.

How I Rate
Because I mostly read ARCs, I focus on how I think fellow readers with similar tastes will respond. I sometimes round up or down based on pacing, prose, or overall impact, and I try to keep my personal preferences from weighing too heavily.

⭐️ 1 Star – Finished, but not for me; I never DNF ARCs.
⭐️⭐️ 2 Stars – Struggled due to writing, content, or editing issues.
⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3 Stars – Decent read with untapped potential; recommend with some reservations.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4 Stars – Really enjoyed it and would recommend for several reasons.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 Stars – Exceptional; lingers in my mind well after reading. A story I’d gladly revisit.

Holly is on her way home at the beginning of Christmas break when she hits a patch of ice and crashes her car. Hours later, with frostbite beginning to set in, she's rescued by a kind older woman—Mrs. Clause. Mrs. Clause takes her to the doctor, and the next morning they find out the receptionist has been murdered. And Mrs. Clause is the main suspect.

Christmas Corpse is absolutely delightful. A very cozy mystery, with a hot Santa and his kind mother who's trying to find him a wife, and a fun cast of side characters. I loved everything about this book, from the plot to the worldbuilding to the narration. I read it in one sitting and lovely every minute of it!