Deck the Halls with Bodies

by Danielle Fear

Christmas cheer turns to terror when two bodies are discovered posed in the town's nativity display. What begins as a grotesque holiday spectacle quickly unravels into something far darker... a series of ritualised murders mirroring the story of redemption itself.

As Detective Inspector Maia Powell and her partner, Detective Rourke, race to uncover the truth, they find themselves drawn into the warped theology of a serial killer who believes he's been chosen to cleanse the impure through acts of "divine forgiveness."

Deck the Halls with Bodies is a chilling psychological thriller told over 25 chapters to read either in one go, or over the days of Christmas like an advent calendar. Come join where faith, obsession, and the spirit of Christmas collide.

Genres: Horror

156 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 25, 2025

Reviews

[Sarah Tee · Rating 3 out of 5]

An advent book is a great festive novelty. I had fun reading one chapter a day although sometimes found it hard to stop at just one. I think the first 70% of this book was great. We had a lot of mystery built and it was keeping me guessing. Unfortunately, for me the end didn’t really give any satisfying conclusions and I was left with lots of questions and wanting more.

[Gentri Meier · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm so mad. The first 20 chapters get 4 stars, but I'm not sure the last 5 even earn 2. So much promise but then it leaves loose ends and introduces a new character out of nowhere and the plot just falls apart

[Lori Albertson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great police procedural story. I picked Deck the Halls with Bodies by Danielle Fear thinking it was a horror story. It was a horror story because of the killings, but I would call it a psychological thriller instead. I enjoyed trying to figure out everything with the detectives who were investigating. The story kept me guessing even to the last sentence. This was a great surprise read of one of my favorite genres.

[Dara · Rating 3 out of 5]

The potential was there!!!!! I really enjoyed 90% of this book. I feel like the running trend with these advent style books has been to build up the intensity through the first 20 chapters and then fall completely flat in a rushed ending with too many loose ends (or no ending at all). This one left me completely confused at the end. Will I still continue to subject myself to this type of writing? Of course 🤣 One of these times I’m bound to find a 5 star gem!

[Jeremy Fowler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Literally such a fun story! Creepy with so many layers and I mean - idk about anybody else but let’s keep these good vibes going for next year maybe (aka give us a sequel!!)

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Deck the Halls with Bodies by Danielle Fear is a great addition to the recent trend of advent-style books where you read one chapter a day to count down to Christmas. This book adds a layer of suspense to the season, blending thriller and horror elements in a way that feels fresh but still festive in a twisted sort of way.
At 157 pages with short chapters, it flies by, making it perfect for a quick daily read or a binge-read if you can’t wait to get to the end. This book was fast paced, yet I felt there was still decent character development which you usually don’t get in such a short book.
Overall, this is a great addition if you want something murdery for your holiday season. It’s fast, creepy, and satisfyingly grim. Highly recommend grabbing this if you want to spice up your December reading list with something that keeps you on the edge of your seat.

Want to see spoilers for trigger warnings? Check out: https://www.spoiltheplot.com/books/de...

[Mickey · Rating 4 out of 5]

A week before Christmas, two bodies are found posed as Mary and Joseph at a nativity scene. DI Maia Powell and her team soon realise the victims are ex-addicts who have recently won custody of their ten-year-old son — a child who now appears to be missing. As the bodies pile up, Maia becomes determined to locate the boy before he comes to harm, while also closing in on the killer.

This is a UK-set police procedural that is well written and fairly fast-paced, keeping me guessing until the very end. I did enjoy it; however, I felt the ending needed an additional chapter. It didn’t feel fully finished, and I truly hate open endings — I want everything wrapped up and tied with a ribbon.

*This states that it is an advent book. I want to point out that while it does have 25 chapters and you could read one chapter a day, it is not actually an advent book because the whole story takes place in the week leading to Christmas, rather than the whole month of December.*

[Tracey · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Christmas spirit turns to the dark side when two bodies are found as part of a Nativity display in town.

This is just the beginning, however, as these murders (and the ones to come) appear to be part of a Serial Killer's belief that he's 'the chosen one' and will cleanse those who are impure - through divine forgiveness.

Detectives Powell and Rourke race against time as they quickly realise they need to be one step ahead of this killer to stop his reign of terror.

Will they manage to put an end to this sadistic man and his gruesome crimes?

I read this as an advent book! There were so many layers to this story which had an overarching religious theme where scripture was interpreted way to literally by the killer!!!

An excellent read with descriptive writing and plot twists that pulled me in immediately. The ending certainly left itself wide open for a sequel perhaps?

Thanks Danielle, this is my first book of yours and I loved it.

[ashley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Deck the Halls with Bodies has a really fun and clever concept that immediately pulled me in. I loved the festive advent-calendar format, and Danielle Fear’s storytelling made each scene vivid and engaging. The atmosphere felt very Christmassy with a dark twist, which made it perfect for seasonal reading.

That said, the biggest downside for me was the chapter length. While I read this in the intended advent style, each chapter was only a few pages long, and I constantly found myself wanting more. Just as I was getting fully invested, the chapter would end. I think longer chapters—or slightly more content in each one—would have made the reading experience far more satisfying.

Overall, this was an enjoyable and creative read with a strong concept, but the pacing and brevity held it back for me. A solid three stars.

3⭐️

[Kristi Guthrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review time!

Deck the Halls with Bodies by Danielle Fear - Author



Here we go with Powell and Rourke trying desperately to find the serial killer who seriously thinks he is cleansing his kills. “PURE”.



The scenes are macabre. The bodies positioned just so.



The town turns to terror as the cameras flash and the people name him giving the killer what they want! ATTENTION! And a lot of it!



Redemption? Divine forgiveness! The insanity unravels through each chapter as time is running out!



Very chilling and intense read! Turning the pages faster trying to figure out what exactly this killer’s message is!



There lies a character innocent and waiting to be rescued!



Obsession and darkness run rampant through the pages and the ending?



Well reader, find out as Danielle writes with fervor, keeping your heart pulsing in fear and questions!

[Bob Phillis · Rating 4 out of 5]

A different way for the advent to proceed.
DI Maia Powell and detective Rourke find themselves investigating a weird scene where 2 ex-addicts have been staged as Mary and Joseph in the town nativity scene.
Things go from bad to worse as their son Oakley has disappeared.
Then more scenes appear with more deaths.
Who is killing and staging the scenes?
There is a evidence and questions abounding, but nothing seems to lead anywhere.
Then a lead, somewhere in the past, a family split, the son left and changed his name, and by all accounts found himself a calling; twisted as it may seem. The son also found a mentor and also some disciples.
Where will the madness end?
Will it end?
Great seasonal read.

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

Somewhat of a novelty book, Deck the Halls with Bodies proposes a thrilling crime novel with an advent-style countdown, allowing the reader to read just one chapter a day, whilst on a mission to uncover the truth behind a series of unsettling festive-themed killings.

The book carries a really interesting theme, but suffers due to a shorter page length and a lack of resolution to the story. As much as I loved the day-by-day unfolding of the narrative, I wanted so much more from the ending. There's nothing special here, no big 'wow' moment, no clear-cut explanation of the event leading up to the inciting incident; the novel ends up being somewhat of a flat disappointment in the end, which is a shame, really.

[SKP · Rating 5 out of 5]

After my first 3 “Advent-style” books that I read ALL ended up with BLAH endings, I resolved never to read anymore in the chapter-a-day way ever again! I’m glad I didn’t, because this was much better read in one sitting, even though this one did not have a blah ending. Definitely a good story, excellent police procedural, and with plenty of twists. Yes, it was rather gruesome and gory, especially for a Christmas-themed book, but if you overlooked that minor detail, it was a fast & satisfying read.

[Char · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was fantastic and I throughly enjoyed it. Maia was a great lead thru the horror of this Christmas story. The blood and gore were top level in the scenes Maia and her partner get called out to.
Like a few other I felt like the story kinda lost steam about 60% in and the ending wasn't quite... thriller enough considering the murder and mayhem it started with.
I also noticed a character had his name changed once in the book but I think that was an editing miss that can be fixed easily if the author sees this.
Still fully recommend for a great read!

[Rachel Browning · Rating 5 out of 5]

gruesome and wildly addictive holiday horror read

“Deck the Halls With Bodies” by Danielle Fear is a gruesome and wildly addictive holiday horror read. It’s designed to be enjoyed as an advent-style story, but I couldn’t resist tearing through it. Fear delivers chilling suspense, macabre twists, and an atmosphere that grows darker with every page. A perfectly wicked treat for horror lovers who like their festive season bloody and intense.

[Mandy Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deck the Halls With Bodies by Danielle Fear is a fast-paced, chilling Christmas thriller that opens with a horrifying nativity-themed murder. As bodies pile up, DI Maia Powell and her team race to decode the killer’s message while a terrified city, vigilantes, and a missing boy raise the stakes. Intricate, tense, and detail-driven, this was a 5-star read for me. I loved the mystery and couldn’t stop turning the pages.

[Aliesha Hill · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was good! A good ol' fashioned British detective novel but with a Christmas theme. This didn't even need to be an advent calendar style book, it would have been great as a regular novella in my opinion, though the advent style didn't take away from the story at all. I really have no complaints and would be happy to read from this author again.

[Tayler Vaughn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maia Powell and Rourke find themselves chasing a ruthless unaliver doling out forgiveness on his terms and find themselves asking, "Does it ever truly end?"

This advent style book was an interesting and gripping take on what the holidays and religion symbolize for different people.

Highly recommend!

[Tanya Kolb · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good advent read. I did read it one chapter a day and it was not always easy to do! I wanted to read ahead because I was drawn into the story.

I did feel like the last chapter on the last day was missing something. I'm not sure what, but it didn't seem to finish the story. Maybe there will be a sequel. However, I did enjoy the book and I recommend it!

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let’s say Silence of the Lambs and Seven had a little Christmas baby… you’d get Deck the Halls. This is a quick read that will take you through a mystery/ terror. It’s an advent book if you want to stretch it out, but short enough to binge in one night too!

[Jolene · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Christmas advent read that I fully ignored the rules of and binged anyway. A nativity scene, ritual murders, and detectives racing a killer with seriously twisted holiday theology. Smart police procedural, darkly funny, and impossible to put down. Consider this one firmly on the naughty list.

[Haley Marotta · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story. I don’t usually love law enforcement thrillers, but this one kept my attention throughout. I thought the plot was interesting and fast paced. Didn’t love the ending, but overall a good read. Would recommend.

[Maria Goumrar · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great psychological thriller by Danielle Fear.
I couldn't put the book down, got so involved in the story, trying to figure it out
I am a fan of psychology thriller and I love to guess about the ending and all and I must say, this is one of my favorites.
A must read

[Shannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Christmas Advent

The endings to the advents are always so blahhh. The story And plot up until the end kept me wanting to read more.

[Stephanie Clelland · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’m glad I didn’t stick to one chapter a day, as that would have been an even bigger let down. The plot flat lines around the half way mark.

[Megan Opliger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bodies everywhere ahh!

I read this in 2 days, it really good book. It does take you on a long journey but it worth it. Plot twist but it great. J

[Michele · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice christmas story

Leaves you wondering if there will be a continuation. Ending left it wide open. It was a good story but I feel that they should have finished it.

[Lisa Matheson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Solid 3.5 stars! Great quick and easy book. There is alot of information in the book which lost me a few times.

[Meagan Smallwood · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun advent with murder?

This was a police story with a Christmas spin. I enjoyed the layout of the chapters to lead you to the ending. Clever with clues throughout, a fun read.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Throughly enjoyed this book! Who doesn’t love a festive murder!!!