Title: HOW TO SLAY AT CHRISTMAS
Author: Sarah Bonner
ISBN: 9781836335528
Publisher: Boldwood Books
Pages: 352
Source: Review copy from the Publisher / NetGalley
Jessica Williams loves the food, the drink, the fairy lights, the opportunities to take out all the miserable people who ruin the festive season for others. And what better cover for her murderous intentions than taking a job as Mrs Claus at the Ellsbury Christmas Market grotto? After all, who would possibly think Mrs Claus could stab a man through the eye with a Phillips-head screwdriver?
Fearne Dixon hates Christmas. As the long-suffering wife of the Ellsbury Christmas Market’s manager, she’s sick to the back teeth of it and it’s still only November. But then the bodies start piling up, an old rival arrives back in her life, and Fearne reaches breaking point.
When the lives of the two women collide, who will end up on the Naughty List?
Official Summary
05 August 2025
It’s a little early for a Christmas book, I know – but if you add only one Christmas read to your TBR this year, then I highly recommend it be this one!
Deliciously dark, wickedly witty, and soaked in festive blood—How to Slay at Christmas is a murderous holiday book unlike anything I’ve read before. If you’ve ever wanted to throttle a carol-singing coworker or run from the relentless cheer of Christmas markets, this book gets you.
Jessica Williams is not your average holiday heroine. She’s gleefully unhinged, perfectly poised in her Mrs. Claus costume, and on a personal mission to rid the world of those who make the festive season miserable for others. Her weapon of choice? Anything sharp and unexpected. The tone is outrageous and over-the-top in the best way—it’s humour meets slasher, and I was absolutely here for it.
Then there’s Fearne Dixon: resentful, sarcastic, and trapped in a Christmas hellscape run by her husband. While Jessica brings the manic energy, Fearne grounds the story with a simmering fury that feels all too relatable. Their eventual collision is as chaotic as it is inevitable, and it’s a joy to witness the unravelling.
Sarah Bonner manages to balance humour, gore, and a surprisingly sharp commentary on holiday expectations and emotional burnout. The characters are vividly drawn, the pacing is quick, and the kills—yes, plural—are delightfully creative. Think Dexter meets Love Actually, but messier, bloodier, and much more satisfying.
This isn’t a feel-good Christmas story, but it’s definitely a feel-better one—especially if you’ve ever fantasised about escaping the forced jolliness of December. I laughed, I gasped, and I may never look at a Christmas market the same way again.
A perfect holiday palate cleanser.
Also By Sarah Bonner
HER PERFECT TWIN
HER PERFECT TWIN. YOUR NEW OBSESSION.
When Megan discovers photographs of her estranged identical twin sister on her husband’s phone, she wants answers.
Leah already has everything Megan ever wanted. Fame, fortune, freedom to do what she wants. And when Megan confronts Leah, an argument turns to murder.
The only way Megan can get away with killing her twin is to become her.
But then lockdown hits. How can she continue living two lives? And what happens if someone else knows her secret?
About the Author
Author bio from the author’s site
Sarah Bonner grew up in Salisbury, dreaming of a career as a writer and performer. Instead, she became an accountant! After a fifteen-year career, she decided to answer her original calling and completed her first novel, Her Perfect Twin. She lives in West Sussex with her husband and very spoiled rescue dog.
While it is pretty early to start reading Christmas books, I could not resist reaching for this one, and I am so glad I did. I raced through this book and loved every minute. If you are looking for something Christmasy to add to your TBR this year, you won’t go wrong with this one. I look forward to hearing what you think about this one, please leave a comment below. Until next time…. Happy Reading.
