Reviews

The Christmas Killer by Patricia Windsor

burialshroud's review

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

manwithanagenda's review

dark emotional mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

What a fun, nonsensical way to cap off my reading glut of Point Horror and other vintage YA horror titles. 'The Christmas Killer' has some authentically creepy atmosphere, real danger, and a strong supernatural bent. This already puts in the top-tier of Point Horror, which relys heavily on hints of the supernatural with real culprit being mental illness all along. 

'The Christmas Killer' isn't free from the "they're crazy, so they kill" trope, but Windsor works so much effort into every other aspect of the story - interpersonal relationships, growing up, first romance, etc., that I still must give it high marks. If you can find it, enjoy.

dippyface's review

4.0

Definitely a stand-out in the genre of pulpy thriller YA. Well-written with a lot of cool imagery. Figured out the plot too early but that's probably my own fault for listening to most of the Teen Creeps podcast episode about this before stopping and deciding to read it myself.