Just because the jack-o-lanterns are gone does not mean the chills have to stop completely. Even after Halloween is long gone, the shadows of the spooky season remain! Christmas ghost stories strike a balance between the comfort and cheer of the holiday season and the dark, paranormal nature of ghostly beings. If you’re ready to take your holiday spirit to the next level, these seven haunting novels are perfect for nights spent curled up in a blanket by some candlelight!
Good Spirits by B.K. Borison
This newly released novel follows Nolan Callahan, the aimless Ghost of Christmas Past, who intends to spend the holidays as he always does: with a festive haunting. But when he is faced with the kind-hearted Harriet York, his mindless, floating mindset shifts into something he never saw coming. Meanwhile, Harriet is confused as to why she is being haunted until Nolan takes her on a journey through her memories.
In her memories lie deeper ties between her and Nolan, and they must decide whether they are willing to walk towards the uncertain future or remain stuck in the present before Christmas Eve. This story is full of whimsy and romance, which gives a whole new meaning to a supernatural haunting!
The Afterlife of Holly Chase by Cynthia Hand
This charming reimagining of A Christmas Carol is set on Christmas Eve, when Holly Chase, a seventeen-year-old girl, is visited by three ghosts who try to show her the error of her selfish ways. Their concerns and advice go in through one ear and out the other. Her arrogance results in her death and immediate yet strange employment to Project Scrooge as the Ghost of Christmas Past. She is tasked to help existing “Scrooges” avoid the same fate she met when she chose not to listen.
As she begrudingly takes on her new job and loathes her afterlife existence, she encounters a new Scrooge who she soon finds is different and will change everything she has come to know. If you enjoy paranormal yet warm stories that involve a redemption arc, this may be a fit for you!
Ghosts of Greenglass House by Kate Milford
Thirteen-year-old Milo decides to spend his entire winter holiday away in a greenhouse in hopes of having a quiet and relaxing time. As reality would have it, he finds himself in a house filled with strange guests at every corner, ghostly whispers, and secrets to be uncovered! This book series offers a blend of cozy vibes and a thrilling adventure centered around ghosts and friendships during the winter season.
Sherlock Holmes & the Christmas Demon by James Lovegrove
Set during the late 1800s, just before Christmas, Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson are approached by Eve Allerthorpe, the upcoming heiress of the Yorkshire family. Desperate and distressed, she recounts her strange experiences, convinced she is being haunted by a cruel Christmas spirit called the Black Thurrick. Holmes and Watson take it upon themselves to solve the case, only to find out there is something sinister and non-human about this spirit. A sudden death inside the household forces the detective duo to question if this is simply a ghostly tale or something much more sinister.
A Christmas Ghost Story by Kim Newman
This chilling book follows Angie and her teenage son, Rust, as they prepare for the upcoming holiday season by lighting up their home with fairy lights and decorating their Christmas tree. It isn’t until they open the first day of their Advent calendar that they realize something is off. The chocolate tastes strange, and Rust receives a mysterious, unsigned Christmas card.
With each day that passes, the cards keep coming, each message creepier than the last. Angie recounts an old TV show with a similar plot, but oddly enough, there are no records proving the show was ever aired. As the mother and son question their reality, their holiday season turns dreadful, rather than the jolly-filled time Angie remembers from her childhood.
The Christmas Guest by Peter Swanson
American art student, Ashley Smith, expects her Christmas to be lonely since she is studying abroad in London, but she receives an invitation from her classmate Emma Chapman to spend the holidays at her family’s manor. Elated by the idea, Ashley agrees to go and is completely enchanted by the well-lit, festive hallways, the nearby village, and Adam, Emma’s handsome older brother.
But beneath all the holly and pine wreaths is the occurrence of a brutal murder and a mysterious being haunting the woods. When Adam is suddenly pulled into questioning, Ashley wonders what kind of story she has stumbled upon. This story is perfect for those who crave a genre-blending book where nothing is as it seems!
The Ghost of Christmas Always by Kevin J. Anderson
This book revolves around Charles Dickens as a struggling author who is visited by the ghost of his late sister-in-law, Mary Hogarth. During the late hours of Christmastime, she communicates with him through visions and dreams to give him inspiration for his writing. Through her guidance on his pivotal memories, he is ultimately inspired to write the iconic Christmas story many have come to know! Rich with historical fiction and the supernatural spirits of the holidays, this book is not short of emotional depth and celebration.
Carfax House by Shani Struthers
This haunting tale follows Al and Liz Greenaway, who decide to start anew at a recently purchased country home. Between it being the same price as their London flat and it needing some TLC, the timing could not be more perfect. Wanting to spend their holidays there, Liz settles into the house first, to start on renovations while Al is at work.
What started as a romantic, grand space quickly became an isolated entity, with dark hallways that echo past memories. Liz is now forced to confront her own past, along with the whispering shadows of the home.
Spirits of the Season: Christmas Hauntings edited by Tanya Kirk
This collection of Christmas ghost stories includes short tales ranging from the 1850s to the 1960s! Underneath the jolly season rich with colorful lights, caroling, and cookies are restless spirits eager to make their appearance — even the Devil himself. This book delivers a dark and haunting alternative to the classic festive season we all know!
The Valancourt Book of Victorian Christmas Ghost Stories edited by Tara Moore
This chilling assortment of tales celebrates the Victorian tradition of publishing companies printing spooky ghost stories during Christmas time. Meant for fireside reading, this anthology features many iconic authors such as Arthur Conan Doyle and Walter Scott and resurrects this joyous yet haunting custom. From ghostly summons to grand hauntings, this collection is rich with page-turning thrills. If you’re craving something dark, dreadful, with a touch of holiday cheer, this may be the perfect fit for you!
Whether you prefer a literal Christmas spirit or a metaphorical one, each of these tales proves that the magic of the holiday season is just as much about the chilling shiver down your spine as it is the warmth underneath the covers!
If you are interested in horror Christmas books and the genre’s history, click here.
Craving something a little more swoonworthy for the holiday season? Check out our Bookshop bookshelf, Holiday Romances Perfect for Sparking Magical Connections.
