Peter Swanson’s holiday short story The Christmas Guest is a twisty psychological thriller for horror fans looking for a seasonal read. Short, fast-paced, and festive, this quick novella is the perfect choice for staying up late on Christmas Eve while you wait for Santa.

Most of the story is told through the diary of an American college student – an art major studying in London – who has been invited to spend the holidays with her classmate’s family in the English countryside. With no family of her own, she eagerly accepts the chance for a cozy Christmas in a beautiful home owned by a wealthy family. But tensions rise almost immediately upon her arrival. Her classmate’s family is cold and distant, and her classmate’s attractive twin brother is widely suspected of murdering a local girl who bears an unsettling resemblance to the narrator herself. Adding to the unease, a creepy Santa look-alike begins stalking her from the woods surrounding the property. Several other interesting guests are staying in the house as well, further complicating the dynamic. As events unfold, the narrator can’t quite decide whether she’s wandered into a romance – or a thriller.

Amid the chaos of getting ready for the holidays, I haven’t had much time to fully focus on my reading and writing (even typing this right now, I’m feeling a bit rushed), so this novella ended up being a perfect choice for me this week. It’s an easy, atmospheric read that still delivers tension and intrigue, making it ideal when you want something engaging without a huge time commitment. The Christmas Guest has everything I typically look for in a seasonal thriller, but I won’t give too much away – you’re better off going into this one relatively blind. Think of opening it like a Christmas present.

It’s also available on Kindle Unlimited, which makes it an especially good option if you’re looking for something holiday-themed that’s quick and inexpensive to read.