Top 7 Christmas Thrillers to Read This Holiday Season

Looking for a pulse-pounding read that doesn’t skimp on holiday spirit? These Christmas thrillers deliver snow, suspense, and high-stakes action wrapped in festive chaos. Whether it’s a deadly mystery set under twinkling lights or a time-traveling mission to save the holidays, these thrillers bring serious tension to the most wonderful time of the year.

1. Operation Kringle by R.D. BradyA wounded stranger. A warning from the future. And a mother caught in a race to save not just Christmas—but all of humanity. Operation Kringle is a gripping Christmas thriller with a time-travel twist, combining emotional depth with high-stakes suspense. Perfect for fans of action-packed sci-fi set against a snowy backdrop.

2. The Christmas Scorpion by Lee ChildJack Reacher gets snowed in at an English pub on Christmas Eve—and it’s not long before a mysterious assassin comes calling. Short, sharp, and suspenseful, this Christmas thriller is classic Reacher with a festive edge.

3. The Ice Twins by S.K. TremayneSet on a remote, icy Scottish island, this psychological thriller follows a grieving mother unraveling a chilling mystery about her twin daughters. Though not Christmas-themed, its wintry atmosphere and emotional intensity make it a perfect cold-weather read with thriller vibes.

4. I Am Half-Sick of Shadows by Alan BradleyIn this cozy mystery with a sinister core, young sleuth Flavia de Luce investigates a murder during a snowed-in film shoot at her family’s estate. The Christmas setting adds charm, while the stakes and clever plotting give it thriller appeal.

5. The Twelve Clues of Christmas by Rhys BowenA series of suspicious holiday “accidents” leads to multiple deaths in a quiet English village. Royal sleuth Lady Georgie must crack the case before Christmas is ruined—or worse. Smart, fast-paced, and full of seasonal murder.

6. The Corpse in the Snowman by Josephine BellAn under-the-radar golden-age gem, this vintage Christmas thriller delivers eerie ambiance, mysterious deaths, and a chilling final twist—all set in a snowbound village over the holidays.

7. Murder for Christmas by Francis DuncanThis Agatha Christie-style mystery sees amateur sleuth Mordecai Tremaine invited to a country house for Christmas, only to find a dead man under the tree. Twists, tension, and festive deception make it a seasonal must-read for thriller lovers.

Why Read a Christmas Thriller?Christmas thrillers blend the nostalgic warmth of the holidays with the adrenaline of crime, conspiracy, and survival. They’re the perfect antidote to sugar-sweet holiday tales—offering danger wrapped in tinsel and tension under the tree.

So if you’re craving suspense with your snowflakes, crack open one of these thrilling reads this season. Start with Operation Kringle and add a little action to your holiday season!