Hi everyone! I hope you’re all well. Today is Friday, and it’s time for another book review. Today, I’m reviewing Christmas Eve on Haunted Hill, a short story by Bryan Smith.
TRIGGER WARNING:
The book I am reviewing deals with themes of suicide, trauma and violence. If you think these topics may be triggering for you, then please don’t read on. Thanks!
Christmas Eve on Haunted Hill was first published in December 2015 Independently by Create Space and is 95 pages long.
The Plot
Ten years ago, Silas Herzinger massacred his entire family on Christmas Eve. Now, the lone survivor of that night, his son, Luke, has returned to town intending to join the rest of his family.
Characters
Luke Herzinger
Luke is suicidal and is visiting his home town one last time before he ends it all at midnight.
He feels incredibly guilty that he was the lone survivor of the traumatic event that happened to his family ten years ago when his father went on a killing spree.
He stops off at his old local bar to get ‘obliterated’ when an old friend, Greg, drops in unexpectedly, forcing Luke to change his mind about ending it all.
Greg convinces Luke to stay with him for the night since he’s wasted and Greg’s worried about him, but when they stop for gas – and more beer – Luke gets an idea. He wants to go and burn down his old family home.
When they arrive at Crandall Hill House, Luke and Greg discover a car parked outside, and they realise some kids must be in the house. They decide to shout and yell at the kids to leave before burning the place down, but suddenly, they hear the sound of blood-curdling screaming.
Luke and Greg run into the house and come face to face with a horrific scene. A couple of the kids are possessed, a couple have been killed, and one is still alive.
The guys work together to save the girl, Simone, who is being attacked by her possessed friend and an evil presence who used to be Luke’s father, dressed in a Santa suit.
When they’re finally outside, Luke decides they should torch the building, and so they do. He and Greg then leave with Simone and her friend, who is, at that point, no longer possessed.
Greg
Greg is perplexed to find his old friend, Luke, drinking alone at a bar wearing a Santa costume – the same one Luke’s father wore when he went on a killing rampage all those years ago.
As they talk, Luke lets slip that he plans to head to his old house and kill himself, but the simple fact of Greg being there is enough to change Luke’s mind.
While they drink, Greg and a few of the bar’s other locals fill Luke in on all the spooky history and stories about the house. He doesn’t believe in ghosts and tells Luke that it’s more than likely kids making things up for attention.
Later, after Greg has helped Luke save the two girls from the house before setting it ablaze, Luke tells Greg that a higher power may have sent him to the bar to prevent him from taking his own life.
Greg confesses that he felt compelled to be at Sal’s bar. He tells Luke he never goes there anymore, so it’s strange that he should go there tonight, especially since it’s Christmas Eve.
Simone
Simone has arrived at the house on Crandall Hill to spend a few creepy hours with her friends Karen, Terry and Bradley and her boyfriend, Spencer. Upon arriving, she decides it’s a bad idea to wander through the place where such an awful thing happened, but persuaded by her friends, she joins them inside.
Trailing behind the others, Simone and Terry follow on, only to find upon inspecting the first floor that there is no sign of the others, nor can they hear them.
Searching the darkness, Simone finally comes upon Karen. She’s covered in what looks like red nail polish. As Simone is trying to work out what’s happening, there’s noise from the other side of the hallway, and she turns in time to see a man in a dirty old Santa suit swing an axe, chopping off Terry’s head.
Simone runs, dragging Karen with her, and as they enter a room, she trips, knocking herself unconscious.
When she comes to, Simone realises that Karen is not Karen anymore, and what’s more, she finds Spence’s dead body.
When Karen tells her ‘daddy’ wants her to go to him, Simone refuses. Karen leaves to tell him her answer, returning moments later with the demonic-looking man in the dirty Santa suit.
Simone starts screaming, causing the guys from outside to rush in and save her.
Writing Style
The book’s pacing is good, with each chapter switching between Luke Herzinger’s POV and Simone’s POV, which helps to ramp up the tension of the story.
The setting of the house itself is nicely described with detailed and creepy imagery of the still-furnished rooms of the abandoned home, bringing the atmosphere to life.
Some of the action sequences in the story were gripping. They were a little over the top, but in a good way – nobody wants an underdone slasher. There’s also a nice creepy sequence involving a demonic Santa losing half of his face that was delightfully gross.
Although it’s not the most unique story ever told, it was definitely intriguing from the beginning; I enjoyed what the author did with it. The way the character of Luke is set up on the first pages was also enough to make me want to keep reading.
I will say, however, that the last few paragraphs baffled me a little. I mean, I’ve had plenty of trauma in my life and never once burst into a rendition of Holly Jolly Christmas. But, you know, that’s me. Maybe some people do.
Final Thoughts
Christmas Eve on Haunted Hill was a quick, short read, perfect for killing time (no pun intended) or pulling you away from the world for just a little while. I enjoyed the story and love a good creepy Christmas tale.
I am giving Christmas Eve on Haunted Hill a 6/10.
Do you have a favourite Christmas-themed horror story? Let me know!
Thanks, as always, for stopping by to read my review!
Until next time, have a scary holiday season!
George
© 2023 GLT
Categories: Book Reviews, Reading
GEORGE L THOMAS 
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