Thank you to Quirk Books for providing me with a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review - (AD-Gifted)
Goodreads Synopsis
The Office meets Stephen King, dressed up in holiday tinsel, in this fun, festive, and frightening horror-comedy set during the horror publishing boom of the ’80s, by New York Times best-selling satirist Andrew Shaffer. Out of work for months, Lussi Meyer is desperate to work anywhere in publishing. Prestigious Blackwood-Patterson isn’t the perfect fit, but a bizarre set of circumstances leads to her hire and a firm mandate: Lussi must find the next horror superstar to compete with Stephen King, Anne Rice, and Peter Straub. It’s the ’80s, after all, and horror is the hottest genre. But as soon as she arrives, Lussi finds herself the target of her co-workers' mean-spirited pranks. The hazing reaches its peak during the company’s annual Secret Santa gift exchange, when Lussi receives a demonic-looking object that she recognizes but doesn't understand. Suddenly, her coworkers begin falling victim to a series of horrific accidents akin to a George Romero movie, and Lussi suspects that her gift is involved. With the help of her former author, the flamboyant Fabien Nightingale, Lussi must track down her anonymous Secret Santa and figure out the true meaning of the cursed object in her possession before it destroys the company—and her soul.
Review
The synopsis of this book really drew me in and I loved the idea of it being based in a publishing company! This was also a small novel and I ended up devouring it in one evening. Shaffer has an amazing way of writing that just keeps you hooked and eager to know what happens next. I really liked Lussi as a main character and I liked reading as she slowly realised what was happening. All the characters were well written and whilst they made some choices I would never make, I found them to be one of the best things about this book!
Whilst this wasn't a particularly scary book, there were creepy elements to this book that had me on the edge of my seat! I already have an issue with dolls so this book did not help in that department!
However, whilst I enjoyed this book I did feel like there was just something missing. I think I went in to this book with too high expectations and felt slightly disappointed when it was over. At points this book just felt rushed and I just think that this book missed the mark for me sadly!
Overall, this was an enjoyable read full of gore, wit and classic horror. As long as you go into this book not expecting dark horror then I think you'll enjoy this take on Secret Santa!
Rating: 3/5 stars
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