The Christmas Tree Killer (DI Tom Stonem, Book 2) cover art

The Christmas Tree Killer (DI Tom Stonem, Book 2)

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About this listen

This winter, fear comes gift-wrapped.

*FROM THE KINDLE TOP 20 BESTSELLING AUTHOR*

In the dead of winter, the Pennine Way is treacherous. As snowstorms hit, hikers have been told to stay away. But not everyone has heeded the warning: a lone walker finds a parcel in the snow, addressed to her. But there’s no festive treat inside. Instead? A severed limb.

DI Tom Stonem is called in to investigate as more gruesome packages appear under the trees. Each is wrapped like a Christmas present, with tags addressed to local residents. Are the intended recipients of these sinister gifts involved in the bloodshed? Or victims of a killer’s cruel game?

As Stonem unwraps the case, the secrets of the forest get ever darker. As December ticks down, it looks like this Christmas, murder is the gift that keeps on giving…

REAL READERS LOVE THE CHRISTMAS TREE KILLER!

‘An absolute banger of a book. Complex characters that are so well drawn, environments that put shivers down your spine … and most of all another cracking story. I devoured it.’ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

'A gripping, atmospheric page-turner that keeps you guessing until the final reveal.' ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

‘I loved book 1, The Killer’s Christmas List, so I was looking forward to this. What a great read it was too’ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

‘It is the right amount of dark and I found this storyline just as gripping as the last.’ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

'I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would recommend it for a dark winter’s evening with the fire on and a strong drink.' ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

©2025 Chris Frost (P)2025 HarperCollins Publishers
Crime Fiction Crime Thrillers Genre Fiction Holidays Mystery Police Procedurals Small Town & Rural Thriller & Suspense Winter Christmas

Critic reviews

PRAISE FOR THE CHRISTMAS TREE KILLER

‘Wonderfully grisly, with a cast of suspects firmly on Santa’s naughty list, The Christmas Tree Killer is a festive treat to savour.’ SAM HOLLAND, award-winning author of the Major Crimes series

Dark, edgy and addictive. This chiller should be under every crime fan's Christmas tree. Please say there will be a third book!’ MICHAEL WOOD, bestselling author of the DCI Matilda Darke series

'Hugely entertaining and packed with proper thrills, this is a festive feat of ingenuity, wrapped up in seasonal colours (with an emphasis on the red).' SARAH HILARY, bestselling author of the DI Marnie Rome series

'This book is a whole lot of fun from a real talent. Christmas and murder, what more could you want?' STEVE CAVANAGH, bestselling author of the Eddie Flynn series

'A beautifully macabre and wildly entertaining seasonal delight … With tight plotting, wry humour and the kind of moreishness a mince pie would be proud of, it’s a winter winner throughout!' ROB PARKER, author of the Ben Bracken series

'Packed with thrills throughout, it's a gripping one-read book that will keep you guessing until the final page.' Belfast Telegraph

'A fast-paced, festive mystery with macabre twists and a snowy atmosphere.’ Gazette & Herald (Ryedale)

'A great Christmas read.' Mystery People

'Packed full of twists and turns… this is scary’ Bishop's Stortford Independent

All stars
Most relevant
This is one of those stories you listen too and wonder why. The narrators voices were poor. I must have missed a lot because I thought the ending was poor.

Forgettable

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Great story that kept me guessing. A worthy sequel that sees the authors writing go from strength to strength

Fantastic

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I read quite a few Christmassy (if murder can be classed as Christmassy!!) titles this December and this was one of the best. This is the second i the DI Tom Stoneham series and is set in the snowy North Pennines. The book is dark, fast paced and totally gripping, and the crimes are satisfyingly grisly! Thankfully there is also humour and banter between the characters. Tom is a great character and I enjoyed his pairing with DS Lauren Rea in this book and loved their growing friendship. Hopefully we'll be able to catch up with Tom Stoneham next Christmas.

I enjoyed the narration by Tom Slatter.

Have yourself a grisly little Christmas

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