I received this novel from Quirk Books through NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review: my thanks to both of them for this opportunity.
Lussi Meyer is going through a rough patch: having lost her job at a publishing house some months before, she has uselessly hunted for employment for quite some time and is nearing despair. Her last chance lies in the interview she has obtained with Blackwood-Patterson, an old and somewhat stuffy publishing house specialized in high profile books, not exactly the right fit for her previous career as a horror editor, but whatever helps pay the bills will be welcome.
A bizarre (very bizarre!) set of circumstances sees Lussi not only hired but placed in the position of senior editor: the new management wants to move toward a more modern approach to publishing, and she needs to find the “next Stephen King” before the end of the year if she wants to maintain her job. The reception Lussi gets from her new colleagues is far from warm, and she finds herself the target of some serious hazing, the latest episode being the Secret Santa gift she receives: a weird wooden doll with very disquieting features.
Not long after that, some of her co-workers become victims of freaky accidents, and Lussi comes to the conclusion that the doll is somehow involved: what she doesn’t know is that her own life might be in danger…
I enjoyed this shortish book quite a bit: for starters it’s set in the ‘80s, with many period references I found both interesting and amusing, particularly where the horror scene was concerned since it enjoyed a revival in those years, and Lussi is quite versed in the matter also thanks to her keen interest in the genre from her early youth. Then there is the eerie background of Blackwood-Patterson, a place peopled by very peculiar characters that would not have been out of place in the Addams’ house; and last but not least the building itself, with its definite Gothic flavor, the old-fashioned look and dark interiors barely lighted by quaint, feeble lamps, and its many shadows lurking from dark corners.
Still, don’t expect to find paralyzing horror in Secret Santa, because the story is laced with a good dose of tongue-in-cheek humor and peppered with creepy episodes that would be perfectly at home in a parody movie of the genre, as the author delights in poking some fun at its tropes. Lussi is the perfect example of this tone because, unlike the protagonists of those movies, who seem always destined to some gruesome and bloody end, she navigates her troubles with considerable spirit and, far from being the stereotype of the damsel in need of rescue, she keeps managing to rescue herself very well, and to help others along the way – mainly her friend and horror author Fabien Nightingale.
The element of the creepy doll is certainly the main theme of the story, and another way for the author to indulge in the dark humor running through this book: disturbing dolls are quite frequent in horror, particularly in its visual aspect, and her the doll in question is also a far cry from the kind one would find in a child’s playroom, which adds a few more layers of ghoulishness to the whole recipe. Mix that with a gloomy, scary building that soon becomes another character in the novel, and you get an amusing page turner that will make you look at the coming holidays from a very different point of view.
Have fun… 🙂
This was definitely more humorous than scary, but I did love all the 80s horror references, especially since I was really into that scene myself. 😁
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The period tongue-in-cheek references were indeed the best – like the one about the vampire trope having exhausted its drive… 😀 😀 😀
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Nice to see another review for this one and that it matched up in rating ( almost ). Thank you for sharing these thoughts, Maddalena. 😀
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You’re more than welcome! It was a fun read, and it’s also perfect for a different approach to the holiday season… 😉
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I do quite like the idea of this one and it sounds like you had fun with it.
Lynn 😀
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Oh yes! It was not unlike those movies that poke fun at the horror genre, but it was done with much more style! 😀
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This books is making its rounds! Especially for such a niche book 😉 Glad you had fun with it, Maddalena!
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Fun being in short supply these days, it was more than welcome! 😉
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Okay, sounds like it’s nothing to write home about but that’s fine, all I’m expecting is a bit of fun 🙂
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That you will certainly get: it’s humorous, tongue-in-cheek fun, and perfect for the holidays 🙂
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I guess the hideous 80ies cover is part of the deal :)?
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Why not? They had to keep a uniform style, I guess… 😀 😀
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It wouldn’t at all surprise me to one day see this turned into a movie. And I could certainly see myself watching it. 🙂
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Same here! If they ever do turn it into a movie, I hope they find a scriptwriter who can mix horror and humor in perfect balance… 🙂
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This seems kind of fun if you’re looking for a campy nostalgia horror read. 🙂 Thanks for the review!
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You’re welcome! And yes, the trip down Memory Lane was indeed fun 🙂
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I was snobbing this book because I am not a fan of horror. I tried, I really did but in the end they bore me, but first Tammy’s review, and now yours made me think that this would be quite far from boring!!!
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There is very little horror in this book, at least of the “classic” blood & gore kind: it’s more a matter of mood, and the main character (mis)adventures are quite funny. I hope you enjoy it! 🙂
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This sounds like a lot of fun, I usually enjoy horror books with a lot of humor (since I tend to get scared easily, the humor usually helps quite a bit). 😀
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There is very little to be scared of (if any) in this story, so you can approach it without any qualms 🙂
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Great, I have added it to my wishlist! 😀
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Haha this sounds quite entertaining. I’ve been watching and enjoying a few dark comedy films lately (Sorry To Bother You and Krampus being particular highlights) and found myself wondering if dark comedy was really a thing in literature.
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In this case it works fairly well, and the tongue-in-cheek humor of the story keeps the pace going steadily all through the novel 🙂
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Nice to hear how much fun you were able to muster out of it. I had a feeling that it had a very parody’ish vibe to it too but I guess it just makes it a great read for the Holidays without being too Halloween’y! 😀 Great review, Maddalena!
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Thanks! And as a parody it’s well done because it treads lightly and never goes over the top, preferring a kind of tongue-in-cheek humor that works nicely 🙂
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