🎁 Book Review: The Gift: A Christmas Thriller Short Story by Freida McFadden (Kindle Edition)
A chilling twist on holiday generosity—Freida McFadden delivers a compact, suspenseful tale that turns a simple act of giving into a psychological nightmare.
🧠 Overview
Published in December 2022, The Gift is a 47-page Christmas-themed thriller by Freida McFadden, the bestselling author known for her psychological suspense novels like The Housemaid and The Locked Door. Inspired by O. Henry’s classic The Gift of the Magi, this short story follows Stella Hansen, a newlywed struggling to make ends meet on Christmas Eve.
Desperate to buy her husband the perfect gift, Stella stumbles into a pawn shop where a mysterious shopkeeper offers her a strange trade. What begins as a heartfelt gesture quickly spirals into a dark and unsettling series of events—raising the question: how far would you go to give someone you love what they truly want?
🎄 Key Themes & Highlights
- 💸 Desperation and sacrifice: Stella’s financial struggles and emotional vulnerability drive the suspense
- 🧪 Moral ambiguity: The story explores the cost of generosity when the stakes are dangerously high
- 🕯️ Holiday noir: McFadden subverts festive tropes with eerie atmosphere and psychological tension
- 🔄 Twist ending: True to her style, the story delivers a final reveal that reframes everything
“Stella wants more than anything to buy her husband the Christmas gift of his dreams. But will it come at a terrible price?” — Goodreads summary
💬 Reader Reception
- ⭐ Goodreads rating: 3.23/5 from over 125,000 ratings
- 📖 Readers praise the story’s fast pacing, dark twist, and holiday setting with a sinister edge
- 🧾 Some found the ending abrupt or wanted more character depth, but most enjoyed it as a quick, thrilling read
- 💬 “A creepy little Christmas tale that makes you think twice about gift-giving. Classic McFadden twist!” — Goodreads reviewer
⚠️ Considerations
- 📄 Short format: At 47 pages, it’s a fast read—ideal for fans of bite-sized thrillers
- 🎁 Holiday theme: Best enjoyed during the festive season, especially if you like your cheer with a side of chills
- 🔞 Mature tone: Includes psychological tension and dark themes—recommended for adult readers
🏁 Final Verdict
The Gift is a dark and gripping holiday short story that showcases Freida McFadden’s knack for suspense and surprise. With its eerie atmosphere and moral complexity, this Kindle edition is perfect for readers who like their Christmas tales twisted and thought-provoking.
