Book Review: Dead of Winter

DEAD OF WINTER | Kealan Patrick Burke
12.11.2018 | Independently published
Rating: 4/5 stars

Winter is traditionally recognized as the time for holiday cheer. The time you go and play out in the snow and build snowmen. What if you don’t remember building those snowmen in your yard? What if they’ve come to life? There is something lurking in the darkness of winter and within this short story collection Kealan Patrick Burke will examine the more chilling side of the season.

Kealan Patrick Burke has once again created a collection of seasonal short stories that will leave you with goosebumps. I initially purchased this small book back when it came out in December of last year, but never found the right time to pick it up. We recently had a snowday that reminded me I had this one sitting on my shelf and I immediately grabbed it to entertain me while the snow fell. It’s back to being sunny, but that didn’t stop each of these stories from winning me over!

In the introduction to this collection you learn about how Burke was inspired to write these initially based off a drawing he had done as a kid and how he sends out an annual Christmas story to friends (side note: How do I get on this list?!). What a fun way to add a little fright to your cheerful holiday! Each story in the collection touches on a different element, ranging across anything from snowmen, Santa Claus, loneliness, or loss, just to name a few. It doesn’t matter the subject because they all make your skin crawl for one reason or another.

My favorite from this collection is easily VISITATION RIGHTS, which starts off with the reader believing it’s heading in one direction, only to throw them a massive curveball. I loved everything about this one! Other favorites in the collection would be HOME and THEY KNOW.

This book is available to buy from: Amazon | Book Depository

Disclosure: What Jess Reads is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. This in no way influences my opinion of the above book.