by Edward Lorn
This collection includes all three Christmas stories by Edward Lorn.
The Naughty List
In which we learn that Santa's elves have their evil counterparts at the North Pole, called Naughties.
Deck the Halls
In which we work out that these three stories are a continuing story and several Christmas myths are woven together to create an original alternative world where Santa, or Sinter Klaus, deals with Krampus, the Naughties, and a host of toys gone bad in Toyland. This one ends on a bit of a cliffhanger, but in the combined volume, the story continues!
Beyond the Gates of Toyland
Completes the series. I found believability stretched a little in this one but the mythology added to the mix was certainly an original idea.
The writing in these was good and the stories drew me in despite my trepidation of reading an author who is known for extreme Horror. While the content was undoubedly Horror, there was nothing in this to squick my boundaries so it was a good first Lorn read for me.
As alternative Christmas stories go, I would actually recommend this for fans of Horror fiction. Don't expect a nicey-nice Holiday story though, that's not the goal here.