🩸 Horror Fiction

It Came Upon a Midnight Clear

✍️ Dorian J Sinnott
Reader Score
4.5
(1 review)
$15.95
In stock — ready to ship Ships in 1–2 business days
📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

A horror novel about sinister cats and ancient winter entities in Oakridge.

Harold Trapp faces professional failure as his company attempts to launch the Hans and Heidi dolls under tight deadlines. The resulting stress attracts two deceptive cats that signal the arrival of a dark force. This entity is linked to old black trains and straw goats, creatures from yore that lurk in shadows. The narrative explores how holiday traditions can mask ancient threats. Sinnott examines the fear hidden within winter customs. The town of Oakridge becomes the stage for these events as snow accumulates. The story does not offer redemption but rather reveals the hungry nature of seasonal legends.

Key Themes
Hans and Heidi dolls straw goats of yore old black trains
Literary Context

The narrative is set in Oakridge during the winter holiday season. It draws on traditions involving straw goats and holiday satyrs. The story reflects on the darker side of Christmas folklore. Sinnott uses these elements to create a specific atmosphere of dread.

Difficulty
●● Medium
Recommended For Fans Of
John Ajvide Lindqvist · M.R. James · Thomas Ligotti · Peter Straub
🩸
Horror Fiction
🏛 Independently Published 📅 2020 🌐 English 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9798575680857

📝 Description: It Came Upon a Midnight Clear

Dorian J Sinnott presents a narrative centered on Harold Trapp, whose business struggles with plummeting sales drive him to rush the creation of Hans and Heidi dolls. This high-pressure deadline introduces stress that manifests as two mysterious cats appearing on his doorstep. These felines hide a sinister nature that the town of Oakridge soon discovers. As winter settles and snow falls heavily, an ancient darkness awakens alongside unspeakable terrors. The story draws upon legends of old black trains, holiday satyrs, and straw goats from yore. The winter wind carries these entities through deep shadows, where they hunger for flesh while waiting for the night to return. Sinnott weaves traditional folklore with modern corporate anxiety, creating a atmosphere where the holiday spirit becomes a source of dread rather than joy. The narrative focuses on the intersection of seasonal cheer and primal fear. This book suits readers who enjoy horror rooted in specific cultural traditions and supernatural entities. It may not appeal to those seeking lighthearted seasonal fiction or fast-paced action without atmospheric buildup. The text relies on established folklore rather than original myth-making. Sinnott uses these traditional sources to ground the terror in recognizable winter imagery. The story remains focused on the local impact within Oakridge as the darkness spreads. Readers will find a tale where the festive season masks ancient evils.

💎 Our verdict on It Came Upon a Midnight Clear

“
🩸
Horror Reads editorial team
Horror desk
Sinnott effectively weaves traditional folklore with modern corporate stress, creating an atmosphere where holiday cheer transforms into primal fear. The narrative focuses on local impact within Oakridge, using established legends like straw goats to ground the terror in familiar winter imagery. While it relies on existing myth-making rather than original creation, the atmospheric buildup is potent. It suits readers who enjoy slow-burn horror and cultural critique over fast-paced action, delivering a focused exploration of how seasonal cheer masks ancient dangers without offering easy comfort.
✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Readers who appreciate horror rooted in specific cultural traditions and the intersection of corporate anxiety with supernatural entities will find this narrative compelling. It appeals to those interested in how holiday spirit can mask ancient threats, offering a chilling examination of seasonal legends rather than redemption. The book is ideal for fans of atmospheric dread who enjoy folklore grounded in recognizable winter imagery, providing a unique perspective on the fear hidden within customary joy.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Horror Reads —

Reader rating

4.5
Based on 1 reviews
5
0
4
1
3
0
2
0
1
0
H
Horror Reads editorial team

Sinnott effectively weaves traditional folklore with modern corporate stress, creating an atmosphere where holiday cheer transforms into primal fear. The narrative focuses on local impact within Oakridge, using established legends like straw goats to ground the terror in familiar winter imagery. While it relies on existing myth-making rather than original creation, the atmospheric buildup is potent. It suits readers who enjoy slow-burn horror and cultural critique over fast-paced action, delivering a focused exploration of how seasonal cheer masks ancient dangers without offering easy comfort.

✍️ More books by this author Dorian J Sinnott

Along About Midnight
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.3
Dorian J Sinnott
Along About Midnight
$15.95
69
Read →
Wicked Little Things
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
Dorian J Sinnott
Wicked Little Things
$9.95
81
Read →
Return to the Uncanny
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
Dorian J Sinnott
Return to the Uncanny
$9.95
78
Read →

🏛 Books from this publisher Independently Published

The Walking Worm
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
Matthew Cowdery
The Walking Worm
$12.99
78
Read →
You'll Do As You're Told
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
Craig Wesley Wall
You'll Do As You're Told
$14.99
78
Read →
La Sincronicidad de los Dioses
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
Jon Ridan
La Sincronicidad de los Dioses
$11.99
78
Read →
Forever Your Blood: Christabel Kane I
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
Syl Emerald
Forever Your Blood: Christabel Kane I
$19.00
81
Read →
John Hopkins: At the heart of England
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
Shane Terry
John Hopkins: At the heart of England
$17.32
78
Read →
Skinheads VS. Goth Vampires
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
Nick Razer
Skinheads VS. Goth Vampires
$15.99
78
Read →

You might also like

See more →
Wicked Little Things
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
1
Dorian J Sinnott
Wicked Little Things
$9.95
81
Read →
Return to the Uncanny
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.4
1
Dorian J Sinnott
Return to the Uncanny
$9.95
78
Read →
Nightmares & Tentacles: 13 Tales of the Cthulhu Mythos
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
1
Michael, Jr Sheehan
Nightmares & Tentacles: 13 Tales of the Cthulhu Mythos
$15.95
86
Read →
WithinsanitY
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
1
Michael McInerney
WithinsanitY
$15.99
86
Read →
The Whisper Killer
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
1
Rod Little
The Whisper Killer
$15.99
86
Read →
It Ends Here
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
1
Willow Rose
It Ends Here
$15.99
86
Read →

Have a question about this item?

Ask about the edition, condition, delivery or anything else — we reply by email or phone, usually within a day.

Home Genres
Cart
Wishlist