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  • The Gift: A Short Story by Freida McFadden book cover
  • The Gift: A Short Story by Freida McFadden book cover
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The Gift: A Short Story

by Freida McFadden

A Christmas gift with a dangerous price

$15.65 USD
$26.09 USD $15.65 USD
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Awards & Recognition

  • Author recognition

    #1 New York Times bestselling author

    The source describes Freida McFadden as a #1 New York Times bestselling author.

AlbakiReads Editorial

A Christmas gift with a dangerous price

Set during Stella and her husband’s first Christmas together, the story turns the pressure of finding a meaningful present into a psychological thriller. Stella is working two jobs but still cannot afford a gift; an offer from a mysterious pawn shop owner gives her a possible way forward, with a troubling catch. The premise is explicitly inspired by O. Henry’s “The Gift of the Magi,” reframing its holiday exchange around desperation and the prospect of deadly consequences. Its short-story format keeps the focus on one strained holiday, one tempting trade, and the cost attached to it.

Good fit for readers who enjoy

  • Readers seeking a Christmas-themed psychological thriller in short-story form.
  • Readers interested in stories about sacrifice, financial strain, and the cost of a gift.
  • Readers curious about a thriller inspired by “The Gift of the Magi.”

Themes

Sacrifice and gift-givingFinancial hardshipLove and desperationTemptation and consequences

Based on publisher information and book metadata.

Book overview

A THRILLER SHORT STORY!

A gripping Christmas-themed short story from #1 New York Times bestselling author Freida McFadden, author of The Housemaid!

What would you sacrifice for the perfect gift?

Despite working two jobs, she can't even afford a present for her husband on their first Christmas together. It was supposed to be a magical holiday, but instead it's a reminder of how much she can't provide.

Then a mysterious pawn shop owner offers Stella an intriguing trade. She wants more than anything to buy her husband the perfect gift. But there's a catch, and it may come at a terrible price...

Inspired by O. Henry's beloved classic The Gift of the Magi, #1 New York Times bestselling author Freida McFadden delivers a chilling holiday short story where love, desperation, and deadly consequences collide.

Shipping & returnsShipping options, delivery timing, and our return policy.

In-stock items normally dispatch within 1–2 business days. The ZIP-code estimator on this page is informational only; the final shipping method, price, and availability are confirmed at checkout for your full order.

For the initial delivery estimate we use these transit windows after dispatch: Standard 5–8 business days, Expedited 2–4 business days, and Priority 1–2 business days. Holiday delays are not included.

Eligible items can be returned within 30 days in accordance with our return policy.

Customer reviews

M
AlbakiReads
Malaika Taylor

I highly recommend to for anyone looking for inner clarity

T
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Thomas DiMassa

Great service and fast service

E
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Ella

Great shopping experience! The book arrived quickly, was well packaged, and matched the description perfectly. I would definitely shop with you again

O
AlbakiReads
Olivia

Smooth.