12 festive audiobooks for adults to enjoy this Christmas
The holiday season is here – and that means a month of festive audio outings!
With twinkling lights and cosy nights, it’s the perfect time to curl up with a great audiobook. Whether you love a heartwarming romance, a gripping mystery, or a classic Christmas tale, we’ve got plenty of seasonal listens to choose from.
From snowy adventures and sparkling love stories to chilling whodunnits set against a festive backdrop, this selection is packed with stories to make your December magical. There’s something for everyone to enjoy!
A Christmas Carol – Charles Dickens
Step into Victorian London with this timeless classic that has defined Christmas tales for generations. Follow Ebenezer Scrooge as he’s visited by the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Yet to Come, and witness his heartwarming transformation from miser to benefactor. Full of unforgettable characters, a powerful message of hope and wonderfully narrated by Miriam Margolyes, this audiobook is the ultimate festive listen.
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens is available for members to borrow here.
A Perfect Cornish Christmas – Phillipa Ashley
Escape to the picturesque Cornish coast for a story brimming with family secrets, romance, and festive cheer. Last Christmas, a shocking family secret was revealed. This Christmas, Scarlett is heading to the little Cornish town of Porthmellow to uncover the truth of her birth. But she didn’t plan on meeting the charming Jude Penberth in the process… With its cosy setting and heartfelt moments, this audiobook is perfect for fans of festive escapism and warm, romantic tales.
A Perfect Cornish Christmas by Phillipa Ashley is available for members to borrow here.
Hercule Poirot’s Christmas – Agatha Christie
A locked-room mystery set during the holidays from Agatha Christie? Our favourite! When a wealthy patriarch invites his family to his country estate for Christmas, tensions rise - and murder follows. Poirot must untangle a web of secrets and lies in this classic Christie whodunnit. Packed with twists and turns and festive atmosphere, it’s a must-listen for crime lovers – with a full cast narrating the story.
Hercule Poirot’s Christmas by Agatha Christie is available for members to borrow here.
Holly – Adalyn Grace
Set after the events of Wisteria, Holly is a Christmas novella from Adalyn Grace set in the gothic Belladonna series. This heartwarming novella is full of holiday magic and mystery. With a new mystery to solve, Signa, Death, Blythe, and Fate must uncover what happened to Wisteria's ghostly inhabitants and help the spirits move on before it's too late.
Holly by Adalyn Grace is available for members to borrow here.
Letters From Father Christmas – J. R. R. Tolkien
From the legendary author of The Lord of the Rings comes a delightful collection of letters written to his children as Father Christmas. Each letter tells whimsical tales of life at the North Pole, complete with mischievous polar bears and magical adventures. Nostalgic and enchanting, this audiobook is a festive treasure for Tolkien fans and anyone who loves a touch of magic.
Letters From Father Christmas by J. R. R. Tolkien is available for members to borrow here.
Let It Snow – John Green, Maureen Johnson, Lauren Myracle
Three bestselling authors bring you a trio of interconnected holiday romances set during a terribly timed snowstorm. Funny, romantic, and full of festive spirit, these stories explore love, friendship, and the magic of unexpected encounters. Perfect for fans of feel-good holiday reads.
Let It Snow is available for members to borrow here.
Murder Under the Mistletoe – Reverend Richard Coles
It is Christmas Day and at Champton Rectory, Canon Daniel Clement and his mother Audrey are joined by the residents and guests of the big house to drink, eat and be merry. At the festive feast, peace and goodwill prevail. Until two meet under the mistletoe. One of them falls down dead. Reverend Richard Coles delivers another atmospheric Canon Clement mystery full of secrets, scandals, and seasonal suspense. If you love classic crime stories with a Christmas twist, this one’s for you!
Murder Under the Mistletoe is available for members to borrow here.
Season’s Schemings – Katie Bailey
A witty, romantic holiday rom-com packed with festive fun and unexpected twists. All Maddie wants for Christmas is to stick it to her cheating ex. But how? Enter Sebastian Slater, the NHL's most infamous player… If you festive marriage-of-convenience romcoms, this audiobook will be sure make you smile this season.
Season’s Schemings by Katie Bailey is available for members to borrow here.
The Christmas Clue – Nicola Upson
Atmospheric and full of intrigue, this novella set during Christmas features the real life couple behind Cluedo. Anthony and Elva Pratt arrive in a snowy English village to run a murder mystery game - and instead discover a real murder! The hunt for the truth begins, as they find themselves investigating a shockingly real crime. Perfect for fans of classic whodunnit mysteries.
The Christmas Clue by Nicola Upson is available for members to borrow here.
The Christmas Eve Murders – Noelle Albright
It's Christmas Eve at the Merry Monarch. Nestled amongst the Yorkshire Dales, the pub is preparing to host its annual scavenger hunt for its rabble of regulars. When the power is cut off and darkness descends, the hunt turns deadly. Maddie and her unexpected Christmas companions must try to find the murderer amongst them, as it seems one of the group would kill to win… With its gripping plot and tense atmosphere, this audiobook is ideal for those who like their Christmas stories with a twist of danger.
The Christmas Eve Murders by Noelle Albright is available for members to borrow here.
The Wood at Midwinter – Susanna Clarke
From the acclaimed author of Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell and Piranesi comes an enchanting winter tale steeped in folklore and magic. The Wood at Midwinter is an ideal listen for those who love atmospheric stories with a touch of the uncanny - a perfect choice for the darker evenings. Complete with exquisite music composed by Rusty Bradshaw.
The Wood at Midwinter by Susanna Clarke is available for members to borrow here.
This Christmas in Paris – Sophie Claire
Dreaming of a romantic escape? This heartwarming story set in the City of Light is full of festive charm as a chance encounter changes everything between new café manager Carys and struggling journalist Mat. With its sparkling Parisian backdrop and charming story, this audiobook is perfect for fans of cosy Christmas romances.
This Christmas in Paris by Sophie Claire is available for members to borrow here.
At Listening Books, we offer access to over 10,000 audiobooks for all ages and interests. Membership is just £25 a year, or free if cost is a barrier.
Explore our audiobook collection, learn more about school memberships, or buy a gift membership this Christmas – and rediscover the joy of stories in a way that works for you.
