Local author Chris Coppel brings a fantastical twist to Christmas

Renowned local horror and thriller writer Chris Coppel explores the magic of Christmas in his new novel Living Christmas, which blends the world of corporate business with the fantastical characters and traditions of the festive season.

Published on 27 October by Cranthorpe Millner Publishers, the novel follows Holly Hillman, a successful businesswoman whose carefully ordered life is turned upside down when a DNA test reveals a truth she could never have imagined.

Abandoned at the age of two and a half, Holly was brought up to believe that Santa Claus, the Tooth Fairy, pixies and leprechauns were nothing more than childish nonsense.

Now in her forties, she has risen to become the CEO of a Fortune 400 company through hard work, determination and a life free from distractions or social attachments. Content with her achievements, Holly has little reason to question the reality she has built for herself – until a company health check requires her to provide a DNA sample.

The results unlock a series of extraordinary revelations, forcing Holly to confront a fantastical truth that will change her understanding of herself and the world around her forever.

Chris said he was inspired to write the book by what he sees as a lack of quality Christmas stories in contemporary books and films.

“I wrote this story because I am saddened by the lack of quality Christmas books and movies available today. I wanted to create a modern-day, book version of a Frank Capra (It’s a Wonderful Life) film. I desperately want to rekindle the deep emotion that a good Christmas story can bring. Melding the cold aspect of corporate business with the fantastical world of Santa Claus, I believe, achieves that goal.”

Living Christmas is the latest addition to an extensive body of work by Chris, who was born in California and has divided his time between the USA and Europe, living in Spain, France, Switzerland and now lives in Henley.

Following in the footsteps of his father, Alec Coppel, the screenwriter of Vertigo and numerous other successful films, Chris has written numerous screenplays as well as novels spanning a range of genres, including The Lodge, Legacy, Last Light and Lusus Naturae, published in 2025.

Alongside his writing career, Chris has held senior operations positions at Warner Bros. and Universal Studios and served as Director of Operations at UCLA’s Film School, where he also taught advanced screenwriting. He later became President and Managing Director of the Home Entertainment Division of Testronics in Los Angeles.