Ring the Bells is the fifth book in The Stranger Times, a new series of books, written under the pen name C.K. McDonnell.  The series has been described as perfect for fans of Terry Pratchett, Jim Butcher, Ben Aaranovitch, Douglas Adams, or, y’know, Caimh. 

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas. . .

For most people, that means a time of celebration, relaxation and inebriation, but not for the staff of The Stranger Times. While a book club meeting ending in a triple murder isn’t unprecedented, it is at least noteworthy. It quickly emerges that this is no ordinary book-club-triple-murder either, as it features a librarian possessed by a chaotic entity who has broken through from another dimension and is hellbent on vengeance. He’s made a list, but he’s not checking it twice as the whole of humanity is on it. Who would want to summon such a thing? And how is anyone going to be able to send it back?

As if that wasn’t enough to be dealing with, a shocking revelation about a member of The Stranger Times team’s past brings family together, but not in a way that’s ever going to make it into a Hallmark movie.

Featuring demonically possessed Santas, blood-thirsty books and the ghost of a legendary nightclub, it’s beginning to look a lot like a Christmas apocalypse . . .

Published 9 October 2025, Ring the Bells is the fifth book in the award-winning, critically acclaimed and laugh-out-loud funny The Stranger Times series.

Get your copy here

Ring The Bells

Order by 30th September, send proof of purchase to elaine@mcforiink.com and you’ll receive some Stranger Times goodies.