I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again – I love a good slasher, and this one definitely delivers some really fun kills, and it all unravels at a speedy pace.

The story centers around Austin, a teenage boy reluctantly spending Christmas at a remote cottage with his parents and younger sister, Fiona. It’s supposed to be a time for family bonding, but Austin’s expectations are far from being met. Austin would much rather be at home partying with his friends, not hanging out with his parents, who are obviously going through some shit. It’s bound to be a less-than-merry Christmas. To make matters worse, the family has managed to rent a cabin where a heinous murder took place years prior, and Candy Cain – the urban legend that lurks in the woods might actually be real. Soon, the family who went to the cabin for a nice family bonding session will be fighting for their lives.

With the arrival of Candy Cain, the legendary killer with a twisted sense of justice and a penchant for revenge, the serene Christmas ambiance turns into a nightmare. When Austin’s friends show up at the cabin to surprise him, Candy’s kill list grows, and she is more than happy to take them all out – and as I mentioned earlier, she is very creative with her kills. As the family and Austin’s friends attempt to navigate this deadly game of cat and mouse, they soon realize that their survival lies in cracking the secrets of the cottage’s violent past.

This is a short one, clocking in at just over 100 pages, and McAuley packs a lot into the pages without dragging down the pace. The kills are fun, the characters are relatable and mostly empathetic, and Candy Cain’s backstory, while predictable, is perfect for the story.

This one checks many of the standard boxes for a slasher, which is exactly what I would expect. The formula works, which is one of the reasons I love slashers so much. I think my only issue with this one was the final act. I can’t be specific without spoiling anything, but the turn of events over the last 10-15 pages had me scratching my head a bit – even for a crazy horror story. That said, it wasn’t enough to ruin the book for me. It’s a really fun read.

If you’re looking for a Christmas read that’s different from the standard rom-com, definitely check this one out – especially if you’re a slasher fan.