Candy Cain Kills Again: The Second Slaying

Warning: This is a sequel, so though I generally try to avoid spoilers in my reviews, anything I say about a sequel could reveal too much about the previous work. Keep reading only if you have already read Candy Cain Kills or if you don’t mind spoilers. 

Candy Cain Kills Again by Brian McAuley picks up immediately after the last page of the first book. Emergency crew is on scene, bodies are still smoking, and an eye still has a candy cane ornament sticking out of it. 

While religion was running through CCK and the teachings of one pastor specifically leading to the murders and creation of Candy Cain, it was mostly  just looming silently in the background  - though it was memorable when it did appear, such as when the sheriff compared his sacrifices to his community to Christ’s. 

CCKA brings religion to the forefront as the survivors from CCK are determined to confront the Church they (rightfully) hold responsible for their loved ones’ deaths. We also learn early in the book about Pastor Wendell’s history, leading to the Frankenstein’d mishmash mockery of a denomination he created from his favorite bits of the churches that he was too radical for - especially the fire and brimstone Old Testament bits. He even got run out of town by the snake handlers after a girl died. And he goes a step further than the sheriff. He doesn’t compare himself to Christ. He seems to believe he himself is the Second Coming of Christ. 

Candy Cain Kills Again was as fun and wild a ride as its predecessor. McAuley’s screenwriting background is clear as his writing has such cinematic moments. On the occasions where it leans into predictability - slashers have a formula, after all - it is so satisfying to be there for it. The first time this really happens in CCKA is when Austin tells the pastor that Candy Cain is not a ghost, and you know what happens next - but it’s still a thrill to read. 

Though we follow the survivors, CCKA spends more time with the villains’ PoVs, including the pastor, some congregants, and Candy Cain, whose thoughts are especially chilling - but also sad. 

For all the character introspection, true to form, the kills are plentiful and gruesome, and the dark humor bubbles up a few times - including the constant refrain of Christmas carols (and occasional hymn) from Candy Cain. 

Candy Cain Kills Again was the best kind of slasher sequel - one that leaves me wanting a whole franchise, and I hope we will see more of Candy Cain. 

Random Thoughts:

“You’re only ever speaking to yourself, Pastor.” Nice. 

It’s going to be a while - if ever - before I can hear a Christmas carol without thinking of these books. 

Gamer girls rule. 

Review of Candy Cain Kills found here: https://horrorville.beehiiv.com/p/072