If you’re looking for a short (read: 106 pages), amazingly awesome and creepy page turner you need go no further than Hammers on Bone by Cassandra Khaw.

I happened to come across this book because I read an article on new releases in 2017 that featured the sequel, A Song for Quiet. I immediately fell in love with the cover art (seriously, go look it up. It’s gorgeous!), and once I realized it was the second in a series, I knew I had to get my hands on the first. Because I really wanted to read A Song for Quiet. This can be kind of scary because what if you don’t like the first book? Do you still read the second one? What if it’s just as disappointing as the first? It all comes down to: Is it worth it?

Trust me, friends, Hammers on Bone is worth it.

The story follows John Persons, a private investigator hired by a 10-year-old boy to kill his abusive stepdad, McKinsey. But there’s something else that leads Persons to investigate: McKinsey is also a monster. Being one himself, Persons is no stranger when it comes to dealing with monsters. But can Persons manage to stop McKinsey spreading the alien presence he is infected with without giving in to his own horrifying potential?

I think my favorite aspect about Khaw’s writing is her ability to paint the most beautiful and creepy pictures. Her word choices are impeccable and allow the reader to vividly see what is happening in the story. Although Hammers on Bone is short, it is the perfect pocket read, providing just a taste of the world within its pages that keep the reader wanting more. The short length also allows for multiple reads, which helps if you want to re-read it prior to diving into A Song for Quiet.