Victoria local Robert J. Wiersema’s soon-in-bookstores new novella The World More Full of Weeping, establishes an immediately-chilling mood before you’ve even opened it up.

That mood is set by its well-crafted cover — an eerie glow peeking through dark, fogged woods.

It makes for a perfect introduction to the story, which wastes no time to reveal what will be a haunting tone throughout.

Eleven-year-old Brian Page is missing after wandering off into the woods behind his home. The story bounces back between the point of view of Brian’s worried father and Brian himself.

This is not your average story, nor your typical tale of a missing child. Once again (as he did with Before I Wake in 2006, which went on to be a national bestseller), Wiersema takes readers to a new and unnerving place, complete with spine-tingling chills.

Weeping is an immediately engaging, fully supplementing quick read that brings you back to the days of spooky campfire stories that go on to make for a sleepless night wandering around your own imagination.

This novella is a refreshing break amongst the monotony of boringly average, everyday reads. It coasts along naturally with Wiersema’s vivid writing, keeping you glued to the page.

The book will be launched on Sept. 21 at Bolen Books at 7 p.m. The event is free.

If you have yet to have read his debut bestseller, be sure to check it out as well.