The Baltimore Atrocities by John Dermot Woods

​   There are so many instances when literature waxes poetic on its chosen city, despite all odds, statistics, crime rates, etc. But not this book. This book presents Baltimore in all its gloomy, creepy, murderous splendor. One atrocity at a time.
     Such an unconventional novel this is. It utilizes a method of interspersing the central narrative with random thematically connected vignettes. I know there’s a word for this technique, but it eludes me at the moment. At any rate, it worked surprisingly well, the sum total doesn’t seem disjointed. The bones held the meat. Etc.
    The main plot is a story of the narrator, Barney, and his companion, searching for their siblings, both of whom have disappeared some time in the past in Baltimore. Barney and his companion get a chance to housesit In Baltimore for a year and jump on the opportunity, thinking this will help their search, only to find out once there that Baltimore isn’t a city to give up its secrets easily or at all. Barely a city at all, more of a frightening abyss of doom that hungrily devours its denizens in a variety of mordantly creative ways.
    Such an odd number, but made for a strangely compelling read. The classically posh narrative tone juxtaposed ever so nicely with the morbid contents. The reality and surreality (Word insists on surrealness, but honestly my version seems more fitting) worked side by side instead of competing to create something genuinely original and compelling. There are also cartoons with each chapter, though not sure they added much to the production, other than informing you that the author can also draw.
      Overall, quirky in the right way. Some kind of fun. read quickly as to not overstay its welcome. Definitely had a certain charm to it…unlike, say, Baltimore.