Hamlet in Baltimore by Pavel Cerny is a rather ambitious attempt to combine the author’s two passions – horror stories and theater and place it into one fascinating short story. Although purely made up, Cerny manages to present a rather interesting tale on vampires and the parents of Edgar Allan Poe. The five-year-old Poe must deal with the death of his parents at the hands of vampires. This imaginative take on the life of Poe will give readers plenty to think about in this quick read.

Readers will appreciate that the book starts with a disclaimer informing them that the real Mrs. Poe had died 3 years before the events described in this book. I am impressed with the fact that Cerny took a real person and placed her into his fictional narrative and created a shocking and thrilling story. I wonder if Cerny had left the Poe family out of his narrative and created a fictional family of young actors instead if the story would have the same impact especially on those who are fans of Edgar Allan Poe.

Cerny has created a fresh new plot that is mysterious and chilling. The images help the reader feel like they are watching a play. Readers will be impressed with how flawlessly Cerny manages to incorporate several storylines into one well-conceived short story. This is extremely hard considering the short length of the piece thus showcasing the author’s amazing skills. Complementing this imaginative short story are the brilliant illustrations of Manuel Vitman. His work is truly astounding and gives this remarkable story an added edge, complimenting the storyline and giving readers a memorable visual.

Hamlet in Baltimore is a riveting short story that will grip readers from start to finish. This superb telling of Edgar Allan Poe’s early life will fascinate readers of horror, fiction, short stories, suspense, and fantasy.

Pages: 40 | ISBN : 1664158650