As if a Huffington Post-moonlighting Detroit adman writing his debut novel about modern-day LA werewolves isn't odd enough, the story is also told entirely in free verse. Toby Barlow's newly patented brand of mythical insanity comes off as crazy as a lapsed Quaker (which he is). Think Ezra Pound led by James Ellroy, Virgil on the verge of Raymond Chandler, or, as Barlow himself freely admits, Homer in a Marvel mood — and then think again, because this neo-noir tale about werewolf packs and the folks they terrorize has a sheer, otherworldly thrill all its own.