Annabel Lee arrives in Philadelphia in 1826, alone in the world except for a father and grandfather she has never met. She's determined to gain her father's approval despite his continued rebuffs of her. Her only friends are her maid, Maddy, her grandfather, and her father's enigmatic assistant, Allan Poe. However, her grandfather's strange warnings about the residence and her father's lab leave Annabel with more questions than answers. And what will she make of her father's second assistant, Edgar? Secrets abound in this gothic thriller.

The characters and the setting in OF MONSTERS AND MADNESS fit together perfectly! The dark, brooding atmosphere is exactly what you would expect from a story featuring Edgar Allan Poe. I love seeing Allan's attempts to write while Edgar is more than a bit twisted. Annabel is somewhat of a naïve character, and yet her determination to aid others with healing gives her just the right amount of backbone for what she faces in her new home. I love the friendship she develops with Maddy in particular. In fact, I would love to see a story featuring Maddy.

If you love Edgar Allan Poe and his poem, Annabel Lee, then OF MONSTERS AND MADNESS is a treat you do not want to miss! Jessica Verday takes some liberties with the history of Edgar Allan Poe and his poem but the resulting thriller is well worth it. OF MONSTERS AND MADNESS is a delightfully creepy tale and I look forward to reading more from the talented Jessica Verday!