Of Monsters and Madness by Jessica Verday

Of Monsters and Madness is inspired by Edgar Allan Poe and his character Annabel Lee.

Annabel moves to Philadelphia after her mother's death to where her father, who seems less than joyful to meet her after all these years, practices medicine. She struggles to find comfort in the stony town with all its uptight mannerisms and expectations, but quickly becomes infatuated with her father's assistant, Allan, a poet when not working with her father. Bloodied murders bring danger to the unfamiliar streets of Philadelphia, and Annabel discovers horrifying connections between the crimes, her father's work, and Allan's poetry. When Allan's peculiar cousin Edgar threatens the safety of those Annabel loves, she must uncover what exactly is happening in the night, and how she is to stop it.
Very different from the style which I am accustomed to, this novel was nonetheless very intriguing. I found certain points to be rather flat and anticlimactic, but the atmosphere created was strong. It wasn't particularly memorable although it is not as if I have already forgotten what happened in the story. It was an interesting and unique concept to approach but the book itself did not leave anything for me to hang on to, nor did it leave me wanting more.
Despite personally not loving this book, the concept is fascinating enough that it may capture other readers, perhaps fans of Edgar Allan Poe's works.
I personally rate this book 6/10
~Mushu