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Feb 19, 2015Chapel_Hill_RuthL rated this title 3 out of 5 stars
In 1896, H.G. Wells conceived an idea of a strange island lost in the Pacific and ruled by a brilliant, deranged man. His name was Dr. Moreau. Megan Shepherd’s debut novel takes it’s inspiration from the classic work and spins its own web of mystery and horror as the long-abandoned Juliet Moreau, daughter to the infamous doctor, finds herself reunited with her father on his island. Shepherd’s Juliet is willful, determined and not easily dismissed by the male dominated cast: her father, who expects a more obedient daughter, her childhood love, Montgomery, who keeps too many of secrets and the mysterious Edward who gentlemanly demeanor feels just slightly…off. The Madman’s Daughter pays homage to Wells’ work while remaining fresh and vital as an original work. Even for those familiar with the classic work, Shepherd offers a dynamic thriller, a conflicted narrator, an untrustworthy band of supporting characters and an unseen ending. Fans will eager to look for Shepherd’s next work in the coming trilogy, Her Dark Curiosity and the conclusion A Cold Legacy.