"What freaks me out also draws me in, which is why I picked up 'The Madman's Daughter' with such glee," says Jackie

Sixteen-year-old Juliet Moreau has built a life for herself in London—working as a maid, attending church on Sundays, and trying not to think about the scandal that ruined her life. After all, no one ever proved the rumors about her father's gruesome experiments. But when she learns he is alive and continuing his work on a remote tropical island, she is determined to find out if the accusations are true.

Accompanied by her father's handsome young assistant, Montgomery, and an enigmatic castaway, Edward—both of whom she is deeply drawn to—Juliet travels to the island, only to discover the depths of her father's madness: He has experimented on animals so that they resemble, speak, and behave as humans.

And worse, one of the creatures has turned violent and is killing the island's inhabitants. Torn between horror and scientific curiosity, Juliet knows she must end her father's dangerous experiments and escape her jungle prison before it's too late. Yet as the island falls into chaos, she discovers the extent of her father's genius—and madness—in her own blood.

Inspired by H. G. Wells's classic The Island of Dr. Moreau, The Madman's Daughter is a dark and breathless Gothic thriller about the secrets we'll do anything to know and the truths we'll go to any lengths to protect.

Jackie says:
"I watched the old movie "The Island of Dr. Moreau" when I was very, very young, and it left a deep, creepy impression on me.  The idea of animal/human mixed creatures freaks me out to this very day.  But what  freaks me out also draws me in, which is why I picked up The Madman's Daughter with such glee.  This is told from the perspective of Juliet Moreau, the long neglected daughter of the infamous doctor who disappeared from London years ago.  When Juliet's mother dies, she finds herself in dire straights, especially after she defends herself against a rape attempt by her employer.  By accident (?), she runs into her father's young assistant in London, who confirms that her father is alive and well, that in fact the assistant is in town for a much needed provisions for the island that Dr. Moreau has been living and working on.  Angry and disillusioned, but hoping that the rumors (and some of her memories of him) are not true, she convinces the assistant to let her go with him back to the island .  He's the only family he has, and she has no where else to go.  He reluctantly agrees.  She sees bits and pieces of the cargo that is loaded on the less than reputable ship--strange animals and other puzzlements, but still clings to her feverent  hopes of a joyous homecoming with her father.  I'm guessing that I don't really have to say that that is not exactly what happens.  This book is creepy and terrifying at times, at others there is a love story or two weaving in the shadows.  It's fantastic read, and it seems that it MIGHT be a trilogy (this is unconfirmed).  Juliet is a wonderful character, you'll want to meet her as long as you don't scare too easily.  Whaaaa haaaa haaaa haaa."