52 pages 1 hour read

T. Kingfisher

What Moves the Dead

Fiction | Novella | Adult | Published in 2022

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Before You Read

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Super Short Summary

In T. Kingfisher's novella What Moves the Dead, nonbinary soldier Alex Easton travels to the countryside to aid childhood friends Roderick and Madeline Usher, who are suffering from debilitating illnesses. As Easton investigates, ka encounters bizarre fungi, eerie hares, and unsettling truths about the Usher family, ultimately revealing the dark influences affecting their mental and physical health. The book includes depictions of death by suicide.

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

T. Kingfisher's What Moves the Dead captivates with its eerie, atmospheric horror and rich storytelling. Readers admire its dark humor and vivid reimagining of Poe's classic. However, some critique the pacing and predictability. Overall, it's a gripping read that balances Gothic elements with modern sensibilities.

Who should read this

Who Should Read What Moves the Dead?

Fans of gothic horror and atmospheric storytelling will relish What Moves the Dead by T. Kingfisher. Ideal for readers who appreciate the eerie worlds of Edgar Allan Poe and Shirley Jackson, this novella blends chilling suspense with dark fairy-tale elements. Perfect for those who enjoyed The Haunting of Hill House or The Fall of the House of Usher.

RecommendedReading Age

18+years

Book Details

Genre

Fantasy

Horror / Thriller / Suspense Fiction

Historical Fiction

Themes

Identity: Femininity

Identity: Gender

Life/Time: Mortality & Death