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.

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.

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.

Mysterious / Dark / Unnerving / Suspenseful / Fantastical

- What Moves the Dead by T. Kingfisher is a retelling of Edgar Allan Poe's short story "The Fall of the House of Usher," with a unique twist and expansion on the original tale.
- The author, T. Kingfisher, is a pen name for Ursula Vernon, who is known for her work in both children's books and adult fiction.
- The novel intricately combines elements of horror and the natural world, drawing inspiration from Kingfisher's own background in biology and her interest in fungi and ecosystems.

**Alex Easton**  
A former Lieutenant in the Gallacian Army known for ka nonbinary gender presentation and pragmatic approach, who serves as the objective and reliable narrator encountering mysterious events.

**Roderick Usher**  
A pale, anxious man with blond hair, who shares a deep bond with his twin sister, Madeline, and whose health reflects the pervasive decay of the Usher family estate.

**Madeline Usher**  
The thin and pale twin sister of Roderick, whose mysterious illness plays a crucial role in the events unfolding at the Usher house, with a distinctive covering of fine white hair as a key symptom.

**Eugenia Potter**  
A tall, broad woman with a masculine appearance and scientific authority, who provides crucial information about fungi and challenges traditional gender roles with her feminist perspective.

**James Denton**  
A tall, lanky retired army doctor with silvering hair, striving to assist Madeline despite limitations in medical expertise and offering support through shared military experiences.

**Angus**  
Easton’s batman with a Scottish brogue, who brings a supernatural perspective to the unfolding mystery and provides levity through his comedic demeanor and interactions.

T. Kingfisher

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