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What Moves the Dead
What Moves the Dead | T. Kingfisher
126 posts | 116 read | 1 reading | 81 to read
From the award-winning author of The Twisted Ones comes a gripping and atmospheric retelling of Edgar Allan Poe's classic "The Fall of the House of Usher." When Alex Easton, a retired soldier, receives word that their childhood friend Madeline Usher is dying, they race to the ancestral home of the Ushers in the remote countryside of Ruritania. What they find there is a nightmare of fungal growths and possessed wildlife, surrounding a dark, pulsing lake. Madeline sleepwalks and speaks in strange voices at night, and her brother Roderick is consumed with a mysterious malady of the nerves. Aided by a redoubtable British mycologist and a baffled American doctor, Alex must unravel the secret of the House of Usher before it consumes them all.
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sarahgreatlove
What Moves the Dead | T. Kingfisher
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Pickpick

I didn‘t think this book was all that creepy until it REALLY WAS 🙀 Such a great listen! I started this on a long road trip and it was a brilliant choice. Beware if you like bunnies. 🐰💀 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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Larkken
What Moves the Dead | T. Kingfisher
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@BethM I‘m enchanted! 🤩 the candy fits me perfect, how did you know? And I can‘t wait to try the bath bomb! Thank you for the thoughtful #hhs #hhs24 and thanks for organizing @wanderinglynn

BethM I‘m so glad you like it! 3w
wanderinglynn Awesome! 🖤🎃🧡👻 3w
36 likes2 comments
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katiekat311
What Moves the Dead | T. Kingfisher
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I wonder if the book is as creepy as the cover..🤔 animal. #BookScavenger Hunt #DeadSerious #HauntedShelf

Bookwomble Yes. Yes it is! 😳 4w
9 likes1 comment
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Andrea4
What Moves the Dead | T. Kingfisher
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Pickpick

A gothic retelling, not that I know the OG. Which maybe makes it better to come to it with an open mind, since I can't compare. In any case, I enjoyed this, gothic fungi fix 😂 Easton and Potter clearly my faves 💚
I didn't know it was a series until the end had a clip of the sequel and I'll definitely be putting that in the line up.

Gissy Admiration, love for the owner of those shoes? So cute😍❤️❤️❤️❤️😂 1mo
24 likes1 comment
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MegaWhoppingCosmicBookwyrm
What Moves the Dead | T. Kingfisher
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Pickpick

5 ⭐️s
I thoroughly enjoyed this retelling of Poe‘s work. I tend to love the premise of gothic stories but end up let down by them. This one wasn‘t like that. I enjoyed the characters, especially their banter. Kingfisher does a wonderful job of creating a foreboding, damp, claustrophobic atmosphere that clings to the reader throughout.

I did find it funny that I kept thinking back to Mexican Gothic and then the author mentions it in the AN. 🍄❤️

24 likes2 comments
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shortsarahrose
What Moves the Dead | T. Kingfisher
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#HHS #HauntedHallowSwap package all ready to go. I‘ll stop at the post office after work tomorrow and it‘ll be on its way!

wanderinglynn Yay! 🎃🖤 2mo
32 likes1 comment
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MaleficentBookDragon
What Moves the Dead | T. Kingfisher
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Well, I'm 2 for 2.
This is ANOTHER book I had on my wish lists for Halloween swaps that I already own through #Netgalley. Sheesh!
I really need to get to work on those. 🤗

PuddleJumper 🤣🤣 2mo
36 likes1 comment
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shortsarahrose
What Moves the Dead | T. Kingfisher
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Here‘s my Halloween aesthetic for #HauntedHallowSwap #HHS - always atmospheric, sometimes creepy and gothic, sometimes silly or campy

wanderinglynn Awesome! 🖤🦇 2mo
33 likes1 comment
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Conservio
What Moves the Dead | T. Kingfisher
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A retelling of #edgarallanpoes “thefall of the house of usher”. a solid 4/5. I love the use of fungi in gothic fiction.

11 likes1 stack add
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shortsarahrose
What Moves the Dead | T. Kingfisher
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Happy to participate in #HauntedHallowSwap #HHS24 🎃 Thank you @wanderinglynn for organizing this spooky good time! 👻 😈👹

wanderinglynn Thanks for sharing! 🎃 3mo
26 likes1 comment
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shortsarahrose
What Moves the Dead | T. Kingfisher
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Pickpick

This might be my “freezer book” just for that scene with protagonist Easton hunting the hares in the woods. Seriously some of the creepiest writing. Yet there is also some sly wit and quality non-binary rep in this retelling of Poe‘s “Fall of the House of Usher.” The audiobook is very good as well and enhances the conversational tone of Easton‘s narrative. Solid secondary characters as well. Will definitely read more by Kingfisher.

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Rachiiebookdragon
What Moves the Dead | T. Kingfisher
Mehso-so

This was interesting kind of 🤨

Read for reading challenges.

3.75/5

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PuddleJumper
What Moves the Dead | T. Kingfisher
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Pickpick

A really enjoyable Gothic horror

RaeLovesToRead Hello cute ears 💕💕 7mo
dabbe 🖤🐾🖤 7mo
33 likes2 comments
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broughtyoubooks
What Moves the Dead | T. Kingfisher
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Pickpick

Loved this novella. Gothic mushroom based horror? Yes please. Plus the queer element is excellent.

BookmarkTavern I loved this one! And the sequel is just as good! 7mo
55 likes2 stack adds1 comment
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bookwyrm7
What Moves the Dead | T. Kingfisher
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Pickpick

One of the best horror stories I've ever read. It easily surpasses Poe's “The Fall of the House of Usher“ and does something very unique with the parts that are based on that story. Truly creepy and horrible but also a pleasant, smooth read with wit and humour. And it even has a non-binary character. How marvellous!
Hob is also an extremely charming character.
What an incredible book!

#serieslove2024

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Meshell1313
What Moves the Dead | T. Kingfisher
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Pickpick

I absolutely loved this Fall of the House of Usher retelling! Our narrator Easton had such an amazing voice I found myself literally laughing out loud at his descriptions. I‘m hoping he‘s back in the next installment! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

DebinHawaii Loved this one and book 2!!! 😍 7mo
52 likes1 comment
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bookwyrm7
What Moves the Dead | T. Kingfisher
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"But he used to put festive hats on his skulls depending on the season, and they all looked rather jolly."

?

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bookwyrm7
What Moves the Dead | T. Kingfisher
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"(...) if you don't make a fool of yourself over animals, at least in private, you aren't to be trusted. That was my one of my father's maxims, and it's never failed me yet."

Couldn't agree more!

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bookwyrm7
What Moves the Dead | T. Kingfisher
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"Hob, my horse, was grateful for the rest, but seemed annoyed by the surroundings. He looked at the grass and then up at me, indicating that this was not the quality to which he was accustomed."

Can't really blame him. If you have to carry a heavy monkey on your back through all sorts of rough terrain, the very least they can do is pay you back with a decent meal...

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SandySaga
What Moves the Dead | T. Kingfisher
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Clare-Dragonfly
What Moves the Dead | T. Kingfisher
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Pickpick

That is the creepiest book I have read in some time. T. Kingfisher is a genius.

18 likes1 stack add
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Clare-Dragonfly
What Moves the Dead | T. Kingfisher
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I‘m so glad I read A Haunting on the Hill before reading this, so I can listen to “Hares on the Mountain” (I wasn‘t previously familiar with the song), in particular Fern Maddie‘s version, which Hand references in her author‘s note. I was already super into the song and Fern Maddie‘s music, and it‘s a perfect creepy accompaniment to this delightfully creepy book!

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Graciouswarriorprincess
What Moves the Dead | T. Kingfisher
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Pickpick

I loved this story. It was the perfect combination of creeping horror, dark humor, & suspense. I loved the characters & the atmosphere in equal measure, and the story managed to be believable in the end.

The creeping horror of the hares & the atmosphere created by the crumbling manor house surrounded by the pitting man against nature made for the best setting for a horror story. The characters' personalities shone through.

Book 61/100.

Lin3han If you liked this one, you should read Nettle and Bone it‘s SO GOOD 8mo
Graciouswarriorprincess @Lin3han My one colleague recommended that book. It‘s on my TBR list. 😊 8mo
Lin3han @Graciouswarriorprincess T. Kingfisher is one of my all time fave authors! Highly recommend 💜 8mo
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Graciouswarriorprincess @Lin3han Thanks. She is a local author for me as she lives in the area. 8mo
Lin3han @Graciouswarriorprincess omg that‘s so cool!! 8mo
41 likes6 comments
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Patchshank
What Moves the Dead | T. Kingfisher
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Pickpick

I think I found a new series. I really enjoyed this one. Creepiest book I've read in awhile.

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Karkar
What Moves the Dead | T. Kingfisher
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Pickpick

This was great! Sheba was excited to have done couch time with Mom!

thegirlwiththelibrarybag Love T. Kingfisher 9mo
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TracyReadsBooks
What Moves the Dead | T. Kingfisher
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Pickpick

Of course Kingfisher writes an unputdownable retelling of Poe‘s The Fall of the House of Usher…one that will have you looking over your shoulder and maybe even leaving the lights on as the creepiness and horror is ratcheted up page after page after page in a story that is told with just the right amount of dry wit. A decrepit house with even more decrepit residents, intrepid visitors, and a rotten core make for a fabulous read. Loved it.

Patchshank This is my book club book for next month. I didn't know it was a retelling of house of usher. Pretty excited to hear that. 9mo
31 likes1 stack add1 comment
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DebinHawaii
What Moves the Dead | T. Kingfisher
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Pickpick

#ReadAway2024 #SeriesLove2024

I don‘t know why it took me so long to read this retelling of The Fall of the House of Usher, but it was worth the wait. Quick, creepy & atmospheric-an enthusiastic pick Along with Mexican Gothic (which the author speaks to in the acknowledgements) it‘s made me rethink how frightening fungi can be!🍄😱 I‘m happy there‘s a follow up in this Sworn Soldier series/duology but I‘m sad it‘s a 14-week hold time on Libby.

DieAReader 🥳Great! 😫I hate long hold times! 9mo
TheSpineView Fantastic! 9mo
Kitta Oh probably not for me, I‘m terrified of fungi 🍄 🙅🏻‍♀️ 9mo
Meshell1313 Just picked this one up- they get me every time at the Barnes & Noble cafe! $5 with a drink! Who can resist? Every. Single. Time. 9mo
62 likes4 comments
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MarshmallowAdventures
What Moves the Dead | T. Kingfisher
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Pickpick

A brilliant and eerie novella with an unnerving atmosphere. Beautifully written and impossible to put down.

BookmarkTavern The sequel was published today! 🖤 9mo
3 likes1 comment
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currentlyreadinginCO
What Moves the Dead | T. Kingfisher
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Pickpick

This sequel of What Moves the Dead, T. Kingfisher's novella retelling of The Fall of the House of Usher, goes in a slightly different direction, but brings back a great cast of characters and maintains the same mystical gothic overtones. I really enjoy this creepy little series & this author's books overall. I listened to the audio and what a treat this was during all of my little tasks. Y'all are going to love this one.

BookmarkTavern I‘m so excited for this one! 10mo
56 likes1 stack add2 comments
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WildAlaskaBibliophile
What Moves the Dead | T. Kingfisher
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1. Absolutely! Taking breaks with graphic novels (I realize GN's aren't a genre) and poetry helps me a lot.
2. I love Neil Gaiman and Matt Haig
3. I really enjoy T. Kingfisher (Ursula Vernon)
#WondrousWednesday @eggs

Eggs Thanks for playing along 💙🌟🩵 10mo
24 likes1 comment
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BookmarkTavern
What Moves the Dead | T. Kingfisher
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The tagged book, and I highly recommend it for anyone that needs a quick read, and likes horror, retellings of Poe, and rotting Gothic manors.

#SundayFunday Have a great day, and don‘t forget to tag me in your posts!

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BookmarkTavern
What Moves the Dead | T. Kingfisher
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Pickpick

Easton travels to visit some old friends, only to discover that both of them are becoming ill & the house is rotting around them.

Such an excellent retelling of Poe‘s Usher! Atmospheric & spooky, with an insidious creeping horror as Easton learns more and more what‘s going on. The descriptions of the fungus gave me goosebumps. With fun characters & lots of twists, Kingfisher really knocked it out of the park. Can‘t wait for the sequel! 🌕🌕🌕🌕🌗

BookmarkTavern CW 👇🏻 11mo
BookmarkTavern General warning for body horror, animal death, and brief mentions of suicide throughout 11mo
87 likes3 stack adds2 comments
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Blh87
What Moves the Dead | T. Kingfisher
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Pickpick

This was a little slow at first, but then the pace took a 180, and I couldn‘t put it down.

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Zbayardo
What Moves the Dead | T. Kingfisher
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Pickpick

A gothic sporror novella retelling of Edgar Allen Poe‘s THE FALL OF THE HOUSE OF USHER. A slow burn that turned out to be a pretty great read!

What is sporror = spore-horror - a subgenre where mycelia and mosscaps become a driving force of terror, death, and destruction. 🍄😱 I learned about that on TikTok! 😂

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Nessavamusic
What Moves the Dead | T. Kingfisher
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GondorGirl Kingfisher is always a good choice... and that cover art is beautiful. 13mo
dabbe 🖤🧡🖤 13mo
39 likes2 comments
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Sarahreadstoomuch
What Moves the Dead | T. Kingfisher
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Pickpick

Absolutely loved this novella retelling of Poe‘s Fall of the House of Usher! So delightfully creepy…. Excellent on audio. #scarathlon #spookyghostclub

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Lin3han
What Moves the Dead | T. Kingfisher
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Pickpick

I listened to this book and it was wonderful! I‘m a sucker for a retelling- especially an Edgar Allen Poe one. Truly a gothic horror with some deliciously gruesome imagery. 5/5! #scarathlon #creepinitreal #cir

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bunny
What Moves the Dead | T. Kingfisher
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Pickpick

T Kingfisher/Ursula Vernon is one of my favorite authors, hands down. Her books are always a delight, even as they are often (at least the horror novels) creepy and disturbing. What Moves the Dead, a re-envisioning of the Fall of the House of Usher, is no exception. I'll never look at hares the same way again. Loved Easton and ka manservant, Angus, and the inestimable mycologist, Miss Potter. There's a sequel coming next year and I can't wait!

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ImperfectCJ
What Moves the Dead | T. Kingfisher
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Pickpick

This was an interesting book to read immediately after Bunny. I know that hares and bunnies (or rabbits) are different creatures, but both are lagomorphs, and they're near enough for the connection to feel thrillingly odd. I wonder if the similarity between the name of the liquor (livrit) and the name of a young hare (leveret) is intentional? Overall I enjoyed the book, but it's a tad light. It has the feel of a short story rather than a novel.

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Aimeesue
What Moves the Dead | T. Kingfisher
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So. Many. Pumpkins.

#Audiocrafting

Deblovestoread They are adorable 😍 14mo
dabbe OMG; those are the cutest! 🎃🎃🎃 14mo
ShyBookOwl Yay!! 🎃 14mo
See All 14 Comments
merelybookish Sweet! 14mo
TheSpineView 🧡🎃🧡 14mo
Aimeesue @Deblovestoread Thanks! 🧡 13mo
Aimeesue @dabbe They‘re made from all thrifted or upcycled materials. I find a LOT of yarn at the thrift stores around here. 🧶 13mo
Aimeesue @ShyBookOwl 🧡🧡🧡 13mo
Aimeesue @merelybookish I love pumpkins - cute AND delicious! 😁 13mo
Aimeesue @TheSpineView 🧡🧡🧡 13mo
dabbe @Aimeesue You should sell them on Etsy! 🤩🤩🤩 13mo
Aimeesue @dabbe Oh my gosh, that sounds EXHAUSTING!!! 😁 13mo
dabbe @Aimeesue They'd sell like hotcakes, though. But I also know that crafting is supposed to be relaxing and not an extra job. Just so you know they are incredible! 🧡🎃🧡 13mo
Aimeesue @dabbe Awww, thanks! 🧡 13mo
39 likes14 comments
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sebrittainclark
What Moves the Dead | T. Kingfisher
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1: My favorite from last year was What Moves the Dead by T. Kingfisher

2: Cooler weather & seasonal coffee drinks

3: This is basically the one time every year I read horror, but I also like reading some paranormal romances to keep it from being too scary

4: I've been in a reading slump and scarathlon always motivates me to read more

5: Dress my toddler up in his costume, take some pictures, and eat some candy

#mischiefandmayhem #scarathlon

NikkiM5 Have you read Hollow Places by Kingfisher? That was one of the scariest books I‘ve read in a while. And book 2 from What Moves the Dead comes out early next year! (edited) 14mo
PuddleJumper It's a great motivation to read 14mo
32 likes2 comments
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SpeculativeFemale
What Moves the Dead | T. Kingfisher
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Pickpick

I wasn't sure what to expect going into this book, how any author could have the temerity to take on a retelling of a Poe classic.

It turns out, not only can it be done well, it can be done so spectacularly that I had to sit in silence for a bit after finishing the book just to let it all settle in my mind.

If you are looking for something spooky and atmospheric, but also witty and engaging, to read this autumn, look no further!

mcipher A sequel is coming out soon too!! I‘m sooooo excited for it 1y
38 likes3 stack adds1 comment
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K.M.-Forester
What Moves the Dead | T. Kingfisher
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Pickpick

I have no idea what took me so long to read this book, but I absolutely loved it. The book is a retelling of one of Poe‘s most famous short stories. The author created something that I have never read before. The main antagonist of the story was refreshing and very imaginative. I recommend this book 100%. It‘s not too long either! A good suspenseful and thrilling read for the fall season coming up soon.

ShyBookOwl I love this author. Especially her contemporary horror (The Hollow Places and The Twisted Ones... so good!). She also has a great Beauty & Beast retelling, Byrony and Roses. I've been meaning to get to this Poe one, though! 1y
35 likes1 stack add1 comment
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Kazzie
What Moves the Dead | T. Kingfisher
Pickpick

Cool interpretation of what could have (in a sci-fi way) cause the reanimation of this old tale. The House of Usher comes alive in this story, and all the characters seem well fleshed out. Creepy and enjoyable

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Saknicole
What Moves the Dead | T. Kingfisher
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Reading during my construction wait. I live at the end of a 17 mile road, and we are currently enjoying construction season to repair. I loved Swordheart and am excited for this slim beauty.

#roadconstruction #mushrooms

Kimberlone Somehow I‘ve missed all of these posts…sending some likes! 1y
25 likes1 comment
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Cazxxx
What Moves the Dead | T. Kingfisher
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🍄 Borrowed my sons bookmark for this one. Does anyone else like the bookmark to match the theme of the book? 🍄

TEArificbooks Yes, I have a bee bookmark for my bee book 1y
Cazxxx @TEArificbooks That is very cute ☺️ 1y
kwmg40 That bookmark is perfect for the book! 1y
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Cazxxx @kwmg40 It is but unfortunately I have to give it back 😂 1y
Bookwomble I like it when it happens 📕🔖😊 1y
Cazxxx @Bookwomble Me too 😊 1y
Gissy 🙋🏽‍♀️ 1y
Cazxxx @Gissy 🙌🏻 1y
47 likes1 stack add8 comments
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Breanne1
What Moves the Dead | T. Kingfisher
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Pickpick

I really enjoyed this gothic horror, a retelling of Poe‘s “The Fall of the House of Usher”. It‘s always the 🍄 🍄🍄🍄 Love this cover too!!