What Moves the Dead
What Moves the Dead is Kingfisher's 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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T. Kingfisher
T. Kingfisher, the pen name of award-winning author Ursula Vernon, is a master of blending whimsical fantasy with dark humor. Known for her unique storytelling style, T. Kingfisher writes tales that delve deep into the realms of fantasy, horror, and adventure, often with an unexpected twist of wit and sharp character-driven narratives.
Vernon’s work under the T. Kingfisher name is distinct from her children's books, bringing a more mature tone while maintaining the same vivid world-building and engaging characters that have earned her a dedicated following. Readers are often drawn to the author's ability to create worlds that are both dark and delightful, where the supernatural and the absurd blend seamlessly. Her characters, whether they are battling eldritch creatures or facing life’s mundane challenges, resonate with readers because of their flaws, humor, and resilience.
Sworn Soldier
In a world where shadows linger longer than daylight, a soldier who has left the battlefield discovers that danger and mystery are never far behind. The Sworn Soldier series follows this journey through forgotten estates, misted forests, and remote villages where the ordinary masks the uncanny, and every familiar path can conceal something strange or threatening. Each story unfolds with carefully drawn characters, unexpected companions, and histories that refuse to stay buried, blending suspense, quiet humor, and a haunting atmosphere that grows heavier with every page. The landscapes themselves feel alive, echoing with folklore, whispered secrets, and subtle menace, while the soldier’s perspective grounds the extraordinary in human resilience, wit, and curiosity.
Sworn Soldier consists of three books and series is set to expand with the upcoming release of one more book. The current recommended reading order for the series is provided below.
