What Moves the Dead, by T. Kingfisher. A Tom Doherty Associates Book, 2022

When Alex Easton, former soldier, arrives at her dear friends the Ushers’ home, she is rather surprised by what she finds. The mansion is pretty much in ruins, the lake right out front is dank and full of… something… , there are some really weird hares in the brush, and it seems deserted. Worse is the appearance of his friends: Roderick is pale and gaunt, while Madeline looks at death’s door. A doctor friend is staying with them, and he is baffled as to the cause.

Based on Poe’s The Fall of the House of Usher, the story has a lot more life to it than the original. The story is very dark- there is body horror that really got to me- but there is a lot of wit in this version. Easton’s horse, Hob, is more articulate than many people I know. The dialog is well done. I love the characters.

It’s been a long time since I read Poe’s original (I first read it when I was in elementary school), but I really don’t remember it giving me the all-out creeps. This story did. It’s based on a concept I haven’t seen used before (but I’m far from an expert in horror). The story, like it’s inspiration, is pretty short – I read it in one night- but a lot happens in it. The atmosphere is close and creepy. Everything is dark, dreary, and nothing is nice about it. Another win for the author!  

 

 

Tavern of Terror: Volume 8; David Longhorn, Sara Clancy, Ian Fortey, Chris Clarke, Ron Ripley, and Simon Cluett. Edited by Street. ScareStreet.com, 2023

I loved pretty much all of this story collection- which is unusual for me. An epic prank, a sleep disorder, bats, a serial killer, horrifying body horror, and, my favorite, a ghost tour. And many more, 12 tales in all. One thing I liked was that the titular tavern, Hannigan’s is used a lot more in this volume. The bartender/manager, Harry, is seen interacting with people (and sometimes things that aren’t exactly people anymore) and becoming somewhat fleshed out. This series keeps on getting better!

 

Tavern of Terror: Volume 6, Sare Clancy, Ian Fortey, Simon Cluett, Chris Clarke, Nick Efstathiou, Ron Ripley, and David Longhorn.  ScareStreet, 2023    

Another fine collection of horror stories, and this is my favorite volume so far. For one thing, some of the stories actually involve the tavern- Hannigan’s- of the title. Hannigan’s is slowly being established as not just a place where spooky stories are told, but as a place with spookiness of its own. But that’s not the only reason I loved this book more than the others; usually. with a short story collection, things are hit or miss, but I loved all the stories in this collection. There is some serious weirdness going on in this tales, from banshees to horrible old gods to antiques that possess people. Five stars.