Easton ends up learning a lot about the local area, lore, flora and fauna from Miss Potter. Easton and Potter meet and develop a quick rapport. She gives them such strong personalities, which for anyone who has an animal companion of their own will seem quite relatable.Īnother favorite was the intelligent and plucky Miss Potter, a local woman who spends her time researching and painting specimens of fungi. No one writes animal companions quite like Kingfisher.

Hob, Easton's trusty horse, was of course my favorite. In addition to our main cast we also get some great side characters. Could he be succumbing to whatever has infected Madeline? He's not sleeping and claims to be hearing things in the walls of the home. It's clear that Denton has no explanation for Madeline's mysterious illness.Īdditionally, Roderick Usher isn't quite himself either. She's actually frightening to be around.ĭenton, an American doctor and friend of Roderick Usher, is staying at the home as well while tending to Madeline. Madeline's behavior, speech and appearance are bizarre. They knew Madeline was quite ill, but her behavior belies any illness that Easton is aware of. It's unnerving to say the least.Įqually unnerving is the state in which Easton finds Madeline. Thus, Easton heads off to the countryside to the Usher family estate to be with Madeline and perhaps provide some support to Madeline's brother, Roderick.Īrriving at the once lavish estate, Easton is shocked that the manor home has fallen into such a horrible state of disrepair.

The year is 1890 and Alex Easton has just received word that their childhood friend, Madeline Usher, is on the brink of death. Mine for sure because I've already preordered a copy and you should too! Kingfisher is one of my favorite authors, but then this cover dropped.Ī masterpiece shall grace our shelves. That fact alone sold me on this book, well that and the fact that T. Kingfisher expertly reimagines Edgar Allan Poe's The Fall of the House of Usher.

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