Did you love Netflix’s The Fall of the House of Usher and want to find more reimagined classic horror and suspense stories? Well move over Mike Flanagan– here’s a list of ten novels that put a new spin on classic tales that will be sure to give you a new perspective on old favorites.
What Moves the Dead by T. Kingfisher
Award winning author Kingfisher offers a retelling of Edgar Allan Poe’s short story “The Fall of House of Usher” in this 2022 novel. Unlike Netflix’s adaptation, What Moves the Dead offers a dark look at Madeline and Roderick Usher as they are consumed by the nature surrounding their estate in the countryside of Ruritania.
Horseman: A Tale of Sleepy Hollow by Christina Henry
Set 20 years after Irving’s “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” short story, Henry’s protagonists are 14-year-old boys questioning if the stories they heard about Ichabod Crane and the Headless Horseman are town myths or reality. This read is for you if you have ever wondered what happened to Sleepy Hollow after Ichabod Crane disappears.
The Dark Descent of Elizabeth Frankenstein by Kiersten White
The Frankenstein family adopts Elizabeth to be a companion for their explosive son, Victor. If you have ever wanted more from Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein universe or questioned the origin story of the man who would go on to make the Creature, look no further than this gripping story from the perspective of a young girl trying to survive.
The Daughter of Doctor Moreau by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
Calling H.G. Well fans! Here’s a fresh modern take on the 1896 The Island of Doctor Moreau that explores colonialism, feminism, and patriarchal themes as Carlota, Dr. Moreau’s daughter, is used in experimentations. Her courtship and engagement to Montgomery leads to a series of events that reveal dark secrets and deadly consequences.
The Man He Never Was by James L. Rubart
A new take on Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, The Man He Never Was follows Torren Daniels as he reunites with his wife and kids after eight months. His personality is completely altered. He’s no longer filled with rage and eradicate behavior, but no one can explain the radical change. Torren begins remembering details and questions if he can truly escape all the different aspects of his psyche.