T. Kingfisher returns with another gripping entry in the Sworn Soldier series, and this time, the horrors lurk not in a haunted manor or a misty forest, but deep within the belly of an abandoned coal mine in West Virginia. What Stalks the Deep continues to prove why Kingfisher is one of the finest voices in contemporary horror-fantasy. With a perfect balance of wit, dread, and charm, she invites readers to descend into the darkness alongside one of her most beloved protagonists, Alex Easton.
Alex Easton, the ever-practical, somewhat grumpy, and endlessly endearing soldier, would rather be anywhere else than America. Especially not in a place with collapsing tunnels, suffocating spaces, and rumors of ghosts. Yet when their old friend Dr. Denton calls for help to find his missing cousin Oscar, duty overrides dread. What follows is a story that is both unnerving and strangely comforting, filled with eerie noises, flickering lanterns, and a creeping sense that something ancient is waiting in the dark.
Readers familiar with What Moves the Dead and What Feasts at Night will feel right at home here. Kingfisher’s trademark blend of atmospheric horror and sardonic humor shines once again. Jamie, one of the early reviewers, called it “creepy, humorous, and suspenseful,” perfectly capturing the tone of this novella. From witty banter about pronouns to moments of genuine terror, the narrative feels both self-aware and emotionally grounded.
The mine itself becomes a character in the story oppressive, damp, and alive in ways that defy logic. Kingfisher’s descriptions pull readers straight into the claustrophobic dark, making you almost feel the chill of stone walls and the shallow breath of a trapped miner. As Debra notes, this isn’t outright horror so much as “horrific,” a slow-burn terror that seeps in rather than shocks. The fear lies not only in what waits in the tunnels but in the psychological tension of being lost, buried, and hunted.
Still, there’s plenty of Kingfisher’s signature warmth and humor. Alex’s sardonic narration and their dynamic with recurring characters bring levity to the bleak setting. Even the monstrous presence in this book feels, as Jamie amusingly put it, “kind of cute.” It’s a peculiar charm that Kingfisher wields like few others turning grotesque moments into oddly heartwarming ones.
Holly Hearts Books described the series as “Nancy Drew but make it gorey,” and that might be the best way to summarize the appeal of What Stalks the Deep. It’s a gothic mystery infused with camaraderie, dark humor, and just enough blood and slime to satisfy horror fans. Kingfisher once again crafts an experience that feels like being told a campfire story by someone clever enough to make you laugh just before the punch of fear lands.
While slightly less terrifying than What Moves the Dead, this novella is rich in tension and beautifully written. The ending leaves room for more adventures, hinting that Alex Easton’s story is far from over a promise that will delight fans who have followed their strange journey from the start.
Claustrophobic, witty, and quietly unsettling, What Stalks the Deep is another gem from T. Kingfisher’s ever-expanding universe. It’s a reminder that the scariest things often hide not in the supernatural, but in the spaces we cannot escape.
Ready to join Alex Easton in the depths of West Virginia’s haunted mines? You can grab your copy of What Stalks the Deep here: Buy the book.
