DuMort is a dystopian Gothic horror novella, written by Michelle Tang, and published by Ghost Orchid Press. A well-executed concept that shows us an intriguing setting partly inspired by the Victorian era, a deeply atmospheric writing that allows the author to maintain the tension alongside the full novella, all to wrap a touching plot.

Mina Braithwaite is being haunted by the vengeful spirit of her departed sister SuChin; desperate for help, she's forced to seek the help of DuMort, a famous occultist and practitioner of forbidden arts. Mydalla's society condemns those arts, but for Mina, trapped in a loveless marriage, DuMort will not only mean the possibility of getting rid of the spirit, but also the start of a passionate tale of danger and broken hearts, revealing much about Mina's past and present.

A novella being short doesn't mean the characters are less fleshed, and Tang puts enormous care into Mina and DuMort. Mina, an outsider in the society, trapped in her marriage, and partly haunted by her self-perceived guilt about her past; DuMort plays as the counterpart, the necessary tool that somehow evolves into something more for Mina, but still a man chained to his secrets, having to perform in secret due to the strict laws of society.

The setting is the outstanding aspect of this novella: a gaslamp Gothic setting where certain practices have been forbidden, passing to the secrecy and being highly persecuted; Tang's prose establishes a really oppressive atmosphere, even before taking in account Mina's situation, paired with a pacing that makes this novella perfect for an one-sit read.

DuMort is a novella that plays really well with its elements, delivering an impactful story while giving us bits of Gothic setting that becomes the perfect envelope for its plot. A great debut novella by Michelle Tang.