As children, Jessa, Brynn, and Milo were always close. She is reluctant, however, to act on her feelings as she is still hung up on her former lover, Brynn. Whenever Jessa is compelled to pick Libby up from the gallery she is simultaneously horrified by Libby's work, and overtaken by desire for Lucinda. Libby immediately throws herself into creating a series of graphic arrangements at Lucinda's, in preparation for her approaching show. While Jessa is disturbed by Libby's art, believing it a disgrace to Prentice's name and trade, Milo thinks working at the gallery will be good for Libby. Enamored with Libby's work, she offers Libby her gallery space as a venue for her work. In the meantime, Libby's erotic window displays get the attention of Lucinda Rex, local gallery owner. When Bastien begins working in the shop, Jessa is constantly irritated, feeling his presence is a distraction rather than a help. She does, however, give in when Milo asks if she will employ his son Bastien, who has just come out of rehab. Feeling her brother has never even tried to understand the family business, Jessa squashes his advice. Once he resurfaces, Milo begins suggesting Jessa sell the shop. When Libby randomly starts rearranging the shop's window displays into pornographic scenes, Jessa demands Milo help her deal with their mother. Instead of confronting her sorrow, she hides herself in work at the shop, barely spending time with her brother Milo or mother Libby. Devastated by her father's death, Jessa is unable to grieve appropriately. In a letter he leaves for Jessa, he begs her to upkeep the business and take care of the family. In Mostly Dead Things, the first-person narrator, Jessa Morton inherits her father Prentice Morton's taxidermy shop after he commits suicide. Mostly Dead Things, Tin House Books, 2019.

The following version of this book was used to create the guide: Arnett, Kristen.

Mostly dead things novel