Voldy’s not moldy in this new fan analysis

At Leaky we love fan-driven analysis of every aspect of the Harry Potter books. We speculated and speculated until our speculators were sore on Pottercast as we waited for each new book release. We hosted panels at LeakyCon and essays on Scribbulus. Fan theories are a crucial part of the lifeblood of the fandom. So, we are delighted that there is a new book available today, April 28, 2026, that invites the reader to engage in an in-depth analysis of Tom Riddle, AKA Lord Voldemort, AKA He Who Must Not Be Named, AKA the Dark Lord, AKA Voldy, at least according to Peeves. Tom has almost as many aliases as he has fractured parts of his soul.

Voldemort: The Definitive Study of Tom Riddle, by Grace V. Candido-Beecher, with illustrations by her husband, Nick Beecher, is the latest entry and fourth title in the Unofficial Character Series from Media Lab Books. In it, Ms Beecher glides methodically through Tom Riddle’s appearances in each book, and covers his life story in chronological order. Her analysis focuses on humanising a man who did not want to be human, and thus beholden to human weaknesses, especially mortality.

The subheads within the chapters create a vignette-like structure that can feel disjointed at times because, although the author clearly follows her own internal logic for the flow of each anecdotal analysis, it is not always apparent, prima facie, to the reader. But no matter: The thought she has put into the character analysis is insightful and invites the reader to engage with her conclusions. I did not agree with all of them, and that is the fun of fan analysis. Each fan’s contribution is food for thought and fodder for conversation with other armchair experts.

The black and white illustrations for each chapter have a charming comic-book-art-meets-book-illustration-art quality and the red edging of the pages is appropriately dramatic and appealing. The cover art of the green snake with skull and matching Slytherin green lettering for Voldemort’s name is striking. I liked the cover except for the moons, which seemed a little cheezy, like refugees from a tarot card. I also could have done without the trigger warnings, although I realise I am alone in that opinion and that many people who have suffered trauma appreciate them.

Overall, the book seems to be a true labor of love from a devoted fan who put much time and effort into this work. It is fitting that love – the lack of it in his own family and the abundance of it in Harry’s – defines Voldemort’s life choices. When asked why she chose to write about Voldemort, Ms Beecher replied:

The idea for the Voldemort book has been swimming in my brain since I was twelve. One could say it grew on the back of my head, Quirrell-style. Jokes aside, I’ve always been the type of person who doesn’t simply have a fondness for a character. I dive in headfirst, get attached and obsessed with them. It’s as if I’m in a constant state of conversation with the character. I’ve been obsessed with Tom for ages and I envisioned exploring the story of his life stage by stage, piecing apart what makes him human and also ridiculously exceptional. Due to the way my strange artistic brain works, I thought it vitally important to include visuals and illustrations throughout the book. I knew these dark, evocative art pieces would help people in understanding Tom and his title of “Lord Voldemort.” Tom himself is all about presentation and appearance, and I wanted this book to be something people could enjoy the spectacle of, as well as the content itself.

What did you love most about writing this book? What were some of the more
challenging aspects?
Getting to know Tom was what I loved most about writing this book. It was an ideal time to “enter my villain era” (as the kids say). In addition, Tom’s character study required that I review the events of the book alongside real world events like World War II and subjects like psychology and genetics. These new fields were so intriguing that once I started, I couldn’t stop myself from diving into the deep end.

The most challenging aspects had nothing to do with the book itself, but more with life around it. While writing this book I got pregnant, bought a house, moved, had my baby, went through post-partum and the first two years of my child’s life, all while writing and editing this book. It was certainly not an ideal time to be concentrating on anything but survival, but I made it work (with so much help from my family and friends).

What would you most like readers to take away from this book?
Empathy is the most powerful act of magic anyone can cast. You are worthy of love and empathy simply by existing.

I know this is going to be hard to believe, but understanding Tom helped me understand, accept, and love parts of myself I was not willing to before. I hope it has the same effect for readers.

The hardcover book contains 304 pages and retails for $19.99 from your bookseller of choice.