Oh how happy was my folk horror loving soul when I spotted an e-arc of this gorgeously illustrated anthology of short stories on @netgalley . I read and own the first collection, Damnable Tales that was put together and illustrated by Richard Wells and this one is equally as good. Featuring both well and less known authors of folk horror, these tales gave me shivers of the best kind. As with the previous collection, Wells’ illustration are a thing of beauty and the perfect enhancement to these terrifying stories. Soozy be on the lookout, this collection releases in October 15 and is the perfect spooky season read. Thank you to @netgalley

This was a fun read, so I'm kind of sad I didn't pick this up in October because everything in this screams October/November reading.

The Tales Accursed is an anthology of short stories from well known authors and as with all short story anthologies, some stories are better and some fall flat, or at least they did for me. No Man's Land for example felt just too long and I lost interest, but my two top picks are Celui-la and Lisheen.

But the general atmosphere while reading just made me wish autumn would come sooner. And I loved the illustrations, they really added to the stories and my favourite one is the illustration for the Quieta Non Movere.

Thank you to both NetGalley and Richard Wells for this ARC.

Easily one of the best horror anthologies that I have ever read and amongst the top three of the past few years. Amazing collection/selection.
It is the type of book that you return to an pick a story to reread from time to time.

*Thanks to Netgalley for an ARC.*

A great folk anthology collection. I'd read many of these before but it was fun to revisit. If you're interested in getting into classic short horror stories, or think that'd make a good gift for someone, this would be a great book. It's the type of book that's nice to have so you can pull it out on a stormy autumn or winter night and read a good ghost story without too much commitment. Not every story is amazing but they all have a charm.

This is a great collection of stories for anyone interested in supernatural tales. Readers will most likely recognize most of these authors and their stories.

A wonderful selection of folky/ horror tales. This anthology offers a good selection of well written stories that give the reader a chilling and eerie read. Highly recommend.

An excellent follow-up to "Damnable Tales", equally well curated for breadth and scope of the subject. The illustrations are a most chilling delight. I feel the collection leans toward a decidedly 'earthy' and elemental interpretation of 'folk' horror, which I found highly enjoyable (and spooky!)

An excellently curated selection of stories from some great authors. I look forward to re-reading this around Halloween. The illustrations were lovely as well, and added to the spooky ambience of the book.

This is a great collection of tales, very well illustrated, some I have read before, like Shirley Jackson's, others I have not encountered. Well edited and a well put together anthology.

First let me say, this cover stole my heart. It has this folk, aged feeling. I can just picture it as a hardcover book with gold embellishments.
Reading this book reminds me of stories passed down from generation to generation, stories that scared you as a little kid and never quite left you. It provided stories that left goosebumps and a shiver down your spine telling you to steer clear of the deep dark woods calling to you to be explored. This book provided that fantasy folk lore escape, that we are all looking for.

As with all the 16 stories some are better then others but its the perfect gift to give someone and to recommend as at least one story is bound to connect to a person.

Anthologies are my first recommendation to anyone looking for a new author or "something different". I gift them often. The collection of short stories by recognized authors and many that are new to me offer a sample of the author's writing skills and their ability to tell a complete story in fewer pages than most chapters. I've been surprised at many of the authors who flex their imaginations to differing genre in anthologies. As in any collection, some stories are better than others, but I've yet to find a collection that did not rate 5 easy stars.

Was so good. Now that it's officially spooky season, I'm giving this a reread. There were stories in there I hadn't heard of before

Folk tales told and passed down for generations. Adored and spooky. This was a phenomenal collection from a variety of authors dealing in many different sub genres and plots. A must read around the campfire or the fireplace.

This was a good anthology with a wide selection of pieces. They were well curated and had a nice flow.

A wonderful collection of stories from a treasure trove of amazing authors. This is a must buy book for the Halloween season. I will definitely be picking up a beautiful hardcover upon release.

Reading Tales Accursed feels like sitting at the knee of your oldest family member as they tell you the stories that scared them as a child. Not your typical anthology, these folk tales might keep you up at night and will definitely discourage you from any late night wandering in the woods. I enjoyed this brief escape and look forward to returning to some of these stories again.

This is a good collection! There are some collected here I haven't read before, or even heard of, which is always fun.

A collection of chilling stories that do not cease to thrill readers! No need for modern themes and archetypes - folk horror await!

A fascinating and expertly selected collection of folk horror.

The cover is beautiful and I can imagine this as a prestige gift for a horror fan and a connoisseur of beautiful books.

Thrilling and I wish I had read it at Halloween.

As a a follow-up to Wells' previous anthology, Damnable Tales, "Tales Accursed" is an anthology of classic supernatural and folk horror stories. It features sixteen tales by renowned authors such as Shirley Jackson, M. R. James, William Croft Dickinson, E. F. Benson, and other masters of the genre. These stories range in age, with contributions from authors who wrote in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, providing a rich historical context to the collection. The stories in Tales Accursed delve into chilling and eerie themes, exploring the haunted landscapes and ancient horrors that evoke the settings of our ancestors. You'll encounter apparitions in moonlit orchards, sea-witches casting spells on rocky shores, unnaturally still fir-woods, and hooded figures on desolate beaches. Each story is accompanied by Richard Well's striking illustrations, enhancing the unsettling atmosphere of the tales.​. This anthology captures the timeless and enduring appeal of folk horror, making it a compelling read for fans of the genre