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Mabecron Books Ltd 13 Cornish Ghost Stories.
Cornwall is the perfect setting for tales, myths, and legends.
The wild moors, the granite, the clay, the rebellious sea, and flat calm coves make the county a vast and inspirational canvas.
The starry nights, needle-sharp gorse, and windswept tors and carns provide perfect backdrops to eerie full moons and ghostly goings-on.
Mischievous piskies dance across our landscape, while the spectres of the past, both real and imagined, haunt our memories and our dreams.
The wild moors, the granite, the clay, the rebellious sea, and flat calm coves make the county a vast and inspirational canvas.
The starry nights, needle-sharp gorse, and windswept tors and carns provide perfect backdrops to eerie full moons and ghostly goings-on.
Mischievous piskies dance across our landscape, while the spectres of the past, both real and imagined, haunt our memories and our dreams.
200 pages, Hardcover
Published July 17, 2024
15 people are currently reading
58 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
July 6, 2025
Thanks to Nicola Smith for the gifted copy of this book.
I love Cornwall but I've never thought of it as a setting for ghostly stories, but when I think about it, it can have an eerie quality about it which lends well to the genre.
Ghosts don't scare me. I believe in them and I have no problem with them. Ghost stories on the other hand? Generally scare me because I am a complete wuss.
The stories are a good length, some are shorter or longer than others but overall they're just right. The stories aren't stretched out but there's enough for you to get a foot hold in them.
I'd have liked a few more modern ones I know the isolation and the fear of the past, ancient locations and old ghosts etc. add to the ghostliness, but they did start to get a bit too similar in the end. I know there are some modern ones, which is fine, but I'd have liked a more event balance.
I might be a wuss but these were generally pleasant to read and didn't particularly frighten me.
I won't comment on each story but these three were probably my preferred ones:
The Blind Spots by Kate Riordan: This started off quite freaky, the sense of space and atmosphere Kate created, but I felt it got less freaky as it went on. And I think that's because I believe in ghosts and am happy if loved ones revisited me, and so on that front I found it quite cosy as it went on, which I understand is a bit of a weird response to a ghost story but there we are.
The Todden by Emma Cowell: This didn't feel too much like a ghost story to me, not compared to some of the others in this collection, but I didn't mind that. Emma has infused it with a lot of heart, which I enjoyed more than if she'd packed it full of frights.
Celia by Graham Mitchell: This is a ghost story in the sense that there is a ghost, so that's a green tick. But it has elements of other genres about it. It looks at a relationship and how grief can differ from person to person.
Not a book I would have chosen for myself, but I'm glad to have read it - and it's put a few more authors on my radar.
I love Cornwall but I've never thought of it as a setting for ghostly stories, but when I think about it, it can have an eerie quality about it which lends well to the genre.
Ghosts don't scare me. I believe in them and I have no problem with them. Ghost stories on the other hand? Generally scare me because I am a complete wuss.
The stories are a good length, some are shorter or longer than others but overall they're just right. The stories aren't stretched out but there's enough for you to get a foot hold in them.
I'd have liked a few more modern ones I know the isolation and the fear of the past, ancient locations and old ghosts etc. add to the ghostliness, but they did start to get a bit too similar in the end. I know there are some modern ones, which is fine, but I'd have liked a more event balance.
I might be a wuss but these were generally pleasant to read and didn't particularly frighten me.
I won't comment on each story but these three were probably my preferred ones:
The Blind Spots by Kate Riordan: This started off quite freaky, the sense of space and atmosphere Kate created, but I felt it got less freaky as it went on. And I think that's because I believe in ghosts and am happy if loved ones revisited me, and so on that front I found it quite cosy as it went on, which I understand is a bit of a weird response to a ghost story but there we are.
The Todden by Emma Cowell: This didn't feel too much like a ghost story to me, not compared to some of the others in this collection, but I didn't mind that. Emma has infused it with a lot of heart, which I enjoyed more than if she'd packed it full of frights.
Celia by Graham Mitchell: This is a ghost story in the sense that there is a ghost, so that's a green tick. But it has elements of other genres about it. It looks at a relationship and how grief can differ from person to person.
Not a book I would have chosen for myself, but I'm glad to have read it - and it's put a few more authors on my radar.
July 6, 2025
Always difficult to rate an anthology. The premise is great - Cornish stories by Cornish writers - but sadly they're almost entirely frustratingly average; mundane plots and very commercial writing, which isn't what I want from ghost stories. The infusion of Cornwall throughout and the occasional atmospheric note aren't enough to lift them. The only exception is Emily Barr's "The Trouble with Being Dead", which was a delight, and what stopped this from being two stars for me.
November 16, 2024
Some delightful, compact, and creative tales. I particularly liked the ones where Cornish geography and history ran through the veins of the tales.
October 18, 2025
A good reread, with nice atmospheric short stories.
October 25, 2024
A wonderful collection of short ghost stories based in the wild Cornish environment. Perfect for spooky season!
July 29, 2024
13 Cornish Ghost Stories is a collection of spooky short stories from various Cornish authors including Kate Riordan, Marie Macneill, Roz Watkins, Jane Johnson, Emma Cowell, Liz Fenwick, Pauline Sheppard, Graham Mitchell, Joanne Ella Parsons, Tony Cowell, Emily Barr, Nicola K Smith, and Annamaria Murphy.
The introduction explains how an off-the-cuff idea in a lunch queue came to be this hardcover book filled with eerie yet transfixing tales.
Starting with The Blind Spot by Kate Riordan in which a widowed woman heads to an isolated cottage after dreaming of her late husband being there and ending with The Visitors by Annamaria Murphy in which sisters visit an old lady after trying to pick sloe, but something is spooky about her.
Each story differs in length but they are all intriguing to read and set in a fantastic county. They also feature different types of ghost stories, yes, some are spooky but most are more fascinating and surprising than anything else, plus there are illustrations to go with them too.
Overall, 13 Cornish Ghost Stories is a book you can settle down with and read as many or as few stories as you would like. You don’t have to read them in order either, this book that has no rules except enjoyment and I certainly did that. From an off-the-cuff idea has come a tremendous collection of tales.
The introduction explains how an off-the-cuff idea in a lunch queue came to be this hardcover book filled with eerie yet transfixing tales.
Starting with The Blind Spot by Kate Riordan in which a widowed woman heads to an isolated cottage after dreaming of her late husband being there and ending with The Visitors by Annamaria Murphy in which sisters visit an old lady after trying to pick sloe, but something is spooky about her.
Each story differs in length but they are all intriguing to read and set in a fantastic county. They also feature different types of ghost stories, yes, some are spooky but most are more fascinating and surprising than anything else, plus there are illustrations to go with them too.
Overall, 13 Cornish Ghost Stories is a book you can settle down with and read as many or as few stories as you would like. You don’t have to read them in order either, this book that has no rules except enjoyment and I certainly did that. From an off-the-cuff idea has come a tremendous collection of tales.
October 28, 2024
I’ve been saving this book for spooky season and with the clocks having just changed, it’s been a perfect book to curl up with on the longer, winter evenings.
There were some authors in this collection who are familiar names to me such as Kate Riordan, Jane Johnson, Emma Cowell and Liz Fenwick but most were new-to-me authors and I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know their style of writing. The great thing about a collection of short stories by different authors is that they are all so varied and this was true of this collection of spooky tales too.
Beginning with Kate Riordan’s story, The Blind Spots, the book takes us on a trail through Cornwall’s narrow winding lanes, to haunted pubs on the moors, to dark ponds with trapped souls, and from dangerous cliff faces to stormy seas. Of course, creepy graveyards at midnight under a full moon feature too!
The writing in all the stories is excellent with vividly depicted settings and each with a real sense of eeriness that left me glancing over my shoulder and jumping at unexpected noises! Over the course of the thirteen tales we visit different eras, hear from protagonists of varying ages and enjoy different styles of writing. The book also has wonderfully atmospheric illustrations by Derek Hayes.
There were some authors in this collection who are familiar names to me such as Kate Riordan, Jane Johnson, Emma Cowell and Liz Fenwick but most were new-to-me authors and I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know their style of writing. The great thing about a collection of short stories by different authors is that they are all so varied and this was true of this collection of spooky tales too.
Beginning with Kate Riordan’s story, The Blind Spots, the book takes us on a trail through Cornwall’s narrow winding lanes, to haunted pubs on the moors, to dark ponds with trapped souls, and from dangerous cliff faces to stormy seas. Of course, creepy graveyards at midnight under a full moon feature too!
The writing in all the stories is excellent with vividly depicted settings and each with a real sense of eeriness that left me glancing over my shoulder and jumping at unexpected noises! Over the course of the thirteen tales we visit different eras, hear from protagonists of varying ages and enjoy different styles of writing. The book also has wonderfully atmospheric illustrations by Derek Hayes.
July 1, 2024
A wonderful collection of Cornish ghost stories. Some are chilling, some surprising, and I liked how some were based on true historical events in the county too.
Its always hard to choose favourites but The Drummer Boy, and Treloyhan Manor were stand outs for me. That said, there was no bad story in this collection.
The illustrations at the start of each story enhance the read and this is a good all-round read.
Its always hard to choose favourites but The Drummer Boy, and Treloyhan Manor were stand outs for me. That said, there was no bad story in this collection.
The illustrations at the start of each story enhance the read and this is a good all-round read.
March 9, 2025
A collection of short stories written by Cornish authors and edited by Marie Macneill and Joanne Ella Parsons. The book started with a widow visiting a cottage after dreaming of her late husband. This was a lovely story and a great
introduction to the book. The book has some lovely illustrations to go with the stories. I have to say that one
of the stories will stay with me for a long time. Overall, a really enjoyable read.
introduction to the book. The book has some lovely illustrations to go with the stories. I have to say that one
of the stories will stay with me for a long time. Overall, a really enjoyable read.
May 16, 2025
Ghost stories, sea breezes, and a touch of comfort where you least expect it? This anthology offers a windswept wander through Cornish folklore; some tales gripped me, some slipped by, but the landscape is unmistakable throughout. Want the full ghostly gossip? Head over to my blog for the long-form review and all the juicy details. https://themagicfarawaytreenet.wordpr...
June 8, 2025
The selection of short stories in this collection is of varying quality and surprisingly repetetive in terms of set-up.
The absolute highlight amongst these 13 tales is Liz Fenwick's "The Drummer Boy" - a touching, emotional, gothic masterpiece captured in a mere 16 pages.
The absolute highlight amongst these 13 tales is Liz Fenwick's "The Drummer Boy" - a touching, emotional, gothic masterpiece captured in a mere 16 pages.
August 25, 2025
Enjoyed this collection of stories a lot. Quite a few of the authors have thought outside of the box with their ghost story and have included good twists. Not anything too cliche.
Would definitely reread!
Would definitely reread!
December 7, 2025
A book about Cornwall AND ghosts. Now that really is a dream. 10/10 to read accompanied by cuppa and a candle with the wind roaring outside. I think secret Santa really excelled this year (thank you Liv) xx
July 29, 2024
This is a selection of ghostly tales set in and around Cornwall by thirteen excellent authors, all with a different take on what makes a great spooky story. Some are contemporary, some historical. They are all embedded in different corners of England’s most Southern county. What they all have in common is they will set the hairs on the back of your neck on end.
For me, Cornwall has always been a place that lends itself to spooky stories. Firstly, the Famous Five books involving smugglers and caves and foggy moors creeped me out late at night. then it was Daphne Du Maurier with her tales of wreckers and rustlers and isolated mansions and creepy housekeepers and the ghosts of dead wives. As Katie Fforde says in the foreword to this book, the landscape oozes mystery and magic and these stories capture it perfectly. You will no doubt find a favourite amongst them, but they are all wonderful and individual and stirring.
The perfect book for reading on a Cornish holiday, I have done what Katie suggested and left my copy in our holiday home, where I hope other holidaymakers will enjoy it as much as I did.
For me, Cornwall has always been a place that lends itself to spooky stories. Firstly, the Famous Five books involving smugglers and caves and foggy moors creeped me out late at night. then it was Daphne Du Maurier with her tales of wreckers and rustlers and isolated mansions and creepy housekeepers and the ghosts of dead wives. As Katie Fforde says in the foreword to this book, the landscape oozes mystery and magic and these stories capture it perfectly. You will no doubt find a favourite amongst them, but they are all wonderful and individual and stirring.
The perfect book for reading on a Cornish holiday, I have done what Katie suggested and left my copy in our holiday home, where I hope other holidaymakers will enjoy it as much as I did.
December 5, 2024
I do like a ghost story and here are 13, and some set in places I know. Premise the same in some, but I guess that is a problem with a collection rather than a problem with the stories…
January 9, 2025
A nice collection of Cornish ghost stories. Would recommend if you're wanting an easy yet eerie read 👻
October 20, 2025
It was an ok collection.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews