Ballet of the Bones and Mask of the Macabre

I have just discovered the work of David Haynes, and have thoroughly enjoyed his two collections of short stories, Ballet of the Bones and Mask of the Macabre .
Firstly I must say I was tempted to try them due to their excellent, quirky covers. As a graphic designer myself, I appreciate the visual side of the equation when it comes to publishing, and these really stand out. Not only are they that bit different, but they suit very well the content and style of the books.

 

As for the tales themselves, well, I may very well do a review soon (and also of his new novella, Seance of the Souls), but in the meantime I hope Mr Haynes would not mind me reproducing the blurb he has provided on his website:

Ballet of the Bones
Four short tales of Victorian terror, each bound to the other by a chilling thread. London suffocates under the festering reek of its bursting graveyards.
Ballet of the Bones: The curtain goes up on the greatest show on earth, but is everything all it seems?
The Bone House: The grave digger reflects on his morbid life, but what does his future hold?
The Engineer: His creations are beautiful, intricate and for a discerning  palate.
Encore: The director makes ready for the end of the show.

Mask of the Macabre
Four short tales of Victorian terror, each bound to the other by a chilling  thread. The date is January 10th 1866 and the snow is falling thick on  the blood soaked streets of a murderous London…
Mask of The Macabre: A travelling magician appears with a gruesome show. But what secret does it  hide?
Doctor Harvey: Bethlem lunatic asylum’s newest patient has a story to tell, but how will he tell it to his doctor?
Memento Mori: A photographer is given a mysterious assignment with disturbing consequences.
The New Costume: The entertainer discovers a new string to his bow and gives the finest performance of his career.