When Colin Meloy needs a break from singing with the Decemberists and covering other musicians for his solo side project, he turns to collaborations. In the past he’s provided vocals for The Minus 5 and even did a guest voiceover spot as Jeb on Lil’ Bush.

This time, he’s working with his wife Carson Ellis (who illustrates the Decemberists’ album covers) on what Ellis calls "a handful of" limited-edition children’s stories. Ellis has revealed two titles: A Message for Albert and The Unfortunate Demise of Whitley Rackham. At least the latter will be printed on antique brass and iron presses at Stumptown Printers in Portland, OR.

In 2007, Ellis illustrated the kid’s book The Mysterious Benedict Society, and has also worked with Lemony Snicket, author of the delightfully macabre A Series of Unfortunate Events. Meloy, on the other hand, is no stranger to writing about the supernatural and spooky, as evidenced by his band’s death/murder-themed songs “Leslie Anne Levine” and “Shankhill Butchers.” Unsurprisingly, the teaser illustration Ellis posted on her blog from Whitley Rackham features an Edward Gorey-esque pile of bloodied “dead Turks”:

Scary! These might be some children's books to keep on the grown-up shelf.