"For years, people have been reporting seeing 'something' in the waters of Lake Norman. Now, for the first time in print, we tell the story of Normie the Lake Norman monster. In our story, a young Normie looks for friends in and around the lake, but all the animals are too busy to play. Will Normie ever find someone to play with?"--Page 4 of cover.
The early Native Americans warned of a deadly beast inhabiting the waters of Lake Pepin along the Mississippi River. For the past 150 years, the legend of the beast dubbed Pepie has grown to epic proportions. With a $50,000 reward being offered for the capture of the creature, two researchers set out to solve the legend of the mysterious sea serpent.
For fans of Small Spaces, Doll Bones, and Mary Downing Hahn, a truly chilling (and historically inspired) ghost story from the talented author of The Forgotten Girl. Celeste knows she should be excited to spend two weeks at her grandparents' lake house with her brother, Owen, and their cousins Capri and Daisy, but she's not. Bugs, bad cell reception, and the dark waters of the lake... no thanks. On top of that, she just failed her swim test and hates being in the water—it's terrifying. But her grandparents are strong believers in their family knowing how to swim, especially having grown up during a time of segregation at public pools. And soon strange things start happening—the sound of footsteps overhead late at night. A flickering light in the attic window. And Celete's cousins start accusing her of pranking them when she's been no where near them! Things at the old house only get spookier until one evening when Celeste looks in the steamy mirror after a shower and sees her face, but twisted, different... Who is the girl in the mirror? And what does she want? Past and present mingle in this spine-tingling ghost story by award-winning author India Hill Brown.
This intriguing book delves into the mysterious creatures that are said to roam the wild and rural areas of North Carolina, blending folklore, legend, and modern eyewitness reports. Drawing from centuries of regional myths and personal stories, "Cryptids and Monsters of North Carolina" explores the eerie world of cryptids such as Bigfoot, the Beast of Bladenboro, the mysterious Lake Norman Monster, and lesser-known creatures like the Wampus Cat and Boojum. Each chapter provides a comprehensive look into a different legends and lore, offering a historical background of the myth, how it evolved in local culture, and detailing specific witness accounts that fuel the ongoing fascination with these elusive beings. The author not only recounts tales from Native American legends and early settlers but also includes modern sightings that have sparked debate and intrigue in the paranormal community. Readers interested in local folklore, cryptozoology, or the supernatural will find themselves captivated by the vivid storytelling, research, and the often chilling testimonies of those who claim to have encountered these mysterious creatures. The book invites readers to ask: Could these beings be real, or are they mere products of imagination and fear? "Cryptids and Monsters of North Carolina" captures the enduring mystery and cultural significance of these fascinating cryptids, keeping readers on edge from start to finish. Perfect for fans of regional folklore, paranormal enthusiasts, or anyone who enjoys a good mystery, this book is an unforgettable journey into the unknown corners of North Carolina’s backwoods, mountains, rivers and coastal waterways.
Bizarre beasts of the Tar Heel State featured in this volume include Skunk Ape, Mystery Primates, Santers and Vampire Beasts, Monstrous Snakes, Giant Insects, Mermaids and Mermen, and Sea Serpents.
Journalist and historian Chuck McShane traces the triumphs and troubles of Lake Norman from the region's colonial beginnings to its modern incarnation. On a muggy September day in 1959, North Carolina governor Luther Hodges set off the first charge of dynamite for the Cowan's Ford Dam project. The dam channeled Catawba River waters into the largest lake in North Carolina: Lake Norman. The project was the culmination of James Buchanan Duke's dream of an electrified South and the beginning of the region's future. Over the years, the area around Lake Norman transformed from a countryside of cornstalks and cattle fields to an elite suburb full of luxurious subdivisions and thirty-five-foot sailboats.
A “lovely, suspenseful, lyrical” ghost story set in Jack the Ripper’s London from the Edgar and PEN Award-winning author of Icefall (Kirkus Reviews). London 1888, and Jack the Ripper is terrorizing the people of the city. Evelyn, a young woman disfigured by her dangerous work in a matchstick factory with nowhere to go, does not know what to make of her new position as a maid to the Elephant Man in London Hospital. Evelyn wanted to be locked away from the world, like he is, shut away from the filth and dangers of the streets. But in Joseph Merrick, the Elephant Man, she finds a gentle kindred, who does not recoil from her, and who understands her pain. When the murders begin, however, Joseph and Evelyn are haunted nightly by the ghosts of the Ripper’s dead, setting Evelyn on a path to facing her fears and uncovering humanity’s worst nightmares, in which the real monsters are men. “[A] grisly fantasy . . . Evelyn—all grit, anger, and distrust—is a complex and engaging character, the slums and slang of Victorian-era London are carefully delineated, and the eventual revelation of Leather Apron’s identity and fate will leave readers gasping.” —Publishers Weekly “This historical fiction blends horror with mystery and results in wonderfully crafted storytelling with strong, well-drawn characters . . . A great read for fans of history, true crime, or ghost stories.” —School Library Journal “Kirby’s character development, particularly his portrayal of the extraordinary Mr. Merrick, is consistently impressive. Austen devotees are sure to appreciate Kirby’s commitment to the gothic entanglements of Northanger Abbey.” —Booklist