First published 2005
This anthology gathers mystery stories from writers connected to North Carolina, spanning generations from O. Henry to contemporary authors. The collection features diverse investigators solving crimes across different settings. A Native American policeman handles his first case on a reservation. A Siamese cat helps its paraplegic neighbor through intuitive detection skills. A convenience store owner uses keen observation to uncover wrongdoing. A thirty-year-old computer expert, whose body stopped developing at age nine, applies technical skills to mysterious circumstances. The stories showcase authors known primarily for other genres, including Orson Scott Card and William Brittain, demonstrating their range in mystery writing. Contributors like Margaret Maron, Michael Malone, and Katy Munger represent the state's established mystery tradition. The cases involve solving crimes, finding hidden treasures, and exposing various forms of deception. Each story reflects different approaches to the mystery genre while maintaining connections to North Carolina's literary heritage.
Genres: short-stories, mystery, crime, detective
Vibes: atmospheric, diverse, emotional, suspenseful
Tropes: found-family, intuitive-detection
Setting: North Carolina
277 pages · Paperback · The University of North Carolina Press