Wicked Charlotte: The Sordid Side of the Queen City

by Stephanie Burt Williams

Bootleggers, swindlers, gold miners and serial killers--Charlotte has courted them all. The Queen City is renowned for its skyline, sports teams and dizzying growth, but just below its smooth, polished exterior lies a dark past full of crime and myriad misdeeds. This second history of Charlotte has been concealed and denied by those who retell the city's story, and by those who have lived it. Until now.

In Wicked Charlotte, discover the tale of the Chicago gangsters who invaded the city looking to pull a heist to fund sinister maneuverings in their boss's criminal trial. Learn how a golden nugget found in a nearby creek changed Charlotte from a trading crossroads into a rough and tumble town full of fortune seekers bent on finding a quick dollar and instant riches. And read about the details of the death of one of Charlotte's most gifted writers, who met his end in a seedy hotel room in Mexico.

This raucous book sheds light on these incidents and many more, revealing a side of Charlotte's history that few will recognize. The sordid events described here took place on familiar streets and in well known neighborhoods, but rarely have the stories passed beyond the circles of those who lived them. Charlotte has played host to a multitude of villainous characters, and has seen scores of unsavory deeds played out on its shadowy streets. Wicked Charlotte brings it all to the forefront, as never before.

Genres: Nonfiction

96 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2006

Reviews

[Cheree Moore · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading about the under side of the Queen city. As a new comer to the area everything felt unrealistically bright and clean. Its nice to know that there was some crazy things going on in its past.

[Tiffany · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this to fulfill a "Local or regional book" category for a reading challenge. It had some interesting information and I learned a few things, but the book would have benefitted from better editing.

[Melissa Loucks · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was interesting to read about the big city close to my hometown. I really enjoy the Wicked books. They give enough information about certain crimes throughout the different cities but dont drag them out.

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick and easy read with interesting content, especially for anyone with an interest in history, true crime, and the Charlotte area. As another reviewer mentioned, the book would have benefited greatly from better editing.

[Kellene · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting quick look at the dark side of Charlotte

[Anne Schmitt · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book was interesting. I like reading about the familiar city that I know. The bootlegging section gave me some help on a historical novel I am writing.

[Douglas Boren · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very informative book, well researched and well written. A must read for those interested in the history of the "Queen City".

[Dan Anderson · Rating 2 out of 5]

I expected more wickedness and sordidness.

[Christie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have read a ton of history, but not much of it about my local area. I picked this book up after spending an afternoon in Uptown Charlotte. I wanted to learn more about the history of the city. This was a fun little introduction to the darker side of Charlotte. The pages are populated with prostitutes, moonshiners, and gangsters. Some of the stories I had heard before, many I hadn't. It was a very quick and informative read. I would recommend this to anyone wanting to learn a bit more about Charlotte.

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a fun book to read. The stories were complete and detailed and i know most of the areas of town that were brought up since i currently live in charlotte. The darker side of the city wasn't so bad the trouble was there if you wanted to find it, but the trouble never went out to seek others. This book detailed some of Charlottes criminals, or just criminal happenings. It is nice to see some of the history of Charlotte since we seem to be tearing it down in favor of new condos. P.S. I never knew the Charlotte was called the Paris of the Piedmont; but i like it.

[Salena · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an interesting and quick read. It was just a few little stories of scandals in Charlotte through its history.

[Stephanie Burt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wrote this, so I'm biased!