Outer Banks Mysteries and Seaside Stories

by Charles Harry Whedbee

Whedbee's collections of legends and folklore have become regional classics. The continuing popularity of these books stems from the author's intimate knowledge of the places, people, and events of which he writes. He gathers the mysteries, tales, legends, and lore that have been handed down for generations on the North Carolina coast and recounts them with a sensitivity for tradition that makes him a master at what he does. For decades, the folk tales of Charles Harry Whedbee have been available wherever you care to look on the Outer Banks. Their popularity has transcended Whedbee's loyal readership among North Carolinians and visitors from the Northeast and the Midwest. Charles Harry Whedbee was an elected judge in his native Greenville, North Carolina, for thirty-plus years, but his favorite place was the Outer Banks, Nags Head in particular. Whedbee was the author of five folklore collections. He died in 1990.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Folklore, Short Stories

133 pages, Hardcover

First published June 1, 1978

About the author

CHARLES H. WHEDBEE was born and still resides in Greenville, North Carolina. He was educated at the University of North Carolina, taking his law degree in 1932. He has been Solicitor of Pitt County Court and now serves as Municipal Court Judge in Greenville. He began telling legends of the coastal area on WNCT-TV in Greenville, as a panelist on the "Carolina Today" progrm. He and his wife and their dog, Chief Manteo of Roanoke, spend a large part of their summers at Nag's Head, where Judge Whedbee has been a regular since infancy.

Reviews

[brooklenn leanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was charming! Both historic and mythic. I feel much aquatinted with that stretch of coast now and will hold these tales dear. Also, the author, through his writing, came off as quite as fun and charming as his stories

[Aaron Crofut · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a gift from a student of mine, and while I'm generally leery of books I didn't pick out, I truly enjoyed this collection of local stories from times long past! The author has a great voice, the selection of stories ranges from different locations and settings and different genres (scary, spooky, uplifting), and each is genuinely entertaining and often with a moral to boot. If you happen to be in the Outer Banks or surrounding regions and come across Whedbee's book, pick it up; it will make for good beach reading!

[Joanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

A charmingly old-fashioned collection of legends of the North Carolina Outer Banks. These are very much in the style of books I read growing up about the South Carolina coast and the ghost stories we told each other sitting in the dunes after dark. It was written by a retired judge who collected folklore of the area he loved, and he published a number of small volumes in the 60s and 70s.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another collection of folktales and stories from North Carolina. There are a few that refer back to ones in other books such as Blackbeard and Burnside, but not the same stories. I look forward to the last edition of narratives.

[Jennifer Neal · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love reading the legends that surround the Outer Banks. "The Gray Man of Hatteras" and "Beckoning Hands" were my favorites.

[Shana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting!

[Jennifer Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

excellent stories and mysteries. this is the 2nd of his books I've read, and I've enjoyed them both.

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nicely atmospheric, stories held my attention & spooky at times!

[Aaron · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting and entertaining reading. OBX vacation prep. This is the book I was reading when COVID struck.

[Ben Sweezy · Rating 3 out of 5]

turns out i remember some of these from being a precocious 11-year-old with books at kitty hawk

[Joshua Worsley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun entertaining book telling the tales of myths of the North Carolina coast. Little dated though

[J.S. McLean · Rating 3 out of 5]

Total nerd festival. Very historical, cute, spooky book about the Outer Banks. Managed to avoid some of the more skin-curdling aspects of the past in the south (Curritack Jack focused on him as a patriot, which I liked, but Definitely With A Capital D glossed over that whole slave thing, which I think landed us at neutral--if it had been that happy slave crap I would've barfed, but since it didn't, well, okay). Written in the 60s, so very dated, but that's what ya get when you read old books. I liked it.

[Rosa · Rating 3 out of 5]

My mom picked up this collection of legends and ghost stories at a garage sale some time ago. I love to learn the history of places, and local folklore and ghost stories are a fun way of doing that. My parents lived in the Outer Banks (on Roanoke Island) before I was born, and vacations there in my childhood were pretty normal. These stories were all unfamiliar to me though and an interesting look at the history of Banker life.

[Kenneth]

Every now and then I get the urge for a tall tale from the Outer Banks.

[Martie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the short stories here...wish there were more! I'll have to look for the other books like this written by Wedbee.

[Connie Landry · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book of short stories from the Outer Banks. I love the Outer Banks and it is very enjoyable to read legends of the history of the islands. You get the character of the islands.

[Cecelia]

Its alright.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute book about legends that take place in and around the Outer Banks, North Carolina. Includes a few ghost stories.

[Wayne Salat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book with a series of short stories from the Outer Banks , has lots of history and folk lore. Can't wait to start the rest of the books.

[Diane Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

As with most collections like this, some of the stories are quite good and some not so much.