Hampton Roads Murder & Mayhem

by Nancy E. Sheppard

Hampton Roads is an iconic destination, but the "birthplace of America" has a nefarious past.
Dive into the story of cannibalism in the Jamestown colony and learn the gory details of the tale of the Witch of Pungo. Blackbeard and his men wreaked havoc in Hampton Roads before Virginians brought them to justice. Explore rarely told stories of lynchings, riots and a hoax involving none other than famed aviator Charles Lindbergh. Join author and historian Nancy E. Sheppard as she explores some of the darkest moments in Hampton Roads' vibrant history.

Genres: Nonfiction

176 pages, Paperback

Published October 8, 2018

About the author

Nancy E. Sheppard is a historian, nonfiction author, and lecturer from Yorktown, Virginia. She is the author of four books that discuss different aspects of the history of her native Tidewater, Virginia. She has been nominated three times for the Virginia Literary Award in the category of nonfiction. Ms. Sheppard has had the honor to lecture at a variety of locations, institutions, and before many prominent organizations.

Reviews

[Jason Ray Carney · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are from Hampton Roads and are interested in true crime, this is a quick, well-written, and engaging read. There are true crime stories from colonial Hampton Roads history through the late-1980s. Of particular interest is the curious Hampton Roads connection to the Lindbergh Kidnapping.

[Linda Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I learned a lot of facts about some local legends and read stories I gad never heard before. Exact if the 14 chapters was well researched and written. I look forward to her next local history book.

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to a library's display, I checked this out and, wow, what a fantastic read. I grew up in Newport News and I think this area is so great. So much history and is just a wonderful place to live. It is expensive but I still love it here.

Most of the chapter topics were very interesting: Jane at Jamestown, The Witch of Pungo, and the Colonial Parkway murders, just to name a few. A couple of the chapters were good reads, but I have never heard of them. Anyone who lives around here will find a lot of familiar areas in this book.

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you are a true crime enthusiast and want to read about local crimes, this book is for you. This spans witches to an April Fool’s prank in the Hampton Road area. Well written with lots of historical tidbits.

[Michele · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book! Some cases I knew about but most I had never heard of!

[Ken Poyner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting for people with a Hampton Roads/Tidewater connection. Starts all the way back with initial Spanish exploration and covers murders/mysteries going forward to the exploding Mount Trashmore prank. Readable. Not of likely interest to someone who has never left the Pacific Northwest or south Florida. But I was fascinated about the details surrounding familiar places.

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thoroughly researched and engagingly written book by a local author. Most of the stories were new to me, and I grew up in Hampton Roads. A quick read and although it is about crime, not particularly gory or gruesome.