Murder At Wrightsville Beach

Historic preservationist Ashley Wilkes finds her friend Valentine Russo murdered at the desk of Valentine's art gallery, and the walls bare of art.

A drama played out in the mountains of southwestern Virginia in 1891 that attracted nationwide attention and held the citizens of the Roanoke Valley spellbound. It was a story of violence, bigamy, race and a quest for justice. The tale of the trial of Charles Watkins for the murder of his wife was marked by threats of lynching, a fugitive manhunt, a disappearing witness, mistaken identities, claims of insanity and finally a secret letter to break the case wide open. In its day, the story was as closely followed as a modern televised murder trial. Despite the rapt attention of the public then, it has entirely faded from the history books--until now. Historian John Long resurrects the truth of who killed Susan Watkins. Did her rival for a man's love get away with murder?

When two skeletons turn up in one of Wilmington's antebellum mansions, historic preservationist Ashley Wilkes suspects there is more to the discovery than meets the eye. Her subsequent investigations uncover clues that tell her a killer is poised to strike.

This text provides an essential road map to forensic mental health assessments in death penalty cases for students and practitioners. The book integrates research with best practice recommendations, yielding a solid foundation of information related to capital punishment, death penalty litigation, and more.

"As one of Wilmington's most enthusiastic historical preservationists, Ashley Wilkes is thrilled when her Victorian home makes the annual Candlelight Tour. Unfortunately, the glowing romantic perfection of her old Southern gem is spoiled by the dead body sprawled next to the fireplace. The case appears cut-and-dried. The weapon was in the hands of Ashley's friend and father figure, Professor Binkie Higgins. Besides, everybody knows how much Binkie hated the victim-an enmity dating back to a deeper mystery, the Atlantic Coast Line's forty-year-old payroll robbery. But what begins as an effort to clear Binkie's name becomes a dangerous excavation of old motives and newer bodies, each falling close to home. Close enough to tell Ashley that digging up dirt is a surefire way to get one foot-or more-in a grave."--BOOK COVER.

Henderson County is known for its country inns, houses of worship and picturesque landscapes. Behind all the beautiful scenery is a colorful history that runs deeper than any creek or holler. Revel in the family and farming heritage of Edneyville, Clear Creek, Green River Township, Hoopers Creek and Fruitland. Relive the resort era when the region boomed as a tourist destination. Learn how the wee population center of Goodluck came by its name, and inhale the sweet fragrance of apple blossoms that bloom every springtime. Drawing from interviews, documents and a gallery of both contemporary and time-honored photography, author and researcher Terry Ruscin renders his adopted Henderson County in vivid detail.