Haunted Reads 

Local lore and spooky stories of the Cape Fear

By Carin Hall

Curl up with a story steeped in mystery, history, and a touch of the supernatural this season. From haunted mansions and ghostly legends to murderous secrets lurking in a seaside amusement park, these reads—rooted in Wilmington and the surrounding coast—offer spine-tingling tales and rich local lore. Whether you’re in the mood for campfire-style ghost stories, historical hauntings, or a chilling whodunit, these books will keep you turning pages through October 31st. 

Haunted Wilmington and The Cape Fear Coast by Brooks Preik
Enjoy an illustrated collection of fourteen ghost stories spanning nearly 200 years of coastal North Carolina history. Blending spooky folklore with meticulous historical detail, the tales range from chilling to whimsical, featuring famous legends like the Maco Light and Theodosia Burr alongside lesser-known spirits. Set against a backdrop of pirates, shipwrecks, wars, and Scottish settlers, the stories are enriched by authentic historical context and eyewitness accounts that lend credibility. A chapter on Oakdale Cemetery offers historical insight into the landmark, although it does not include specific ghost tales. Praised for its engaging, “campfire story” style, the book captures the eerie charm and cultural heritage of the Cape Fear coast. Originally published in 1995, it appeals to fans of ghost stories, local history, and Southern folklore.

Legends of Old Wilmington & Cape Fear by John Hirchak 
Hirchak offers a lively exploration of the myths, mysteries, and ghostly tales woven into the history of coastal North Carolina. Drawing from his experience as owner and guide of the Ghost Walk of Old Wilmington, Hirchak blends historical fact with local lore, recounting stories of notorious pirates like Blackbeard and Calico Jack Rackham, Revolutionary and Civil War heroes, and spectral sightings such as the redcoat ghost said to haunt the Cape Fear Wine & Beer pub. The book captures the region’s colorful and sometimes unsettling past, entertaining readers with vivid storytelling that merges history and the unexplained. Both a tribute to Wilmington’s heritage and an invitation to its eerie side, this collection preserves the legends that have been passed down for generations, offering a rich portrait of the Cape Fear area’s enduring spirit and folklore.

Haunting the Cape Fear Coast: Thirteen Ghostly Legends from Wilmington and Beyond by Joe Sledge 
With a backdrop of locations like Wilmington, Pleasure Island, Southport, Fort Fisher, and Oak Island, the 13 eerie tales in this book range from chilling to bittersweet. Meet figures such as the jealous spirit of Ellen Bellamy at Bellamy Mansion, the benevolent ghost “William” aiding a pool hall player, the haunted Price-Gause House, Dunbar Davis’s restless shade on Oak Island, headless demons pursuing Theodosia Burr on Bald Head Island, and a musical ghost in Southport. More than mere ghost sightings, these tales explore the stories and histories behind each haunting, blending local legend with atmospheric storytelling. With strong reviews and vivid regional detail, Sledge’s collection offers both thrills and cultural insight, making it a compelling read for fans of ghost stories and Cape Fear lore.

Joyland by Stephen King
While not solely focused on Wilmington, this novel is set in a fictional amusement park in Carolina Beach, so we’re counting it in. Set in a small-town North Carolina amusement park in 1973, college student Devin Jones takes a summer job to mend a broken heart. Immersed in the park’s quirky culture and colorful cast of coworkers, Devin is drawn to the decades-old mystery of a young woman’s murder in the Horror House ride—a tragedy said to have left a lingering ghost. His search for answers intertwines with an unexpected friendship with a boy who has an uncanny gift and his protective mother. As summer fades, Devin’s quest for the truth pulls him into a chilling confrontation, where secrets, danger, and heartache collide.