"The Mystery of the Carroll A. Deering"

On January 31, 1921, a Coast Guardsman spotted the wreck of the "Carroll A. Deering" off the North Carolina shore. Although the schooner had all sails set and coffee on the stove, no crewmembers were found. To this day, their fate is considered one of the greatest mysteries of eastern North Carolina history. A new book by Bland Simpson, "Ghost Ship of Diamond Shoals," explores the ship’s disappearance. The Chapel Hill author used old letters, newspaper stories and government accounts, along with created characters, to weave fiction and fact. From a cryptic message in a bottle to an anonymous vengeful warning, Simpson follows leads that surfaced during the official investigation and sheds new light onto theories. Hardcover, 242 pages, published by University of North Carolina Press. $24.95. Visit www.uncpress.unc.edu or call (919) 966-3561.

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"Best–Dressed Southern Salads"

People often think of Jell-O or mayonnaise when they hear "southern salads." "Best–Dressed Southern Salads: 101 Sumptuous Salads from Key West to Washington, D.C." travels past the usual Jell-O molds, and presents creations by Southern hostesses or named after Southern locations. Author Vicky Moon, who covered the rich and famous for the Washington Post, presents concoctions such as "Cucumber Dressing
for Cold Poached Salmon," "Caroline Dressing" and "Mrs. Gotrock’s Palm Beach Fruit Salad Dressing" in the slim cookbook, and tosses in tips about food staples such as the tomato. Softcover, 115 pages, published by International Publishers Marketing, Inc. $9.95. Visit www.capital-books.com or call (800) 758-3756.

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"Jokes from Country Music Personalities"

What would Dolly Parton find funny? Or Kenny Rogers and Chet Atkins? Billy Edd Wheeler’s collection lets us in on the fun in "Real Country Humor: Jokes from Country Music Personalities." The songwriter author has long rubbed funnybones with country music folks, and contributors include Vince Gill, Elvis Presley, Charley Pride, Mel Tillis, Minnie Pearl, Roger Miller, Jerry Reed and Tom T. Hall. Chapters focus on themes such as "Rural Life," "Show Business" and "Home Front." Short bio of each contributor. Softcover, 129 pages, published by August House Publishers. $6.95.
Visit www.augusthouse.com or call (501) 372-5450.

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"A Civil Mystery"

An unspeakable tragedy…a suspicious sheriff…and a young lady presumed dead. "Presumed Dead: A Civil Mystery" is a lyrical tale of the author’s ancesters whose peaceable lives in the Blue Ridge Mountains were shattered four months after the war had supposedly ended. Author Howard Alley merges family legend with historical facts in a speculative account of the events that preceded the mysterious disappearance of Colonel John Alley’s niece, Cornelia Norton. Softcover, 241 pages. Costs $16 from local booksellers or $22 (includes shipping and tax) from publisher Bright Mountain Books. E-mail BooksBMB@aol.com or call (800) 437-3959.

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