Those of us who grew up in North Carolina in the 1960s probably were introduced to the books of author David Stick.

Stick wrote several volumes about the Outer Banks and was involved in preserving the history of the area.

He died recently at the age of 89.

My personal favorite among his books, which was given to me as a Christmas gift back in the late 1960s, was "Graveyard of the Atlantic." This book probably led to my love of all books and documentaries about shipwrecks.

Beach Trip

By Cathy Holton

Ballantine Books, 2009, $25

Holton weaves a tale of four college friends, now in their 40s, as they reunite at a beach house for the first time in many years.

Each woman is hiding a secret. Mel, although a well-known mystery writer, is dealing with writer's block as well as wondering how her two marriages managed to fail. Sara, an attorney, whose marriage is also on the rocks, feels guilty about her son's illness, and Annie, who married her childhood sweetheart, has regrets about her choices. Lola, whose husband owns the beach house, is popping pills in order to stay happy.

But these ladies are hiding a secret even more important than those personal problems -- and by the time the week is over, they must face it head on.

Holton, who will be at The Country Bookshop Friday, June 12, at 3 p.m., has a wonderful way with a story.

Murder at Blue Falls

Perfect for Framing

By Maggie Bishop

High Country Publishers, $12

I have mentioned that I have been on the lookout for North Carolina authors, and Maggie Bishop is another mystery writer who lives in the Appalachian Mountains.

Detective Tucker is her protagonist. He gets called to Blue Falls Dude Ranch when a horse finds a body. Tucker also finds that he is attracted to Jemma Chase, daughter of the owner, who is determined to help him solve the case. She even does her own CSI-style photo shoot. Now the murderer must be found, hopefully without Jemma being the next victim.

In "Perfect for Framing," Jemma, who is also a carpenter, takes on a job in a local subdivision where a woman nobody liked turns up dead. Naturally, she feels compelled to assist Tucker and the other cops in investigating, especially since she's in the neighborhood.

Bishop, an established romance writer, has made a successful entry into the world of mysteries.

Executive Privilege

By Phillip Margolin

Harper, 2009, $9.99

Dana Cutler, a private eye, is hired to follow a college student. Little does she know that her involvement may mean her death unless she makes a run for it. Meanwhile, all the way across the country, Brad Miller, a junior associate in an Oregon law firm, discovers that his death row client is insistent that while he is guilty of two of the murders for which he was convicted, he did not kill the third. He wants Brad to appeal that case, even though it will not change the final outcome.

Margolin always writes a good yarn. You can't go wrong with one of his books.

Dead Before Dark

By Wendy Corsi Staub

Zebra, 2009, $6.99

Lucinda Sloan is a psychic detective. She has helped catch all sorts of criminals, but in particular serial killers. When the Night Watchman, who has been silent for many years (mainly because he has been in jail for another crime), sees Lucinda on television, he decides a game of cat-and-mouse is in order.

A page-turner of the first order.

Contact Faye Dasen at fdasen@thepilot.com or 693-2475.