Mystery writer, Tom Collins, departed from his usual genre to shine the light on Western North Carolina in his award winning ninth book, Exploring Asheville, winner of the Independent Press Award for its literary category. The book is a four-part must have guide for getting the most out of the Asheville experience.

Part One: Asheville History consists of stories about the people and moments in time that forged the city’s unique culture. You never know who you will see or meet walking the streets of Asheville-rich man, poor man, bohemian artist, eccentric billionaire, famous actor, author or even a professed witch. Few other places are as rich in history and human creativity, providing an inexhaustible supply of stories. To understand the feel of the city-why it is called the Weirdest, Happiest, Quirkiest, Most Haunted Place in America, you need to become Asheville Smart.

Part Two: Attractions and Activities covers things to do and see from A to Z that bring people to this extraordinary place in the majestic Appalachian Mountains-from antique shopping and the Biltmore to white water rafting on the French Broad, and, of course, all of the festivals from Art in the Park to the Wooly Worm Festival. Western North Carolinians have an insatiable appetite for celebrating the mountains’ wonders and its music, dance, and food. This section also includes addresses, directions, phone numbers and even websites to help the reader participate in the area’s almost unlimited attractions and activities.

Part Three: Mysteries and Ghost stories are about the city’s secrets and legends including alleged paranormal events and hauntings. Enjoying Asheville includes experiencing its unique mystical aura that draws people from around the world. Asheville’s roots are mountain people-descendants from generations of native Americans, settlers, immigrants, and slaves with a tradition of witches, ghost, legends, and myths. This penchant for the paranormal has been reinforced by modern day psychics and seers who believe that its quartz laden mountains emit energy and power beyond the understanding of humans.

Part Four: Tall Tales stories are told by the author’s imaginary friends who join him on the rocking chair porch of a historic Asheville Manor. These are tales told in the Appalachian Mountain tradition-sworn to be true as gospel, likely exaggerated and some hard to believe at all. The Celtic and Cherokee oral traditions of storytelling are alive and well in the mountains and may well account for the plethora of notable authors from the area-people like Thomas Wolfe, O. Henry, and Charles Frazier, author of Cold Mountain. Stories were often used to explain the unexplainable, to protect others with taboos, or just to memorialize the wily mountain boy’s craftiness for always gaining the advantage.

Exploring Asheville-Its History, Attractions, Mysteries, Ghosts, and Tall Tales includes everything you need to get the most out of your Asheville experience. The book’s striking cover depicts the view down Patton Avenue toward City Hall painted by Asheville River Arts District’s artist, Jeff Pittman.