From the Books Archives - Secrets of the Eastern Shore

From Grief to Grace: A Marydel Whodunnit (a free “Ordinary Heroes” book excerpt)

This story is free excerpt from my book, Ordinary Heroes of Old Delmarva: Inspiring True Tales of Courage, Kindness, and Community. More info about the book here. The chapter, "From Grief to Grace: A Marydel Whodunnit," exemplifies the virtue of forgiveness. Lots of other stories about lots of other virtues are in the book. Here goes: Forgiveness is not weak. It takes courage to face…

Secrets of the Eastern ShoreJanuary 3, 2026

From the Books Way Back Machine

From the Books: Charlestown’s Innocent Stream with a Deadly Name

In the book You Wouldn't Believe! storyteller Jim Duffy serves up 44 Strange and Wondrous Delmarva Tales that run the gamut from true crime to romance and adventure and comedy. Every story is true. Every chapter is a story unto itself, perfect for relaxed flipping and browsing. Here is one of the true-crime chapters: The last time I was in Charlestown, on Maryland’s Upper Eastern…

Secrets of the Eastern ShoreNovember 17, 2025

Foxxy Terrier from book You Wouldn't Believe FEATURED PHOTO

From the Books Way Back Machine

From the Books: The Foxxy Terrier Who Found Itself

In the book You Wouldn't Believe! storyteller Jim Duffy serves up 44 Strange and Wondrous Delmarva Tales that run the gamut from true crime to romance and adventure and comedy. Every story is true. Every chapter is a story unto itself, perfect for relaxed flipping and browsing. This free excerpt is the shortest chapter in the book--and one of the cutest, in my humble opinion.…

Secrets of the Eastern ShoreOctober 29, 2025

Frederick Douglass Flies to Freedom FEATURED PHOTO SIZED

From the Books Miscellany Tubman Travels Way Back Machine

BOOK SAMPLE, Sept. 2025: Frederick Douglass Flies to Freedom, 1838

AUTHOR NOTE: Every month here I feature a free book excerpt to give folks a taste of the style and content of the books I've written about the Delmarva Peninsula. September is the month when the great Frederick Douglass escaped slavery, so I thought I would include that chapter on that turn of events from my book, Tubman Travels: 32 Underground Railroad Journeys on Delmarva. Each…

Secrets of the Eastern ShoreAugust 25, 2025

Starving Time Holland Island Featured Photo scene is from Tilghman 1918

From the Books Way Back Machine

The Starving Time on Holland Island. Or Maybe Not?

This is a free chapter excerpt from You Wouldn't Believe, my book of stories about days gone by on our peninsula. The subtitle is 44 Strange and Wondrous Delmarva Tales. You can find info on the book and buy it here. There are stories about booze, murder, madness, romance, adventure, and well, flying mayonnaise jars. This one is a wintry affair set on old Holland…

Secrets of the Eastern ShoreDecember 28, 2024

Den of Pirates Reedy Island Featured Photo SIZED

From the Books Home Page Feature Miscellany Way Back Machine

Delmarva Storytellin’! A Den of Pirates on Delaware Bay

This is a free excerpt from the book You Wouldn't Believe! 44 Strange and Wondrous Delmarva Tales. It's one on several stories in a chapter built around the theme, "Refuge of Scoundrels: Reedy Island." In addition to pirates, there are tales in that chapter about bad-guy British war ships, infectious diseases, and ... well ... scads of pesky crows--all of whom set up camp on…

Secrets of the Eastern ShoreNovember 25, 2024

Characters From the Books Way Back Machine

Book Excerpt: The Musical Innovations of Charles Tindley

This is an excerpt from my short-read e-book: "I Will Overcome: The Soul Stirring Life of Charles A. Tindley" ($2.99 at this link). Born into dire poverty during late slavery times on Maryland's Lower Eastern Shore, Tindley rose to incredible heights in life. As a minister, he built one of America's first "megachurches" with more than 10,000 members. As an activist, he fought the good…

Secrets of the Eastern ShoreMay 27, 2024

Deal Island Maryland Featured Photo SIZED

Destinations From the Books

Shore Fun Excerpt: Deal Island and the Road to Rumbley

My book Shore Fun: The Delmarva Wanderer's Guide features snapshot descriptions of more than 125 destinations on the Delmarva Peninsula. Plus, more than 150 annual events, broken out conveniently by season of the year. Below is one sample destination, a history-laden and scenery-filled adventure along backroads on the lower Eastern Shore of Maryland. Info on the book here. On the road to Deal Island (Route…

Secrets of the Eastern ShoreMay 24, 2024

Cape May Lewes Ferry 1964 Featured Photo SIZED

Destinations From the Books

Road Trips #2 Excerpt: Ghosts and Snags on the Cape May Lewes Ferry

This is a brief excerpt from my book Eastern Shore Road Trips #2: 26 MORE One-Day Adventures of Delmarva. One of the adventures in that book involves taking history-laden ferry. I give snapshot stories of five different ferries operating on the Delmarva in that chapter. There is also a separate chapter in the book on visiting Lewes. Here is where to find info on the book…

Secrets of the Eastern ShoreMay 24, 2024

Destinations From the Books Road Trips

Sittin’ on the Dock of the Bay at Assawoman Wildlife Area

In the photo up top here I am quite literally sittin' on the dock of the bay, watchin' the tide roll away. That glorious moment came on a sun-kissed spring day in April 2024. The night before, my wife and I had seen a fabulous touring Broadway show at the Performing Arts Center in Ocean City. We strolled the boardwalk the next morning, then headed…

Secrets of the Eastern ShoreApril 18, 2024