The blue house was an unfinished building nestled against the dunes of Topsail Island in the 1960s. Forever in a state of construction, it was just as much a character as the people who visited it. In the 1960s, life was changing rapidly, but the blue house was a constant.

There are three communities on Topsail Island: Surf City, Topsail Beach, and North Topsail Beach. Residents of all three enjoy a low-key, laid-back lifestyle most months of the year. Folks stop and chat for a few minutes at the grocery store, romantic souls stroll leisurely along the beach, searching for sand dollars and shark’s teeth. Many relax by fishing and boating in the calm coastal waters. Yes, life is easy.

But when summer arrives and vacationers flock to the island, things change. The pace quickens as the population quadruples. Smells of suntan lotion and outdoor barbeques permeate the air. A constant ripple of wakes made by boaters fills the waterways and beaches become crowded with sunbathers and surfers frolicking in the Atlantic. 

There is no doubt that tourist season is a far cry from the easygoing off-season months. To most, it is a time for fun in the sun on Topsail Island. But for a few, it’s just plain old murder.