Christopher Setterlund

Searching for the Lady of the Dunes

A True Crime Novel - 2023

For nearly fifty years, the Lady of the Dunes was Cape Cod’s most enduring mystery. Found savagely murdered and mutilated in the remote dunes of Provincetown in 1974 it seemed her identity would be forever unknown. In 2022 she was finally identified as Ruth Marie Terry.

Filmmaker Victor Franko worked tirelessly for two years attempting to give the Lady of the Dunes her name back through his documentary. Whether directly, or indirectly, he succeeded.

Repeatedly told he was ‘chasing ghosts’ and to ‘let it go’ Victor persevered. The process led to visiting rustic dune shacks, creepy cemeteries, iconic Provincetown night spots, Boston’s infamous Combat Zone, and correspondence with convicted serial killers. Over time the project became about more than just a dead girl in the dunes.

The documentary shone new light on the Lady of the Dunes case. This book pulls the curtain back on the Wild West that was Provincetown in the 1960s and 1970s thanks to those who were there at the time.

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Iconic Hotels and Motels of Cape Cod

Paperback - May 24, 2021

Cape Cod has been welcoming travelers and tourists for more than a century. From quaint historic inns to seaside resorts and family-run motels, the Cape has provided a unique mix of lodging found nowhere else on the coast of New England. The luxurious Wequassett Resort and Golf Club dates back to 1925, and this slice of paradise became the Cape's only five-star resort. The quaint Chatham Wayside Inn originated in 1859 as the home of Captain Joseph Nickerson and has been welcoming guests and diners ever since. The Lighthouse Inn in West Dennis offered guests some of the best entertainment on the Cape with singing waiters known as the "Inn-tertainers." Local author Christopher Setterlund shares the fascinating history behind some of the places that have made this tourist mecca feel like home.

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Cape Cod Nights: Historic Bars, Clubs and Drinks

Paperback – June 10, 2019

The Cape has been home to hundreds of popular nightclubs and watering holes over the past hundred years, featuring such timeless drinks as the Cape Codder and the Sea Breeze. From orchestras to digital playlists, the clubs have evolved with the times. While many famous locales, such as Johnny Yee's and the Compass Lounge, have been shuttered, other classics like the Beachcomber, the Atlantic House and the Melody Tent remain, serving up a unique blend of entertainment and spirits for tourists and locals alike. Join local author Christopher Setterlund as he takes a look back at some of the places, music and drinks that have made Cape Cod nightlife sparkle.

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Historic Restaurants
of Cape Cod

Paperback – June 19, 2017

Thousands of restaurants have come and gone on Cape Cod over the past century. Some, however, made an indelible mark. Bill and Thelma's was hugely popular with students from the 1950s to the 1970s, often packed with locals after sporting events and dances. Starbuck's Restaurant in Hyannis featured the Chief Justice Warren Burger Burger and the Larry Bird Burger on its menu and boasted of the soup du jour, "We don't know what it is, but we have it every day." Opinions differ on how the Reno Diner actually got its name, whether from a broken sign or a local appliance company. Author Christopher Setterlund details the history of the iconic establishments of the Cape, still fresh in the memories of patrons, complete with famous recipes.

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In My Footsteps: A Traveler's Guide to Nantucket

Paperback - July 15, 2016

Thirty miles off the Cape Cod shore sits the quaint historic island of Nantucket, the Far Away Island. Once one of the richest towns in America thanks to its leading role in the whaling industry, the island reinvented itself in the twentieth century as a destination spot for tourists. This traveler's guide takes you on a round-the-island tour, noting its infamous cobblestone streets, world-renowned restaurants, museums, fabulous shops, and acres of conservation lands. You'll discover the historic homes, lighthouses, and beaches that make the island famous, but also some truly incredible locations only a local would know. Brant Point Lighthouse, the Nantucket Whaling Museum, Madaket Beach, and Sconset Village are only the beginning. See why Nantucket is a favorite vacation spot for everyone from families with young children to corporate executives looking for a paradise to truly get away from it all.

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In My Footsteps: A Traveler's Guide to Martha's Vineyard

Paperback – February 12, 2016

For centuries, Martha’s Vineyard, the Massachusetts island off the coast of Cape Cod, has attracted everyone from celebrities and presidents to everyday folks seeking a respite from the busier pace of the mainland. This travel guide takes you on a complete tour around the island, showcasing more than 75 locations. A mix of quaint charm and stunning natural beauty gives the Vineyard a truly unique allure. Historic homes, lighthouses, renowned restaurants, and miles of pristine beaches are only the starting points for the wonders that have made this island of not quite 100 square miles a coveted vacation spot. Through clear and concise directions, including addresses, distances, and GPS coordinates, this unique guide whisks you around the island, stopping at both must-see popular spots and lesser-known hidden gems treasured by the locals.

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In My Footsteps:
A Cape Cod Travel Guide

Paperback – October 28, 2013

Within the pages of this book are tours of select locations around the beautiful Cape Cod peninsula. The author and guide is a 12th generation Cape Codder. Readers are taken from one end of Cape Cod to the other, following succinct, clear directions, and provided with engaging information about each site along the way. There are many well-known attractions listed here, but also many less recognized spots that only “locals” would truly know and treasure. Popular beaches, historic homes, and lighthouses from Sandwich, around the Cape via Provincetown, Chatham, Falmouth, and back to Bourne are only part of what makes up Cape Cod, and this trip. This book goes deeper into the soul of Cape Cod. It will leave the reader and visitor feeling as if they are one with the land much as the author does. With all of the locations listed in geographical order, it is possible to walk, bike, and drive the Cape, seeing everything conveniently and simply.

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