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Spectral Start
She’s gained a granddaughter… but something else has arrived first.When Althea Ravenspell agrees to take in the granddaughter she’s barely met, she expects nerves, adjustment, maybe teenage attitude — not a full-blown haunting in her son’s old bedroom.
Pillows fly, temperatures drop, and a lilac-scented spirit whispers a single Find the key.
As Althea investigates the mysterious message, she uncovers a chilling link to America’s most dangerous haunted mansion — and realizes the ghost isn’t after her at all. It wants Carly.
With days left before the grieving teen arrives, Althea must uncover who the spirit is, what it wants, and why it crossed states to reach Thornfield Manor. Because one thing is a far darker mystery is waiting for Carly… and Althea has to be ready.
If you love atmospheric hauntings, magical grandmothers, and cozy mysteries with a supernatural twist, you’ll love Spectral Start, the exclusive prequel to the Whispers of Witchcraft series.
Unlock the mystery today.
Pillows fly, temperatures drop, and a lilac-scented spirit whispers a single Find the key.
As Althea investigates the mysterious message, she uncovers a chilling link to America’s most dangerous haunted mansion — and realizes the ghost isn’t after her at all. It wants Carly.
With days left before the grieving teen arrives, Althea must uncover who the spirit is, what it wants, and why it crossed states to reach Thornfield Manor. Because one thing is a far darker mystery is waiting for Carly… and Althea has to be ready.
If you love atmospheric hauntings, magical grandmothers, and cozy mysteries with a supernatural twist, you’ll love Spectral Start, the exclusive prequel to the Whispers of Witchcraft series.
Unlock the mystery today.
58 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 19, 2025
14 people are currently reading
5 people want to read
About the author
Nellie H. Steele
128 books555 followersNellie H. Steele lives in the South Hills of Pittsburgh with her family and her many fur-babies. When she isn't writing, she enjoys teaching Statistics at a local university or watching her dogs and cats play in the yard.
Nellie is the author of the Cate Kensie Mystery Series, a cozy mystery series following the adventures of Dr. Catherine Kensie, a history professor turned Scottish Countess, and her beloved dog, Riley, as they navigate their new lives in their quirky Scottish highlands castle, solving mysteries along the way! She is the creator of the Shadow Slayers series, a suspenseful series with a supernatural twist! Follow the Shadow Slayers through time as they fight to banish darkness from the world. Nellie also writes an adventure series, Maggie Edwards Adventures. Follow Maggie Edwards as she travels the world solving mysteries and finding unique treasures!
Check out all Nellie offers at www.anovelideapublishing.com/novels, sign up for our newsletter to get the latest news about book releases or like us on facebook (facebook.com/anovelideapublishing) to keep up with us!
Nellie is the author of the Cate Kensie Mystery Series, a cozy mystery series following the adventures of Dr. Catherine Kensie, a history professor turned Scottish Countess, and her beloved dog, Riley, as they navigate their new lives in their quirky Scottish highlands castle, solving mysteries along the way! She is the creator of the Shadow Slayers series, a suspenseful series with a supernatural twist! Follow the Shadow Slayers through time as they fight to banish darkness from the world. Nellie also writes an adventure series, Maggie Edwards Adventures. Follow Maggie Edwards as she travels the world solving mysteries and finding unique treasures!
Check out all Nellie offers at www.anovelideapublishing.com/novels, sign up for our newsletter to get the latest news about book releases or like us on facebook (facebook.com/anovelideapublishing) to keep up with us!
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
December 16, 2025
📚 Book Review by R.M. Campbell 📚
Spectral Start
By
Nellie H. Steele
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Spectral Start is Book #0 in the Whispers of Witchcraft Mysteries Series. In this book, we are introduced to Althea, the grandmother who has special, paranormal powers; she can communicate with ghosts. Caroline (Carly), her granddaughter are brought together after the death of Caroline’s parents. Althea is the owner of Thornfield Manor, and along with her long-time friend and groundskeeper, Lester, are eager to welcome Carly into the home. Soon after Althea agrees to assume responsibility for Carly, strange things begin to occur in the house, specifically in the room that is meant to be Carly’s bedroom. Althea believes that a spirit is causing the havoc, and she begins to make efforts to communicate with the ghost, and soon her undertakings are rewarded. Althea learns that the ghost is Amanda McCoy, from the legendary haunted house, Hell House, who is seeking Carly’s help. Althea, not having met Carly, is not sure if Carly has any supernatural abilities or if she even knows that these abilities run in the family. Althea realizes that they both need time, and maybe experience and training, before Carly can face unworldly forces.
For those who are fans of this series, this is a MUST-READ! Spectral Start explains the circumstances leading up to book one in the series, Ghostly Gossip, and may even answer some of the questions you may have had. I enjoyed reading this book, finding it informative and captivating. The character interactions are terrific, and the author does a fabulous job of developing a plot that is not only compelling but also suspenseful and riveting. I found some of the plot twists unpredictable and clever, giving the reader a hint of the journey that Carly has in store for her. This book was definitely a page-turner for me, and I found I couldn’t put it down after reading just a few chapters. This was a terrific, enjoyable, and thrilling beginning to a wonderful, ghostly tale that is sure to keep you glued to every page. I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader's Copy of this book.
Spectral Start
By
Nellie H. Steele
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Spectral Start is Book #0 in the Whispers of Witchcraft Mysteries Series. In this book, we are introduced to Althea, the grandmother who has special, paranormal powers; she can communicate with ghosts. Caroline (Carly), her granddaughter are brought together after the death of Caroline’s parents. Althea is the owner of Thornfield Manor, and along with her long-time friend and groundskeeper, Lester, are eager to welcome Carly into the home. Soon after Althea agrees to assume responsibility for Carly, strange things begin to occur in the house, specifically in the room that is meant to be Carly’s bedroom. Althea believes that a spirit is causing the havoc, and she begins to make efforts to communicate with the ghost, and soon her undertakings are rewarded. Althea learns that the ghost is Amanda McCoy, from the legendary haunted house, Hell House, who is seeking Carly’s help. Althea, not having met Carly, is not sure if Carly has any supernatural abilities or if she even knows that these abilities run in the family. Althea realizes that they both need time, and maybe experience and training, before Carly can face unworldly forces.
For those who are fans of this series, this is a MUST-READ! Spectral Start explains the circumstances leading up to book one in the series, Ghostly Gossip, and may even answer some of the questions you may have had. I enjoyed reading this book, finding it informative and captivating. The character interactions are terrific, and the author does a fabulous job of developing a plot that is not only compelling but also suspenseful and riveting. I found some of the plot twists unpredictable and clever, giving the reader a hint of the journey that Carly has in store for her. This book was definitely a page-turner for me, and I found I couldn’t put it down after reading just a few chapters. This was a terrific, enjoyable, and thrilling beginning to a wonderful, ghostly tale that is sure to keep you glued to every page. I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader's Copy of this book.
January 21, 2026
A traveling ghost seeks help
This prequel novella to Nellie H. Steele's Whispers of Witchcraft series follows a ghost haunting Thornwood Manor as Althea prepares for Carly's arrival. Althea is determined to figure out what the ghost wants and clear the space as Carly is unaware of her heritage. As a reader of the first few books in the series, I enjoyed this glimpse of the preparation made for Carly and Althea's trepidation. The haunting also sets the premise for Carly's eventual intervention as a psychic witch and the mystery surrounding Hell House. Readers new to the series will have their interest piqued as well for the ghost stories inside the story premise of the series.
This prequel novella to Nellie H. Steele's Whispers of Witchcraft series follows a ghost haunting Thornwood Manor as Althea prepares for Carly's arrival. Althea is determined to figure out what the ghost wants and clear the space as Carly is unaware of her heritage. As a reader of the first few books in the series, I enjoyed this glimpse of the preparation made for Carly and Althea's trepidation. The haunting also sets the premise for Carly's eventual intervention as a psychic witch and the mystery surrounding Hell House. Readers new to the series will have their interest piqued as well for the ghost stories inside the story premise of the series.
December 18, 2025
Wow!!! A very interesting novella to begin the "Whispers of Witchcraft Mysteries" series!!
Be sure and read, even if you've started the series.
Be sure and read, even if you've started the series.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews