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Witching Hour: Psychics #1
The Scrying Game: A Psychic Cozy Mystery
Plagued with visions…
When Willow Brown was seven, she had her first vision. Her death played out like a movie. Her second vision came along shortly after that when she predicted her father’s cancer diagnosis.
Her mother always wanted her to hide her gift away. That’s what she called it, a gift.
It was never a gift.
In one of Willow’s more recent visions, she saw her great aunt dying peacefully. What she couldn’t predicate was that Aunt Cora would leave her a house in Florida and a cat, forcing Willow to go back to her hometown to sort out affairs.
But it turns out Aunt Cora is a little less dead than anyone thought. The old psychic inhabits the body and mind of the cat—and she’s hellbent on teaching Willow how to properly use her psychic gifts.
When Willow’s childhood best friend is murdered, she has no choice but to get involved, putting her on a collision course with the vision she’s been running away from all her life.
The Scrying Game is the first in an all-new paranormal mystery series, Witching Hour: Psychics. Great for fans of cozy mystery and Paranormal Women's Fiction.
When Willow Brown was seven, she had her first vision. Her death played out like a movie. Her second vision came along shortly after that when she predicted her father’s cancer diagnosis.
Her mother always wanted her to hide her gift away. That’s what she called it, a gift.
It was never a gift.
In one of Willow’s more recent visions, she saw her great aunt dying peacefully. What she couldn’t predicate was that Aunt Cora would leave her a house in Florida and a cat, forcing Willow to go back to her hometown to sort out affairs.
But it turns out Aunt Cora is a little less dead than anyone thought. The old psychic inhabits the body and mind of the cat—and she’s hellbent on teaching Willow how to properly use her psychic gifts.
When Willow’s childhood best friend is murdered, she has no choice but to get involved, putting her on a collision course with the vision she’s been running away from all her life.
The Scrying Game is the first in an all-new paranormal mystery series, Witching Hour: Psychics. Great for fans of cozy mystery and Paranormal Women's Fiction.
206 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 19, 2021
187 people are currently reading
1989 people want to read
About the author
Christine Zane Thomas
72 books186 followersChristine Zane Thomas is the pen name of a husband and wife team whose love of mystery and sleuths spurred the creation of their own mysterious writer alter-ego.
While not writing, they can be found in northwest Florida with their two children and schnauzer, Tinker Bell.
Their love of food takes them all around the South. Sometimes they sprinkle in the occasional trip to Disney World. Food and Wine is their favorite season.
While not writing, they can be found in northwest Florida with their two children and schnauzer, Tinker Bell.
Their love of food takes them all around the South. Sometimes they sprinkle in the occasional trip to Disney World. Food and Wine is their favorite season.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
January 30, 2024
Imagine the surprise when I found that Aunt Cora had found a way to exist within a cat! Not half of what Willow Brown’s reaction was when the cat began to talk to her!
" I’d never been a cat person. They scared me when I was young, more so than dogs. Sharp teeth, sharp claws—even a playful cat left me with scratched up arms and legs. What I hated most about cats was their hair trigger—how they flipped a switch, going from playful and friendly to something else entirely. Dogs have never heard of too many belly rubs. Pet a cat for a second longer than they want you to and pay the price."
Willow has returned to the Florida where she grew up in order to settle the house that her aunt left to her. In doing so, she finds out a lot more about herself and her old friends. "“Maybe now it’s time to use all of your abilities. You put them all together and you’ll make an amazing detective. I’m sure of it.”" Those are the words of Willow’s aunt and I believe that this book only serves to give us Willow’s commitment to that path.
This is a slight tale that Thomas embellishes with a lot of nice aspects of the paranormal. Her dabs of palmistry, card reading and scrying are nicely handled but her potion lacks any significant nuance and leaves little or no memorable aftertaste.
" I’d never been a cat person. They scared me when I was young, more so than dogs. Sharp teeth, sharp claws—even a playful cat left me with scratched up arms and legs. What I hated most about cats was their hair trigger—how they flipped a switch, going from playful and friendly to something else entirely. Dogs have never heard of too many belly rubs. Pet a cat for a second longer than they want you to and pay the price."
Willow has returned to the Florida where she grew up in order to settle the house that her aunt left to her. In doing so, she finds out a lot more about herself and her old friends. "“Maybe now it’s time to use all of your abilities. You put them all together and you’ll make an amazing detective. I’m sure of it.”" Those are the words of Willow’s aunt and I believe that this book only serves to give us Willow’s commitment to that path.
This is a slight tale that Thomas embellishes with a lot of nice aspects of the paranormal. Her dabs of palmistry, card reading and scrying are nicely handled but her potion lacks any significant nuance and leaves little or no memorable aftertaste.
January 10, 2024
The Scrying Game
By Christine Zane Thomas
This is an interesting book about a psychic cop that inherits her grandmother's home. Her grandmother was a psychic and on her death transferred her soul into a cat so she could continue to train her grand daughter. There is also a couple of murder mysteries with ghosts to solve! Enjoyable read.
By Christine Zane Thomas
This is an interesting book about a psychic cop that inherits her grandmother's home. Her grandmother was a psychic and on her death transferred her soul into a cat so she could continue to train her grand daughter. There is also a couple of murder mysteries with ghosts to solve! Enjoyable read.
March 22, 2023
The story features the psychic Willow Brown who is a police officer from Virginia, that inherits a house from her aunt in her childhood hometown in Florida. She has no desire to return to Florida or live in this house in spite of loving her aunt. Willow goes to deal with the unwanted inheritance leaving her marriage in trouble and not knowing what to do about that. She soon finds an old friend had been murdered and she can't resist investigating. I couldn't imagine any police department anywhere allowing this to happen...but it is a work of fiction. Her psychic abilities are helpful as is the spirit of her dead aunt, which is currently inhabiting a cat. I believe I once owned that cat, or she owned me:) The paranormal elements are imaginative and are well done fitting in with the town's quirkiness. I found the characters and their relationships to be lacking something. Willow comes across as immature and not very likeable. No real effort is made to engage the reader in the stated relationships. Williow's marital issue is a perfect example...Willow and Tim have unknown discord for unknown reasons; he simply appears and after "discussing a lot of things" she's instantly back in love. I think this is more than likely the reason I don't usually read cozies.
October 7, 2021
I won this in a GoodReads giveaway. There were a few plot holes and a lot more detail/background was needed for the characters, but the series has potential.
July 12, 2023
Normally when there is a cat smack dab in the center as the main focus of a cover, the main character tends to enjoy cats or at least like cats by the end of the book. I think that the age range for this book is younger than the author intended it to be and the main character, in my opinion, would’ve been more interesting if she were younger, not a kid but late twenties/early thirties would at least be a littler closer to younger audience which the overview and cover attract. There was a lot of characters and most didn’t develop beyond they work at this gas station, or bank, exc… I don’t really understand why she was upset with her husband, she saw him get stabbed in a vision and didn’t warn him in time because she was afraid of sharing her “talent”. It was extremely obvious that Ingrid was a ghost, like seriously, doesn’t eat, the bathroom is clean, doesn’t show up when company is around? Duh. Also with Ingrid’s death, Shawna just happened to have a shovel with her in the car? Also Scarlet should be arrested, or at least somewhat in trouble since she knew what was going on, which would mean people would need a new psychic and give Willow a definite reason to stay. This book was good, it was kind of predictable for a mystery book, and could’ve used more thrill as a murder mystery, but I did enjoy it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 6, 2021
A good read
A good read but I found it a little slow but glad I kept reading...
I figured out who did it about halfway through.
I don't like to give any spoilers so I'm not going to tell any of the storyline...you can make up your mind by the synopsis...
The beginning was a little slow but once I was halfway through it get better
Recommend if you like mysteries
A good read but I found it a little slow but glad I kept reading...
I figured out who did it about halfway through.
I don't like to give any spoilers so I'm not going to tell any of the storyline...you can make up your mind by the synopsis...
The beginning was a little slow but once I was halfway through it get better
Recommend if you like mysteries
June 26, 2021
Really good
This is a really good read. It has a cute little town. A little of the paranormal with a lovable cat the is really Cora. Has some southern charm and a little bit of romance looks good for future books.
This is a really good read. It has a cute little town. A little of the paranormal with a lovable cat the is really Cora. Has some southern charm and a little bit of romance looks good for future books.
October 9, 2021
A fun read
An old house, a weird roommate and a reluctant psychic - it’s a good mystery story with lots of twists. Thoroughly enjoyed this book. Looking forward to the next in this series!
An old house, a weird roommate and a reluctant psychic - it’s a good mystery story with lots of twists. Thoroughly enjoyed this book. Looking forward to the next in this series!
June 11, 2021
This was so fun! I kept expecting Creel Creek After Dark to pop in but the message board for the town popped in instead. I love that Willow is married and struggling with who she is. I really love that she's older and her knees pop but she's a cop and in shape.
This was a fun mystery and a great start to a series. The characters are so vivid, the setting is a weird little town that jumps out of the pages, the story was enthralling. There are so many clues that the right ones don't jump out until they are meant to... I can't wait for the next!
This was a fun mystery and a great start to a series. The characters are so vivid, the setting is a weird little town that jumps out of the pages, the story was enthralling. There are so many clues that the right ones don't jump out until they are meant to... I can't wait for the next!
June 11, 2021
I really enjoyed this story! I had a hard time putting it down to go to work. Willow and her newly inherited home are at the center of a murder mystery. Her aunt left her the old Victorian house which just happens to where she did psychic readings. The characters were great and the way the story plays out kept me engaged to the end. Definitely a 5 star read!!!
October 18, 2021
Really fun!
Not familiar with the authors, I found this book to be an unexpected pleasure! Some paranormal aspects I hadn’t previously been exposed to, several good characters, a red herring or two & an interesting storyline.
I appreciated how well edited & proofread this book is — a sloppily put together book is very distracting to me. Enjoyable to read!
Not familiar with the authors, I found this book to be an unexpected pleasure! Some paranormal aspects I hadn’t previously been exposed to, several good characters, a red herring or two & an interesting storyline.
I appreciated how well edited & proofread this book is — a sloppily put together book is very distracting to me. Enjoyable to read!
October 2, 2021
Good
I really enjoyed this book. It had paranormal, ghosts, murder, mysteries, enduring friendships family and love. I am looking forward to reading this author's next book in this series.
I really enjoyed this book. It had paranormal, ghosts, murder, mysteries, enduring friendships family and love. I am looking forward to reading this author's next book in this series.
June 25, 2021
Witching Hour book 1
Good set up for the beginning book. Willow Brown has been left her Aunt Cora's home and fortune telling business. Ready to go through a few of her Aunt's things and sign papers to sell the house, she first get's together with old friends. One of which has just been arrested for murder.
Good set up for the beginning book. Willow Brown has been left her Aunt Cora's home and fortune telling business. Ready to go through a few of her Aunt's things and sign papers to sell the house, she first get's together with old friends. One of which has just been arrested for murder.
July 5, 2021
Very enjoyable read, looking forward to this series.
July 15, 2021
Splash
This took me a little while to get into. Too much was implied about the personal relationship between the characters, but just left me too much an outsider to like any of the characters.
This took me a little while to get into. Too much was implied about the personal relationship between the characters, but just left me too much an outsider to like any of the characters.
June 21, 2021
Fun read
Not your average coming back home story. Lots of intrigue, clues, and magic to keep the story flowing. I'm ready for the next one.
Not your average coming back home story. Lots of intrigue, clues, and magic to keep the story flowing. I'm ready for the next one.
June 15, 2021
This was a great story! This is a spinoff from her Witching Hour series in Creel Creek. Willow has inherited her great aunt's home and has come to town to sell it. Little does she know what is in store for her. This story had suspense, action, intrigue, and an unexpected ending. I also like where the author was going with Willow's relationship with her husband. Great read, and I am looking forward eagerly to the next book.
December 17, 2021
This was a very entertaining novel featuring a policewoman who is psychic. It was very satisfying and I really enjoyed it. No criticism at all really!
December 5, 2023
A supernatural mystery with southern flavor that falls flat.
When Willow Brown’s grandmother dies, she must return to her small southern town to sort out her grandmother’s affair and her inheritance: her grandmother’s old house, where she gave psychic readings.
Only when Willow arrives in town, she learns her grandmother isn’t quite dead, and gets roped into solving a murder mystery using the psychic powers she has denied since she was a child.
I wanted to like this book, but it just didn’t do it for me. Willow and all the other characters were as forgettable as they were one-dimensional, and the world building in this was nonexistent. We’re told there are psychics, and that Willow is a former cop who worked in division that dealt with supernatural crimes, but that’s the extent of it.
There were so many missed opportunities to bring in more supernatural elements. But aside from Willow’s visions, and her attempts at scrying/astral projecting, the fantasy elements were ignored.
I get this was the first entry in the series, but after listening to it I have no desire to learn more about Willow or her world.
I give The Scrying game by Christine Zane Thomas 2 out of 5 stars. There are books that do supernatural mystery way better than this one.
Skip it.
When Willow Brown’s grandmother dies, she must return to her small southern town to sort out her grandmother’s affair and her inheritance: her grandmother’s old house, where she gave psychic readings.
Only when Willow arrives in town, she learns her grandmother isn’t quite dead, and gets roped into solving a murder mystery using the psychic powers she has denied since she was a child.
I wanted to like this book, but it just didn’t do it for me. Willow and all the other characters were as forgettable as they were one-dimensional, and the world building in this was nonexistent. We’re told there are psychics, and that Willow is a former cop who worked in division that dealt with supernatural crimes, but that’s the extent of it.
There were so many missed opportunities to bring in more supernatural elements. But aside from Willow’s visions, and her attempts at scrying/astral projecting, the fantasy elements were ignored.
I get this was the first entry in the series, but after listening to it I have no desire to learn more about Willow or her world.
I give The Scrying game by Christine Zane Thomas 2 out of 5 stars. There are books that do supernatural mystery way better than this one.
Skip it.
July 19, 2022
Good
A spin-off from the author’s Witching Hour series, this tale features the psychic Willow Brown, a police officer from Virginia; who inherits a house from her aunt in her former hometown in Florida.
Willow heads down to deal with the unwanted inheritance, her marriage is in trouble, and she soon finds herself investigating a murder for an old friend.
Her psychic abilities come into play, as does the spirit of her aunt, which is currently inhabiting a cat.
This is the first in a new series, and as such it has some of the awkward slow moments that occur as characters and places are being set up.
Not to worry though, Willow’s marital issues are actually fairly simple, and her aunt is at least somewhat helpful on the psychic abilities front!
The mystery is nicely wrapped up with some exciting moments, and the book is set up for more in the series (not yet out, though planned).
An enjoyable paranormal cosy mystery, with some intriguing characters I’m looking forward to seeing fleshed out a little more.
Recommended for those who enjoy their mysteries a little on the magical side.
A spin-off from the author’s Witching Hour series, this tale features the psychic Willow Brown, a police officer from Virginia; who inherits a house from her aunt in her former hometown in Florida.
Willow heads down to deal with the unwanted inheritance, her marriage is in trouble, and she soon finds herself investigating a murder for an old friend.
Her psychic abilities come into play, as does the spirit of her aunt, which is currently inhabiting a cat.
This is the first in a new series, and as such it has some of the awkward slow moments that occur as characters and places are being set up.
Not to worry though, Willow’s marital issues are actually fairly simple, and her aunt is at least somewhat helpful on the psychic abilities front!
The mystery is nicely wrapped up with some exciting moments, and the book is set up for more in the series (not yet out, though planned).
An enjoyable paranormal cosy mystery, with some intriguing characters I’m looking forward to seeing fleshed out a little more.
Recommended for those who enjoy their mysteries a little on the magical side.
October 21, 2023
This is the first book from author Christine Zane Thomas that I have read/listened to. I listened on Hoopla from my library. I enjoyed this for many reasons. The sleuth is a police deputy from Virginia, is still married, and trying to figure out her psychic abilities and if she wants to use them or not. Her husband is unaware of her abilities.
She has returned to her hometown in Florida to take care of estate matters for her Aunt Cora. Her plan is to sell the home and return to Virginia. It doesn’t turn out to be as easy as she thought it would be. First Cora (her aunt) has a roommate; a school friend’s body, Perry, is discovered and another friend has been arrested. One of her childhood friend’s mother beseeches Willow to help resolve the murder and clear Beau. There were plenty of twists and turns to keep me interested until the end.
I am ready for the next book but it is no longer in print. I am so sad.
She has returned to her hometown in Florida to take care of estate matters for her Aunt Cora. Her plan is to sell the home and return to Virginia. It doesn’t turn out to be as easy as she thought it would be. First Cora (her aunt) has a roommate; a school friend’s body, Perry, is discovered and another friend has been arrested. One of her childhood friend’s mother beseeches Willow to help resolve the murder and clear Beau. There were plenty of twists and turns to keep me interested until the end.
I am ready for the next book but it is no longer in print. I am so sad.
May 14, 2022
This novel is a good example of "Don't judge a book by its cover." I loved the cover and thought the book would be funny. It was only mildly entertaining. Willow's aunt Cora was a psychic and when Willow inherits her house, the whole small town though she would take over her aunt's business. Willow has some real psychic abilities but she doesn't want to use them. When the mother of an old friend comes to her to solve the murder that her son is being charges with, Willow can't refuse, but it will take her other worldly skills to solve the case. In the meantime, she has to contend with a ghost, a talkative cat and several community women who are angry that she won't do readings for them. As a mystery, this is a light weight.
April 2, 2023
Willow Brown has had visions her whole life and she hates them. When her Aunt Cora dies and leaves her old Victorian to her, along with the palmistry business, Willow plans to sell up as fast as she can. Returning to Mossy Pointe, Florida was never part of her plan.
But she no sooner walks in the door and everything seems to contrive to make her stay. Willow stands strong, but when a mother in pain asks for her help to see her son freed from jail for a crime he didn't commit, Willow can't say no.
And that's when the cat starts talking.
This cozy paranormal mystery is short and sweet and delivers on all points. First in a series that I'm not finding a second book for as yet, the author has several other series that look tempting as well. This author was a happy find.
But she no sooner walks in the door and everything seems to contrive to make her stay. Willow stands strong, but when a mother in pain asks for her help to see her son freed from jail for a crime he didn't commit, Willow can't say no.
And that's when the cat starts talking.
This cozy paranormal mystery is short and sweet and delivers on all points. First in a series that I'm not finding a second book for as yet, the author has several other series that look tempting as well. This author was a happy find.
May 13, 2024
Although she has always tried to deny it, Willow Brown has psychic abilities. When her Aunt Cora leaves her a house in small town Florida, Willow returns to her home town to tidy things up and sell the house. She finds a cat who turns out to be Aunt Cora and a strange border who isn't quite alive.
When a childhood friend is arrested for the murder of another former friend, Willow decides to use some of her developing a bilities to help him.
Although I like the concept, I found this book to be slightly disjointed and the characters lacked some of the depth and charm of similar cozies. I will likely give the series one more chance to see if the author settles into the story and the writing improves.
When a childhood friend is arrested for the murder of another former friend, Willow decides to use some of her developing a bilities to help him.
Although I like the concept, I found this book to be slightly disjointed and the characters lacked some of the depth and charm of similar cozies. I will likely give the series one more chance to see if the author settles into the story and the writing improves.
July 25, 2021
Nice take in paranormal genre
This starts wth several questions. Willow Brown is returning to a town in rural Florida to deal with her Aunt's home. She never wanted to come back there, couldn't understand why her aunt left it to her. And we are also told something is not right in her marriage, so this is partly an escape. There are complications. The town has gotten even more pitiful in Willow's eyes. It looks like it will hard to sell the house, a surprise roommate and cat. Her Aunt Cora was a psychic and the town wants Willow to reopen the 'business'. Then there is the unsolved murder.
This starts wth several questions. Willow Brown is returning to a town in rural Florida to deal with her Aunt's home. She never wanted to come back there, couldn't understand why her aunt left it to her. And we are also told something is not right in her marriage, so this is partly an escape. There are complications. The town has gotten even more pitiful in Willow's eyes. It looks like it will hard to sell the house, a surprise roommate and cat. Her Aunt Cora was a psychic and the town wants Willow to reopen the 'business'. Then there is the unsolved murder.
January 23, 2022
This is so good!!!!! I love the fact that the main character is so blunt and just funny. She’s not this average cozy mystery main character that owns a little bookstore and dates the cop of the town and just all the typical stuff. Her Aunt Cora as the cat is the best thing tbh. I just found this book very entertaining overall and I’m super excited for the second book especially with how it ended. Kinda if a cliffhanger but not really? Just kinda giving an idea of the fact that there will be a next book that has more to do with the supernatural world.
November 1, 2021
Fun Florida (Reluctant) Paranormal Adventure
What a fun story. As a Florida resident and paranormal and detective genre lover, this story was a hit. It’s more of a straightforward, character driven story rather than overly complex. What was interesting is how the writer uses procedural police/detective processes and successfully mixes in psychic abilities (albeit from a reluctant officer). I enjoyed the ghostly creativity and the small town mini dramas.
What a fun story. As a Florida resident and paranormal and detective genre lover, this story was a hit. It’s more of a straightforward, character driven story rather than overly complex. What was interesting is how the writer uses procedural police/detective processes and successfully mixes in psychic abilities (albeit from a reluctant officer). I enjoyed the ghostly creativity and the small town mini dramas.
August 26, 2022
Overall, I enjoyed this "cozy" mystery. The characters were interesting, the story was complete, and there were very few editing issues. The writing is clean -- no graphic sex, and very little, if any, cursing.
For those who aren't aware, The Scrying Game is a spin-off from the "Witching Hour" series. Read that series first isn't required, but it does give you a better understanding of Willow at the beginning of this story.
For those who aren't aware, The Scrying Game is a spin-off from the "Witching Hour" series. Read that series first isn't required, but it does give you a better understanding of Willow at the beginning of this story.
November 9, 2021
Purrfect mystery
Willow is not your ordinary psychic. Her irregular visions are not always controlled. A return visit to her home town to attend to some family business leads to a new business detecting with psychic clues. There are several ghosts and a cat with special abilities to round out the team in this cozy mystery.
Willow is not your ordinary psychic. Her irregular visions are not always controlled. A return visit to her home town to attend to some family business leads to a new business detecting with psychic clues. There are several ghosts and a cat with special abilities to round out the team in this cozy mystery.
October 25, 2022
8/10: Excellent read, well written, fell right into the fictional world created.
From the porch, I yelled, “I’m going to get something to eat.” Quieter and to myself, I said, “And I’m going to reevaluate my whole life.”
Good start to a new spin-off series. I enjoyed being back in this world. I'll read the next.
From the porch, I yelled, “I’m going to get something to eat.” Quieter and to myself, I said, “And I’m going to reevaluate my whole life.”
Good start to a new spin-off series. I enjoyed being back in this world. I'll read the next.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews