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Hazel Watson #3
Whispers from the Swamp
Finalist in the Next Generation Indie Book Awards!
Many changes are happening in the life of Hazel Watson… good changes… but the demands of the spirit world remain the same. The exhausting, stressful obligations she’s dealt with since she was a child. Helping them is inescapable.
So, when the bodies of two women are discovered in the swamps of South Louisiana, the people of New Orleans are shocked… but not Hazel. She had been seeing the faces of those same two women in her dreams for weeks, haunting her and beckoning her to find their killer.
Having never been comfortable with sharing the nature of her abilities with others, Hazel struggles with having to do just that when she receives a ghostly warning about the impending abduction of another woman.
Can Hazel overcome her fear of being exposed, and of the swamp itself, before more women fall victim to the killer who stalks the Louisiana wetlands?
Familiar Nightmares
Prologue
Sounds of the road filled her ears as her eyes saw only blackness. The cloth against her tongue tasted of sweat and dust, but she could not push it away, forcing her to gag against it. The car jerked along the road as it hit ruts and potholes. She guessed it was not paved. Something about the moment felt familiar, like she had experienced it once before, but had somehow survived the ordeal. The air in the trunk thinned, causing her breath to come in short bursts and her head to spin. She tried to remain stoic, to fight her emotions as much as she planned to fight her captor, but her eyes betrayed her, allowing her backstabbing tears to reveal her fear.
As the car slowed to a stop, she wiped at her tears, attempting to harden her look before the trunk opened and revealed her as a weak, sobbing mess. She needed to fight.
Trying to shift her weight, to stretch her legs before fighting for her life, she kicked something large on the other side of the space. The mass budged only slightly against her feet, but she could not see what she was touching. Panic swelled in her chest as though a hand squeezed her heart.
The brakes squeaked as the car pulled to a stop, and the driver only took a second to climb out of the car and slam the driver’s side door. She started to hyperventilate. The footsteps were nearly silent as they approached the trunk, making her think they were parked on a soft surface, like mud or dirt.
The setting sun barely lit the interior of the trunk as the door flung open, leaving her captor in shadow. She knew it was a man, but she could not make out his face.
Chancing a glance at her feet, she stifled a scream when she saw what she had been trying to kick. A woman, long chocolate hair and amber eyes staring sightlessly at the darkening sky, laid dead by her feet. Struggling to scoot her body away from the corpse, she expected the man to grab her, to kill her, but he only grabbed the dead woman and slammed the trunk door above her head, shutting her back into darkness.
***
Jolting awake, Hazel flung herself into a sitting position in the bed, feeling around herself to ensure her hands and feet were not bound. She closed her eyes, trying to make sense of her nightmare.
Another memory. The dead woman who was outside the building… it was her.
But she was not one of Raymond Waters' victims… was she?
Many changes are happening in the life of Hazel Watson… good changes… but the demands of the spirit world remain the same. The exhausting, stressful obligations she’s dealt with since she was a child. Helping them is inescapable.
So, when the bodies of two women are discovered in the swamps of South Louisiana, the people of New Orleans are shocked… but not Hazel. She had been seeing the faces of those same two women in her dreams for weeks, haunting her and beckoning her to find their killer.
Having never been comfortable with sharing the nature of her abilities with others, Hazel struggles with having to do just that when she receives a ghostly warning about the impending abduction of another woman.
Can Hazel overcome her fear of being exposed, and of the swamp itself, before more women fall victim to the killer who stalks the Louisiana wetlands?
Familiar Nightmares
Prologue
Sounds of the road filled her ears as her eyes saw only blackness. The cloth against her tongue tasted of sweat and dust, but she could not push it away, forcing her to gag against it. The car jerked along the road as it hit ruts and potholes. She guessed it was not paved. Something about the moment felt familiar, like she had experienced it once before, but had somehow survived the ordeal. The air in the trunk thinned, causing her breath to come in short bursts and her head to spin. She tried to remain stoic, to fight her emotions as much as she planned to fight her captor, but her eyes betrayed her, allowing her backstabbing tears to reveal her fear.
As the car slowed to a stop, she wiped at her tears, attempting to harden her look before the trunk opened and revealed her as a weak, sobbing mess. She needed to fight.
Trying to shift her weight, to stretch her legs before fighting for her life, she kicked something large on the other side of the space. The mass budged only slightly against her feet, but she could not see what she was touching. Panic swelled in her chest as though a hand squeezed her heart.
The brakes squeaked as the car pulled to a stop, and the driver only took a second to climb out of the car and slam the driver’s side door. She started to hyperventilate. The footsteps were nearly silent as they approached the trunk, making her think they were parked on a soft surface, like mud or dirt.
The setting sun barely lit the interior of the trunk as the door flung open, leaving her captor in shadow. She knew it was a man, but she could not make out his face.
Chancing a glance at her feet, she stifled a scream when she saw what she had been trying to kick. A woman, long chocolate hair and amber eyes staring sightlessly at the darkening sky, laid dead by her feet. Struggling to scoot her body away from the corpse, she expected the man to grab her, to kill her, but he only grabbed the dead woman and slammed the trunk door above her head, shutting her back into darkness.
***
Jolting awake, Hazel flung herself into a sitting position in the bed, feeling around herself to ensure her hands and feet were not bound. She closed her eyes, trying to make sense of her nightmare.
Another memory. The dead woman who was outside the building… it was her.
But she was not one of Raymond Waters' victims… was she?
- GenresParanormal
356 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 8, 2022
71 people are currently reading
155 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
April 6, 2022
The author, C.A. Varian, continues her story of Hazel Watson, who has to deal with her ability to see dead people. In this story, 3rd in a series (not counting the prequel), we’re treated to glimpses of Hazel’s past and get to know her a bit more as she moves on from a few things in her life.
Fans of the series know that her significant other is a hunky cop, Tate Cormier, who still features as a big part of Hazel’s life. Hazel, who experiences the terror of murdered and about-to-be-murdered victims via vivid dreams, becomes a helpful ally to the local police in catching criminals. Her best friend, Candy, who is actually a ghost, is glad to help and also offers fashion advice to the too-basic Hazel.
I especially liked the food scenes. Whenever they sit down to eat Cajun delicacies, I’m brought back to my own trip to New Orleans and remember the delicious shrimp dishes, and particularly, the chicory coffee and beignets. I can feel the humidity and the danger of the incoming hurricanes, which mirror the tension that Hazel must use her abilities to find a kidnapped victim before it’s too late.
Whispers from the Swamp ends on a cliffhanger, keeping the readers in a delicious state of expectation.
Fans of the series know that her significant other is a hunky cop, Tate Cormier, who still features as a big part of Hazel’s life. Hazel, who experiences the terror of murdered and about-to-be-murdered victims via vivid dreams, becomes a helpful ally to the local police in catching criminals. Her best friend, Candy, who is actually a ghost, is glad to help and also offers fashion advice to the too-basic Hazel.
I especially liked the food scenes. Whenever they sit down to eat Cajun delicacies, I’m brought back to my own trip to New Orleans and remember the delicious shrimp dishes, and particularly, the chicory coffee and beignets. I can feel the humidity and the danger of the incoming hurricanes, which mirror the tension that Hazel must use her abilities to find a kidnapped victim before it’s too late.
Whispers from the Swamp ends on a cliffhanger, keeping the readers in a delicious state of expectation.
August 17, 2022
Whispers from the Swamp - (Hazel Watson Mystery Book 3) by C.A. Varian.
The main character Hazel is 30-ish, studied for years to become a lawyer, was top of her class, works in the public defenders' office in New Orleans, since the end of book 1 is in a relationship with local police officer Tate and reluctantly talks and interacts with ghosts to solve their unfinished business. Hazel has known of her ability since she was a child, is extremely introverted, has huge self-esteem issues and since confronting murderers in previous books is dealing with post-traumatic stress, depression & anxiety but is refusing to seek professional help and uses Tate and her resident ghost /roommate Candy as her emotional support system. Hazel takes time out from her job, she no longer wants to work as a lawyer, gives up her appartment, moves in with Tate, helps the police solve the murders and the last chapter sets up book 4.
After 3 books, I am done with Hazel. For me this was OK read.
The main character Hazel is 30-ish, studied for years to become a lawyer, was top of her class, works in the public defenders' office in New Orleans, since the end of book 1 is in a relationship with local police officer Tate and reluctantly talks and interacts with ghosts to solve their unfinished business. Hazel has known of her ability since she was a child, is extremely introverted, has huge self-esteem issues and since confronting murderers in previous books is dealing with post-traumatic stress, depression & anxiety but is refusing to seek professional help and uses Tate and her resident ghost /roommate Candy as her emotional support system. Hazel takes time out from her job, she no longer wants to work as a lawyer, gives up her appartment, moves in with Tate, helps the police solve the murders and the last chapter sets up book 4.
After 3 books, I am done with Hazel. For me this was OK read.
February 15, 2022
This book will bring all your "feels" to the surface with complete mastery. C.A.Varian creates a world of mystery, intrigue and daring drama while adding in a mixture of romance and family. I absolutely am enthralled with the characters of this book. Hazel Watson is blooming, she is engaged, has been helping the spirits that approach her as she is suppose to and has built up quite the team to help her solve the mysteries. Hazel, Tate, Candy and now Jake make up the spirit squad and help solve the murders that keep happening. in the mighty and old town of New Orleans. This one in particular had me on tenterhooks frequently while looking forward to the surprises that Varian had in store for us throughout the book. I am looking forward to the next book to be released.
April 21, 2022
Hazel was a lady who apparently must have inherited an ability like her Mother. She can see and read dead people. She was a lawyer and her boyfriend a cop. She wanted to try to help them find the murderer of some women. But would they believe what she sees and tells them. Her Mom comes to visit after few years to help her solve the case. Two minds are better than one.
January 19, 2023
Spirits, Swamp Monsters and more
Our Girl Hazel sure has her brain full of missing woman and figuring out how to find them.
Hazel, Tate and Candy embark on a way to find the missing ladies. Hazel now aids the police.
I love how this story is continuing to evolve and meeting new people and revisiting old one.
Can’t wait to read the next part of this story.
Our Girl Hazel sure has her brain full of missing woman and figuring out how to find them.
Hazel, Tate and Candy embark on a way to find the missing ladies. Hazel now aids the police.
I love how this story is continuing to evolve and meeting new people and revisiting old one.
Can’t wait to read the next part of this story.
January 2, 2024
The book was amazing. It had a touch of romance, mystery, and humor. Hazel and Candy are a team. You can't miss with this book and series. It will keep you turning pages into the night. Now Hazel and Candy have helpers in their treks to the unknown. Tate, Jake and Sandi, read the book to find out who they are.
October 14, 2023
Outstanding
I love ghost stories even though I do not believe in ghosts! C A Varian has combined the supernatural with an outstanding mystery story. And the romance just snort of sex scenes has made this old lady a fan
I love ghost stories even though I do not believe in ghosts! C A Varian has combined the supernatural with an outstanding mystery story. And the romance just snort of sex scenes has made this old lady a fan
January 15, 2025
lack luster ending
The ending was quite blah; in comparison to the rest of the plot. The killer portion just fell flat. But the twist at the very end leading to the next book one can only assume, is intriguing.
The ending was quite blah; in comparison to the rest of the plot. The killer portion just fell flat. But the twist at the very end leading to the next book one can only assume, is intriguing.
October 12, 2023
It was ok
I had to give it three stars I thought it was more about a love story than a mystery. I think it would have been an awesome read if she had did more with the mystery part.
I had to give it three stars I thought it was more about a love story than a mystery. I think it would have been an awesome read if she had did more with the mystery part.
October 16, 2025
I love how Hazels's story is evolving. She has decided to help the NO police department help solve missing persons cases and murders which opens her up to more spirits finding her.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews