Magic and Mystery

Channeling Ghosts for Beginners #0.5

by Izzy Wilder

Welcome to Fiddlehead Creek, a quaint little town in Georgia, where things aren't always what they seem!

My name is Esme Hightower, and I'm a psychic-in-training. Dead people like to contact me at the most inopportune times. But not all spirits play nice. Especially the disgruntled ones. And that's exacty what I'm dealing with now. However, that's not my only problem. I have to solve the mystery of a stolen urn before an unfriendly ghost causes chaos. A difficult task for someone who's not a full-fledged psychic. I hope I'm up for the challenge. If not, I'll tarnish my family's name and disgrace my favorite aunt—a well-known psychic who's been widely respected for ages. Life is never easy, but this is crazy. Wish me luck!

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Paranormal, Ebooks, Fantasy, Cozy Fantasy, Cozy

68 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 22, 2022

Reviews

[William · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entertaining fantasy listening 🎶🔰

This is a free novella e-book from Amazon book one in a five book series. The remaining four books 📚 are available on kindle unlimited.

She is doing the Johnson house your which is not going so then the spirits show up. Her sometime boyfriend the sheriff is there to help. She finds out the truth and is on her way to Hollywood.

I would recommend this novella series and author to 👍 readers of romantic fantasy adventure novels 👍🔰. 2023 👒😀😡🏡

[Merry Chapman · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful beginning to a new series that introduces us to Esme Hightower, a main character who is staying with her aunt Matilda who is a psychic while Esme is a psychic in training in the town of Fiddlehead Creek. This is a town where the paranormal community lives along side the non-paranormal community. Esme while staying with her aunt was dating the police chief, Guy Casanova . When Esme was asked by her injured aunt to take over the ghost tours at the town's haunted house. When she gets to the house, she finds one of the women involved in the historical society, Rayanne yelling for help in the basement. The woman had a concussion and a valuable vase was missing. She begged Esme to help find the vase. Esme called the sheriff and he took the woman to the hospital and opened and investigation telling Esme he will take care of it. So she took the tours and things were going well until one of the disagreeable, menacing ghosts, the murdered wife of the homeowner's house, Gladys, decided to make an appearance and scared one of the tour groups a bunch of young people out of the house. She wanted Esme to promise not to look for and find the vase, to stay out the investigation and leave it alone. With lots of twists and turns and red-herrings, we are taken to the end. Will Esme continue to stay with her Aunt Matilda or will she go to California to try her hand at an acting career, a dream she has always had? What will happen with Guy? Can she leave him? Will she be able to master her psychic abilities? I can't wait to read the next chapter in Esme's life! This is definitely a must read series. I received an ARC of this book but the opinions expressed here are strictly my own.

[Janis · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a lovely cozy! We're introduced to Fiddlehead Creek - a town where the paranormal lives next to the normal society and everyone gets along just fine. The chief of police may not fully believe in the supernatural but he isn't above taking any information on crimes from them either. Esme is the niece of the local famed psychic, she also has the family ability but little control. That's just fine with her - she's planning to leave Fiddlehead Creek in her rearview mirror as soon as possible! She promised her aunt that she would help out the local historical society with their annual Halloween haunted tour and mascarade party - then she's out of there! But will the resident ghosts let her go so easily! Great read.

[SANDYE · Rating 5 out of 5]

The very first book in a great series about Esme Highwater, a witch who'd been led astray and found herself in jail. Newly released and tasked with the job of clearing out her aunt's house and selling it within 3 days time before the Magic Counsel threw her back in jail for failing to pay the back taxes owed on her aunt's property. Esme rediscovers herself, rekindles friendships she'd thought were lost forever, and even accepts her aunt's three familiars as her own. A great start to a series I am looking forward to continuing.

[Johnna Mellor · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Fun Little Intro

This was a quick introductory prequel to the characters in a small town filled with paranormal activity. Esme is a budding psychic, who, while filling in for her injured psychic aunt as a guide in a haunted mansion, gets pulled into a mystery. An urn holding the ashes of the former owner is stolen, and Esme and her police officer boyfriend are on the case. Who did it? All the fun stuff is here. A small town, ghosts, witches, wolf-shifters. Wonder what else will show up? Guess we'll have to find out. Looking forward to reading more.

[Maureen Horswell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Esme lives in a very unique paranormal town. Ghosts in abundance and with her psychic abilities, she always has lots of ghostly visitors, often at in opportune times. During the haunted house tour, one angry ghost demands assistance. Despite her chief of police boyfriend disapproving, she feels the need to help. Almost being murdered herself , does not help him worry less about her. A really enjoyable read

[Lise · Rating 1 out of 5]

I read this in the Black Cat Crossing anthology and was underwhelmed. Esme seems like a dolt. She refers to herself as a fashionista, blech. "I was just about to go check my appearance in the small half-bath off the kitchen-after all, that's what any fashionista would do-when I thought I heard someone cry, "Help." Then there's the whole thing with her Thunderbird. "I'd had the car since high school. It was a sweet sixteen gift from my parents and was my dream car. Rosie was sleek and gorgeous, and the most over the top accessory fashionable woman like me could possess, and I planned on keeping her forever. Sure Esme, a car is an accessory." Shallow much?

And Esme doesn't think highly about other women. "What woman arrives early to an appointment? Not any that I know of, I thought with a laugh."

Also the possible love interest/police chief Guy Casanova really kind of sucks. Ok, going to say this first; what a ridiculous name! It's laughably bad. Just dumb and ewww. He lives in a town that's full of supernatural things but doesn't like when Esme gets involved in that type of thing. "Paranormal activities were practically an everyday occurrence here. Nonetheless, he hated it when I participated in them, leaving me in quite a pickle." Yet at another point in this story he tells her she's perfect as she is but more often than not he's unhappy that she gets involved with paranormal stuff.

Aunt Matilda's "sugah" is off putting. The "ya" and "y'all" from her and the degenerate wolf shifter feels like it's only there to remind you this takes place in the south because nothing in this book makes it feel like it's in the south except the bad written accents of a few characters.

And then there is this sentence; "I'm a psychic too-runs in my family on the female side-so I'll be sure to welcome in a spirit or two." It's the maternal side not female side. The sentence sounds dumb, like some incel wrote it.

If you have Black Cat Crossing skip this story. If you're browsing and find it as a standalone, skip it. I won't be reading any more of Esme's fashionable/fashionista, settles for some guy who doesn't approve of her, journery.

[Jessica L Brandenburg · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quirky little book with a fun premise—ghosts, a black cat, and witches—but it’s held back by clunky writing and inconsistent details. The dialogue doesn’t sound natural, and there are contradictions in the story, like the main character saying she’s planning to break up with the police chief and then later saying they’re not a couple. There are also some punctuation issues and awkward word choices that make it feel more like a beginner’s writing attempt than a polished book. The idea of shifters and ghosts coexisting is cool, but it’s strange that a police chief is fine with shifters yet skeptical about ghosts. Some things, like the legality and sourcing of hemlock, are brushed over, and it’s unclear who can actually see the ghost Gladys, even though one scene suggests the shifter can. Characters have ridiculous names, and one, Aunt Matilda, talks in a Southern dialect that no one else in Georgia seems to share. Overall, it’s short, which is probably its biggest strength.

[Juliet Minerva Swift · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very short and fun novella, I liked the writing and the paranormal aspect. I wasn’t a fan of the main character’s boyfriend, he didn;t seem right for her since she is a psychic and he doesn’t like that sort of thing.

I’m not sure how this will progress in the main series, as Esme is supposed to move away to become an actress, I hope that for some reason she will stay/move back to Fiddlehead Creek. I loved the little town as the setting, and I wouldn’t love it if the next books were set in California. Also someone from her past seems to be coming back to town, and I really am interested in seeing how that would play out.

I definitely hope to continue with the series.

[Ken Finlay · Rating 2 out of 5]

“Magic and Mystery” is unputdownable, but only in the sense that before I got around to kicking it out the door I'd already finished it.
It's just 49 pages long.
As a prequel to the “Channelling Ghosts for Beginners” series it doesn't really work.
Set in quaint Fiddlehead Creek, Georgia, it features psychic in training Esme Hightower whose only ambition is to get the hell outta there and head for Hollywood to be a star.
First she needs to deal with some pesky ghosts, a Wolf Shifter, find a missing urn, and give her boyfriend the heave-ho!
It did nothing for me.
2 Stars.

[Kat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Izzy Wilder has written a charming and delightful cozey para mystery with an array of characters that will draw you in before the mystery gets you enticed further and the mystery will entice you further ,while the plot carries you throughout with its drama engaging intrigue and adventurous spirit. Acquire " Magic and Mystery " today to lead you into a new series to enjoy and entertain you. 😉😀 Kat

[Genesis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book

I liked this book. The story was cute. Fun little cozy mystery to read for a break between longer books. Looking forward to reading more from this author.

PS. Author did a good job of giving you the information needed to understand what was going on, without repeating herself over and over. Nice editing job, not many errors, if any (none popped out at me while I was reading).

[Goldie Fishbaum · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was okay. Just a tad too homey and to fantasy for my likes but if you’re into ghosts, witches, psychics and shape shifting wolves who don’t resemble anything like Jacob Black from twilight you may enjoy this. I more than likely won’t move on to the rest of the series. I did enjoy the writing however and I may check out this authors other books.

[Larry · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a decent story with interesting characters and a good plot. The plot is straight forward and easily followed. The characters are easy to like, and the premise is finding out who stole the urn of ashes from the haunted house. There was also a twist in the story I did not see coming. I definitely recommend this story.

[Bobbi · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an entertaining book. I cannot wait to read more of the books in this series. Esme and Aunt Matilda are like old friends you have not seen in years. The town is well crafted and feels like you are there with Esme. A mystery book to add to your TBR pile.

[Linnette Parris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really Good

This was a fun book to read. I enjoyed the story very much and look forward to the next one. The characters are clever and real, I do like a love interest in my cozies.

[Kathie Poritz -Craig · Rating 4 out of 5]

Magic and Mystery

A charming, light read that can be read in one sitting. The characters are personable and when needed dislikable. An imaginary magical town that beckons to the paranormal. An enjoyable read to relieve the mundane.

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the prequel to the Channeling Ghosts for Beginners series by Izzy Wilder. This was a quick, well written introduction to Esme Hightower and the little town of Fiddlehead Creek, Georgia. This was a fun, entertaining introduction.

[SHARON HALL · Rating 4 out of 5]

THIS IS AN AMAZON FREE E-BOOK THAT I FOUND : CHANNELING GHOSTS FOR BEGINNERS SERIES - PREQUEL : MAGIC AND MYSTERY : AN ESME HIGHTOWER PARANORMAL COZY MYSTERY - IZZY WILDER - KINDLE EDITION - 68 PAGES. I ENJOYED THIS BOOK. I LIKED THE CHARACTERS. I FINISHED READING THIS BOOK ON 10/26/2023.

[Maranda Prigmore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun read

This was a great fun read to start. I enjoyed Esme and Aunt Matilda. Not to mention the hunky chief named Guy. Book was full of spirits and shifters plus a few witches. Great little short book to read in a day.

[Crystal Anderson]

Short and sweet

It was good, but there was a point near the end where I kept thinking the chief of police was in on it. His interaction with Esme was suspicious to me. I don't know if it was just me or if others felt the same.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a super short easy read, and my first foray into the cozy mystery genre. The story was pretty simple and straightforward, and I realized this is a prequel to the rest of the series, so I'm interested to see how the rest will come along.

[Chay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quick and cute

Nothing is as it seems in this novella. Be it ghosts, psychics, shifters or witches.

Esme is adorable and self-assured and willing to do whatever it takes to help her little town

[denis_kujan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Vim, ze to je prequel. Vim, ze to ma pouze cca 50stran, a na takovem rozsahu se neda jit moc do hloubky, ale tohle byla nuda.
Postavy plne klise, zapletka vyresena raz dva, zadne hlubsi motivy, zadne hlubsi charaktery.

[Juanita E. Arp · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book, its a sweet mystery. I can't wait for more from this author. I received this book as a Free copy to read and I voluntarily leave this review.

[Texas · Rating 3 out of 5]

Magic and Mystery, Channeling Ghosts for Beginners, prequel - Not much of a story but an okay introduction to a new series. The characters were okay. 3*

[Yvonne Gilbert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short and sweet

Great shirt story into the psychic life of Emse. A cozy paranormal town that she plans to leave after she solved the mystery of the missing urn.

[Liza · Rating 4 out of 5]

Somebody has stolen the urn containing the ashes of a local ghost. Esme needs to recover the urn so that the ghosts are happy. Amusing short story

[James Ross · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun read

Working with ghosts as Esme expands her abilities that created a unique plot along with an exciting cast of characters making this a quick fun read

[BookedBySunrise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really cute cozy, fun
characters and an unusual town with a surprising ending that left me wanting more