Skye McMahon sees things. Good and bad, the past unreels in her mind’s eye like a movie. Such is Skye’s uncanny life. That’s why she’s been summoned by Special Supervisory paranormal investigators Jackson and Angela Crowe, to help solve a mystifying murder and kidnapping on the outskirts of historic Salem.
Alicia Bolton discovered her grandfather-in-law murdered, her nanny and her young son have both vanished without a trace, and her infant daughter was found terrified and crying in her playpen. Skye, partnered with the intriguing Zachary Erickson, a charmer with a psychic touch, is at first beset only by visions of Salem’s witch trials and the tragic, paranoia-fueled executions. Then she sets foot in the Boltons’ house.
What Skye sees is not another innocent from the 17th century swinging from a noose. What she sees is a bona fide crone, pointed hat and all, preying on the family like something from a children’s nightmarish fairy tale. And when another local woman and her daughter inexplicably vanish, Skye has a second vision—that same wicked witch creeping up on her new victims on a lonely Salem road. It’s impossible to believe. Yet Skye’s visions never lie.
As Skye and Zachary put their otherworldly abilities to use, and grow closer with each revelation, they’re lured into an ominous mystery enveloping Salem like a fog. Navigating suspects, whispers of a cult, and a sinister history that threatens to reignite in the present, with Zachary’s help, only Skye can see the way to find the missing—but first, she may have to dance with the devil himself.
I chose this book as part of a Hambright tour, and honestly, the title alone drew me in. I am obsessed with all things witchy, and anything tied to “the witching hours” already feels like my kind of story.
I immediately fell in love with the Salem setting and the idea that the detectives in this story have special intuitive gifts that assist them in the field. This book works both as a paranormal mystery and as a deep dive into Salem’s rich and often haunting history. The historical references are woven throughout the story in a way that adds depth and atmosphere without feeling heavy or overwhelming.
The story is mostly linear, with occasional shifts into visions from the past. These moments usually provide clues tied to the mystery or foundational context for the city itself. History feels very present in this book, and that blend of past and present worked especially well in a place like Salem, where the two are so deeply intertwined.
The characters were fun and engaging, and it was genuinely enjoyable to watch their relationship develop. Both characters spent much of their lives hiding who they were and what they were capable of out of fear of judgment. Seeing them slowly let those walls down with each other added a softer, more human layer to the story.
Tone-wise, this book strikes a nice balance between suspenseful mystery and gentle romance. The budding relationship offers a comforting contrast to the darker elements of missing people and a sinister plan unfolding in the background.
Nothing in this story lingered with me emotionally, but that did not feel like a drawback. This was not meant to be a deeply emotional read. It was an entertaining, atmospheric ride that delivered exactly what it promised.
I would recommend The Witching Hours to readers who enjoy cozy mysteries with a detective focus and a witchy paranormal twist, especially those who love historical settings layered into modern investigations.
Thank you for allowing me to be a part of this virtual book tour, Hambright PR
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New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, Heather Graham, majored in theater arts at the University of South Florida. After a stint of several years in dinner theater, back-up vocals, and bartending, she stayed home after the birth of her third child and began to write. Her first book was with Dell, and since then, she has written over two hundred novels and novellas including category, suspense, historical romance, vampire fiction, time travel, occult and Christmas family fare.
She is pleased to have been published in approximately twenty-five languages. She has written over 200 novels and has 60 million books in print. She has been honored with awards from booksellers and writers’ organizations for excellence in her work, and she is also proud to be a recipient of the Silver Bullet from Thriller Writers and was also awarded the prestigious Thriller Master in 2016. She is also a recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award from RWA. Heather has had books selected for the Doubleday Book Club and the Literary Guild, and has been quoted, interviewed, or featured in such publications as The Nation, Redbook, Mystery Book Club, People and USA Today and appeared on many newscasts including Today, Entertainment Tonight and local television.
Heather loves travel and anything that has to do with the water, and is a certified scuba diver. She also loves ballroom dancing. Each year she hosts the Vampire Ball and Dinner theater at the RT convention raising money for the Pediatric Aids Society and in 2006 she hosted the first Writers for New Orleans Workshop to benefit the stricken Gulf Region. She is also the founder of “The Slush Pile Players,” presenting something that’s “almost like entertainment” for various conferences and benefits. Married since high school graduation and the mother of five, her greatest love in life remains her family, but she also believes her career has been an incredible gift, and she is grateful every day to be doing something that she loves so very much for a living.
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