A spooky question for today, by CeeCee James

Hello! CeeCee James (of the Oceanside Hotel cozy mysteries) here today, with my newest question for you. This one is a bit different, but I’m hoping you’ll answer it. I’m so curious to read your responses. 

Have you ever lived in a haunted house? 

I ask this because, every now and then, a poll will pop up on social media with someone sharing a supernatural experience. I always immediately stop what I’m doing to scroll through the comments to read other people’s experiences. I can’t even make up some of the stuff that’s shared. So spine-chilling, but, if I admit it, fascinating. 

For instance, not long after the last poll I read, I had a friend share an experience of hers that happened to her child. Buckle in because this is chilly. Her son had a dream about her cousin, who’d passed when my friend was sixteen. In the dream, the two had dessert together at a picnic table in a park.

A few weeks later, my friend and her son visited the Aunt’s house, where the child pointed to a picture and said, “That’s him.”  

He was right. That was the cousin who’d passed. And the dessert they’d had was one of the cousin’s favorites! To this day, my friend doesn’t have an explanation for how her child would have known that.

That’s where I come in. I’m always looking for an explanation. I poke and prod around like any of my amateur detectives from my books do. I feel like if I try hard enough, I’ll figure it out. 

And yet I’ve heard so many of these types of stories throughout my life. From the time I was a kid at slumber parties, to TV shows today. Are they just campfire stories?

Which brings me back to my original question. Have you ever had an experience like this? Maybe it was only a weird coincidence you couldn’t explain but you remember it as odd.

A few of my mysteries include a sprinkle of spooky elements like this. But, because of how my brain works, nearly all have a natural explanation. Maybe that’s why I liked Scooby Doo so much as a kid. I liked to see the mask pulled off and reveal who’s underneath. And it’s one of the reasons why I don’t write true paranormal mysteries. 

But, I love spooky houses with hidden rooms and unexplained passages. A secret hide-away behind a book case? I’m in. Hidden hallways? I’m your girl. Those goodies are behind the premise of my Secret Library series. Which, by the way, I LOVE to write. Laura Lee possibly has a bit too much of me in her.

Because, like me, she questions every “ghostie” her co-workers warn her about. But, also like me, she’s a bit curious.

Reading taste is so subjective. Do you prefer your cozy mysteries to be spooky or supernatural? If you like it, do you prefer a lot or just a touch?

My stories are firmly in the “regular” cozy mystery column. Think adult Nancy Drew with a pinch of suspense. My pragmatic personality thrives writing them.

And I can’t help but admit there are a lot of interesting experiences out there. If you’d care to share your spooky stories in the comments I would love to read them. Who knows, maybe someone else will be able to relate and have a similar story.

Thanks for reading, and, as always, if you want to connect with me and hear more of my crazy quirks (I have too many) please join my lighthearted readers’ group. CeeCee James Reader group If you would like to check out more of my books (in audible and large print as well), please go to CeeCee James books. 

I hope you have a great day,

CeeCee James