Gabriel Blackstone, a London computer hacker, gets involved with something he doesn't understand and seeks the answer to a missing person case which may turn out to be an unlawful killing. In SEASON OF THE WITCH this very modern man mixes his investigative techniques between computer viruses and psychic powers.

Gabriel is asked by a friend to help discover the whereabouts of her stepson Robbie Whittington. Since their student days together this lady, nicknamed Frankie, knows Gabriel has a latent talent for finding people, and the police have given up the search. We are not told why Gabriel is now afraid to use this power, but he only reluctantly agrees, staring at a photo of Robbie and seeing an image of a big house in its own grounds. Books, crows and mystical objects are also in his vision, and he experiences a feeling like drowning. Finding the house, Gabriel begins to investigate its occupants.

The two Monk sisters who live here are somewhat stereotypical witch types, with the expected black cat, herbs and pagan masks. One sister sells the imported masks as ethnic artwork and they don't appear to have any other source of income, which is odd in expensive London. At the same time these eccentric women are modern enough to have gone bungee jumping and one has done some eco-warrior protests, though we only see them comfortably in their home, cooking meals for Gabriel as soon as they get to know him. He's careful not to say anything about his mission. For all he knows, young Robbie died here. If he could just intrude into their computers he might learn something... and then he starts to believe that one of the sisters is psychically spying on him in turn.

I was regretful that we see so little of London and that the focus is on so few characters. The larger than life sisters were certainly well-drawn and should be enjoyed by any Wiccans, while Gabriel's hacker colleague is rather stereotyped, though the message of security being required on computer systems is strongly put. Given that the Monks knew Gabriel was a hacking thief I found it surprising that they would leave him alone with their computer. Anyone liking paranormal stories will be interested in the suggestion that a group is testing out people's abilities of this type.

Natasha Mostert has also written 'The Midnight Side' which is more of a horror, again partly set in London. She's an interesting writer, from South Africa, with some good ideas and a dark slant to her works. SEASON OF THE WITCH is a good introduction.