Strong Spirits

After WWI Daisy finds she can make more money to support her ill husband and her whole family being a spiritualist--it's not fortunetelling though! She reads Tarot cards, has seances and works the Ouija board with her "rich clients".She gives the clients the news they want to hear that gives them hope. That thought also helps her justify her making of the "spirit" by the name of Rolly for this purpose! Daisy finds herself in the middle of a police investigation by Detective Sam Rotondo due to the daughter and father of her rich client Mrs. Kincaid. The daughter was arrested in a speakeasy and the husband absconded with all the bearer bonds in his own bank. Sam looks into Daisy's life and finds Billy Majesty, her husband,who was in WWI gassed in France and now in a wheelchair most of the time and in great pain. Billy and Sam become friends along with Daisy's extended family but Daisy's reaction to Sam is very mixed but she is happy Billy has a friend. Solving the crime of Mr Kincaid takes Daisy getting involved in a round about way. Ms Duncan has done a wonderful job creating all the characters. Daisy is great! I hope this is the start of a series. I'm eager to read more about Daisy, Billy & Sam.FINE SPIRITS will be released in July '03 I can hardly wait.

At the age of ten, Daisy Gumm discovers the allure of the Ouija Board, quickly learning to use it on the gullible wealthy. During her teens, Daisy's working class family comes to depend upon her income for survival, as does her war veteran husband when he comes home crippled. Daisy's very practical philosophy summarizes her approach to the world: "It's only the rich in this world who can afford to be disenchanted and blasé. The rest of us are too busy trying to earn a living."Daisy makes her living off of people like the Kincaids, who "possessed more money than sense." Mrs. Kincaid quickly comes to rely upon Daisy to restore hope when her family seems to disintegrate around her. Her daughter is arrested for drinking in a speakeasy. Her son has his own particular proclivities. And her husband chases the maids from his wheelchair before disappearing under suspicious circumstances. Daisy finds herself caught in the midst of it all, comforting Mrs. Kincaid and guiltily fullfilling Detective Sam Rotondo's demands that she spy on the wealthy family. STRONG SPIRITS defies an easy categorization, although Kensington lists historical romance on the spine. Instead, STRONG SPIRITS possess a uniquely original tone, imaginative narrative voice, and a marvelous level of the levity. Author Alice Duncan gracefully captures the roaring twenties with its Fizgeraldian affluence and defiance of the war just finished and the one yet to come. Furthermore, Daisy Gumm Majesty is one of the most delightful heroines I have ever encountered, practical, courageous, and determined. Her youthful enthusiasm never abates even when facing daunting challenges. Indeed, Alice Duncan has outdone herself with this sparkling novel. STRONG SPIRITS comes very highly recommended.

Set mainly in the mid-1920's. Daisy and Billy married shortly before Billy went off to war. Thanks to the Kaiser's men, Billy returned crippled. Unable to work and confined to his wheelchair, it was up to Daisy to provide. She had a talent of conducting seances. Oh, Daisy knew none of it was real, but the rich families seemed to have a need for comforting, regardless of how ridiculous the source of comfort came from. Now everyone knew fortune-telling was illegal, but Daisy NEVER told fortunes, just the opposite! (One could say that Daisy had been getting ready for this job since she was ten years old.) Mrs. Kincaid was Daisy's best customer. When she called Daisy the day after a seance, she was hysterical. Daisy learned that the spoiled daughter had been arrested while attending a speakeasy. Daisy HAD to go comfort Mrs. Kincaid. After all, that was part of her job. However, it only marked the beginning. Mr. Kincaid ran the bank in which several thousand dollars worth of bearer bonds had recently disappeared. Detective Rotondo was the one who was investigating the bank problem. His main suspect was the chief cashier, Mr. Farrington. **** That is the main plot in the mystery. The author made the illusion of the 1920's more realistic by adding touches (such as Model T cars, turn-cranks to start cars, party phone lines, news of women recently getting the right to vote, etc) and mentioned them only casually, as if they were normal in modern everyday life today. There is not really any romance for the main character, Daisy. She is happily married to Billy, so I do not understand why Zebra Publishing lists this novel as Historical Romance. Rather, it is a mystery set in the 1920 era. Daisy is a real pistol! She speaks her mind and is VERY intelligent, much to Rotondo's dismay. A true delight for mystery fans! Recommended! **** Reviewed by Detra Fitch.

Seventeen years old Daisy Gumm marries Bill Majesty just before the latter goes off to fight in the Great War. In France, the Kaiser's troops gas Billy before shooting him. Billy returns home not as a World War One hero, but as an invalid with bad lungs and legs. Daisy must bring in money for the family to live on if they are to survive. She applies her only talent, conducting séances, a skill she has developed since she turned ten. Much of her repeat clientele consists of the wealthy living in the Pasadena, California area.Daisy's best customer is Mrs. Kincaid, wife of a banker. When Mrs. Kincaid hysterically calls her, Daisy arrives to provide solace to her client. Apparently, someone stole several thousand dollars worth of bearer bonds from her husband's bank. Detective Sam Rotondo believes either the wheelchair bound Kincaid or cashier Del Farrington committed the crime. Sam demands Daisy work undercover finding relevant information about the Kincaids on her visits.Fans of 1920s mysteries will gain much pleasure from Alice Duncan's strong period piece police procedural. The story line provides a feel for the era as tidbits are treated as a matter of fact so that readers will feel they entered a time warp. Daisy who tells much of the tale is the nucleus that keeps the plot together as the rest of the cast interact through her though some of her humorous Twain-like soliloquies can distract a reader from the investigation. Fans will enjoy the strong spirited debut of Daisy Gumm and want more works like this one from Alice Duncan, an author who has taken over the early twentieth century bailiwick.Harriet Klausner

Ms. Duncan's "Strong Spirits" is a winner in every way. She is a word artist, painting a story and her character, Daisy Gumm Majesty, with vitality and verve. Daisy will charm readers and I look forward to her next adventure. "Strong Spirits" surprises and enchants with each turn of the page. Ms. Duncan just keeps getting better.