Dark Spirits

Daisy Gumm Majesty Mystery #7

by Alice Duncan

The Ku Klux Klan has opened a chapter in Daisy Gumm Majesty's home town of Pasadena, California. Worse, Klan members are harassing Joseph Jackson, the gatekeeper for Daisy's best client, Mrs. Pinkerton.
When Mrs. Pinkerton also becomes a target of vicious pranks, Daisy tries to get Detective Sam Rotondo, her new leading man, involved.
Sam isn't thrilled. Worse, the bodies are piling up, and now he needs Daisy's help speaking to some of the Klan's victims.
That makes Daisy a target, forcing Sam to redouble his efforts and keep Daisy from doing in the Klan with a zinc bucket and a baseball bat.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Historical Mystery, Historical Fiction, Historical

243 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 25, 2014

About the author

Also writes as Emma Craig, Rachel Wilson, Anne Robins and wrote two books under the name of Jon Sharpe (Pecos Belle Brigade and California Crusader).

Reviews

[Maryanna Gabriel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Still Can't Get Enough

Just finished book 7, and want more! All of the Daisy Gumm Majesty books are fantastic. I have been reading them every day and enjoying every minute of my immersion in post World War I, Pasadena society. This book delves into the Ku Klux Klan, as well as comparing the lives of rich vs poor, black vs white, and woman vs men in 1920's California.

[Pat Beard · Rating 5 out of 5]

There was more substance to this one. A social commentary on tolerance and very anti-bigotry although this theme shows in earlier books it forms the crux of this plot. From what I know of the period, the attitudes shown are a true reflection of the time. The unfortunate part is that the same feelings are still present today. A very good read.

[Ellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dark Spirits (Daisy Gumm Majesty, #7) by Alice Duncan.

This is my 5th Daisy Gumm Majesty book in this series. I will be continuing this series for as long as the author continues to write. The down home atmosphere of the Gumm household draws me in. I want to feel the warmth of the family and its comfy-cozy embrace. The characters are realistic and unassuming as they interact throughout the story. This entry is my favorite so far.

Daisy learns that Joseph Jackson, Mrs. Pinkertons' gate keeper, is being threatened by the KKK. It seems Henry Jackson (Joseph's kin) had witnessed a murder back in Tulsa. Now those villains were after him. Joseph and his family moved by Joseph and that's where all the chaos begins.

Daisy becomes slightly disillusioned when she realizes that members of the police dept. are members of the KKK. She informs Sam Rotondo of this and he tells her that's breaking the law. Shortly Sam suspends those officers and gives them the choice to quit the KKK or quit the police force.

This was a wonderful break from my usual heavy handed mysteries as the Daisy Gumm Majesty has so much more to offer in the depth of their growing relationships.

[Betty · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Visit with Daisy Gumm is a good way to relax this book.is no exception. The relaxation between Daisy and Sam Rotomdo is moving forward. Daisy always bothering him but yet she depends on him for help. Sam tries to keep out police affairs but can't. Mrs Pinkerton character is developing.
The KKK has a chapter in Pasadena and some policeman who have joined are suspended from the force. Daisy angry at Sam and has a lot to scold him on this matter. Jackson is being harrass because he is a nergo (black). Mrs Pinkerton warehouse is damaged and Daisy needs to calm her down. Will be able to keep her save from the Klan?

[Shirley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Daisy gets swept along in a case when Mrs. Pinkerton's gatekeeper is harassed by the KKK, much to Detective Sam Rotondo's dismay. Good plot and the familiar cast of characters keep things cozy. My only issue is that I wish the relationship between Daisy and Sam would show some signs of life or warmth. He said at one time he loved her, but rarely shows it through actions or words. Why should she be interested in him if he forever growls and frowns at her?

[Elizabeth Olson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This time, the KKK has come to 1920's Pasadena, and Daisy is up in arms over it, and finds herself right in the middle of solving hate-crime murders. Along the way, she tentatively explores a possible new romance, earns her living as a fake spiritualist, and finds comfort in friends, family, and her dog. Good fun.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Life takes on a bit of danger when the KKK comes to Pasadena. It becomes personal to Daisy when her friend and the Pinkerton’s driver/gatekeeper is harassed and eventually shot by that hateful group. Daisy winds up helping the investigation much to her family’s chagrin because she’s a friend to Jackson and his family and acquaintances are more apt to talk to the cops ie Sam with her around. Though she does her best to stay out of danger it finds her anyways but it also leads her to the solution of the problem. Another shenanigans filled story in the life of Daisy Gumm Majesty.
Very entertaining this story introduces the reader to some of the less affluent part of the population. A fascinating character is Jackson’s mother a real deal voodoo mambo. I very much enjoy the way that the story reads more like a journal entry with the free flow of thought. Daisy’s observations and off topic ramblings make for a light hearted and humorous read. I have yet to read a Daisy book that I have not thoroughly enjoyed.
I received this book for free from eBook Discovery. I voluntarily review this book. This is my honest review.

[Krystyna · Rating 5 out of 5]

When the KKK comes into town Daisy fights back.

Super read. Not having been born in the US i found this not only enlightening but disturbing that a minority group should have been targeted in this way. However I must admit that reading about Daisy's stance against them was informative, humorous and a great read.
It all started with a newspaper article that several members of the police force had been suspended due to their involvement with the KKK. Then when the gatekeeper at Mrs P's is targeted Daisy goes all out. She's known him for years and has learned about voodoo from him. Now his mother states that she is a white mambo. Add in vandalism, a property scheme, attempts to kill children, shootings, murder and the information that Pa knows a member of the KKK. What can Daisy do about them? Can a bucket and baseball bat be the answer? Plus her feelings towards Sam are changing but into what?

[Linda Brue · Rating 4 out of 5]

DARK SPIRITS, Alice Duncan, 2014
Daisy, Daisy, Daisy! What did you get yourself mixed up in this time? Oh, sure, Sam Rotondo says it is all your fault, but we know that's not true--although to be honest, the final scrape you get into is totally your fault. Chalk it up to really poor decision making in a crisis. Yes, your heart parts are totally in the right place. You want to help and defend your friends, no matter what. And sure, you might be a tiny bit more careful about what you say and who you say it to, but you've always been a wee bit impulsive. You might try to work on that.

So just how does Daisy end up squaring off with two armed men (who are holding her friends hostage) with only a baseball bat and a bucket? You'll have to read the book to find out, because I'm not telling. I will only tell you that Daisy is quite dismayed to find out that the Ku Klux Klan is operating in Pasadena, her beautiful and peaceful city. And she's just not going to stand for it. If they target her friends, they might just as well target her. So she's determined that Sam find the folks behind the Klan in Pasadena, and stop them.

A visit with Daisy Gumm Majesty and her family is always a treat. They are true to the time period (1920s) and are a wonderful, simple family who have faced hardships together and come out stronger. A thoroughly cozy mystery series, and a total delight to spend a few hours with.

[moxieBK · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dark Spirits (A Daisy Gumm Majesty Mystery, Book 8) — Alice Duncan (Dedication + 25 chapters) Dec. 26-28, 2020.

Note: This book was marked as #8

Daisy’s longtime friend, Jackson has family issues when the KKK starts targeting his brother and him. In this story, Daisy’s strong, independent side emerges, and the reader sees how kind and caring she is. This has been hinted at with her reaction to Harold in earlier books, so it is unsurprising that she would present to Jackson situation in the same way.

Daisy spends a lot of time trying to figure out to is the head in this nefarious event, and prods Sam to action, which leaves him grumbling, but at least she gets results!

Same editorial issues as previous books, but not too bad.

Great, and timely story.

Four stars.

[Kerry Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

The KKK have found their way to Daisy's neck of the woods and are trying to 'convince' Mrs Pinkerton that she should sack Jackson from his post in various ways. With some social commentary on race and women's rights as the background...it is really sad to see how little a good percentage of us have changed in almost a century... follow Daisy as she helps her friends, meets new people and, of course, frustrates Sam no end.
I received a free copy of this ebook from ebook discovery. This is my honest and freely given review.

[Stephanie McAffee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Repetitive, But Entertaining

This is the 8th book in this series & I've enjoyed them. They're corney & some phrases are repeated over & over ad nauseum. There are a few continuity errors in the time line. Still, l'm enjoying them as l garden & work around the house. The story lines are interesting & thought provoking. The books are laugh out loud funny & have also made me weep bitter tears. If you feel like listening to some entertaining fluff, l highly recommend this series.

[Fredell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved it!
As usual Daisy Gumm Majesty, resident psychic and tarot card and Ouija board reader of Pasadena, California, becomes involved in some illegal activities. This time it involves the Ku Klux Klan which has infiltrated Southern California and are causing all sorts of havoc in the lives of some of Daisy's clients.
She eventually joins forces with Detective Sam Rotundo to bring the culprits to justice.
A great, fun read for the summer of the pandemic!

[Patricia · Rating 2 out of 5]

I love this series. This particular book, not so much. I don't like when a fiction writer uses their stories as a political soapbox. It's worse when a series that hasn't had that suddenly does. If I want or need information about a social topic, I'll find a nonfiction writer. What's more annoying, in this book, Daisy comes off as totally unreasonable. She's angry at people who already agree with her and are helping.

Disappointing.

[Nancy Sturm · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am enjoying this series. This book demonstrated weaknesses and biases we all have even subconsciously. It addressed issues as to race and the police that unfortunately are still apparent today. It seemed to make some much stronger statements than other books in the series or I just happened to be reading it at a timely period.

[Celeste · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great mystery solved by Daisy Majesty. I was wondering how they were going to handle this KKK situation. Also, it was interesting to meet other characters that aren’t normally on Daisy’s circle. Once again, another great read!

I received this book for free from eBook Discovery. I voluntarily review this book. This is my honest review.

[Pat · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely way to end the year, with a visit to the Gumm-Majesty house. This entry in the series seems more serious, probably because of the subject matter, and also more timely. Daisy manages to solve the case, as usual, and meets more fun characters.

[Sandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this one with Daisy back to her usual self. I am quite annoyed by the way Sam (who supposedly loves her according to his declaration in the previous book) is always bad tempered and growling at her and blaming her for things that aren't her fault. Then Daisy has to go and do something so stupid and dangerous that he actually has a point. Her decision to try and over power two armed men holding 2 women at gun point made NO SENSE. Why she would not tell the police I can't fathom. If the author wanted Daisy to rescue them ( and the way she does so was certainly entertaining) a more believable way would have been to have Daisy tell a police officer (not Sam) who dismissed her. Then I could see her going back to the rescue but the way she did it done was stupid and reckless.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won this in a goodreads contest. It is the 7th in a series about Daisy Gumm Majesty set in the 1920's. This book could be read as a stand alone but I think it had more meaning since I know the backstory. Daisy's husband was gassed in WWI and was unable to work so to make money Daisy pretends she can tell the future and makes a living telling peoples fortunes. In this book her husband has died and the KKK has started harassing a gatekeeper and playing vicious pranks on her client she tries to figure out how to stop them

[Cathy Cunningham · Rating 2 out of 5]

Omgosh, so annoying!

Here is an outline of the book. The phone rings at breakfast. Daisy speaks. Sam gives her a dirty look. Daisy speaks. Her dad gives her a dirty look. Daisy speaks. Her mom rebukes her. Why did Mr Smith join that despicable Klan, anyway? Repeat. And repeat. And repeat again. I can't even finish this book, it's making me want to throw something.

[Kat · Rating 4 out of 5]

another great daisy gumm majesty book! this one deals with the kkk in pasadena. as usual daisy gets mixed up in solving the case with sam. love the historic references to pasadena and all the streets.

[BRT · Rating 3 out of 5]

Daisy continues to prattle while dabbling in spiritual & police matters. Sam continues to grumble while trying to keep Daisy out of police matters & slowly reveals his love for her. In this installment, the KKK is invading Pasadena & threatening people Daisy cares about.

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

I can't go higher than three stars on this series as the stories are very formula. Still, they are worth reading when you want something on the lighter side.