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Daisy Gumm Majesty Mystery #9
Unsettled Spirits
People are dropping dead after communion services at Daisy's church, Detective Sam Rotondo has finally professed his love for Daisy, and Daisy sees swaying trees in her crystal ball, a prop in which she doesn't place any faith.
But when the crystal ball's image leads Daisy to her client's missing butler, and then a bunch of bootleggers, Daisy unknowingly bumps into the man responsible for the parishioners' deaths. She doesn't recognize him, but he recognizes her and that lands Daisy at the top of his to-be-murdered list.
But when the crystal ball's image leads Daisy to her client's missing butler, and then a bunch of bootleggers, Daisy unknowingly bumps into the man responsible for the parishioners' deaths. She doesn't recognize him, but he recognizes her and that lands Daisy at the top of his to-be-murdered list.
280 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 1, 2015
About the author
Alice Duncan
102 books117 followersAlso writes as Emma Craig, Rachel Wilson, Anne Robins and wrote two books under the name of Jon Sharpe (Pecos Belle Brigade and California Crusader).
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
January 9, 2016
Life In 1920s
This is the ninth book in a fun and funny series about life in the 1920s for the middle-class and wealthy. It covers slightly for the poor, black and Chinese. Information is provided about problems from World War I, books, music, food, prohibition, Pasadena and the police. Daisy the MC earns her living as Spiritualist median to the wealthy. She lives with family and many friends and clients.
Daisy is in the choir at church when a Mrs Franbold collapses during church. Sam takes over the investigation. The next communion a Mr Underhill drops dead again. As usual Daisy helps Sam in the investigation. This series is great to read in front of a roaring fire on a stormy.
This is the ninth book in a fun and funny series about life in the 1920s for the middle-class and wealthy. It covers slightly for the poor, black and Chinese. Information is provided about problems from World War I, books, music, food, prohibition, Pasadena and the police. Daisy the MC earns her living as Spiritualist median to the wealthy. She lives with family and many friends and clients.
Daisy is in the choir at church when a Mrs Franbold collapses during church. Sam takes over the investigation. The next communion a Mr Underhill drops dead again. As usual Daisy helps Sam in the investigation. This series is great to read in front of a roaring fire on a stormy.
November 25, 2020
Communion murder
When an elderly lady collapses in church as she takes holy communion the nearest parishioner, Mr Underhill an obnoxious and wealthy chemical company owner, darts out of her way in disgust and sends the communion glasses and congregation flying. Poor Mrs Frambold is carried out by Sam and Pastor Smith and the service continues. Miss Betsy Powell who was handing out the glasses is hysterical and Daisy is roped in to deal with her histrionics giving her a chance to poke around the situation.
A case is opened as the death certainly appears suspicious and Mrs Frambold's family ask Daisy to help discover whether or not she's been murdered as they are about to become connected by marriage to Underhill's son. Are they right to have suspicions about the behaviour of Mr Underhill?
When the following months communion comes around Mr Underhill is struck down in very similar circumstances and speculation increases over who could possibly be killing off the congregants. Unlike poor Mrs Frambold, Mr Underhill had plenty of enemies including his own family whose lives he made a misery. As Daisy runs a fortune teller's stall at a charity event for Mrs Pinkerton she hears first hand how difficult a life they experienced at his hands.. it seems that the killer did everyone a favour but who is the guilty party?
Meanwhile Daisy's also been roped into the case of the missing butler by one of her rich Pasadena matron's. Where is Evan's and why has he vanished leaving all his possessions behind? A glance into a crystal ball gives Daisy a clue she wasn't expecting but will it solve the case??
When an elderly lady collapses in church as she takes holy communion the nearest parishioner, Mr Underhill an obnoxious and wealthy chemical company owner, darts out of her way in disgust and sends the communion glasses and congregation flying. Poor Mrs Frambold is carried out by Sam and Pastor Smith and the service continues. Miss Betsy Powell who was handing out the glasses is hysterical and Daisy is roped in to deal with her histrionics giving her a chance to poke around the situation.
A case is opened as the death certainly appears suspicious and Mrs Frambold's family ask Daisy to help discover whether or not she's been murdered as they are about to become connected by marriage to Underhill's son. Are they right to have suspicions about the behaviour of Mr Underhill?
When the following months communion comes around Mr Underhill is struck down in very similar circumstances and speculation increases over who could possibly be killing off the congregants. Unlike poor Mrs Frambold, Mr Underhill had plenty of enemies including his own family whose lives he made a misery. As Daisy runs a fortune teller's stall at a charity event for Mrs Pinkerton she hears first hand how difficult a life they experienced at his hands.. it seems that the killer did everyone a favour but who is the guilty party?
Meanwhile Daisy's also been roped into the case of the missing butler by one of her rich Pasadena matron's. Where is Evan's and why has he vanished leaving all his possessions behind? A glance into a crystal ball gives Daisy a clue she wasn't expecting but will it solve the case??
July 28, 2021
Unsettled Spirits (A Daisy Gumm Majesty Mystery, Book 9) (29 chapters) — Alice Duncan July 19-21, 2021
With this book, the ninth in the series, I’m going to start the last push to get up to date on this series. Another book is coming out either this fall or next year, so I might as well strike while the iron is hot!
Daisy and gang are loyal church goers. Daisy sings in the choir every Sunday. But one Sunday, a long time much loved woman dies while taking communion. This sets off an investigation into her death when Dr. Benjamin thinks it might be an unnatural death.
The congregation is in an uproar when a month later, another member dies. However, this one isn’t loved as much as reviled.
When a friend of the First Lady asked Daisy to figure out what happened to her..if it was natural or not, she becomes embroiled in a series of events that ultimately threatens her.
This series, while has gotten better and better with time, has also not improved much in eliminating too much background info.
I mean, really? I enjoy all the 1920’s descriptions, but I wish the author would limited it to that (and limited those description too!) instead of going into asides that have nothing to do with the story.
Still, a delight, clean read.
Some editing issues, but not enough to turn me off.
Three stars.
With this book, the ninth in the series, I’m going to start the last push to get up to date on this series. Another book is coming out either this fall or next year, so I might as well strike while the iron is hot!
Daisy and gang are loyal church goers. Daisy sings in the choir every Sunday. But one Sunday, a long time much loved woman dies while taking communion. This sets off an investigation into her death when Dr. Benjamin thinks it might be an unnatural death.
The congregation is in an uproar when a month later, another member dies. However, this one isn’t loved as much as reviled.
When a friend of the First Lady asked Daisy to figure out what happened to her..if it was natural or not, she becomes embroiled in a series of events that ultimately threatens her.
This series, while has gotten better and better with time, has also not improved much in eliminating too much background info.
I mean, really? I enjoy all the 1920’s descriptions, but I wish the author would limited it to that (and limited those description too!) instead of going into asides that have nothing to do with the story.
Still, a delight, clean read.
Some editing issues, but not enough to turn me off.
Three stars.
August 14, 2019
In sickness and in health
Much better read than the previous. Love the way the characters are evolving and the growing love between our irascible detective and the petite spitfire.
When a member of the congregation falls down dead everyone is shocked especially as it was during communion. Then another death on the following communion Sunday. Now questions are asked. The first death was a well loved senior but the second was a hated father, husband, lover and factory owner. Who and why are the questions on everyone's lips. Then there is the missing butler. Where is he? Add a crystal ball, a spurned lover, bootleggers, influenza and a protective secret fiance for a great read. (Loved the scenes with the killer.)
Much better read than the previous. Love the way the characters are evolving and the growing love between our irascible detective and the petite spitfire.
When a member of the congregation falls down dead everyone is shocked especially as it was during communion. Then another death on the following communion Sunday. Now questions are asked. The first death was a well loved senior but the second was a hated father, husband, lover and factory owner. Who and why are the questions on everyone's lips. Then there is the missing butler. Where is he? Add a crystal ball, a spurned lover, bootleggers, influenza and a protective secret fiance for a great read. (Loved the scenes with the killer.)
January 24, 2026
#9 was the first of the series that my library had. It sounded like a promising premise, so I checked it out. It was 95% padding and 5% plot -- most likely because the plot was weak.
The characters were either perfect (Daisy's family, doctor, and choir-mate) or gratingly horrible (the rich customers, the villains, the fiancé -- I assume that last one was unintentionally horrible).
The main character/narrator was annoying and flighty. She goes from ending every other sentence with, "Oh, nevermind" or some other self-deprecating remark about her thoughts to boasting about how important she is to the church choir with long descriptions of food and clothing in between.
I only read to the end because I wondered if the murder had been forgotten about entirely, it was mentioned so rarely.
The characters were either perfect (Daisy's family, doctor, and choir-mate) or gratingly horrible (the rich customers, the villains, the fiancé -- I assume that last one was unintentionally horrible).
The main character/narrator was annoying and flighty. She goes from ending every other sentence with, "Oh, nevermind" or some other self-deprecating remark about her thoughts to boasting about how important she is to the church choir with long descriptions of food and clothing in between.
I only read to the end because I wondered if the murder had been forgotten about entirely, it was mentioned so rarely.
June 16, 2021
Between disappearing butler's and people dropping dead at communion Daisy is in demand, much to Sam's displeasure. Follow another wonderful snippet of Daisy's life and interaction with family and friends, both new and old.
I have said it before but it is worth repeating, enough back story is always given that you can follow who is who if reading any of the series as a stand alone ...but it is so worth reading the series from the start, watching characters grow and their part of the story line develop.
I received a free copy of this ebook from ebook discovery. This is my honest and freely given review.
I have said it before but it is worth repeating, enough back story is always given that you can follow who is who if reading any of the series as a stand alone ...but it is so worth reading the series from the start, watching characters grow and their part of the story line develop.
I received a free copy of this ebook from ebook discovery. This is my honest and freely given review.
April 30, 2020
Good book once again
I do enjoy this books I don't have to read that when she starts talking about clothes , I skip forward I'm fine knowing about 1920s Clothing but honestly it's just too much. The food and the clothing … honestly the book would be 30 pages shorter if it was left out .Again, I really do like the books but Maybe lighten up a little bit on that. I'd like to see get the ball rolling with Sam. I'm not somebody for romance novels or anything smarty, but come on.
I do enjoy this books I don't have to read that when she starts talking about clothes , I skip forward I'm fine knowing about 1920s Clothing but honestly it's just too much. The food and the clothing … honestly the book would be 30 pages shorter if it was left out .Again, I really do like the books but Maybe lighten up a little bit on that. I'd like to see get the ball rolling with Sam. I'm not somebody for romance novels or anything smarty, but come on.
November 8, 2020
This delightful cozy mystery series set in the 1920’s, just after WW I is just the thing to perk you up, even though it involves murder and mayhem. Daisy Gumm is a refreshingly perky and independent woman and her investigations are fun. Two parishioners die in subsequent church services at Daisy’s church and she is set to solve the mystery in her determined way, despite her policeman boyfriend’s disapproval.
August 24, 2021
Really enjoyed this installment (#9!) of the Daisy Gumm Majesty Mystery series. The book provided a fun read in the midst of all that's going on in the world and my life. Daisy is her usual, blunt mystical self while trying to decide how to face the upheaval that results in two deaths at her church, during communion, no less! Her demure spiritual medium side is tried, as always, by her wealthy clients and her family.
Great reading for a long hot summer afternoon! I recommend it whole-heartedly.
Great reading for a long hot summer afternoon! I recommend it whole-heartedly.
March 23, 2022
Attending Church Should not Kill You
Daisy's Church doesn't seem like a safe haven to me, but it was quite the adventure. There were some very exciting turns in this story and Daisy's crystal ball was an amazing bonus. I enjoyed the addition to Daisy's tools of her trade. I love all of the usual characters, with some new ones added that weren't quite as likable. A very entertaining book and now I'm on to number eleven.
Daisy's Church doesn't seem like a safe haven to me, but it was quite the adventure. There were some very exciting turns in this story and Daisy's crystal ball was an amazing bonus. I enjoyed the addition to Daisy's tools of her trade. I love all of the usual characters, with some new ones added that weren't quite as likable. A very entertaining book and now I'm on to number eleven.
May 29, 2021
Another wonderful mystery solved. And the culprit was surprising and unsuspected! I also love this blossoming relationship between Daisy and Sam. I can’t wait until they finally get together!
I received this book for free from eBook Discovery. I voluntarily review this book. This is my honest review.
I received this book for free from eBook Discovery. I voluntarily review this book. This is my honest review.
July 8, 2024
Daisy finds herself trying to figure out who killed people that died under mysterious circumstances, and why they were killed. Her family, along with Sam, a detective who is sweet on Daisy, do not want her to look into this and put herself in danger. Daisy has a mind of her own, and mayhem ensues. I enjoyed this book, and recommend it!
January 2, 2018
This is the most complete mystery of the series to date. The characters and the clues are more developed.
July 31, 2018
A lovely read
Follow Daisy Majesty on her latest adventure in the roaring 20s, see how Daisy copes with being ill and how her relationship with Detective Sam Rotundo is going .
Follow Daisy Majesty on her latest adventure in the roaring 20s, see how Daisy copes with being ill and how her relationship with Detective Sam Rotundo is going .
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February 26, 2021I'm enjoying this series. Unfortunately nothing much happens until right at the end.
May 18, 2021
Dying during church service
This is a good book. It's about a spiritualist who tries to find out who is killing people during communion at her church.
This is a good book. It's about a spiritualist who tries to find out who is killing people during communion at her church.
March 12, 2017
The lovely Daisy Majesty is unsettled when she sees images in her crystal ball. She uses it as a prop in her spiritualist act, and she knows it isn't real. The images, however, lead to the recovery of a lost man and the breaking up of an illegal distillery. Daisy is shaken by the experience but not enough to quench her detective leanings. She sets out to solve the mystery of people dropping dead at communion at her church, and the disapproval of Det. Sam Rotondo is not enough to dissuade her from poking her nose into police business. Besides, the widow of one of victims has asked for her help.
The delight cozy mystery is the ninth in the series, and I will be sorry when I catch up to the author's output and have to wait for the next one. The setting, 1920s Pasadena, is as charming as the characters who inhabit the books. Daisy is a delight.
The delight cozy mystery is the ninth in the series, and I will be sorry when I catch up to the author's output and have to wait for the next one. The setting, 1920s Pasadena, is as charming as the characters who inhabit the books. Daisy is a delight.
August 28, 2021
A solid entry in the Daisy Majesty series. Of all the Mysteries that I've read, cozy and otherwise, Daisy narrates in the most conversational tone. I feel like I'm having coffee or tea with her in her living room while she tells me her story. You get all the little asides, the wandering off topic, and the opinions you might hear in that setting. She recalls the gifts brought to her when she was ill by friends and neighbors including " Mrs. Longnecker, our sour dispositioned neighbor from down the street a couple of houses, even brought me some homemade ice cream, telling Ma that if I was sick, I might be able to eat ice cream if I couldn't eat anything else." A quick, descriptive sketch of a walk on character, yet you feel you know her. She reminds you of someone in your own neighborhood. Daisy comments on politics, showing things haven's changed much in 100 years. She worries about the Pandemic (Spanish Flu), the economy, racism, women's rights and crime. Evil Bootleggers don't you know. She doesn't always investigate murders. Though murders are the most common plots, she has taken down bootleggers, embezzlers, a ghost (actually a young girl running from an abusive father), and terrorists. I really enjoy these books and recommend them to anyone who enjoys period mysteries.
June 30, 2016
This is such a delightful read. Even though it is #9 in the series I didn't feel like it was missing anything needed to follow this book and this mystery. (I do however feel like I want to get the other 8 books and any others by Ms. Duncan.)
Daisy Gumm Majesty is a young widow who supports herself as a spiritualist/medium for her wealthy neighbors in Pasadena, California in the early 1920's. She has recently become engaged to Sam Rotondo, a police detective. Since she isn't really ready to move on from her grief it is more of an engagement to be engaged.
The mystery is engaging; the murdered man despicable; the suspects plentiful; the heroine irrepressible; the hero manly (and grumpy.) This book has much more than just a murder mystery. It is a nice story about nice people (and a few not so nice) with meaningful dialogue concerning grief, social ethics, the aftermath of war, and a little history thrown in. This is all done in such a fine, light-handed way that it flows naturally adding dimension to the characters. This story left me with a slight since of loss when I finished the book as if dear friends had gone home after a brief visit.
Daisy Gumm Majesty is a young widow who supports herself as a spiritualist/medium for her wealthy neighbors in Pasadena, California in the early 1920's. She has recently become engaged to Sam Rotondo, a police detective. Since she isn't really ready to move on from her grief it is more of an engagement to be engaged.
The mystery is engaging; the murdered man despicable; the suspects plentiful; the heroine irrepressible; the hero manly (and grumpy.) This book has much more than just a murder mystery. It is a nice story about nice people (and a few not so nice) with meaningful dialogue concerning grief, social ethics, the aftermath of war, and a little history thrown in. This is all done in such a fine, light-handed way that it flows naturally adding dimension to the characters. This story left me with a slight since of loss when I finished the book as if dear friends had gone home after a brief visit.
March 6, 2016
2.5 stars. Still mildly entertaining but sadly I am finding Daisy extremely annoying. Granted it has been quite a few years since I read the first one but I remember Daisy as being a strong, independent, interesting and likable character. Now she comes across as immature, whiny and stupid (yes it is stupid to constantly put yourself in danger investigating things when you don’t need to). I lost count of the number of times she bursts into tears or cries. And her relationship with Sam is not one I can really get behind. I mean they say they love each other but they don’t even seem to like each other. They are always annoyed with the other and bickering, they don’t really seem to have any common interests and aside from eating copious meals with her family – which Sam did when Billy was alive they never spend time together.
July 5, 2017
another great daisy book! she is still engaged to sam, she wears his ring on a chain around her neck. she cant seem to take off her wedding ring yet but he is understanding. in this book people at her church keep dropping dead at communion. she thinks its tied to the chemical plant in pasadena and makes a trip out there . her friend gets married, she made the bridesmaid gowns, going away dress and alterations of the wedding dress. she caught the flu and was very sick toward the end but when she recovered in time to go to church (but not sing) and the man that did the murder tried to kill her.. sam rescued her at the last minute
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 26, 2020
Another winner! When people start dying after communion at Daisy’s church she’s on the hunt for the culprit. Despite Sam and her family wanting her to have no more part in dangerous activities. Add in a liberal dose of Mrs. Pinkerton’s usual shenanigans and a missing butler and you’ve got another great installment in the Daisy Majesty Series. Absolutely loved it!
I received this book for free from eBook Discovery. I voluntarily review this book. This is my honest review.
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December 12, 2015I really enjoy the Daisy Gumm Majesty books. They remind me of my grandmother in some ways; she was about the same age as Daisy, with the same core values, married young but fortunately my grandfather lived a full and healthy life. She certainly was not a fake spiritualist. Anyhow, Daisy can come and visit me anytime.
July 9, 2016
A book you'll love and when you start to read this book, you'll never want to leave it.
This book is the nineth in the series of spiritualist Daisy and her boyfriend Detective Sam
In this story, the characters are strong, witty and a lot of mystery surround all.
I received this book from eBook Discovery in exchange for an honest review.
This book is the nineth in the series of spiritualist Daisy and her boyfriend Detective Sam
In this story, the characters are strong, witty and a lot of mystery surround all.
I received this book from eBook Discovery in exchange for an honest review.
December 31, 2015
I adore this series, so much fun to read.
March 13, 2016
I love this series, I wish there was a new one every week.
April 3, 2016
Daisy has her second real mediumistic episode and I find it amusing that she doesn't believe in it. I loved the continued development of the relationships. Looking forward to the next in the series.
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December 5, 2016I love this series set in the depression/. In the future, Daisy will be adding to the family. No, she's not pregnant.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews