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Daisy Gumm Majesty Mystery #3
High Spirits
Daisy Gumm Majesty, spiritualist to folks with more money than sense, can scarcely believe that her best client wants her to get her spiritual control, Rolly, to appear at a sÃance in a speakeasy. Bad enough that Daisy made up Rolly when she was ten, but now Rolly has to perform at a seance for a bunch of murdering gangsters?
When the place is raided, Daisyâ s troubles multiply.
Add to the mix Daisyâ s nemesis (and her husbandâ s best friend) Detective Sam Rotondo; Vicenzo Maggiori, leader of the bootlegging racket in the area; and Flossie Mosser, befuddled floozy; and you have a rollicking adventure that Daisy isnâ t sure sheâ s going to survive.
When the place is raided, Daisyâ s troubles multiply.
Add to the mix Daisyâ s nemesis (and her husbandâ s best friend) Detective Sam Rotondo; Vicenzo Maggiori, leader of the bootlegging racket in the area; and Flossie Mosser, befuddled floozy; and you have a rollicking adventure that Daisy isnâ t sure sheâ s going to survive.
257 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2008
50 people are currently reading
163 people want to read
About the author
Alice Duncan
103 books112 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 - 30 of 40 reviews
July 1, 2017
As much as I thought I would enjoy #3 in the series, I only read it halfway before I gave up. I had the same complaints with this one as #2 but even more so. Daisy is cute and funny, but Duncan's style of repeating her thoughts over and over again got to be too annoying for me. Plus Daisy was not as clever and spunky in this episode as in the earlier stories. She cries and whines and complains way too much. Oh well, there are always other books out there for me. Maybe you will like this one more than I did.
November 23, 2018
This is the 3rd book in the series, though it can be read as a stand alone. The author takes a lot of page time bringing you up to speed.
So, I really like Daisy. She's a good person & loyal to her WW1 injured husband. However, the men in Daisy's life aren't very nice to her in this story. Billy, her husband, thinks she's seeing "other men". Sam, the detective, wants to use her as bait & blackmails her to make sure it happens. Daisy is so put upon, she uses strong language to state her unhappiness. Like heck & darn.
Sam is a real jerk to Daisy & still believes the worst of her.
Rolly seems to be more real than Daisy thinks & we finally see a hint of possible paranormal activity.
I give this story 3 stars. I think the problem might be with me. I like Daisy & her family. I like the history of the city of Pasadena from 100 years ago. The mysteries are very tame & easily solved, although there's no real mystery here. Just a speakeasy bust.
So, I really like Daisy. She's a good person & loyal to her WW1 injured husband. However, the men in Daisy's life aren't very nice to her in this story. Billy, her husband, thinks she's seeing "other men". Sam, the detective, wants to use her as bait & blackmails her to make sure it happens. Daisy is so put upon, she uses strong language to state her unhappiness. Like heck & darn.
Sam is a real jerk to Daisy & still believes the worst of her.
Rolly seems to be more real than Daisy thinks & we finally see a hint of possible paranormal activity.
I give this story 3 stars. I think the problem might be with me. I like Daisy & her family. I like the history of the city of Pasadena from 100 years ago. The mysteries are very tame & easily solved, although there's no real mystery here. Just a speakeasy bust.
January 28, 2014
Life goes on in the1920s. This tale highlights the speakseasy.Mrs Kincaid pressures Daisy until she agrees to give the seance for the Mob boss, Maggiore. In the progress the speakseasy was raided. Daisy agrees to help Sam Rotondo to shut down the operation. Daisy is scared will doing it. . Flossie, a mobster girlfriend becomes a friend. Billy's continues poorly.The ending is interesting.
April 30, 2022
Appealing characters and good plot, but overwritten - too much repetition, too much whining, too much reaction to minor happenings.
November 15, 2021
"High Spirits," the third of the "Daisy Gumm Majesty Mystery Series," of Cozy Mysteries by Alice Duncan, is in a word: fantastic!
In this one, Daisy (short for Desdemona, by the way), is called upon by Mrs. Kincaid, one of her wealthy and regular clients to conduct a seance at a speakeasy run by a crime boss (as in, organized crime) by Vincenzo Maggiori.
In spite of her best friend and Mrs. Kincaid's son, Harold Kincaid, accompanying her, the place gets raided, and that is when she has no other choice but to work with police detective Sam Rotondo (if the Peanuts characters were around, I could easily see the expression "Good Grief" rubbing off on Daisy).
However, she soon discovers that she has an opportunity to save the life of Florence "Flossie" Mosser, and help her get away from Jinx, her not only works for Mr. Maggiori, but beats her, especially when he gets mad.
In this one, we get to learn a little bit more about Sam, and we get to see more tenderness and vulnerability from Billy, Daisy's husband, toward his wife.
As usual, I enjoyed this book, very much. Frankly, from the very first book in this series of Cozy Mysteries, "Strong Spirits," I have been a big fan of this series. Eventually, I shall read all of the other series written by Ms. Duncan.
Soon, I shall begin the fourth novel in this series, "Hungry Spirits."
In this one, Daisy (short for Desdemona, by the way), is called upon by Mrs. Kincaid, one of her wealthy and regular clients to conduct a seance at a speakeasy run by a crime boss (as in, organized crime) by Vincenzo Maggiori.
In spite of her best friend and Mrs. Kincaid's son, Harold Kincaid, accompanying her, the place gets raided, and that is when she has no other choice but to work with police detective Sam Rotondo (if the Peanuts characters were around, I could easily see the expression "Good Grief" rubbing off on Daisy).
However, she soon discovers that she has an opportunity to save the life of Florence "Flossie" Mosser, and help her get away from Jinx, her not only works for Mr. Maggiori, but beats her, especially when he gets mad.
In this one, we get to learn a little bit more about Sam, and we get to see more tenderness and vulnerability from Billy, Daisy's husband, toward his wife.
As usual, I enjoyed this book, very much. Frankly, from the very first book in this series of Cozy Mysteries, "Strong Spirits," I have been a big fan of this series. Eventually, I shall read all of the other series written by Ms. Duncan.
Soon, I shall begin the fourth novel in this series, "Hungry Spirits."
August 13, 2019
An adult version of Bugsy Malone
Another great read. If you (like me) loved Bugsy Malone then you'll love this one. Full of speakeasy mobsters, Tommy guns, molls and the police. The only sad part is that you can start to see the end of her husband in this one. But the rest of the characters are brilliant especially our heroine who despite being scared out of her mind does what she has been asked to do. Close down the local mobster from opening any other speakeasy in town. Get a girl out of a perilous situation, act as a matchmaker and get a spoilt little rich girl to review her life. Even if it's in a direction that her mother isn't too happy about (some people are never satisfied). A really tremendous read that will bring the prohibition era to life and make you understand how the US lived during this period of their history and the way it impacted on the ordinary hardworking individuals and families.
Another great read. If you (like me) loved Bugsy Malone then you'll love this one. Full of speakeasy mobsters, Tommy guns, molls and the police. The only sad part is that you can start to see the end of her husband in this one. But the rest of the characters are brilliant especially our heroine who despite being scared out of her mind does what she has been asked to do. Close down the local mobster from opening any other speakeasy in town. Get a girl out of a perilous situation, act as a matchmaker and get a spoilt little rich girl to review her life. Even if it's in a direction that her mother isn't too happy about (some people are never satisfied). A really tremendous read that will bring the prohibition era to life and make you understand how the US lived during this period of their history and the way it impacted on the ordinary hardworking individuals and families.
May 2, 2021
In the latest installment of the Daisy Gumm Majesty mystery series Daisy gets caught up in the world of speakeasies and bootleggers. While she would normally be plying her trade to the wealthy matrons of Pasadena as a favor to Mrs. Kincaid her best client Daisy agrees to perform a seance for an Italian mobster that Stacy Kincaid (Mrs. K’s daughter) has gotten involved with. Needless to say things do not go exactly according to plan. Instead Daisy winds up involved in a police operation and helping a poor young woman who is trying to break away from her boyfriend one of the bootleggers. All in all a very fun story to read even if the events unfolding within distress Daisy and her family. A wonderful book and an exciting glimpse into Prohibition era California.
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.
May 25, 2024
Love it
Mystery, history, relatable characters who feel real ANF you want to know them. Daisy Gumm Majesty is a spiritualist in the 1920s, married to her high school sweetheart turned WWI vet Billy. Billy came back from the war in a wheelchair. Daisy is responsible now for being the breadwinner and she does it by reading tarot cards and doing seances for rich patrons in Pasadena who believe in this stuff and depend on Daisy to help them out. This time a seance puts Daisy in the midst of a speakeasy run by a gangster, and now has to work with her husband's best friend-- and her foe, police detective Sam. There is comedy, mild language (although I would prefer not to see the Lord's name not used in vain, I get that the author uses that at times to point out how a character talks). If you like getting a small taste of the past with cozy mystery you will enjoy this. I plan on reading the entire series so far.
Mystery, history, relatable characters who feel real ANF you want to know them. Daisy Gumm Majesty is a spiritualist in the 1920s, married to her high school sweetheart turned WWI vet Billy. Billy came back from the war in a wheelchair. Daisy is responsible now for being the breadwinner and she does it by reading tarot cards and doing seances for rich patrons in Pasadena who believe in this stuff and depend on Daisy to help them out. This time a seance puts Daisy in the midst of a speakeasy run by a gangster, and now has to work with her husband's best friend-- and her foe, police detective Sam. There is comedy, mild language (although I would prefer not to see the Lord's name not used in vain, I get that the author uses that at times to point out how a character talks). If you like getting a small taste of the past with cozy mystery you will enjoy this. I plan on reading the entire series so far.
December 13, 2017
Step back into a 1920s speakeasy with the courageous, humorous, and livable Daisy Majesty in Alice Duncan's novel, High Spirits. With a tremendous setting that quickly pulling in readers, and characters who are so true to life, Duncan delivers a fun, exciting, and moving story through a narrator who feels like a best friend confiding in the reader. This book is not only recommended for fans of historical fiction, but also for any reader who enjoys stories about strong family bonds and overcoming difficulties.
April 13, 2021
3.5 Stars
I did enjoy this book. At times, I felt that the book was a little slow. But when the action started going, it went! I felt that the book was missing something, but I can’t put my finger on what exactly. Nonetheless it was a good read!
I received this book for free from eBook Discovery. I voluntarily review this book. This is my honest review.
I did enjoy this book. At times, I felt that the book was a little slow. But when the action started going, it went! I felt that the book was missing something, but I can’t put my finger on what exactly. Nonetheless it was a good read!
I received this book for free from eBook Discovery. I voluntarily review this book. This is my honest review.
April 26, 2021
The life of a spiritualist is never dull...well not when your name is Daisy Majesty anyway. Join her and the expanding group of characters in this latest escapade.
This is one series I absolutely love.
I received a free copy of this ebook from ebook discovery. This is my honest and freely given review.
This is one series I absolutely love.
I received a free copy of this ebook from ebook discovery. This is my honest and freely given review.
February 22, 2022
The best Daisy Gunn Majesty story so far.
I liked this book because it showed how kind hearted Daisy is; especially helping Flossie and introducing her to the Salvation Army and her future husband. Mrs. Kincaid really does take advantage of Daisy, but she pays well and Daisy has been able to buy a new car with the money. The ending was good; I really like happy endings.
I liked this book because it showed how kind hearted Daisy is; especially helping Flossie and introducing her to the Salvation Army and her future husband. Mrs. Kincaid really does take advantage of Daisy, but she pays well and Daisy has been able to buy a new car with the money. The ending was good; I really like happy endings.
July 25, 2023
Spirited hijinx
This series is completely delightful. It's also completely ridiculous. Totally tongue in cheek, casting doubt on social 'norms' and how silly society often is. I love the characters and the way Ms. Duncan spins the relationships and the adventures. 2nd time thru the series and still enjoying every page.
This series is completely delightful. It's also completely ridiculous. Totally tongue in cheek, casting doubt on social 'norms' and how silly society often is. I love the characters and the way Ms. Duncan spins the relationships and the adventures. 2nd time thru the series and still enjoying every page.
June 14, 2021
just finished this - did enjoy it very much and will definitely read the rest. i love the fact that daisy makes her own clothes, something i aspire to, but am really not that good with a needle and thread (even if its a sewing machine).
March 9, 2023
Better than the early ones
The author's writing is better in this book. The story line is tight and the pace improved. Daisy still spends a lot of time on her family, but that feels natural for the character. I like that she is a fallible heroine and that she knows her failings.
The author's writing is better in this book. The story line is tight and the pace improved. Daisy still spends a lot of time on her family, but that feels natural for the character. I like that she is a fallible heroine and that she knows her failings.
May 23, 2017
Another enjoyable story. Not a murder mystery but a mystery set in the roaring twenties. Lots of interesting period detail.
August 10, 2018
Loads of fun
April 15, 2020
Alice Duncan delivers again! Book #3 was as good as #1 and #2. Enjoyed thoroughly!😊
April 23, 2022
These are light-hearted fun!
August 1, 2011
starting off better so far
this time daisy got mixed up with bootlegers. sam the cop is making her find out who is the snitch that lets them know ahead of time they are getting raided. i just started this, but it looks like another cop (or copper as they say)
she makes friends with one of the gangsters girlfriends, flossie, and helps her dress better. she is being beaten by her boyfriend, i dont know why flossie doesnt tell sam so he can go save her,but she did tell the salvation army friend so maybe he will save her
her husband is taking a few steps out of the wheel chair to walk the dog, but it doesnt look like hes going to get better. still drinking too much morphine which scares her
she got a new car and the horse died.
just started this yesterday. it was good, getting better! ordered teh next one
this time daisy got mixed up with bootlegers. sam the cop is making her find out who is the snitch that lets them know ahead of time they are getting raided. i just started this, but it looks like another cop (or copper as they say)
she makes friends with one of the gangsters girlfriends, flossie, and helps her dress better. she is being beaten by her boyfriend, i dont know why flossie doesnt tell sam so he can go save her,but she did tell the salvation army friend so maybe he will save her
her husband is taking a few steps out of the wheel chair to walk the dog, but it doesnt look like hes going to get better. still drinking too much morphine which scares her
she got a new car and the horse died.
just started this yesterday. it was good, getting better! ordered teh next one
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 16, 2017
Mrs. Kincaid convinces Daisy to hold a seance for an unsavory character who owns a speakeasy. It is here we first meet Flossie, a young woman stuck in an abusive relationship with one of the boss's hired hands. When the police raid the place, Daisy and her friends are taken into custody by her husband's best friend and a thorn in her side, Detective Sam Rotondo. The only way Sam agrees not to press charges against the lot of them or tell Daisy's husband the situation he found her in, is if Daisy infiltrates the illicit operations of the speakeasy and feeds information back to the police.
Delightful characters and charming period details of the 1920s. The relationships with the cast of characters keep evolving, which keeps the series from becoming stagnant. Daisy veers off the subject quite often, but what twenty-year-old doesn't?
Delightful characters and charming period details of the 1920s. The relationships with the cast of characters keep evolving, which keeps the series from becoming stagnant. Daisy veers off the subject quite often, but what twenty-year-old doesn't?
January 16, 2019
HIGH SPIRITS, Alice Duncan, 2013
Once again Daisy's best client, Mrs. Pinkerton, is the source for Daisy's problems. Mrs. Pinkerton's errant daughter, Stacy, has been hanging around a speakeasy owned by a notorious mobster, Vicenzo Maggiori. Maggiori is using Stacy as leverage to get Daisy to hold a séance in his speakeasy so he can get in touch with his dead godfather. Despite her act as spiritualist, Daisy is as upright and honest as they come. Nothing good can come of helping mobsters, in a speakeasy, no less!
Another story in a wonderful series. The books are light and fun and Daisy is always upbeat, regardless of her own personal woes. I would advise reading the series in order, although Ms. Duncan does a great job of filling in the backstory so each book can stand on its own.
Once again Daisy's best client, Mrs. Pinkerton, is the source for Daisy's problems. Mrs. Pinkerton's errant daughter, Stacy, has been hanging around a speakeasy owned by a notorious mobster, Vicenzo Maggiori. Maggiori is using Stacy as leverage to get Daisy to hold a séance in his speakeasy so he can get in touch with his dead godfather. Despite her act as spiritualist, Daisy is as upright and honest as they come. Nothing good can come of helping mobsters, in a speakeasy, no less!
Another story in a wonderful series. The books are light and fun and Daisy is always upbeat, regardless of her own personal woes. I would advise reading the series in order, although Ms. Duncan does a great job of filling in the backstory so each book can stand on its own.
January 25, 2015
Daisy Gumm Majesty, fake spiritualist to the rich of 1920's Pasadena, finds that she has an unwelcome new fan: the mobster owner of an illegal speakeasy. Family friend Detective Sam Rotondo ropes her in to helping put the mobsters out of business. Meanwhile, as usual, Daisy is plenty busy with her other spiritualist clients, her shell-shocked and mustard-gassed husband, their dachsund puppy, and the rest of her colorful family and friends. A delight, as always.
March 5, 2015
I've said this before but it bears repeating. The Daisy Majesty books are an enjoyable palate-clearing between heavier books. They are light reading but have an interesting mystery. This third book is about speakeasies with some darker elements. My main complaint has been the breathy, frenetic rambling of the main character but that seems to have toned down in this book. Daisy does tend to repeat herself a lot but that's getting better too.
May 19, 2016
I like these mysteries set in post WWI America when spiritualism was popular. Daisy is the prime earner supporting her family. She gets caught in a police raid on a speakeasy and gets forced to work for the police to take down the new bootleggers. There is a touch of guys and dolls to the story line about Flossie and her Salvation Army trumpeter! I sometimes find Daisy's rants about the Kaiser repetitive but all in all I enjoyed this third outing in the franchise!
November 20, 2011
This installment seems shorter than the earlier two - perhaps it's an illusion because Daisy is so obsessed with her assignment to hold a seance for a mobster in a speakeasy. The remainder of the story catches us up with her family while she makes and helps a new friend (another mobster's girlfriend).
May 23, 2016
After reading the first 3 books in the series in about a month, Daisy is starting to get on my nerves. She does an awful lot of complaining in her head about helping people like Flossie and Mrs. Kinkaid. A lot of repeating the same things over and over. How many times does she have to damn the Kaiser? A quick easy read, but I think this will be the last one in the series for me.
July 26, 2016
This is the 3rd story in a 3-in-1 book publication, otherwise I probably would not have read it; the first two stories were less that spectacular. But this one I enjoyed, enough that I will probably read another. It's more of an adventure than a mystery but the characters are fun and the background is different.
August 19, 2015
Daisy is fast becoming my favorite "ultra-cozy" mystery heroine. Although there wasn't much mystery in this volume of the series, I very much enjoyed the glimpse of life in the early 1920s as well as Daisy's narration.
January 3, 2015
high Spirits
This continues the story of the Daisy Gumm Majesty mysteries. Delightful reading
with a touch of bygone times thrown in. Looking forward to more. Daisy is now a
member of my family, or so it seems. Thanks again, Alice Duncan!!!
This continues the story of the Daisy Gumm Majesty mysteries. Delightful reading
with a touch of bygone times thrown in. Looking forward to more. Daisy is now a
member of my family, or so it seems. Thanks again, Alice Duncan!!!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews