Strong Spirits (A Daisy Gumm Majesty Mystery - Book 1)

I liked this one. The characters were great, there was a lot or realism about American life after World War One, and it was overall an enjoyable read. If you like mysteries without murder, check this one out!

This book was everything I hoped it would be. The characterization was so good that once I had finished the book, I went back to the beginning to try to study Ms. Duncan's incredible skill at making her book people seem so real and vibrant. I came to understand that it's Ms. Duncan's VOICE that gives her characters life. A true writer's voice. It's not intrusive, however. You are not aware of this Voice while you are reading the book, but something inside of you is attracted to its cadence. I really loved Daisy Gumm AND the premise of this story. I began reading this book in bed. Figured I'd read for a half and hour or so just to satisfy my need to read before sleeping. Well, so much for that idea. Last time I had glanced at the clock it read 3:30am, but I kept reading, promising myself just 10 more minutes. I am not certain how long I really read, but I woke up in the morning with my iPad on my face! I will FOR SURE buy the rest of the Daisy Gumm stories. Ms. Duncan, if you are reading this, know that I am in awe of your talent!

Fast moving story that keeps you wanting to read more. I found it enjoyable easy light reading but trite. I think five stars should indicate a great book and memorable.
,which I don,t feel this book is either. However this was a pleasurable book and would by all means read another by this author. Therefore four stars.

Surprisingly, I liked this book a lot; I usually don't like historic fiction. I think it was written very well. I like the strong characters. Daisy is a very independent young woman. She creates a job as a fake psychic. Even set in the 1920s, she is able to support her family including her husband, Billy, who had came home (from the World War I) injured. She also helps her parents after her dad could no longer work. She takes charge and makes a living to support her family and help those she makes predictions for to feel better all while under 20 years old. The detective, Sam, is a strong character, too. He has a very fully dimensional character. He's tough when he needs to be and tender when it is appropriate. The book also deals with homophobia in a unique way. Plus, it touches on various historic events and people including women's suffrage and the candidates of the time.

Thoroughly enjoyable read about Pasadena, California of the 1920s, framed in a mystery. The story, told in the first person, works extremely well; kudos to the author for her well-developed characters.

The author’s mimicry of early 1900s voice and slang is excellent. This author has done her homework.

Mrs. Daisy “Desdemona” Majesty is an extremely likeable character. She keeps her head when everyone else is losing theirs. Married to a husband made impotent and crippled in the Great War, she makes their living as a spiritualist; her working tools are the Ouija Board and Tarot Cards. Her clients are generally rich, neurotic and not used to thinking for themselves. They see Daisy as their rescuer, their very own knight in shining armor. Although not even twenty years old, she’s learned a thing or two about life. She doesn’t disparage the clients that need her services. And the climax is one rollicking humorous delight.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. Mystery, historical setting, absolutely delightful characters, and elements of the human struggle...all wonderfully packaged in a story I know I will enjoy re-reading.

I loved the main character and I loved the ambiguity about the paranormal elements. Some of the characters bordered on the stereotypical, but since we see everything strictly from the perspective of the main character, it isn't entirely clear how much stereotypical characterization was accidental and how much of it conveyed the main character's world view. The setting was outstanding--a fine commentary on what the "below stairs' folk might have thought about The Great Gatsby. By the way, the main character has read Fitzgerald and comments on his world views and literary characters: the reader would do well to read The Great Gatsby prior to reading this book.

Maybe I just have no patience for the attitudes of the early 20th century. It was a cute story for a while but at the half-way mark more or less I wanted it resolved and the men (detective and crippled husband) to just shut up. Tedious.