Fine Spirits [Paperback]

Alice Duncan (Author)

Book Description

Series: Zebra Historical Romance | Publication Date: July 1, 2003

Set in Pasadena, California in the 1920s, this fresh, funny romance follows the exploits and adventures of a medium who caters to the rich and famous...and puts the "con" in conjurer!

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Once again readers engage with Daisy Majesty, introduced in Strong Spirits [BKL Ja 1 & 15 03], spiritual medium to Pasadena's wealthy. This time out, Daisy is asked to exorcise a ghost from a basement. Although she demurs (she's no expert in the field), the offer of payment in the form of one of her client's dachshund puppies convinces her to try: she hopes that a puppy will cheer up her invalid husband. It does look as though someone has been living in her client's basement, and when frequent family visitor, detective Sam Rotondo, mentions a young lady who's gone missing for two weeks, Daisy puts the pieces of the puzzle together. The young lady in question, however, had good reason to leave home, and Daisy can't help but get embroiled in her troubles. Readers will enjoy feisty, "spirited" Daisy and her predicament as she becomes involved in another's plight while keeping the good detective and her family from discovering what she is up to. Maria Hatton
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Product Details

• Paperback: 317 pages
• Publisher: Zebra (July 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0821775189
• ISBN-13: 978-0821775189
• Product Dimensions: 6.6 x 4.3 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,552,103 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

In an effort to avoid what I knew I should be doing with my life (writing'it sounded so hard), for several years I expressed my creative side by dancing and singing. I belonged to two professional international folk-dance groups. Dancing made for a lousy living, but it was certainly fun. I also sang in a Balkan women's choir. I got to sing the tenor drone, for the most part. My first book, ONE BRIGHT MORNING, was published by HarperMonogram in 1995. What's more, it won the HOLT Medallion for Best First Novel. It was a good start, but my career has been . . . rocky, is the best word for it, I guess. Publishing's a brutal business, but I've got more persistence than brains so the publishing gods haven't killed me yet, although they seem to be trying awfully darned hard, curse them. In September of 1996 my herd of wild dachshunds and I moved from Pasadena, CA, to Roswell, NM, where my mother's family settled fifty years before the aliens crashed. We love it here. No smog, no crowds, no money, but I had no money in California, either, and you don't need so much of it here.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars this is so delightful, an easy read, October 18, 2003

By 

Hb Alksnys (west coast bc) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Fine Spirits (Paperback)

This book was just one of those where you feel like you are sucked in to these people's everyday lives and living every day with them Even though it is set in the '20's, I felt a real familiarity with a lot of the lingo, and behaviors (this must mean my family was just as crazy and wonderful!)..the everyday details from clothes to cars to pets I found wonderful to read and so fun to compare to my own life and attitudes. Thank you Alice Duncan! Hope you are writing sequels to this one. I sure would love to hear more about Daisy and more about Sam.. lots of good potential plots in the making! Write on! :)

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Dazzling characterizations - Very highly recommended, August 11, 2003

By 

C. Penn "WordWeaving" (Greenville, SC) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Fine Spirits (Paperback)

Desdemona Daisy Gumm Majesty earns her living, much to her husband's chagrin, as a spiritual medium to Pasadena's wealthy. When her regular client Mrs. Bissel requests an exorcism, Daisy attempts to sidestep the appeal. Husband Billy's deteriorating health and continued resentment at his debilitating war injuries leave Daisy torn between the need to support her family and her need for her husband's support. To please Billy, Daisy extracts the promise of a puppy in payment of her services.

Meanwhile, eighteen year old Marianne Wagner has disappeared. Empty cans of food quickly lead Daisy to the conclusion that Mrs. Bissel's ghost might be the missing girl instead. Rather than simply reporting her conclusions, however, Daisy finds herself drawn to help the missing girl. But to protect her, Daisy will have to sidestep the police, her family and some very inquisitive household residents.

Author Alice Duncan's STRONG SPIRITS defied categorization, as does its sequel FINE SPIRITS. Duncan's narrative talents flourish within this marvelous tale, displaying humor and droll observations in equal measure. While FINE SPIRITS loosely centers on a missing heiress, the strength of the novel lies in its poignant rendering of the relationship between Daisy and her husband Billy. As his health continues to deteriorate and as the antipathy between Daisy and Sam increases, readers will eagerly await the next step of these difficult and challenging relationships. Daisy's candid comments sharply contrast her occassional obtuseness, revealing a woman of amazing depth and devotion. Duncan has certainly found her stride within this marvelous series! Indeed, readers seeking a novel completely out of the ordinary will cherish this series and eagerly anticipate its next installment. FINE SPIRITS comes very highly recommended.

5.0 out of 5 stars A strong historical cozy, July 2, 2003

By 

Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews
(#1 Hall OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Fine Spirits (Paperback)

In 1920 Pasadena, California, wealthy Mrs. Bissel calls spiritualist Daisy Gumm Majesty to rid her house of a ghost. Daisy tried to persuade her client that she communicates with the spirits but does not do exorcisms, but the distraught widow insists that she only trusts her. Not wanting to alienate a rich patron, Daisy agrees to try, saying she never has done anything like this so may need to experiment.

Daisy quickly concludes that the haunting of the Bissel mansion is more likely occurring due to mortal happenings than that of the other world. She begins to solve the mystery, but also struggles to avoid police detective Sam Rotondo, who she is half in love with though she is married to a disabled vet.

The second 1920s "Spirit" tale is a strong historical cozy that brings to life a bygone era. The story line opens with a deep look at the 1920 with Daisy's party line and the Colorado 13 number and opens the window into the past even further. The "ghost" turns into a neat trick that haunts Daisy even after she uncovers the truth. Historical readers will enjoy FINE SPIRITS and its predecessor STRONG SPIRITS as both provide interesting glances at Americana.

Harriet Klausner