Daisy Gumm Majesty is a local spiritualist of some renown in 1922 Pasadena, CA. The leisure class—in this case, Hollywood stars—are susceptible to mediums, and Daisy knows her talents help put food on the table for her loving and tragedy-hit family. Husband Billy has never been the same since sustaining wounds during World War I, and this fifth outing (after Hungry Spirits) finds his health declining rapidly. Nevertheless, Daisy puts on her game face and works the movie set, protecting a diva star and a Rudolph Valentino-type with his own secrets. When threatening letters are found in the stars' dressing rooms, Daisy and her sidekick, Harold, move into snoop mode, much to the consternation of police detective Sam Rotondo. VERDICT With an engaging dog obedience class side story and a real feel for the time and place, Duncan's historical series has much to recommend it. While gentle and humorous, this first-person tale is tinged with sadness because of Billy's plight. Recommended for Jacqueline Winspear and Carola Dunn readers.
