Reviewer: Amy Lignor
Title: Genteel Spirits
Author: Alice Duncan
Publisher: Gale
ISBN-13: 978-1-4328-2500-3
Release Date: August 2011
Genre/Sub-genre: Historical Fiction
Year/Setting: 1922/Pasadena, California
Overall Rating: 4.0
Sexual Content Rating: None/Subtle
Language (Profanity/Slang) Content Rating: Mild/Moderate
Violent Content Rating: None/Minimal
Alice's Website/Blog: www.aliceduncan.net
Dear Readers:
Ahhh…the good old black-and-white days of the film industry. In Pasadena, California the cinema is a very big thing, and Daisy Gumm Majesty is about to get involved with two of its top stars.
Daisy is a wonderfully "odd," funny woman who does everything she can to take care of her husband. He is a kind man, but was exposed to mustard gas in WWI and is slowly fading away every day - hating life. These are the days of screaming about the Kaiser and what happened to our men; the days of radio, Rudolph Valentino, and the introduction of the NFL. Daisy spends her time giving "readings" and performing séances. In fact, most everyone has heard of Daisy because she can talk to spirits. Now, she can’t - and Daisy knows she can’t - but she puts on such a believable performance that accepting money for doing this as Desdemona doesn’t upset her in the least. She has some very rich regular clients who just happen to be away on a long trip, so Daisy is a bit bored. So, she spends her time with her husband and Spike - their dog - who is going through obedience training.
When Daisy receives a call from an old friend asking her to do a séance at a huge estate which is about to have actors and directors crawling all over the grounds because it is being used as the location for a new movie - Daisy is excited! The movie is going to star one of her favorite men, AND a "film goddess" by the name of Lola de la Monica (and, boy, is SHE something!)
At the séance Daisy is taken aside and told there’s something wrong, and they need her help. She finds out well-kept secrets about a couple of movie stars, and has to thwart a person sending poisoned-pen letters who is threatening to turn the world of Hollywood upside down. AND Daisy has to do all of this while going up against Sam Rotondo - her husband’s best friend - and a cop who wants Daisy as far away from the estate as possible.
Anyone who loves Old Hollywood, humor, or mysteries will get a huge kick out of this book. Daisy is hysterical, the plot is fun, Lola is a treat, and the mystery will keep you guessing. Heck…even Spike is a blast!
Until next time,
Amy
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