Delightfully recreating Los Angeles in the 20s, Alice Duncan’s Bruised Spirits takes protagonist Daisy Gumm Majesty on another wild adventure as she helps to shelter a battered wife, tries to solve a murder, and struggles to placate a rich woman whose daughter has run off with a most unsuitable friend. Daisy’s awe at the wonders of rich people’s homes, together with her delight in her own living situation with family and dog, and her reluctance to take off the wedding ring of her deceased husband all make her a thoroughly believable and relatable character. But she’s also a phony spiritualist endowed with a large dose of common sense, and an ally of friends from previous stories who work with the Salvation Army. She’s a woman of lowkey, often conflicted beliefs; she’d like to trust that all things will work out in the end; and she’d like to trust the law—especially the good man whose ring she hides under her shirt. But she also trusts her own instincts, sometimes just a little too much, with complex consequences.

Great dialog, wonderful narration, fascinating details and good humor make this a smooth, fun read. Add a plot that smoothly combines serious issues with intriguing mystery, and Daisy Gumm Majesty rides again. A really fun book!

Disclosure: I won a copy! I’m so lucky! ( )