Hungry Spirits

Alice Duncan

Five Star/Cengage, 2010

ISBN No. 978-1-59414-912-2

Daisy Gumm Majesty is not a cook so imagine her surprise when she is asked to teach a cooking class at the Salvation Army. Even more surprising is that Stacy Kincaid is the person asking her to conduct this class.  Stacy is the daughter of one of Daisy’s clients and not one of Daisy’s favorite people.  Daisy could say no to Stacy but not to Johnny Buckingham, a dear friend and a captain in the Salvation Army.

Daisy lives at home with her mother and dad, her aunt Viola and her husband Billy Majesty.  Billy is a veteran of World War I and disabled.  Billy might have recovered from his injuries but he was exposed to mustard gas, which left him barely able to walk, and his breathing was difficult at best.   Billy’s problems have left Daisy with a hatred for Germans.  Daisy’s father suffers from heart problems.  Her aunt Vi is a cook for Stacy Kincaid’s mother.

Daisy does a lot of work for Mrs. Kincaid.  Daisy does séances and Ouija board sessions and even reads tarot cards.  Even with all of Daisy’s experience looking into the past and the future she did not foresee what committing to the cooking class would bring about. 

The class consists of several women who are refuges and sponsored by the Salvation Army.  One of these women Daisy suspects is German even though she states she is from Switzerland.  Another of the women seeks Daisy’s help for her and her brother who has had some problems.

Hungry Spirits is an interesting look at what life was like in 1921. Daisy is an interesting high-spirited character and is a great character that I would like to read more about.

Reviewed by Patricia E. Reid