Daisy Darker by Alice Feeney

This review was delayed to better match the timing of the story. The reader should not be shocked by Daisy being a ghost, the book starts off stating that she is dead and repeats it at least once during the story as well. How Daisy died and who knew the truth is really the interesting part, as is who is killing all of the other family members who cam for Nana’s birthday. Daisy doesn’t realize that she is dead, but does realize that there was an incident several years ago that caused everyone in her family except Nan and her niece Trixie to stop talking to her. Nan summons everyone in the family to the island that Seaglass is on for her birthday and delivers the news that she has changed her will to cut everyone, except Trixie, out of the will and none of them are in charge of the trust that Trixie will get. As night falls and the island is cut off from the mainland because of high tide, one-by-one as each hour strikes a member of the family is killed. As the numbers start to dwindle the remaining family members start to suspect each other or if there is someone else on the island who is hunting them down. The reason behind the murder, and who is responsible, is hinted at during the story but the reader might not pick up on them (even the readers that devour Agatha Christie and mystery novels). A great read and the readers will be rewarded with not only who is responsible for the killings, but how Daisy died, and a few family secrets along the way.

Character List/Book Summary:

Daisy Darker = the main character, had a heart condition and did not have a long life expectance. Her mother kept taking her to specialists, Daisy saw her mother crying at the last doctor they saw but Nancy never told Daisy what the doctor said. Spent most of her life with Nan as Nancy needed and her dad was always traveling. Died a few years ago, does not remember how or that she is dead. Spends time volunteering at an old age home.

Nancy Darker = Daisy’s mother, superficial, Lily is her favorite daughter. Would not allow Daisy to go to school because of her broken heart. Ways always late, and even late to her death. Tried to use Nan’s death to her advantage as proof of Nan’s insanity to void her will. Insists her daughters and granddaughter call her Nancy so she does not feel old.

Frank Darker = Daisy’s father, Nan’s son. His orchestra needs money. Was always touring when Daisy was younger, after divorcing Nancy he was around even less.

Rose Darker = Daisy’s oldest sister, a veterinarian, has a gun with her when she comes to the island. Her practice is in need of money. Divorced. Dated Conner when they were younger.

Lily Darker = Nancy’s favorite child, was cruel to Daisy as a child. Older than Daisy and younger than Rose. Had Trixie as a teenager. Never works for anything, doesn’t have goals. Had a crush on Conner when she was a teenager. Never told anyone who Trixie’s father was. Daisy is not sure if Lily even knew, because she had a reputation as being easy and sleeping with so many different guys. Has diabetes.

Trixie Darker = Lily’s daughter, is treated cruelly by her mother and grandmother. Gets along well with Nan.

Conner = local boy who was taken in by Nan because his father was an alcoholic. Rose, Lily, and Daisy had a crush on Connor. He is now a crime journalist (readers will learn why that is funny) and he learns during the night that Trixie is his daughter from the one time he had sex with Lily on the night that was when they family stopped talking to Daisy.

Nan = a children’s author, became famous for a book she named after Daisy. Her birthday is on Halloween and a psychic recently told Nan that this birthday would be her last. Stopped writing books after Daisy died, but her agent still comes by to wish her happy birthday.