PARLOR GAMES
A sweeping historical novel about a beautiful con artist whose turn-of-the-century escapades take her around the world as she’s doggedly pursued by a Pinkerton Agency detective
The novel opens in 1917 with our cunning protagonist, May Dugas, standing trial for extortion. As the trial unfolds, May tells her version of events.
In 1887, at the tender age of eighteen, May ventures to Chicago in hopes of earning enough money to support her family. Circumstances force her to take up residence at the city’s most infamous bordello, but May soon learns to employ her considerable feminine wiles to extract not only sidelong looks but also large sums of money from the men she encounters.
A sweeping historical novel about a beautiful con artist whose turn-of-the-century escapades take her around the world as she’s doggedly pursued by a Pinkerton Agency detective
The novel opens in 1917 with our cunning protagonist, May Dugas, standing trial for extortion. As the trial unfolds, May tells her version of events.
In 1887, at the tender age of eighteen, May ventures to Chicago in hopes of earning enough money to support her family. Circumstances force her to take up residence at the city’s most infamous bordello, but May soon learns to employ her considerable feminine wiles to extract not only sidelong looks but also large sums of money from the men she encounters. Insinuating herself into Chicago’s high society, May lands a well-to-do fiancé—until, that is, a Pinkerton Agency detective named Reed Doherty intervenes and summarily foils the engagement.
Unflappable May quickly rebounds, elevating seduction and social climbing to an art form as she travels the world, eventually marrying a wealthy Dutch Baron. Unfortunately, Reed Doherty is never far behind and continues to track May in a delicious cat-and-mouse game as the newly-minted Baroness’s misadventures take her from San Francisco to Shanghai to London and points in between.
The Pinkerton Agency really did dub May the “Most Dangerous Woman,” branding her a crafty blackmailer and ruthless seductress. To many, though, she was the most glamorous woman to grace high society. Was the real May Dugas a cold-hearted swindler or simply a resourceful provider for her poor family?
As the narrative bounces back and forth between the trial taking place in 1917 and May’s devious but undeniably entertaining path to the courtroom—hoodwinking and waltzing her way through the gilded age and into the twentieth century—we’re left to ponder her guilt as we move closer to finding out what fate ultimately has in store for our irresistible adventuress.
- Doubleday
- Hardcover
- January 2013
- 352 Pages
- 9780385536226
Buy the Book
$25.95
About Maryka Biaggio
Maryka Biaggio is a former psychology professor turned novelist, with a passion for historical fiction.
Praise
"An engaging glimpse into a character, who categorically eludes our attempts to define her.”—Kirkus Reviews
"This double-stranded narrative bounces back and forth between the extortion trial of turn-of-the-century con artist May Dugas and the international escapades that led to her arrest. Basing her novel loosely on a real-life figure, the woman the venerable Pinkerton Agency once dubbed the ‘Most Dangerous Woman,’ Biaggio re-creates the deliciously fabulous foibles and follies of a woman born into hardscrabble circumstances but determined to make her way in the world with wit, beauty, and a brazen ability to exploit her feminine charms for a very high price. Whether one admires or reviles May, theres no doubt that she [Biaggio] makes the most of every entertaining opportunity—and, hey, a girl’s gotta make a living, especially with a particularly persistent Pinkerton detective hot on her heels. Sheer, frenetic fun." —Booklist
"Parlor Games is a captivating tale narrated by the irresistible and deliciously unreliable con-woman, May Dugas. Her escapades, which span the Gilded Age right through the turn-of-the-century, immediately transport the reader to a bygone era. It’s a wildly entertaining and constantly surprising ride."—Daisy Goodwin, author of the New York Times bestseller American Heiress
“Come meet May Dugas, a con artist of the highest order. You’ll be swept up by her delicious voice from the first page of Parlor Games, so prepare to be joyously fleeced. This jaunty tale through the life of a woman who keeps one step ahead of a dogged Pinkerton agent of the law is a true pleasure, something like munching your way through a box of chocolates all by yourself. Curl up and settle in for a lovely read.”—Kate Alcott, author of the New York Times bestseller The Dressmaker
Discussion Questions
In the first paragraph May says, “You and I, my new friend, will become well acquainted over the course of this tale.” This suggests something more than the reader simply becoming acquainted with May. Why might the narrator address the reader like this in the opening chapter?
At the end of the first chapter May explains, “I will tell you my story—all of it—and truthfully, as I’ve never been able to tell anyone before.” Is she unerringly honest in recounting her story? What evidence is there of this one way or the other? What does this say about her stance toward the reader and her account of her story?
Does May provide a balanced account of the 1917 trial? What suggests that she does or does not?
What do Frank’s letters imply about the nature of the relationship between her and May? Can we trust Frank’s portrayal of her relationship with May? In what ways is Frank’s perspective on the trial different from May’s? What do the differences in their views tell us about May?
What kind of influence did May’s parents have on her? How would you characterize her father? Her mother? How important were her brothers to her?
Do you believe May loved any of the men she met during her travels? Did she ever find true love?
What does the yellow diamond necklace symbolize to May? What does it mean to you?
At one point the yellow diamond necklace goes missing. Do you think May knew of its whereabouts?
Early on May refers to Pinkerton Detective Reed Dougherty as “the burr in my boot.” According to her telling he is intruding on affairs he has no right to meddle in. Were his charges of blackmail, spying, and extortion justified, or was he, as May contends, interfering in personal matters outside the province of the law?
What might have motivated May to marry the Baron? Did the marriage start on firm footing or was it doomed to fail?
When speaking with Basil Zaharoff, May says, “I’ve never been able to determine what separates danger from adventure.” Is May a thrill seeker? Does she thrive on adventure? Can you think of instances in which she flirts with danger?
To what extent do you believe May’s actions were motivated by a desire to serve her family? And do you think May considers this a justification for her actions?
Did May learn anything over the course of her adventures and trials? If so, what lessons did she learn?
Did you cheer or jeer at the ending? (Remember: May did say, “You and I, my new friend, will become well acquainted over the course of this tale.”) At the close of the opening chapter, May exhorts the reader to hear her out and then be the judge. What is your verdict on May and her dealings with Frank and the men in her world?