From BooklistThis 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 makes the most of every entertaining opportunityand, hey, a girls gotta make a living, especially with a particularly persistent Pinkerton detective hot on her heels. Sheer, frenetic fun. --Margaret Flanagan A captivating tale narrated by [an] irresistible and deliciously unreliable con-woman. Wildly entertaining. Daisy Goodwin, author of The American HeiressPrepare to be joyously fleeced. . . . A true pleasure, something like munching your way through a box of chocolates all by yourself. Kate Alcott, author of The Dressmaker Like Becky Sharp from Vanity Fair before her,May Dugasdelightfully unrepentantcharmswith tantalizing glimpses of her con games. Eva Stachniak, author of The Winter PalaceA story of scheming, ladder-climbing and scandal during the Gilded Age. The Oregonian Parlor Games is both playful and deeply serious in its portrayal of one determined womans battle to make her way in a mans world.Youll be cheering for May Dugas as she cons her way across the continents. Shes a terrific creation. Matt Rees, author of Mozarts Last AriaAn engaging glimpse into a character who categorically eludes our attempts to define her. Kirkus sAn entertaining romp across the globe, through bedrooms on several continents, and a fascinating insight into a very complicated, and perhaps totally amoral woman. State Journal-Register (Springfield, IL) 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. . . . Sheer, frenetic fun. BooklistMae West once quipped that good girls go to heaven, but bad girls go everywhere, and this other May sure is one bad girl who goes everywhere. . . . Sparkles. Historical Novels About the AuthorMaryka Biaggio, a former psychology professor, has many scholarly publishing credits to her name, but Parlor Games is her debut novel. Maryka loves the challenge of starting with actual historical figures and dramatizing their livesimagining what motivated them to behave as the did, studying how the cultural and historical context may have influenced them, and recreating some sense of their emotional world through dialogue and action. She travels extensively, for both work and pleasure, is crazy about opera, and enjoys gardening, art films, and, of course, great fiction. She lives in Portland, Oregon, that edgy green gem of the Pacific Northwest. how do i find items sold by Parlor Games: A Novel
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. This book was AMAZING! I really did enjoy reading itBy MaryThis book was AMAZING! I really did enjoy reading it. Granted I listened to the audiobook because the library did not have it in book form but it is still the same thing. I love the plot and characters of the story. I thought they were both very well written. I also loved how the main character was writing to us the readers and telling her side of the story. I have not seen that done before. It thought it was genius I really did feel like I was part of the story and she was talking directly to me. I had no idea this was based off of a true story. I guess that means I will be doing some research.8 of 8 people found the following review helpful. Travels with Notorious BeautyBy Ramblin' RoroParlor Games is a completely enjoyable read. I love historical fiction, and in this impressive first novel, Biaggio has clearly done her research and woven it into a fast-paced and spellbinding tale. The exquisite descriptions about the surroundings and fashions of the turn of the last century placed me squarely in that era.I'd never heard of the main character, May Dugas, before reading this book. Apparently, she was the subject of a Pinkerton investigation and a well-publicized trial. Biaggio takes you back-and-forth between her protagonist's description of this trial and the events of this woman's very colorful life.May is a woman who lives in a time when women were expected to marry and raise families. It is clear from the beginning that May wanted a more exciting life, she set out to get it, and indeed she did. And the story of how she did is fascinating, and most of all, fun to read.The book quotes the Pinkerton Detective, who pursued her through much of her life, as referring to her as: "The most dangerous woman in the world". When I first read that, I expected she was going to be involved in in some type of criminal activity that would erode my sympathy for her. At the very least I thought I would feel something akin to my feelings about Bonnie of the notorious Bonnie and Clyde Barrow's gang. However, May lived in a time when a woman was considered extremely dangerous, perhaps mostly because she was able to manipulate men into getting what she wanted. Ironically, at this very time, the male dominated world was destroying a global economy without repentance or reservation.May certainly uses her feminine beauty and wiles to extort fortunes from men willing to fall into her orbit. But as a reader, she also captivated me, and I eagerly followed her unfolding life of drama, intrigue, and cunning. Although sometimes I wasn't always sure whether I admired or disapproved of May, mostly I came to understand and sympathize with a powerful woman who used the resources that she had to succeed in a world that did not welcome strong women.Often when I finish a work of historical fiction, I immediately want to know more about what the other facts of the case were and where the author embellished to fill out this compelling novel. In this regard, Parlor Games is no different. I am left with many questions about this woman's life and times, and I am very tempted to do some research on my own to learn more about her.I eagerly await more from this talented author.2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. good read, fascinating characterBy booklover343This was a good story, made even more fascinating when you realize it is based on an actual person!The story is of May, who wants nothing more than to escape and transcend her small town Michigan upbringing. Through a man she dupes - in May's life, there is ALWAYS A MAN - she escapes to Chicago, but that is just the beginning.Before long, May has joined a brothel and then later travels the world.One error early in her life causes her to be arrested and photographed. From that incident (which, again, a man helps her escape), she receives the notice of a Pinkerton detective who turns up in May's life again and again. Ironically, the incident that haunts her (because of the photographic trail) is minor compared to some of her other antics.You will find yourself rooting for May even though she is, at times, a liar, a cheat, a swindler, and more! She is like a cat who always lands on her feet.The book is well written and well paced.