Margery and Me by Maryka Biaggio

 Margery and Me is based on the true story of Margery Crandon, medium, who captivated Boston society and psychic researchers with her astonishing séances in 1920s. But there was one man, the famous magician Harry Houdini, who was determined to expose all mediums as fraud.

The story begins with Walter, Margery’s brother, relating the story. They grew up on a farm with a father who was a tyrant and mother who did nothing to soften the environment. As soon as Walter finished his compulsory school, he tried his luck in the city of Buffalo.

As soon as Margery was seventeen, she escaped the farm life as well. She made her way to Boston, where after five years working for a pastor, she was introduced to a member of the congregation and accepted his proposal.

Walter’s life gets cut short when he is crashed by derailed boxcar at twenty eight. Margery didn’t have enough time to morn her brother as her husband was expecting her to do his bidding in every way. Even though she knew it wasn’t the life she wanted, not much has changed. Not until she had a close encounter almost losing her life. At that point, she refused let life happen to her.

Her mother settled for a loveless marriage and a life of toil, and Margery had no intention of following in her footsteps. She took matters in her hands and divorced her husband.

She landed a secretary job at a theatre company. During 1918, she joined volunteering effort as an ambulance driver. Thanks to her brother, she learned how to drive a tractor as soon as she could reach a pedal.

She set her eye on Dr. Roy Crandon who operated her a few years back and who also volunteered his skills. Their romance blossomed steadily.

The story is originally narrated. When the brother dies, he becomes the sister’s spirit – her protector. When the doctor is courting her and not telling the whole truth about his past, the spirit brother tries to send her warning signs, but she is in such awe with the man that she fails to pick up those signs.

He continues his efforts in sending the right people on her path so she would pick up his sign, and eventually she does. When that happens, they start communicating with each other. They hatch a plan to keep the doctor at bay.

As adamant as her second husband was about mediums, now, he turns not only into hosting séances but also wants Margery to offer her talents to a wide audience. As much as she wanted to keep her séances private, other people kept pushing her in the direction of competition or meeting Harry Houdini, who was on a hunt to take down all mediums.

A lot of facts point that Margery Crandon was one of the fake mediums. Nevertheless, it is still a questionable situation, her brother who was her protector during her childhood dies at an early age. All she wanted was to communicate with him, but others pushed her to prove that there was possibility of communicating with the dead. They wanted her to bring spirituality to the next level. Her husband had also other motifs - his own fame and fortune.

The first part of the book is more about character-development. Margery is presented as full of charm, with firecracker personality, clever, resourceful with many talents, and resilient. She didn’t want an ordinary life. She learned what was missing in her first marriage and expected that from the beginning in her second marriage. She craved excitement in her life. It certainly took courage to leave the farm and forge her own path and to end her first marriage during her time.

The second part mostly focuses on Margery proving what others wanted her to prove, and the rivalry with Harry Houdini.

Overall, it is a fascinating story presented with sharp and fun prose.

Released in April 2026

Source: Regal House Publishing