Believe You Me!

Mary Gilligan, a fast‑talking parlor dancer with a flair for drama, finds herself thrust into a media whirl when a split with her partner Jim becomes headline fodder. The opening scene snaps into action as she refuses a blunt press agent’s demand for a statement, trading sharp retorts for a cleverly drafted release she intends to control herself. Alongside her loyal stagehand Musette and two mischievous dogs, she balances the glitter of New York’s rooftop flats with the gritty reality of keeping her career afloat.

Her mother, a former circus trapeze artist turned kitchen commander, looms large—insisting on exercises, modest meals, and a relentless work ethic that keeps Mary grounded. The novel captures the chaotic rhythm of rehearsals, costume changes, and late‑night phone calls, all while exposing the fragile ego behind show‑biz glamour. Readers are invited to follow Mary’s witty navigation of love, ambition, and the demanding expectations of a world that both celebrates and scrutinizes her every move.