Parlous Times: A Novel of Modern Diplomacy

Parlous Times: A Novel of Modern Diplomacy by David Dwight Wells is a richly woven tale of romance, intrigue, and high-stakes diplomacy set against the backdrop of late 19th or early 20th-century European political life. Blending elements of mystery, social comedy, and political drama, the novel offers readers a fascinating window into the clandestine world of diplomacy—where appearances mask motives, secrets shape relationships, and personal ambition collides with national interest. The story begins with “The Conspiracy,” immediately drawing readers into a web of political machinations and interpersonal entanglements. Central to the novel is the complex character of Miss Fitzgerald, a sharp, emotionally layered woman who navigates both romantic entanglements and diplomatic crises. Her counterpart, a government secretary with equally serious intentions, embodies the tension between duty and desire. Their story unfolds alongside a cast of characters that includes irate husbands, distressed ladies, ambitious diplomats, and dangerous informants. The plot advances through scenes of social elegance—afternoon teas, housewarmings, and diplomatic dinners—and darker episodes of betrayal, blackmail, midnight messages, and life-or-death confrontations. Symbolic and literal, “The Door with the Silver Nails” and “The Tower” represent secrets at the heart of both the plot and the human condition. Questions of identity, trust, and sacrifice take center stage, especially in climactic chapters such as “The Day of Reckoning”, “The Price of Knowledge”, “The Price of Love”, and “The Price of Silence.” Wells crafts a narrative that critiques the performative nature of diplomacy while also exploring the deeper emotional and moral costs of secrets and ambition. With elegant prose and tightly woven suspense, Parlous Times captures the drama and deception behind polite society’s closed doors, blending entertainment with a subtle critique of political and personal duplicity.