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Mary Dixie Carter's The Photographer is a slyly observed, suspenseful story of envy and obsession, told in the mesmerizing, irresistible voice of a character who will make you doubt that seeing is ever believing.
As a photographer, Delta Dawn observes the seemingly perfect lives of New York City’s elite: snapping photos of their children’s birthday parties, transforming images of stiff hugs and tearstained faces into visions of pure joy, and creating moments these parents long for.
But when Delta is hired for Natalie Straub’s eleventh birthday, she finds herself wishing she wasn’t behind the lens but a part of the scene―in the Straub family’s gorgeous home and elegant life.
That’s when Delta puts her plan in place, by babysitting for Natalie; befriending her mother, Amelia; finding chances to listen to her father, Fritz. Soon she’s bathing in the master bathtub, drinking their expensive wine, and eyeing the beautifully finished garden apartment in their townhouse. It seems she can never get close enough, until she discovers that photos aren’t all she can manipulate.
Praise & Reviews
A June 2021 Indie Next Pick!
A Publishers Weekly Best Mystery/Thriller of 2021
One of the "5 Books Not to Miss"―USA Today
One of the "2021 Debuts You Should Add to Your TBR Pile"―Frolic
One of the "Debut Novels to Have on Your 2021 TBR"―Bookish
One of the "Best Beach Reads of Summer 2021"―SheReads
One of the "Spring and Summer Thriller and Mystery Must-Reads"―Ms. Career Girl
One of the "PW Summer Reads 2021"―Publishers Weekly
"BookReporter.com Bets On" Selection―Bookreporter.com
One of the "Titles To Watch 2021"―Library Journal
One of the "Best Beach Reads of 2021"―Brit + Co
"Mary Dixie Carter delivers an explosive debut."
–Library Journal
"As sharply focused and mesmerizing as a magic trick"
—Kirkus Reviews
"Outstanding debut...Brace for hold-your-breath suspense from this dazzlingly devious newcomer."
—Publishers Weekly, starred review
"A twisted, dark, psychological thriller, The Photographer by Mary Dixie Carter is a riveting and unsettling read. I couldn’t put it down."
―Lisa Lutz, New York Times bestselling author of The Passenger
"Why create the perfect life when you can just insert yourself into someone else’s? Mary Dixie Carter’s The Photographer is You meets Parasite, and I inhaled every dark, twisted moment of this brilliant thriller. Sharply observant, tense, and totally hypnotic, The Photographer is the most addictive suspense novel I’ve read in years."
―Jennifer Hillier, award-winning author of Jar of Hearts and Little Secrets
“Reading Mary Dixie Carter’s The Photographer – which I did in one riveted sitting – is like encountering a masterfully manipulated photograph that just keeps developing before one’s eyes. The result is one of the most provocatively chilling debut novels I have read in a long time.”
―John Burnham Schwartz, author of Reservation Road and The Red Daughter
“The tension simmers brilliantly in this addictive and intricately constructed story of beauty, longing and the shadow side of desire. By holding up a mirror to our modern-day obsessions, Mary Dixie Carter shows us the futility of chasing greener grass and the madness that begins with picture-perfection. After reading The Photographer, the phrase 'living the dream' takes on a whole new and chilling meaning.”
—Anna Downes, international bestselling author of The Safe Place
"Unsettling from page one, Mary Dixie Carter's The Photographer follows an insidious photographer as she wheedles her way into the home of the clients she idolizes, permanently altering the course of all of their lives. Masterful storytelling in a unique voice . . . this remarkable debut is sure to keep you riveted!"
—Katherine St. John, author of The Lion's Den
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