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The Close-Up
In this glittering new psychological suspense novel from internationally bestselling author Pip Drysdale, a writer’s own thriller is brought chillingly to life when a stalker begins to reenact the events from her book.Sometimes when your dreams come true, so do your nightmares... When Zoe Ann Weiss moves to LA to pursue her dream of becoming a novelist, she welcomes the fault lines, the Santa Ana winds, and the magic hour light. Her whole future is wide open—until Zach, the bartender and aspiring actor she’s falling for, ghosts her, and her debut novel, a thriller, bombs. Three years pass. Zach’s star rises—he’s on Netflix, on billboards, in every magazine—while hers falls. Now she’s working in a flower shop, still calling herself a writer while staring at a blinking cursor every night. But then she delivers flowers in one of LA’s most exclusive neighborhoods and...he’s there. Zach Hamilton. And it’s like no time has passed at all—the two pick up right where they left off. It feels like fate, a love story for the ages—the kind of love you write about. Suddenly, Zoe’s writer’s block disappears. When photos of Zach and Zoe are leaked, her name ends up in the press and her novel goes viral online. Which all sounds fine in at least now she’ll sell some books. Except the problem with everyone knowing her name is that everyone knows her name. Including Zach’s stalker. A stalker who wants Zoe gone. A stalker who has read Zoe’s novel. A stalker who is now re-enacting everything that happened in that book, step by step, against her…
351 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 30, 2024
341 people are currently reading
15230 people want to read
About the author
Pip Drysdale
5 books810 followersPip Drysdale is the bestselling author of five novels. She grew up in Africa, Canada, and Australia, became an adult in New York and London, and lives on a steady diet of coffee, dreams, and literature. She is now also writing under the pen name Pip Knight—her debut 'Aubrey Wants To Die' is out in March 2026. Connect with Pip at PipDrysdale.com or on Instagram, TikTok (and rarely, Facebook) @PipDrysdale.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 764 reviews
January 16, 2025
Holy amazeballs of craziness, what did I just read?! From the slow burn start to the adrenaline-fueled climax, Pip Drysdale and The Close-Up certainly grabbed my attention. I mean, there simply are no words, but I promise that I’ll do my best just the same. Starting off as a tale of suspense, I quickly fell in love with the dynamite protagonist and original narrative voice. As the plot picked up speed, however, it transitioned into a heart-pumping tale of stalking and more in one heck of a psychological thriller. Plus, who doesn’t love that amazing book within a book feel? All told, I fell head over heels with this new-to-me author.
I’ve got to say, the premise had me hooked, but—for once—the reality managed to eclipse the synopsis. From the paparazzo to the McHottie movie star, there was that delicious L.A. setting that I absolutely love to binge. On top of that, the trajectory of the plot was simply divine. Starting off slow and ending with a multitude of fast-paced killer twists, there wasn’t a shot in hell of me figuring it all out before the final timely reveal. And let me tell you, that conclusion? It was *chef’s kiss* sublime. Finishing with a WTF move, I had quite the smile on my face as I read the last handful of pages.
All said and done, I’m now heading back and reading Ms. Drysdale’s entire backlist ASAP. With tons of foreshadowing, immersive storytelling, and just the right amount of over-the-top moments, it simply couldn’t have been better. Well, except perhaps for the few instances of too many extraneous details. Even that, however, didn’t bother me in the slightest. After all, with a mildly—and delightfully—unhinged writer taking center stage, it just couldn’t go wrong. I especially loved the metafiction angle and underlying web of deceit. All together? It was an utter home run, no ifs, ands, or buts. Rating of 4.5 stars.
SYNOPSIS:
When Zoe Ann Weiss moves to Los Angeles to pursue her dream of becoming a writer, her whole future is wide open. But then Zach, the bartender and aspiring actor she’s falling for, ghosts her. Her debut novel, a thriller, fails. And she has writer’s block worse than ever before. Now, three years later, Zach is famous and Zoe is...not.
She’s facing her thirtieth birthday, a dead-end job at a flower shop, and a demanding agent, terrified she’ll never get her life back on track. But when she goes to make a flower delivery and Zach is at the address, it’s like no time has passed at all. They start casually dating in secret, her writer’s block disappears, and Zoe begins to wonder: Zach inspired her first novel, so why can’t he inspire her second?
But then the inevitable happens and photos are leaked, landing Zoe in the press. Her first novel goes viral, and now everyone seems to know her name. Except the problem with everyone knowing your name is that everyone knows your name—including the mysterious stalker obsessed with Zach. A stalker who begins reenacting violent events from Zoe’s book, step by step, against her...
Thank you to Pip Drysdale, Gallery Books, and MBC Books for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: December 3, 2024
Trigger warning: stalking, threatening messages, kidnapping, gun violence
I’ve got to say, the premise had me hooked, but—for once—the reality managed to eclipse the synopsis. From the paparazzo to the McHottie movie star, there was that delicious L.A. setting that I absolutely love to binge. On top of that, the trajectory of the plot was simply divine. Starting off slow and ending with a multitude of fast-paced killer twists, there wasn’t a shot in hell of me figuring it all out before the final timely reveal. And let me tell you, that conclusion? It was *chef’s kiss* sublime. Finishing with a WTF move, I had quite the smile on my face as I read the last handful of pages.
All said and done, I’m now heading back and reading Ms. Drysdale’s entire backlist ASAP. With tons of foreshadowing, immersive storytelling, and just the right amount of over-the-top moments, it simply couldn’t have been better. Well, except perhaps for the few instances of too many extraneous details. Even that, however, didn’t bother me in the slightest. After all, with a mildly—and delightfully—unhinged writer taking center stage, it just couldn’t go wrong. I especially loved the metafiction angle and underlying web of deceit. All together? It was an utter home run, no ifs, ands, or buts. Rating of 4.5 stars.
SYNOPSIS:
When Zoe Ann Weiss moves to Los Angeles to pursue her dream of becoming a writer, her whole future is wide open. But then Zach, the bartender and aspiring actor she’s falling for, ghosts her. Her debut novel, a thriller, fails. And she has writer’s block worse than ever before. Now, three years later, Zach is famous and Zoe is...not.
She’s facing her thirtieth birthday, a dead-end job at a flower shop, and a demanding agent, terrified she’ll never get her life back on track. But when she goes to make a flower delivery and Zach is at the address, it’s like no time has passed at all. They start casually dating in secret, her writer’s block disappears, and Zoe begins to wonder: Zach inspired her first novel, so why can’t he inspire her second?
But then the inevitable happens and photos are leaked, landing Zoe in the press. Her first novel goes viral, and now everyone seems to know her name. Except the problem with everyone knowing your name is that everyone knows your name—including the mysterious stalker obsessed with Zach. A stalker who begins reenacting violent events from Zoe’s book, step by step, against her...
Thank you to Pip Drysdale, Gallery Books, and MBC Books for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: December 3, 2024
Trigger warning: stalking, threatening messages, kidnapping, gun violence
January 3, 2025
**Many thanks to NetGalley, Gallery, and Pip Drysdale for an ARC of this book!**
"Because everything dangerous starts with warmth: fire, hope, love. Even hypothermia feels warm before it kills you."
Zoe Ann Weiss is in a bit of a dry spell...personally AND professionally. After a whirlwind romance with present day Hollywood hotshot but then unknown, bartender Zach, her relationship evaporates as quickly as it started. She had moved to L.A. to pursue a writing career, and although her debut novel had promise, lackluster sales have proven to Zoe that maybe her dreams were TOO big, too ambitious, and perhaps she doesn't have what it takes to cut it in a cut-throat industry after all.
But all of that is in the rear-view...at least, for now. Zoe is working at a flower shop to pay her rent, and although this is far from her initial dreams of Hollywood glitz, glamour, and opulence...at least she gets to VISIT fancy homes. (Sigh) Her agent has not quite given up on her, but her demands for more pages have been met by a whole lot of silence from Zoe...and she is borderline desperate for some inspiration. Well, as fate would have it, her next flower delivery was destined to drop it RIGHT in her lap. When she opens the door, she is met by none other than her former flame, Zach, who has skyrocketed to fame...and although HE dropped her before, the two reconnect intensely, passionately...and privately. Zoe is forced to sign an NDA before she even enters Zach's party, and although she finds this a bit strange, her heart takes the wheel and she thinks that these illicit, passionate rendezvous might be JUST what she needs to give her writing a bit of a jump start.
When the paparazzi snap a picture of the pair, however, rumors begin to fly, with the internet quick to scorn Zoe for coming in between Zach and his most recent Hollywood romance. Once her name begins to be Googled incessantly, the internet sleuths then find her novel, managing to make it a BookTok success....practically overnight. This all seems to good to be true...until Zoe gets a call from Zach's publicist DEMANDING she no longer contact Zach in any form or fashion. Zoe is heartbroken, confused, and frustrated...but the NDA she signed is never far from her mind, and she attempts to comply. But being entangled with Zach has also put a target on HER back...as Zach appears to have a stalker who knows ALL about Zoe. So much so, that she actually starts REENACTING scenes from Zoe's thriller novel...which just so happens to have been ABOUT a stalker. With an unknown enemy on her heels, a forbidden love that she just can't shake, and of course, her next NOVEL at stake, is Zoe willing to risk EVERYTHING for love...even her own life?
New to Pip Drysdale, I was a bit unsure of what I would find in these pages. I'll admit, I requested this one SOLELY based on wanting to 'dip my toe' into this author's work...and let's 'face' it, that cover is a stunner. (Okay, so I ended up with not one but TWO accidental puns referencing the cover...I can't help it!) Despite feeling a bit leery about yet ANOTHER story that involves social media (to an extent) the premise of a random stranger bringing the horrifying events of an author's novel to LIFE to terrify her? JUST different and interesting enough to feel fresh, and I knew I had to give it a whirl.
Well...when I say this journey is JUST as exciting, as scintillating, and as unexpected as the most SCANDALOUS Netflix documentary about an illicit, dangerous, Hollywood romance with all the snap, crackle, and pop of an action flick....it's NO exaggeration!! 🍿
From the opening pages on, it's easy to connect with Zoe. I think we as readers secretly LOVE having an author MC: for one, it's fun to get sort of an unfiltered and brutally honest look at the behind the scenes 'drama' of book publishing, whether it's the pushy agent, the aches and pains of writer's block, or in this case, the way a twisted fan can become very, VERY dark. (And yes, this is fiction, I know...but with the way the world is these days, it doesn't REALLY seem that far fetched anymore, does it?!) Throw in her on-again-off-again 'forbidden' love with Zach, and there's something utterly spectacular and relatable about this connection. As a reader, you can see why Zoe is sort of lured into it, despite her better judgment, and you both want her to run away screaming AND stay because it's juicy and fun, and NOTHING is a more potent bookish cocktail! 🍸
This is also one thriller that is PERFECTLY paced. It doesn't waste time on meandering backstory, pointless side conversations, or ancillary characters that don't matter...and I LOVE that. I had a clear sense of what was happening, what to expect, and who our characters were from jump. Sure, there were plenty of surprises along the way (and one character I was SURE had diabolical intentions turned out to be nothing more than the requisite red herring; I both love and hate being wrong! 😁), but also the knowledge that EVENTUALLY the perp would be revealed and our MC would escape her tormentor. (PROBABLY, anyway...I can't promise you anything! 😉) Drysdale's writing is efficient, exciting, and to-the-point; don't expect any long flowery soliloquies here. There's action a-plenty (with a little bit of romance tossed in) and the denouement reads action-thriller like no other, with a final 'act' that will get your pulse a-pounding like the Little Drummer Boy after too much cocoa! 🥁 ☕
My one quibble with this one and the reason I bumped my rating down from the 4.5 I was SURE it was going to get for about 40-50% of the book, was due to the aforementioned action-packed ending...and the only reason for THAT is that the pace slowed down significantly at this point. I felt as though once some of the reveals happened, we had to sort of sit around and watch the 'fight sequence' play out...which is fine, but just wasn't as exciting as all of the intrigue that lead up to the big reveals, so the intensity dipped a bit. I think if this material were to get adapted for the screen (and it is RIPE for it, based on the subject matter, premise, and setup...are you LISTENING, Netflix?!) this would be less of an issue, because it would be scarier to WATCH all of the tussling play out in real time. Despite this, the book has a satisfying ending and left me with that sly, happy grin I always get finishing a clever thriller...so if you're asking if the juice is worth the squeeze, the answer is a resounding YES! 🧃
And if there's anyone who deserves a moment in the spotlight and her very OWN Close-Up....I present to the Academy, for your consideration, the one and only, Ms. Pip Drysdale! 🏆
4 stars
"Because everything dangerous starts with warmth: fire, hope, love. Even hypothermia feels warm before it kills you."
Zoe Ann Weiss is in a bit of a dry spell...personally AND professionally. After a whirlwind romance with present day Hollywood hotshot but then unknown, bartender Zach, her relationship evaporates as quickly as it started. She had moved to L.A. to pursue a writing career, and although her debut novel had promise, lackluster sales have proven to Zoe that maybe her dreams were TOO big, too ambitious, and perhaps she doesn't have what it takes to cut it in a cut-throat industry after all.
But all of that is in the rear-view...at least, for now. Zoe is working at a flower shop to pay her rent, and although this is far from her initial dreams of Hollywood glitz, glamour, and opulence...at least she gets to VISIT fancy homes. (Sigh) Her agent has not quite given up on her, but her demands for more pages have been met by a whole lot of silence from Zoe...and she is borderline desperate for some inspiration. Well, as fate would have it, her next flower delivery was destined to drop it RIGHT in her lap. When she opens the door, she is met by none other than her former flame, Zach, who has skyrocketed to fame...and although HE dropped her before, the two reconnect intensely, passionately...and privately. Zoe is forced to sign an NDA before she even enters Zach's party, and although she finds this a bit strange, her heart takes the wheel and she thinks that these illicit, passionate rendezvous might be JUST what she needs to give her writing a bit of a jump start.
When the paparazzi snap a picture of the pair, however, rumors begin to fly, with the internet quick to scorn Zoe for coming in between Zach and his most recent Hollywood romance. Once her name begins to be Googled incessantly, the internet sleuths then find her novel, managing to make it a BookTok success....practically overnight. This all seems to good to be true...until Zoe gets a call from Zach's publicist DEMANDING she no longer contact Zach in any form or fashion. Zoe is heartbroken, confused, and frustrated...but the NDA she signed is never far from her mind, and she attempts to comply. But being entangled with Zach has also put a target on HER back...as Zach appears to have a stalker who knows ALL about Zoe. So much so, that she actually starts REENACTING scenes from Zoe's thriller novel...which just so happens to have been ABOUT a stalker. With an unknown enemy on her heels, a forbidden love that she just can't shake, and of course, her next NOVEL at stake, is Zoe willing to risk EVERYTHING for love...even her own life?
New to Pip Drysdale, I was a bit unsure of what I would find in these pages. I'll admit, I requested this one SOLELY based on wanting to 'dip my toe' into this author's work...and let's 'face' it, that cover is a stunner. (Okay, so I ended up with not one but TWO accidental puns referencing the cover...I can't help it!) Despite feeling a bit leery about yet ANOTHER story that involves social media (to an extent) the premise of a random stranger bringing the horrifying events of an author's novel to LIFE to terrify her? JUST different and interesting enough to feel fresh, and I knew I had to give it a whirl.
Well...when I say this journey is JUST as exciting, as scintillating, and as unexpected as the most SCANDALOUS Netflix documentary about an illicit, dangerous, Hollywood romance with all the snap, crackle, and pop of an action flick....it's NO exaggeration!! 🍿
From the opening pages on, it's easy to connect with Zoe. I think we as readers secretly LOVE having an author MC: for one, it's fun to get sort of an unfiltered and brutally honest look at the behind the scenes 'drama' of book publishing, whether it's the pushy agent, the aches and pains of writer's block, or in this case, the way a twisted fan can become very, VERY dark. (And yes, this is fiction, I know...but with the way the world is these days, it doesn't REALLY seem that far fetched anymore, does it?!) Throw in her on-again-off-again 'forbidden' love with Zach, and there's something utterly spectacular and relatable about this connection. As a reader, you can see why Zoe is sort of lured into it, despite her better judgment, and you both want her to run away screaming AND stay because it's juicy and fun, and NOTHING is a more potent bookish cocktail! 🍸
This is also one thriller that is PERFECTLY paced. It doesn't waste time on meandering backstory, pointless side conversations, or ancillary characters that don't matter...and I LOVE that. I had a clear sense of what was happening, what to expect, and who our characters were from jump. Sure, there were plenty of surprises along the way (and one character I was SURE had diabolical intentions turned out to be nothing more than the requisite red herring; I both love and hate being wrong! 😁), but also the knowledge that EVENTUALLY the perp would be revealed and our MC would escape her tormentor. (PROBABLY, anyway...I can't promise you anything! 😉) Drysdale's writing is efficient, exciting, and to-the-point; don't expect any long flowery soliloquies here. There's action a-plenty (with a little bit of romance tossed in) and the denouement reads action-thriller like no other, with a final 'act' that will get your pulse a-pounding like the Little Drummer Boy after too much cocoa! 🥁 ☕
My one quibble with this one and the reason I bumped my rating down from the 4.5 I was SURE it was going to get for about 40-50% of the book, was due to the aforementioned action-packed ending...and the only reason for THAT is that the pace slowed down significantly at this point. I felt as though once some of the reveals happened, we had to sort of sit around and watch the 'fight sequence' play out...which is fine, but just wasn't as exciting as all of the intrigue that lead up to the big reveals, so the intensity dipped a bit. I think if this material were to get adapted for the screen (and it is RIPE for it, based on the subject matter, premise, and setup...are you LISTENING, Netflix?!) this would be less of an issue, because it would be scarier to WATCH all of the tussling play out in real time. Despite this, the book has a satisfying ending and left me with that sly, happy grin I always get finishing a clever thriller...so if you're asking if the juice is worth the squeeze, the answer is a resounding YES! 🧃
And if there's anyone who deserves a moment in the spotlight and her very OWN Close-Up....I present to the Academy, for your consideration, the one and only, Ms. Pip Drysdale! 🏆
4 stars
June 3, 2025
Glamorous tension, stalker chills, & compulsively readable!
THE CLOSE-UP by PIP DRYSDALE is an edgy and stylish psychological suspense with a clever concept and a setting that sizzles. Fast-paced, twisty, and filled with messy, modern characters, this one had me turning the pages easily from start to finish.
I was especially drawn in by the idea of someone being stalked through the events of their own novel—a concept that added a unique and unsettling layer to the story. The short, punchy chapters made it incredibly easy to stay engaged, and I never once felt like setting it down.
While I wasn’t completely blown away, I was definitely entertained. I enjoyed the writing style and the atmosphere, and I always wanted to see where things were heading. The ending surprised me, though I’m not sure I entirely liked how it played out. It had impact, just not the kind I was hoping for.
Also worth noting—the “f” word pops up frequently. Normally that can be a turn-off for me, but here it felt fitting for the tone and characters, so it didn’t take away from the experience.
Norma’s Stats:
Cover: Eye-catching with a beautiful, sun-drenched setting and a slightly ominous edge—those sunglasses and the shadowy figure give just the right hint of danger.
Title: A clever choice that ties in well with the themes of exposure, fame, and control.
Writing/Prose: Stylish, brisk, and well-suited to the tone of the story.
Plot: Clever, darkly entertaining, modern, suspenseful, and compulsively readable.
Ending: Unexpected and surprising, though not entirely satisfying for me personally.
Overall: A solid 3.5 ⭐️. Enjoyable, absorbing, and definitely a fun one to stick with all the way through.
THE CLOSE-UP by PIP DRYSDALE is an edgy and stylish psychological suspense with a clever concept and a setting that sizzles. Fast-paced, twisty, and filled with messy, modern characters, this one had me turning the pages easily from start to finish.
I was especially drawn in by the idea of someone being stalked through the events of their own novel—a concept that added a unique and unsettling layer to the story. The short, punchy chapters made it incredibly easy to stay engaged, and I never once felt like setting it down.
While I wasn’t completely blown away, I was definitely entertained. I enjoyed the writing style and the atmosphere, and I always wanted to see where things were heading. The ending surprised me, though I’m not sure I entirely liked how it played out. It had impact, just not the kind I was hoping for.
Also worth noting—the “f” word pops up frequently. Normally that can be a turn-off for me, but here it felt fitting for the tone and characters, so it didn’t take away from the experience.
Norma’s Stats:
Cover: Eye-catching with a beautiful, sun-drenched setting and a slightly ominous edge—those sunglasses and the shadowy figure give just the right hint of danger.
Title: A clever choice that ties in well with the themes of exposure, fame, and control.
Writing/Prose: Stylish, brisk, and well-suited to the tone of the story.
Plot: Clever, darkly entertaining, modern, suspenseful, and compulsively readable.
Ending: Unexpected and surprising, though not entirely satisfying for me personally.
Overall: A solid 3.5 ⭐️. Enjoyable, absorbing, and definitely a fun one to stick with all the way through.
November 14, 2024
Thank you so much to @gallerybooks @pipdrysdale and @mbc_books for my #gifted copies of The Close Up!
Can we just talk about this cover??? Gorgeous right! Have you seen the UK edition too? Absolutely stunning!
Zoe Weiss is a debut author who’s having a tough break. After her first novel tanked a bit, she’s been trying to write a second novel that’s a year overdue to redeem herself. Unfortunately, she’s got a bad case of writer’s block.
Then she bumps into an old fling, Zach Hamilton….. now a famous movie star and People magazine’s sexiest man alive!
When things heat up, she sees a picture of the two of them on a famous tabloid. Everyone knows and she’s all over social media. Things get nasty. Zoe will soon learn she has a stalker that is playing out scenes from her first book. Someone has left a heart on her windshield. Her book…. ends in death ☠️.
The Close Up is a slow burn with a fireball ending! Zoe is a hot mess / sorta unhinged in a way. This had a shocking twist that you never see coming. 😱 Definitely a slow burn, so if this isn’t your jam…. Just letting you know.
3.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️.⭐️ raised to 4
Release - Dec 3/24
Can we just talk about this cover??? Gorgeous right! Have you seen the UK edition too? Absolutely stunning!
Zoe Weiss is a debut author who’s having a tough break. After her first novel tanked a bit, she’s been trying to write a second novel that’s a year overdue to redeem herself. Unfortunately, she’s got a bad case of writer’s block.
Then she bumps into an old fling, Zach Hamilton….. now a famous movie star and People magazine’s sexiest man alive!
When things heat up, she sees a picture of the two of them on a famous tabloid. Everyone knows and she’s all over social media. Things get nasty. Zoe will soon learn she has a stalker that is playing out scenes from her first book. Someone has left a heart on her windshield. Her book…. ends in death ☠️.
The Close Up is a slow burn with a fireball ending! Zoe is a hot mess / sorta unhinged in a way. This had a shocking twist that you never see coming. 😱 Definitely a slow burn, so if this isn’t your jam…. Just letting you know.
3.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️.⭐️ raised to 4
Release - Dec 3/24
November 15, 2024
I am obsessed with this book! From the very first page I was absolutely enthralled and totally caught up in Zoe’s life. Her voice was so strong, even if she was a little bit frustrating at times and I could feel her emotions throughout the book. The premise was fantastic as well, Zoe wrote a thriller about a stalker and suddenly scenes from the book are happening to her in real life. So creepy and unique. This was unhinged and twisty and very addictive, I did not want to put it down and found myself rushing to get back to it anytime I had a chance. The ending was totally unexpected for me, I never saw it coming and that’s always a great thing when I’m reading a thriller. If you like books about obsession, Hollywood fame, and stalkers this was excellent and I’ll be seeking out the authors previous books asap.
December 25, 2024
“The Close-Up”, by Pip Drysdale
2.5 stars ⭐️⭐️✨
I only picked this book because at the time of its release it was constantly coming up in my feeds, so I got curious, even though I was not a fan of this cover (Canadian edition).
Anyways… the story started well but then I realized that everything seemed very familiar. The fact is that I have read too many books with this kind of concept, so this one in my opinion lacks originality.
As for the writing, well… it was quite repetitive. The storytelling was good, but the development of the story was slow and drags on.
The conclusion was chaotic and surprising, so hats off to the author for changing some of the tricks used by other writers, but still it wasn’t enough to make me love this book.
e-book (Kobo): 352 pages, 104k words (never mind that “Zach” was used 473 times - and no, that’s not the kind of repetition I meant), divided into 65 chapters (a fast read)
2.5 stars ⭐️⭐️✨
I only picked this book because at the time of its release it was constantly coming up in my feeds, so I got curious, even though I was not a fan of this cover (Canadian edition).
Anyways… the story started well but then I realized that everything seemed very familiar. The fact is that I have read too many books with this kind of concept, so this one in my opinion lacks originality.
As for the writing, well… it was quite repetitive. The storytelling was good, but the development of the story was slow and drags on.
The conclusion was chaotic and surprising, so hats off to the author for changing some of the tricks used by other writers, but still it wasn’t enough to make me love this book.
e-book (Kobo): 352 pages, 104k words (never mind that “Zach” was used 473 times - and no, that’s not the kind of repetition I meant), divided into 65 chapters (a fast read)
October 15, 2024
3.5/5 stars rounded down
July 25, 2024
This was a slog. It crawled until around the 75% mark. It's filled with purple prose and overly detailed description, which I started to skip over. In the end, the action wasn't worth the slow build in which nothing happened.
April 12, 2025
Zoe is a struggling author working at a florist in Hollywood. During one of her deliveries she runs into Zach, a very high profile action star that she met briefly a few years prior. They hit it off and he invites her to a party. Long story short, someone is not happy with Zoe and Zach’s budding relationship and starts sending Zoe threatening messages.
Overall, this was an average read for me . The beginning was a very slow burn of unease as their relationship progressed, and the threatening letters started. But then it just seemed it became repetitive. I got it. Zoe has a stalker. Then I just started really not liking the characters themselves. Zach was just kind of there, not much was going on with him, except sometimes evading Zoe, and sometimes not. Zoe herself made shake my head with frustration at some of the choices she made. I didn’t really feel the relationship worked. Anyway, that’s just my thoughts on the two of them. Another thing that really kind of bothered me was, Zoe didn’t work for me as an author whose first book was already published. I get that it’s tanked, but her actions just didn’t seem to align with her profession. She just seemed very young and an immature. But I’m not an author so maybe that’s possible which it probably is…. I digress.
Once the book started moving it really took off and turned into more of an action packed thriller. I didn’t really find the ending to work for me as it kinda came out of left field of who the culprits turned out to be. All in all, this was an average thriller and a good poolside book.
Overall, this was an average read for me . The beginning was a very slow burn of unease as their relationship progressed, and the threatening letters started. But then it just seemed it became repetitive. I got it. Zoe has a stalker. Then I just started really not liking the characters themselves. Zach was just kind of there, not much was going on with him, except sometimes evading Zoe, and sometimes not. Zoe herself made shake my head with frustration at some of the choices she made. I didn’t really feel the relationship worked. Anyway, that’s just my thoughts on the two of them. Another thing that really kind of bothered me was, Zoe didn’t work for me as an author whose first book was already published. I get that it’s tanked, but her actions just didn’t seem to align with her profession. She just seemed very young and an immature. But I’m not an author so maybe that’s possible which it probably is…. I digress.
Once the book started moving it really took off and turned into more of an action packed thriller. I didn’t really find the ending to work for me as it kinda came out of left field of who the culprits turned out to be. All in all, this was an average thriller and a good poolside book.
October 6, 2024
Are you ready for your close up? get set for a thrill ride into the dark side of Hollywood. Behind the glitz and glamour there is an ugly truth and you are going to love it. Pip, you absolute star, you have smashed it and then some with The Close Up, just sensational ❤️
What is not to love about this wild and twisty thriller. Set in Hollywood, a struggling writer with serious writers block is now working as a florist. Her 30th birthday changes everything for her, chance encounter with a former love sends Zoe on a crazy journey. With Hollywood stars, stalkers and danger, this is a book that you need to clear your schedule for. Believe me, you will not want to put it down.
Our protagonist, Zoe, is a frustrating character at times, but it hard not to love her and want her to do well. You will be yelling at her with some of her life choices. But at the same time, she knows what is right and wrong but situations make her act like a crazy woman at times.
Pip Drysdale has been on my must read list ever since her first book came out, and this book may be my favourite yet! If you haven’t read this author then you need to change that immediately. On top of being a very talented writer, she is a lovely person too.
Thank you so much Harper Collins Australia and Benson Publicity for my advanced copy of this book to read, an absolute pleasure to read
What is not to love about this wild and twisty thriller. Set in Hollywood, a struggling writer with serious writers block is now working as a florist. Her 30th birthday changes everything for her, chance encounter with a former love sends Zoe on a crazy journey. With Hollywood stars, stalkers and danger, this is a book that you need to clear your schedule for. Believe me, you will not want to put it down.
Our protagonist, Zoe, is a frustrating character at times, but it hard not to love her and want her to do well. You will be yelling at her with some of her life choices. But at the same time, she knows what is right and wrong but situations make her act like a crazy woman at times.
Pip Drysdale has been on my must read list ever since her first book came out, and this book may be my favourite yet! If you haven’t read this author then you need to change that immediately. On top of being a very talented writer, she is a lovely person too.
Thank you so much Harper Collins Australia and Benson Publicity for my advanced copy of this book to read, an absolute pleasure to read
December 30, 2024
Last book of the year!! This story was okay. I have been unintentionally reading a lot of books with characters who are writers and their struggles with writing. This one, the struggles with writing her second novel was tiresome. Zoe writes her second fiction thriller using her real life experiences like that character from Where is Maud Dixon?. Zoe complains a lot about her writer's block. She decided to go ahead and write this story of her and Zach despite signing the NDA. She knew it's wrong but she did it anyway. The end of the story didn't mention if she was in trouble for the NDA contract break. I don't know if I like the epilogue ending. Zoe fights for her life so much just to get killed? And Zach did the dirty just to continue with life?
I liked the idea of using Zoe's first book's happenings against her. I also liked how Zoe regretted her decisions. We all do. The narrator did a good job with the story.
This story followed Zoe. She's been struggling with writing her second novel. She moved away from her dad to chase after her dreams. Her day job was working at the florist shop. Her boss was Vee and she wanted to be an actress but has been having a tough time too. When delivering flowers, Zoe ran into Zach. Years ago they had 3 amazing days together despite recently breaking up with Will at the time, whom was also Zach's friend. Then he ghosted her. Now he's a celebrity. She hanging out with him got herself in a scandal, posted on page 6 half nude. She then was stalked and scared. Zach said he has been stalked too. Zach has a major secret he wanted hidden.
Thank you mbc_books for the opportunity to read and review!
I liked the idea of using Zoe's first book's happenings against her. I also liked how Zoe regretted her decisions. We all do. The narrator did a good job with the story.
This story followed Zoe. She's been struggling with writing her second novel. She moved away from her dad to chase after her dreams. Her day job was working at the florist shop. Her boss was Vee and she wanted to be an actress but has been having a tough time too. When delivering flowers, Zoe ran into Zach. Years ago they had 3 amazing days together despite recently breaking up with Will at the time, whom was also Zach's friend. Then he ghosted her. Now he's a celebrity. She hanging out with him got herself in a scandal, posted on page 6 half nude. She then was stalked and scared. Zach said he has been stalked too. Zach has a major secret he wanted hidden.
Thank you mbc_books for the opportunity to read and review!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 22, 2024
Zoe Weiss moved from London to Los Angeles with the dream of publishing a book - and her dream came true! Unfortunately, her debut novel, “Fractured”, was a flop and now three years later, her agent and editor are on her back to give them a second story. Zoe has a tremendous case of writer’s block though, so until she can figure out a plot for her sophomore novel, she’s working at a flower shop…until fate comes knocking…
Right when she moved to LA, she met a bartender named Zach Hamilton. They had three phenomenal days together, then he completely ghosted her and became a huge movie star. Now, years later, Zoe is making a floral delivery when she runs into Zach, who has become a multimillionaire and household name. She’s hoping he won’t even remember her, but not only does he remember, he seems happy to see her and invites her to his house. After she signs a non-disclosure agreement, they begin dating again, and Zoe’s writer’s block is disappearing. Zach was the muse for her first book, and NDA be damned, he will be the inspiration for her new book as well.
Things are fine until nude pictures of her and Zach in his pool end up on Page Six, and a heart is found on her windshield…just as the stalker in her first book put a heart on a car. Then, when Zoe is doxxed and gets a message asking if she would die for Zach, she realizes that’s the second threat from her book. It looks as though she now has a stalker of her own, who is reenacting every crazy thing from “Fractured”. This is scary, because at the end of that book, the stalking victim dies. Meanwhile, Zoe keeps writing about what’s happening to her, knowing her second book will be a bestseller because it’s all true.
I love books about writers, and Zoe was a good character. She feels out of place in LA, she knows some people but doesn’t really have any real friendships, and her frustration and fear over her second book is making her freeze up. She’s a slightly unreliable narrator, but she knows it and embraces it while writing her second book, which is eventually titled “The Close-Up”. The ending of this was also good, though I wish the epilogue went into more detail. This was a very quick and entertaining read with quirky characters and a great plot! 4.5 stars.
(Thank you to Gallery Books, Pip Drysdale and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my review. This book is slated to be released on December 3, 2024.)
Right when she moved to LA, she met a bartender named Zach Hamilton. They had three phenomenal days together, then he completely ghosted her and became a huge movie star. Now, years later, Zoe is making a floral delivery when she runs into Zach, who has become a multimillionaire and household name. She’s hoping he won’t even remember her, but not only does he remember, he seems happy to see her and invites her to his house. After she signs a non-disclosure agreement, they begin dating again, and Zoe’s writer’s block is disappearing. Zach was the muse for her first book, and NDA be damned, he will be the inspiration for her new book as well.
Things are fine until nude pictures of her and Zach in his pool end up on Page Six, and a heart is found on her windshield…just as the stalker in her first book put a heart on a car. Then, when Zoe is doxxed and gets a message asking if she would die for Zach, she realizes that’s the second threat from her book. It looks as though she now has a stalker of her own, who is reenacting every crazy thing from “Fractured”. This is scary, because at the end of that book, the stalking victim dies. Meanwhile, Zoe keeps writing about what’s happening to her, knowing her second book will be a bestseller because it’s all true.
I love books about writers, and Zoe was a good character. She feels out of place in LA, she knows some people but doesn’t really have any real friendships, and her frustration and fear over her second book is making her freeze up. She’s a slightly unreliable narrator, but she knows it and embraces it while writing her second book, which is eventually titled “The Close-Up”. The ending of this was also good, though I wish the epilogue went into more detail. This was a very quick and entertaining read with quirky characters and a great plot! 4.5 stars.
(Thank you to Gallery Books, Pip Drysdale and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my review. This book is slated to be released on December 3, 2024.)
December 13, 2024
This book had a really good idea that didn't quite come to fruition.
The writing is a bit clumsy and long winded which made the plot drag and become predictable.
I don't think I will be seeking out anything from this authors backlist.
Thank you (?) to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Canada for my ARC.
The writing is a bit clumsy and long winded which made the plot drag and become predictable.
I don't think I will be seeking out anything from this authors backlist.
Thank you (?) to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Canada for my ARC.
December 25, 2024
That epilogue! Wow, what a ride!
The Closeup started as a slow burn and somehow turned into a crazy twisty thriller and I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough.
Zoe is a novelist in Hollywood trying and failing to write her second novel when she runs into an old flame who ghosted her three years before. Zach, now a super famous actor, and Zoe start dating again in secret. Zoe becomes the object of a stalker obsessed with Zach.
The biggest issue… Zoe’s stalker is recreating events from her first novel. This does not bode well for Zoe as her novel has extremely violent scenes that only get worse.
By the end of the book, I was reeling with the twists! I really loved how the story unfolded as it’s also a book about a book.
Well done to Pip Drysdale! I need to go check out her backlist now.
*Thanks so much to the author, Gallery Books, and MBC Books for finished copy and for including me in the booktour!*
The Closeup started as a slow burn and somehow turned into a crazy twisty thriller and I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough.
Zoe is a novelist in Hollywood trying and failing to write her second novel when she runs into an old flame who ghosted her three years before. Zach, now a super famous actor, and Zoe start dating again in secret. Zoe becomes the object of a stalker obsessed with Zach.
The biggest issue… Zoe’s stalker is recreating events from her first novel. This does not bode well for Zoe as her novel has extremely violent scenes that only get worse.
By the end of the book, I was reeling with the twists! I really loved how the story unfolded as it’s also a book about a book.
Well done to Pip Drysdale! I need to go check out her backlist now.
*Thanks so much to the author, Gallery Books, and MBC Books for finished copy and for including me in the booktour!*
November 11, 2024
⭐️5 Stars⭐️
‘when you see your dreams close-up, they look more like nightmares’
Oh my goodness what a thrilling ride! The Close-Up by Pip Drysdale is absolutely bingeable and so original, it’s dark, twisty and suspenseful and what a bonus it’s so bookish it’s about an author!
The story is set in Hollywood, the dark side where in the magic hour when the sun sets the city sparkles gold and tangerine……
Zoe Ann Weiss is a florist and a novelist with a failed thriller debut novel titled ‘Fractured’ and three years later she still has writers block and her publisher is wanting an a highly overdue second book!
Zoe has a chance encounter with a former lover Zach, incidentally he last ghosted her but now Zach is a rich movie star. He was always so very handsome and they start seeing each again after she signs a non-disclosure agreement. Suddenly Zoe has a problem…. A stalker is re-enacting everything in her first book where the ending is deadly!
What a killer ending!! You need this one on your TBR, perfection!
Publication Date 30/10/24
Publisher Imprint Harper Collins Australia
A big thanks to Benson Publicity & Harper Collins Australia for the gifted copy
‘when you see your dreams close-up, they look more like nightmares’
Oh my goodness what a thrilling ride! The Close-Up by Pip Drysdale is absolutely bingeable and so original, it’s dark, twisty and suspenseful and what a bonus it’s so bookish it’s about an author!
The story is set in Hollywood, the dark side where in the magic hour when the sun sets the city sparkles gold and tangerine……
Zoe Ann Weiss is a florist and a novelist with a failed thriller debut novel titled ‘Fractured’ and three years later she still has writers block and her publisher is wanting an a highly overdue second book!
Zoe has a chance encounter with a former lover Zach, incidentally he last ghosted her but now Zach is a rich movie star. He was always so very handsome and they start seeing each again after she signs a non-disclosure agreement. Suddenly Zoe has a problem…. A stalker is re-enacting everything in her first book where the ending is deadly!
What a killer ending!! You need this one on your TBR, perfection!
Publication Date 30/10/24
Publisher Imprint Harper Collins Australia
A big thanks to Benson Publicity & Harper Collins Australia for the gifted copy
January 15, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of
The Close-Up.
The premise sounded familiar, but then I realized it's because I've read novels with similar plots.
A struggling {insert occupation} who was once a rising star {insert industry} gets caught up with a charismatic {insert name of sociality, frenemy, girl or boyfriend} and is soon {stalked, harassed} by a stalker {someone from the past or a person the main character definitely knows}.
First, Zoe is annoying; she's not an interesting or compelling character.
I didn't feel sorry for her, nor like or dislike her. She was just ordinary.
Second, the writing is wordy, overly descriptive, and repetitive; how many times can Zoe feel sick?
Seriously, I read that line half a dozen times.
The pacing is slow and drags as Zoe keeps worrying about her draft, her writer's block, her writing group and nemesis, Sophie.
The narrative lacks urgency and suspense; you can see every 'twist' coming and so can Zoe since they're pulled right from her first book.
No one is interesting or likable, not Zach or Will. Maybe Vee.
The epilogue is a bit of a surprise but was the juice worth the squeeze?
Not for me.
The premise sounded familiar, but then I realized it's because I've read novels with similar plots.
A struggling {insert occupation} who was once a rising star {insert industry} gets caught up with a charismatic {insert name of sociality, frenemy, girl or boyfriend} and is soon {stalked, harassed} by a stalker {someone from the past or a person the main character definitely knows}.
First, Zoe is annoying; she's not an interesting or compelling character.
I didn't feel sorry for her, nor like or dislike her. She was just ordinary.
Second, the writing is wordy, overly descriptive, and repetitive; how many times can Zoe feel sick?
Seriously, I read that line half a dozen times.
The pacing is slow and drags as Zoe keeps worrying about her draft, her writer's block, her writing group and nemesis, Sophie.
The narrative lacks urgency and suspense; you can see every 'twist' coming and so can Zoe since they're pulled right from her first book.
No one is interesting or likable, not Zach or Will. Maybe Vee.
The epilogue is a bit of a surprise but was the juice worth the squeeze?
Not for me.
July 3, 2024
I had a really tough time with this book, because I just couldn't get into it. The beginning was slow to pick up and then in the middle, I started to think for sure this was all a psychotic break and we would learn that the MC was in an institution (or similar) because it was just getting progressively more far fetched (but not in a fun thriller way, in an overly detailed way). Eventually, around the 80% mark, the payoff starts to happen and honestly... it just didn't warrant the build we did to get there. There were four or five interconnected plot points all converging, but it felt like it could've been a more dramatic if any one of those was the main point.
The weaving in of articles and social media threads lended itself well to the story and I did enjoy one particular reveal at the end , but overall, this wasn't my favorite.
*Thanks to Gallery Books and NetGalley for the ARC!*
The weaving in of articles and social media threads lended itself well to the story and I did enjoy one particular reveal at the end , but overall, this wasn't my favorite.
*Thanks to Gallery Books and NetGalley for the ARC!*
December 27, 2024
**4.5 stars**
**Thank you to HarperCollins Australia for sending me a free copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review; published 30 October 2024**
I love this author and all of her books, this one is no exception. Main character Zoe is working as a florist, attempting to write her second book after the first one didn't do very well. By random chance she runs into Zach, a fling from a few years ago who ghosted her and then became a big movie star. It seems like sparks are rekindling but when it gets out in the press life starts getting a bit crazy for Zoe, especially when it appears a crazed stalker is re-enacting scenes from Zoe's thriller book. A clever and twisty thriller, this one is super entertaining from start to finish. Readers can't help but have high hopes for the likeable Zoe to get her life on track despite all of the craziness going on. I was enthralled the whole time and loved it. Highly highly recommend!
**Thank you to HarperCollins Australia for sending me a free copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review; published 30 October 2024**
I love this author and all of her books, this one is no exception. Main character Zoe is working as a florist, attempting to write her second book after the first one didn't do very well. By random chance she runs into Zach, a fling from a few years ago who ghosted her and then became a big movie star. It seems like sparks are rekindling but when it gets out in the press life starts getting a bit crazy for Zoe, especially when it appears a crazed stalker is re-enacting scenes from Zoe's thriller book. A clever and twisty thriller, this one is super entertaining from start to finish. Readers can't help but have high hopes for the likeable Zoe to get her life on track despite all of the craziness going on. I was enthralled the whole time and loved it. Highly highly recommend!
December 13, 2024
Something about the ending screamed misogyny to me. Because what do you mean, you killed off the heroine just because she was stupid, annoying, pathetic, and downright insufferable, while the men who caused her suffering are alive and kicking? Fiction? Nah, more like a mirror of society.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 17, 2024
This is just…ridiculous.
The LA stuff is mostly correct, though. We do have unusually large seagulls.
The LA stuff is mostly correct, though. We do have unusually large seagulls.
December 12, 2024
A suspenseful rollercoaster of a ride, a little slow at the start although enough twists to make this psychological thriller worthwhile.
Set in Hollywood. Struggling young novelist, Zoe discovers the dark side of fame when a stalker begins re-enacting the plot of her first novel, except she is now the victim…
This was a 3🌟 for me, until the epilogue…well done Pip Drysdale, now a a 4🌟 read!
Set in Hollywood. Struggling young novelist, Zoe discovers the dark side of fame when a stalker begins re-enacting the plot of her first novel, except she is now the victim…
This was a 3🌟 for me, until the epilogue…well done Pip Drysdale, now a a 4🌟 read!
November 2, 2024
Thank you Harper Collins for sending us a copy to read and review.
With three hit thrillers under her belt and a new publishing house, Pip Drysdale is guns blazing with her newest novel.
A story that will get the heart racing, is addictive and be another winner for the very popular author.
Writer Zoe is in debt, working at her friend’s florist and her agent is pestering her for her next work in progress.
Her debut book was an average success but now Zoe has writers block.
But all that is about to change…
Bumping into an old lover who is now a big movie star, Zach Hamilton, comes with the idea that will cure the creative problem.
Zoe is photographed by the paparazzi and scattered over the tabloids.
Not just this but a stalker has targeted Zoe and is re enacting the vicious plot points from her first novel, precisely how they appear in the eerie story…..
A modern day domestic drama with shadows of dark and a web of deceit.
One that needs to be on everyone’s reading stack.
A hooking page turner that’s highly readable.
With three hit thrillers under her belt and a new publishing house, Pip Drysdale is guns blazing with her newest novel.
A story that will get the heart racing, is addictive and be another winner for the very popular author.
Writer Zoe is in debt, working at her friend’s florist and her agent is pestering her for her next work in progress.
Her debut book was an average success but now Zoe has writers block.
But all that is about to change…
Bumping into an old lover who is now a big movie star, Zach Hamilton, comes with the idea that will cure the creative problem.
Zoe is photographed by the paparazzi and scattered over the tabloids.
Not just this but a stalker has targeted Zoe and is re enacting the vicious plot points from her first novel, precisely how they appear in the eerie story…..
A modern day domestic drama with shadows of dark and a web of deceit.
One that needs to be on everyone’s reading stack.
A hooking page turner that’s highly readable.
January 13, 2025
Unoriginal, slow, and unrewarding. This was supposed to be a thriller but the first 60% read like an uninspiring chicklit.
I couldn’t care for the “romance” or any of the characters. The FMC was such a bore. She is talentless and such a lazy writer who couldn’t do research for the life of her. And the MMC is a douche. Not one character was likeable.
There was a very mild ‘mysterious’ undertone but the book managed to spoil its own plot, it’s ridiculous.
The audiobook was also not so great. What’s up with Zach’s voice? 😬
The last 10% was good but not good enough to save the rest of it. It’s a no for me.
I couldn’t care for the “romance” or any of the characters. The FMC was such a bore. She is talentless and such a lazy writer who couldn’t do research for the life of her. And the MMC is a douche. Not one character was likeable.
There was a very mild ‘mysterious’ undertone but the book managed to spoil its own plot, it’s ridiculous.
The audiobook was also not so great. What’s up with Zach’s voice? 😬
The last 10% was good but not good enough to save the rest of it. It’s a no for me.
April 23, 2025
i found the main character so annoying tbh. and then the ending was just so stupid. i was determined to finish but I don’t think I enjoyed any part of the book
January 16, 2025
*https://www.instagram.com/mrsb_book_r...
🕶The Close Up is the latest release from Sydney based author Pip Drysdale. With her November 2024 title, Drysdale now boasts a collection of five successful novels. The Close Up is a story of aspirations, fame, celebrity status, privacy, obsession and violence. This new release offered plenty of thrills, suspense, fear, tension and romance.
🕶I’ve been a fan of Pip Drysdale’s work from the start, ever since her debut was released in 2018, I’ve made an effort to read each new title she has written. The Close Up was published in November last year and I purchased it as soon as it was available in my local bookshop. I saved this one for my long summer holiday school break, as I knew once I started Drysdale’s latest, I would be hard pressed to put it down. As I suspected, I picked this one up at lunch time and I didn’t put it down until 10pm that very same night, it was an irresistible read.
🕶Zoe was a sensational main character. I really connected to her journey as a writer, filled with its extreme lows and struggles. Zoe only experiences a few instances of elation and achievement, so Drydale really exposes us to the hard truth of life as a writer. Intertwined in Zoe’s writing path to attaining success as a bestselling author, we follow her relationships, work with writing balance and eventually the stalking problems she encounters. These moments were pretty scary and really highlighted to me how exposed we all are to these kinds of situations, especially those trying to break into or are in the celebrity world. Overall, the plot was intense, the characters complex and the suspense were palpable. I didn’t know where this one was going to end, it sure was a shocking close!
🕶Having read all of Pip Drysdale’s books, I can confidently say that The Close Up is another absolutely thrilling page turner. It’s also my new favourite of her catalogue.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫4.5 stars @simonschusterau @pipdrysdale
🕶The Close Up is the latest release from Sydney based author Pip Drysdale. With her November 2024 title, Drysdale now boasts a collection of five successful novels. The Close Up is a story of aspirations, fame, celebrity status, privacy, obsession and violence. This new release offered plenty of thrills, suspense, fear, tension and romance.
🕶I’ve been a fan of Pip Drysdale’s work from the start, ever since her debut was released in 2018, I’ve made an effort to read each new title she has written. The Close Up was published in November last year and I purchased it as soon as it was available in my local bookshop. I saved this one for my long summer holiday school break, as I knew once I started Drysdale’s latest, I would be hard pressed to put it down. As I suspected, I picked this one up at lunch time and I didn’t put it down until 10pm that very same night, it was an irresistible read.
🕶Zoe was a sensational main character. I really connected to her journey as a writer, filled with its extreme lows and struggles. Zoe only experiences a few instances of elation and achievement, so Drydale really exposes us to the hard truth of life as a writer. Intertwined in Zoe’s writing path to attaining success as a bestselling author, we follow her relationships, work with writing balance and eventually the stalking problems she encounters. These moments were pretty scary and really highlighted to me how exposed we all are to these kinds of situations, especially those trying to break into or are in the celebrity world. Overall, the plot was intense, the characters complex and the suspense were palpable. I didn’t know where this one was going to end, it sure was a shocking close!
🕶Having read all of Pip Drysdale’s books, I can confidently say that The Close Up is another absolutely thrilling page turner. It’s also my new favourite of her catalogue.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫4.5 stars @simonschusterau @pipdrysdale
December 28, 2024
2.5 STARS I went into this story, my first by Pip Drysdale, wanting an edge-of-my-seat, twisty psychological thriller. I loved the glittery LA setting and the premise, but the story didn't come together for me.
This is a VERY slow burn story that gets bogged down with repetition and the daily minutiae of Zoe's life. I would have DNF'd this book but had heard that it was a late starter with its suspense, so I stuck with it. The tension finally ramps up at the three-quarters mark and the epilogue gave the story a much-needed energy boost and redeemed it somewhat. But by that time, it was too little, too late.
With its far-fetched, very slow burn plot and a frustrating character I couldn't connect with, this book wasn't a good fit for me. That said, I may pick up another one of Pip's books to get a better feel for her writing.
December 15, 2024
I pull up a new email and type my elevator pitch: "A thriller writer who starts dating a celebrity has to deal with a psycho fan who uses everything in her first book against her. The police can't help her, nobody can help her... Except maybe the man she loves.."
Then I don't even need to make up a story, because I'm living it.
This pretty much sums up the plot. Zoe Ann Weiss is a thriller author who becomes romantically involved with actor Zach Hamilton. After they're spotted together, scary things start happening to her - eerily, those things also happened to the main character in her first book, Fractured.
I thought it was such a cool plot!! Admittedly, near the end the book felt like it dragged and it felt longer than the 300-something pages it is. But, I never would have guessed the reason those things happened to her, and I wasn't expecting what happened in the epilogue.
I really enjoyed this overall and highly recommend!
Then I don't even need to make up a story, because I'm living it.
This pretty much sums up the plot. Zoe Ann Weiss is a thriller author who becomes romantically involved with actor Zach Hamilton. After they're spotted together, scary things start happening to her - eerily, those things also happened to the main character in her first book, Fractured.
I thought it was such a cool plot!! Admittedly, near the end the book felt like it dragged and it felt longer than the 300-something pages it is. But, I never would have guessed the reason those things happened to her, and I wasn't expecting what happened in the epilogue.
I really enjoyed this overall and highly recommend!
November 12, 2024
One of my most anticipated reads of 2024 and it did not disappoint!!
I am a HUGE Pip Drysdale fan and have read all of her books. Each one has been a 4 or 5 star rating. The Close Up takes the top spot for me. IT WAS EXCELLENT!!👏
This storyline was SO WELL WRITTEN! It's so unhinged and absolutely delicious! I mean, we've got a struggling author, a stalker and a deep desire for fame ... YES PLEASE!!
That ending was WILD!! Total jaw drop moment!!
Highly recommend to those who enjoy a fast paced, twisty thriller!!
My thanks to MBC BOOKS and Simon & Schuster Canada for this gifted copy.
I am a HUGE Pip Drysdale fan and have read all of her books. Each one has been a 4 or 5 star rating. The Close Up takes the top spot for me. IT WAS EXCELLENT!!👏
This storyline was SO WELL WRITTEN! It's so unhinged and absolutely delicious! I mean, we've got a struggling author, a stalker and a deep desire for fame ... YES PLEASE!!
That ending was WILD!! Total jaw drop moment!!
Highly recommend to those who enjoy a fast paced, twisty thriller!!
My thanks to MBC BOOKS and Simon & Schuster Canada for this gifted copy.
January 9, 2025
3.75/5
December 3, 2024 Update:
Happy North American Publication Day! This meta thriller novel is now out in Canada and USA.
November 26, 2024 Review:
This book started off as a 3.5 but ended on a solid 4.
The story follows a rather unlikable narrator -
Zoe's life is a mess. People barely remember her birthday, her first book was a flop, she's been struggling to deliver the second book as part of her two-book deal with her publisher, and her love life is non-existing.
While working at an event as a florist, she bumps into Zach Hamilton - People magazine's sexiest man alive, and whom she spent three amazing days with back before he became famous. They immediately hit it off again and spends time together. Zoe finally feels inspired to write again, especially when the paparazzi are now speculating about their relationship and the buzz has attracted the unwanted attention of a crazy stalker who's been leaving behind threats that match the pattern of events from Zoe's first thriller novel.
And so, being the writer that she is, Zoe decides to use everything that's happening in her life right now to capture the dark side of Hollywood for her second novel. She decides to write about her life and use most of it in her second novel (which she'll fictionalize and blur the details later on). And pitches her novel to her agent as follows (which can also potentially be repurposed as the elevator pitch for this novel as well):
But as events unfold, Zoe realizes that she doesn't fully understand everything that's going on around her.
This was a very meta thriller where it feels like we're reading a draft of Zoe's second novel (as she jots down and writes about everything that's happening, as it happens) - which I loved, but often dragged (which is a reflection of the moments when Zoe was struggling with writer's block and figuring out the plot line of her novel and how to move the story along). The book was also full of fun foreshadowing and elements that show the dark side of Hollywood and fame. However, I found all the characters to be annoying and unlikeable (maybe that's just what people in LA are like?), and I had a hard time feeling invested in Zoe's struggles.
*All quotes are taken from an Advanced Readers Copy and may change prior to the release of the final copy.*
**I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley for review consideration, but all opinions are my own.**
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If you like the following, then you might enjoy The Close Up or vice-versa:
December 3, 2024 Update:
Happy North American Publication Day! This meta thriller novel is now out in Canada and USA.
November 26, 2024 Review:
This book started off as a 3.5 but ended on a solid 4.
The story follows a rather unlikable narrator -
Me, Zoe Ann Weiss. Writer. Human. Florist. Fuckup.
Zoe's life is a mess. People barely remember her birthday, her first book was a flop, she's been struggling to deliver the second book as part of her two-book deal with her publisher, and her love life is non-existing.
While working at an event as a florist, she bumps into Zach Hamilton - People magazine's sexiest man alive, and whom she spent three amazing days with back before he became famous. They immediately hit it off again and spends time together. Zoe finally feels inspired to write again, especially when the paparazzi are now speculating about their relationship and the buzz has attracted the unwanted attention of a crazy stalker who's been leaving behind threats that match the pattern of events from Zoe's first thriller novel.
And so, being the writer that she is, Zoe decides to use everything that's happening in her life right now to capture the dark side of Hollywood for her second novel. She decides to write about her life and use most of it in her second novel (which she'll fictionalize and blur the details later on). And pitches her novel to her agent as follows (which can also potentially be repurposed as the elevator pitch for this novel as well):
A thriller writer who starts dating a celebrity has to deal with a psycho fan who uses everything in her first book against her. The police can't help her, nobody can help her... except maybe the man she loves...
But as events unfold, Zoe realizes that she doesn't fully understand everything that's going on around her.
Am I the unreliable narrator of my own life?
This was a very meta thriller where it feels like we're reading a draft of Zoe's second novel (as she jots down and writes about everything that's happening, as it happens) - which I loved, but often dragged (which is a reflection of the moments when Zoe was struggling with writer's block and figuring out the plot line of her novel and how to move the story along). The book was also full of fun foreshadowing and elements that show the dark side of Hollywood and fame. However, I found all the characters to be annoying and unlikeable (maybe that's just what people in LA are like?), and I had a hard time feeling invested in Zoe's struggles.
*All quotes are taken from an Advanced Readers Copy and may change prior to the release of the final copy.*
**I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley for review consideration, but all opinions are my own.**
__________________________
If you like the following, then you might enjoy The Close Up or vice-versa:
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