The Photographer

by Mary Dixie Carter

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.

WHEN PERFECT IMAGES

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.

ARE MADE OF BEAUTIFUL LIES

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.

THE TRUTH WILL BE EXPOSED

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.

Genres: Thriller, Fiction, Mystery, Suspense, Audiobook, Mystery Thriller, Psychological Thriller

296 pages, Hardcover

First published May 25, 2021

About the author

Mary Dixie Carter is the author of the critically acclaimed novel The Photographer and Marguerite by the Lake, coming in May 2025. Her writing has appeared in TIME, The Economist, the San Francisco Chronicle, the Chicago Tribune, The Philadelphia Inquirer, The New York Sun, The New York Observer and other print and online publications. She worked at The Observer for five years, where she served as the publishing director. In addition to writing, she also has a background as a professional actor. Mary Dixie graduated from Harvard with an honors degree in English Literature and holds an MFA in Creative Writing from The New School. She lives in Brooklyn with her husband and two children.

Reviews

[Nilufer Ozmekik · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is weird, disturbing, obsessive, making your entire body hair stand up kind of freaky slow burn psychological thriller!

It’s definitely psychological because narrator/ heroine Delta Dawn is not only a quite brilliant photographer named after a song ( if that’s her real name? Maybe the author may write a sequel in near future and name her as Barbara Ann or Mustang Sally, who knows?) is truly deeply batshit crazy, obsessive, a female combination of Joe Goldberg meets Jennifer Jason Leigh from Single White Female!

She’s a chameleon! She meets people and learns the intimate details about their life stories, then she wears these details as if they’re her own past! We don’t know who she is, only thing we know her parents are dead and she raised in Disneyland because of her parents’ occupations as janitors.
She has quite exquisite talent for reflecting the inner light of people to show the better parts of them to help them believe in illusions ( she creates magic with her photography but the worst part not only the people are enchanted by the reality she creates but also she truly believes the fake, artificial cocoon she built around herself !)

Delta takes photos of families, editing them according to their demands, best interests, making them believe they are happy families! But she also edits those photos for herself, inserting her own pictures to fill the emptiness of her life.

After her last gig, she truly gets connected with Straub family. A power couple and their young daughter Nathalie ! The mother Amelia is sophisticated, fancy, ambitious architect works with her husband but she’s better at her job, bringing all important customers to the company so she defines herself as real bread winner.
Her husband Fritz is also good looking man, a little resentful because of her wife’s long working hours and their nonstop social life. Poor Nathalie doesn’t get much attention from them and when her parents decided to have a second kid but their plan failed after several miscarriages, she gets affected from their marriage problems.

Delta watches them like a hawk, photographing their intimate moments, slowly intruding their lives by dating with coworker of Fritz, babysitting Nathalie and bonding a unique relationship, rolling around their rug naked ( okay! She just lay down but she was still not wearing clothes! You naughty girl)!
Her last step of the plan to be surrogate mother for their second child to be connected with them forever! Will her plan be accomplished? Go on, read and tell!

It was quick, fast pacing, gripping read! Interestingly I enjoyed the creepy mind of Delta but the character I didn’t like was Amelia: she was true drama queen and I want to throw my full glass of Pinot Grigio on her face several times! But it would be waste of my drink!

Overall: ending was smart, well played and I enjoyed the creepy, obsessive but also entertaining narration! Giving my shiny 4 photographic, illusional , mysterious, darkish stars!

Special thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press/ Minotaur Books for sharing this digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest opinions.

[Jayme · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delta Dawn is a sought after photographer for New York’s elite families: snapping photographs at their children’s birthday parties, and then using every available APP to transform tears and pouts into beautiful memories.

She knows it’s VITAL to capture the moment that “Happy Birthday” is sung, the cake is presented and the candles are blown out. She also realizes that the parents want to see themselves as much as they want to see their children. They want to see the proof that they are GOOD parents.

But, when she is hired to photograph Natalie Straub’s 11th birthday party, she meets a family that she isn’t ready to say goodbye to yet.

So like her namesake, from Tanya Tucker’s 1972 hit song, she may have to rewrite her own narrative fit the outcome that she desires.

She may have to “edit” more than the photographs to fit in.

And, count on MANY questions not being asked.

For the most part, the book was COMPULSIVE reading and very ENTERTAINING!

Early on, I had my suspicions on what was true, what was “photoshopped” and where this was leading but it didn’t detract from my enjoyment to read on to see if I was right.

But, when all is said and done, I was no longer singing the lyrics to “Delta Dawn”.
(My mother would play the song, so I actually know them -and the words from the next song mentioned)

I was now singing the 1969 Grammy Award Winning record of the year, “Is That All There Is?”-Peggy Lee...
( PLAY NOW on YouTube for dramatic effect! )

Because, it CAN’T end like this!?
With an epilogue?

3.5 but rounding up!
I WAS entertained!

I would like to thank Minotaur and Mary Dixie Carter for my gifted copy, provided through NetGalley!

It was my pleasure to provide a candid review!

Available Now!!

[Michael David (on hiatus) · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick read with entertaining moments, but may be lacking in logic.

Delta Dawn (yes, that’s her name) is a photographer (hence the title) who is happy behind the camera, snapping pictures at children’s birthday bashes. She also has a gift of appropriately editing them when the child doesn’t want to participate.

When Delta takes on the job of photographing 11-year old Natalie’s birthday party, she can’t help but wish she was a part of this family...as the reliable family friend they can confide in.

She agrees to babysit Natalie when the parents are in a pinch. Things progress as Delta realizes she would do anything for this family, and she proceeds to integrate herself into their lives by any means necessary.

CONS:

-The decisions the characters make are pretty illogical, in my opinion.
-Apparently, nobody has heard of a background check. Suspension of disbelief galore.
-At least one minor plot hole, which probably doesn’t matter in the grand scheme of things.
-As a fan of psychological thrillers, I would’ve enjoyed finding out the “psychological” backgrounds of the characters and how that correlated with their actions.
-The ending didn’t blow me away, even though I thought it might.

PROS (saving the best for the last):

-It’s never boring. A straight up, 3-star popcorn thriller. 🍿
-The writing is engaging and appropriately gripping. It’s a page-turner, for sure.
-It’s a quick read. I flew through the pages.
-The interest in finding out motives never dissipates.
-There is a dog and cat. 🐶🐱

Overall, I enjoyed the debut of author Mary Dixon Carter, and look forward to her sophomore effort.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. This book is set to be published: 5/24/2021.

Review also posted at: https://bonkersforthebooks.wordpress.com

[Holly B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Click, whirr, zoom, snap

Delta Dawn is sizing up the Straub family. She is a talented photographer who caters to New York City's upper class. She has been hired to photograph Natalie Straub's 11th birthday party.

Delta is a crafty one and when she casts her eyes upon the Straub home she notices things- a floating, sculptural staircase, Amelia's purple down Moncler (which she happens to know is over two thousand dollars), pristine furniture, glistening glass, and the overall design of the architectural design of the home, which is exquisite. She also sizes up the lady of the house, Amelia. She compares Amelia to herself- who is more attractive, who has larger breasts, a smaller waist, fewer lines sketched on her face. She decides that overall, she is more attractive than Amelia!

Delta uses her skills to intertwine their lives together. She wants more. She wants it all.

A slow-burn for me, not a page-turner, yet I enjoyed all the details of the home and photography bits. Delta's inner twisted voice, the way she spared no effort to ingratiate herself with the family. The light, but menacing suspense.

Some may be bored or wanting more twists and turns. I enjoyed it and recommend if you are looking for more of a steady pace that features a manipulating character who will surely shock you - more than once.


Looking forward to more from the author. She is the daughter of the late actress, Dixie Carter. This was a library loan for me. 6/14/2021

[Kat · Rating 3 out of 5]

I needed some heavy-duty suspenders for my disbelief on this one, but it had its moments!

Delta Dawn is a successful children’s photographer for the wealthy set in NYC, who’s invited by Amelia and Fritz Straub, two successful architects, to photograph their 11-year-old daughter Natalie’s birthday party. Within seeming minutes of meeting the Straubs, she develops insta-love ‘gotta be part of this family forever, I’ll blindly do anything they ask whenever they ask it, please need me’ devotion to them, which sets the tone for everything that follows. This devotion is so immediate - in fact - that at the end of this party, when Amelia and Fritz have a work meeting and suddenly find themselves without a babysitter for Natalie, Delta jumps at the chance to do it, and the Straubs - apparently impressed by her skill at creating balloon animals (this really happened), say “Sure! We completely trust you in our expensive home with our only child you just met! Thanks!”

OK … they didn’t really say those words, but you get the idea. Character logic was pretty weak.

The psychodrama only gets worse as Delta embeds herself deeper and deeper into the Straubs’ lives, while secretly creating impossible Photoshop montages of herself in every imaginable appropriate and inappropriate scenario with each of the family members. It’s never really explained why she feels this strong connection to them, but the book does imply this isn’t the first family she’s “edited” herself into. Having grown up in humble circumstances, I guess it can be assumed that she just wants the life she doesn’t have. As her desire to elevate her social position and integrate herself into this family reaches its peak, she devises her ultimate plan to make sure she’ll always be part of their lives. Does her plan work? You’ll have to read to find out!

I think if you just go with the flow on this one and accept that entertainment seems to be a higher priority than believability, you might enjoy it. It’s a quick read that kept me invested, if for no other reason than sheer curiosity at how things would play out. I can’t say that there were any real surprises on that front, but it was fun enough! I’d definitely watch for other books by this author.

★★★ ½

Thanks to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, Minotaur Books and author Mary Dixie Carter for this ARC in exchange for my honest review. This will publish on May 25, 2021.

[Sheyla ✎ · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is one instance when the cover sells a book. It's gorgeous!

So what's the story about?

Delta is a gifted photographer. She loves to look at life through the lens of her camera. She works as a photographer for children's parties. Her fees are high and she is sought for her talent.

Her next job brings her to the Straubs. She is to take pictures of Natalie's 11th birthday party at the Straub's home. The Straubs are renowned architects and their home is gorgeous. Delta is fascinated by them and she does everything possible to enwrap herself into their life from babysitting Natalie to picking up their dry cleaning. Soon, she wants more...

The premise was a good one. A younger beautiful woman immersing herself in the nook of the family she envies. She wants what this family portrays. A home, a beautiful child, a handsome husband, an elegant wife. Delta can already imagine herself as part of their family. She just needs an opportunity.

The Photographer is a quick and fast-paced story that you can read in just a few hours. Some parts of the book felt flat to me maybe because of a lack of character development or the unbelievable aspects of some of it (Who leaves their child with a stranger on the day they meet?).

Despite the ending being a little rushed, overall I was entertained and found myself turning the pages one after the other one.

Cliffhanger: No

3/5 Fangs

A complimentary copy was provided by Minotaur via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

MrsLeif's Two Fangs About It | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

[JanB · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delta Dawn makes her living as a photographer of the well-heeled elite of NYC. She knows just how to manipulate and photoshop the pictures to make everything look perfect, and is hired by Amelia and Fitz to photograph their daughter Natalie’s birthday party. As the day progresses and conversations are overheard, it becomes clear to Delta that they have something she wants, and she can give them something they want. She hatches a plan to make herself indispensable to the family and manipulates circumstances to ingratiate herself with the family. Pictures aren’t the only thing Delta can manipulate.

What does she want? More than what we are told from the beginning. Told exclusively from Delta’s POV, this is a tale of envy and obsession by a master manipulator. What she does to accomplish her goal is totally creepy as the lines between what is real and what exists only in her mind is blurred. Amelia has obsessions of her own, as we soon discover. And Natalie, the 11-year-old? Turns out she’s the savviest of them all.

Sure you have to suspend some disbelief, but I accept that in this genre. It was still a fun read! I’m learning to just go with the flow and I'm enjoying this genre on audio very much.

Note: I do not recommend the audio version, read by the author. Intentional or not, her voice and cadence was very slow and robotic with poor sound quality, as if she was talking into a tin can. I always increase the speed on audiobooks to approximate my own reading speed while keeping the voice(s) normal, but in this case nothing helped. I had to work hard to separate my dislike of the narration from the story itself.

• I received a copy of the audio via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

[Blaine · Rating 4 out of 5]

We get to the part where Mary Poppins’ friend Bert does a sidewalk chalk drawing of an English countryside. Mary Poppins, Bert, and the children jump into the picture. They land inside the drawing and the scene comes to life. The picture is real, because they want it to be.

Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for sending me an ARC of The Photographer in exchange for an honest review.

The Photographer is a bit of a throwback to 1990s movies like Single White Female and The Hand that Rocks the Cradle. Like those ‘roommate from hell’ or ‘nanny from hell’ movies, The Photographer is about a ... family photographer from hell.

Delta Dawn is hired by Amelia and Fritz Straub to take pictures at their daughter Natalie’s eleventh birthday party. Delta is a crazy talented photographer, and throughout the book she offers what sound like pretty sharp observations about photography and art. Unfortunately for the Straubs, Delta is also just plain crazy. And once she decides she wants to ingratiate herself into the Straub family, she puts a series of plans in motion to become an indispensable part of their lives.

Psychological thrillers are everywhere nowadays, and so many of them follow the Gone Girl template: chapters with alternating perspectives, and a big twist halfway through that changes the reader’s understanding of the story. The Photographer charts a different course, as there’s no big twist and the entire novel is told from Delta’s first-person perspective. Overall, it’s quite effective. Being inside Delta’s head is unsettling because it’s unclear what you can believe. Her stories change over time so you’re never quite sure what’s actually true, and her perceptions are so questionable that you never know if she is correctly interpreting the actions of those around her. She’s a puzzle, but an interesting one.

Having the entire story told from Delta’s mind does create limitations. It feels a bit one-note at times. Although the Straubs and a couple of other characters are fleshed out to a degree, Delta’s perception of them is so untrustworthy and transactional that they don’t feel like three dimensional characters. And I’m not sure the story makes logical sense from start to finish. While I enjoyed the ending, it really could not have been her plan from the very start. In fact, I don’t think she really crafted it until quite late, which left me wondering what exactly was her original endgame. Then again, maybe crazy just goes with the flow and doesn’t have a preplanned endgame.

Finally, a word about the audiobook narration, performed by the author herself. I thought she did a great job. Obviously she knew exactly how she wanted Delta to sound, and executed it well. She has an interesting voice, and gave Delta a bit of a dreamy, disconnected tone that enhanced her creepy crazy vibe.

The Photographer is a strong debut novel. 3.5 stars rounded up to 4. Recommended.

5/25/2021 update: reposting my review to celebrate that today is publication day!

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Amelia and Fritz hire photographer, Delta Dawn, to photograph their 13 year old daughters birthday party they had no idea who they were letting into their house. Amelia and Fritz, both architects', have a home Delta could only dream of. Handsome Fritz with beautiful green eyes. Gorgeous Amelia who looks effortlessly beautiful all of the time. Their sweet daughter Natalie whom Delta befriends. This is the lifestyle she has always wanted and she will do anything to be a part of this families life no matter what boundaries need to be crossed.

Delta Dawn is one creepy and pathetic character. Some of her antics were downright cringe worthy but it made for some compelling reading. This is definitely a book in which you will need to suspend disbelief. Especially the ending. The way it all played out was really tough to believe. However, I had a heck of a time reading it. The unbelievability didn't ruin this for me and that says something about Mary Dixie Carters writing skills. I very much look forward to her sophomore effort. 4 stars!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for providing me with a DRC.

[Ceecee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delta Dawn is a successful family photographer in the NYC area. She’s hired by uber wealthy architects Amelia and Fitz Straub to record their eleven year old daughter Natalie’s birthday party. She looks around their stunning Brooklyn house with envy and admiration. Later, when their sitter cancel she offers to substitute so they can attend a business dinner. She cleverly inserts herself into their prestigious life, making herself indispensable. She narrates her story - reliably? Only time will tell.

Oh boy, where to start with Delta?! She’s absolutely awful, she has precious few boundaries, she’s a very vague relationship with the truth and she’s very manipulative in more ways that one. She has this view of the life she wants and her covetous obsession, need to belong and also to control, drives the narrative. Her actions are definitely creepy, overstep the bounds of the norm and make you shudder. She’s a sad personality in many ways as she thinks so little of herself, seeing her Floridian origins as ugly and regards the Straubs as her route out of the ‘grime’. Amelia and Natalie are well fleshed out as characters and easy to picture, some of the others are not quite so well drawn but I don’t think they necessarily need to be. Of all of them Natalie displays the greatest amount of acumen and common sense and for one so young she is very perceptive. The story is well written, it jogs along at a good pace and makes for compelling reading as you witness Delta’s world starting to unravel and the wheels come off her plans. It’s highly entertaining, somewhat implausible (put your disbelief suspenders on!) but good fun! Just gloss over the things that are unlikely to happen in these days of the suspicious need for checking people out - we wouldn’t have a story then would we?!! I like the ending - nice one, Delta!!!

Overall, I really enjoyed this one, it’s an engaging psychological thriller from start to finish.

With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Hodder and Stoughton for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.

[Liz · Rating 3 out of 5]

This psychological thriller posits a female photographer who ingratiates her way into the lives of one of her rich clients by agreeing to babysit their 11 year old daughter and then taking on more and more jobs for them. Delta Dawn grew up white trash in Orlando, Florida. She seeks to move from behind the camera to sharing the lives of this family. She’s obsessed with them, and envisions herself living in their house.
This book took a turn I didn’t see coming. It was obvious that Delta was a loony tune. But I didn’t expect Amelia to be as well. She’s a woman possessed. The only one I felt sorry for was poor Nicole, who has to wonder where she fits in. I also felt a special appreciation for Eliza, the cat, and Itzhak, the dog. They appeared to be the only ones with their wits about them.
For a psychological thriller, the book moves at a pretty slow pace and doesn’t really have any anxiety producing moments. It’s ok, but nothing special. I found the ending especially predictable and unsatisfying.
My thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for an advance copy of this book.

[Tonya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Capturing memories is a photographer’s job. Delta Dawn, named for the country song by the same name, is an expert in not only recording life’s precious moments, but creating them too. Delta is a character that frustrated, angered, and broke my heart all at the same time. Her obsession drives this fast paced twisted tale where perception and reality are not always in sync. Unsettling, disturbing and extremely entertaining describe this debut psychological thriller by Mary Dixie Carter. I look forward to reading future books by this author.
Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for my ARC.

[JaymeO · Rating 4 out of 5]

#singlewhitefemale

What a great debut! I had procrastinated reading The Photographer after seeing many mediocre reviews, but finally decided to listen to the audiobook. It is read by the author, who does a phenomenal job! This is a slow burn psychological thriller, that will keep you engrossed from the first page to the last!

Delta Dawn is a photographer in her early thirties, making a living mostly from taking pictures at children’s’ birthday parties. After she photographs Natalie Straub’s eleventh birthday party, she wants to get to know these particular clients better. She finds herself enamored with their lifestyle, sophistication, and social class. Slowly, Delta ingratiates herself into their lives by volunteering to babysit for Natalie.

When Delta learns that Natalie’s mother Amelia has been struggling to have a second baby, she makes it her mission to assure that the woman she admires gets what she wants at all costs.

Be careful who you trust!

Usually I don’t find myself engaged in slow burn thrillers, especially when I know exactly where the plot is headed. This book is very predictable, but still managed to intrigue me. However, I would have liked more than surface level back story into Delta’s life, as it would have enhanced this plot even further. I am looking forward to reading more from this author!

4/5 stars

[L.A. · Rating 4 out of 5]

A GREAT psychological thriller that I can't do it enough justice. I was caught up in this book from start to finish. It was unbelievably good with a dark undertone and some scenes that are not as they seem, but the author did an incredible job of bringing it together. My only drawback was at the end not being sure what was real or not. Sometimes this is a great extension of the story to create in your own mind.

Delta Dawn, her 70's name derived from Tanya Tucker's song, created her own version of living when her life did not status quo the way she intended.... not as a child or even as an adult. Her creation is through her photography job capturing the elite's lifestyles and celebrations. When she captures little Natalie Straub's party, she becomes obsessed with her parents Ian & Amelia, as well as their affluently established professions and home.

Her obsession leads her to insert herself into their lives by manipulating their emotions in her favor. She becomes skillfully preoccupied with the intrusion and able to control or influence their minds. She even created some crafty photos to evade her own mind.

It's one of two things... this family has their head in the sand and could not see the manipulation or too desperate in building their career that it became too convenient for their daughter to have a sitter or potential house guest that it was not in the discourse of topic. ......they just left the light on for her and gave her a key.
Overall, I think it is worth your read, if you are looking for a psychology thriller that delivers while you ponder her thoughts and ways on the edge of your seat.

Thank you NetGalley, St. Martin's Press and Mary Dixie Carter for this ARC in exchange for my honest review. Good job for an obsessive thriller, Mary Dixie Carter.

[Julie (JuJu) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a tale about extreme obsession taken to a new level! I was instantly pulled into Delta Dawn’s life—the photographer and main character in this psychological thriller. Holding my breath...waiting for the wicked trainwreck destined to un-rail her life! Ms. Carter has managed to write an intense and twisted thriller, with a remarably original plot, that is unforgettable!

Delta uses her intelligence and cunning to weave herself into the charmed lives of her wealthy clients. When she meets the Straub family, she knows they’re special. She wants more from them; she wants to be part of the family.

”Yes, I’d been born into white trash. But I myself had a drastically superior mind and sensibilities.”

Hiring a photographer seems like a simple process. Of course, you want to check out their credentials, especially if you’ll be inviting them into your house. But really, it’s not like you’re vetting someone for public office!

I love taking pictures, so the photography aspect of this novel was an added bonus. And reading about normal-presenting characters that turn out to be “not-so-normal” is fascinating. It makes me feel so much more normal, 😂. This is one of those delightful reads that isn’t easy to forget!

Thank you to Edelweiss, Mary Dixie Carter and , for this free digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.

My Rating: 4.5 ⭐️’s (rounding up)
Published: May 25th 2021 by Minotaur
Pages: 288
Recommend: Yes!

@MaryDixieCarter @@MinotaurBooks @edelweiss_squad
#ThePhotographer #Edelweiss #InExchangeForReview #psychologicalthriller #NoRulesJustThrills

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars
Alarm bells rag straight away for me in The Photographer I worked out quickly
what was going to happen but the prose got me in to the end. I must admit I was laughing at the situations during this book made my eye roll 🙄 right throughout, very implausible moments which were unrealistic.

Fritz & Amelia Straub hire a photographer for their daughter Natalie’s eleventh birthday but Delta has her eyes on a bigger prize, she looks around at the architecture of Amelia & Fritz design of the home , the Strauss both are architects.


Delta befriends Amelia very quickly as she becomes Natalie’s babysitter while Amelia & Fritz are on business trips …YES Delta Dawn makes her self right at home, she finds files on Amelia’s medical records & sets her plan into motion let’s just say that Delta is one sick delusional puppy 🐶 oh let’s
not forget the family dog Itzhag he was so cute, I am not going to say any more other than I did enjoy this but my rating goes to how unrealistic this was.

[Sandysbookaday (taking a step back for a while) · Rating 3 out of 5]

EXCERPT: The photos of the Straubs provided me with terrific comfort. I clicked through several of Natalie and her friends and several of Natalie alone. Then I landed on one of Fritz, leaning against the library wall, laughing, his intense green eyes looking straight into the camera. It was his kindness and intelligence that made him handsome. I'd sensed those qualities in him the instant we met. I felt a tug of longing in my gut - some combination of emptiness and desire.

I pulled up some shots of myself that I'd used for my website and superimposed my body, in profile, next to an image of Fritz in profile. I moved his face close to mine, so it looked as though we were confiding in each other, in a close conversation that others couldn't hear. And then, practically feeling his breath on my face, I closed the gap between the two mouths. His warm lips pressed against mine. Then his fingers in my hair. A frisson of surprised delight surged through my body.

ABOUT 'THE PHOTOGRAPHER': WHEN PERFECT IMAGES

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.

ARE MADE OF BEAUTIFUL LIES

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.

THE TRUTH WILL BE EXPOSED

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.

MY THOUGHTS: I can remember, as a teenager, babysitting for some nice people up the street with whom I shared a love of horses and reading. I wanted to belong to them, and spent every moment that I could at their house. I used to fantasize that people would think I was their daughter (unlikely as Julie was only 7 years older than me) or Julie's sister. So I can kind of relate to Delta, but then I was fourteen, not twenty-eight.

I can tend towards voyeuristic behaviour, but on a much lower level than Delta. I like people watching, I listen to their conversations and make up stories about them. I can get a bit nosy about my neighbours movements. But there I draw the line.

I really enjoyed the early part of The Photographer; it was both disturbing and entertaining. But then about halfway through it fizzled a little. I started going, 'hmmm,' and, 'really?', and my interest waned. It didn't die completely, but it definitely took a hit. I remained curious, but not frantically, which is how I felt in the early part of the book, and how I wanted to feel throughout the read.

The twists didn't surprise me, and I was disappointed with the ending. BUT, as this is the author's first novel, I am prepared to cut her some slack. And I will definitely be putting my hand up to read anything else she writes in the future.

⭐⭐⭐.4

#ThePhotographer #NetGalley

I: @marydixiecarter @hodderbooks

T: @MaryDixieCarter @HodderBooks

#contemporaryfiction #domesticdrama #psychologicalthriller

THE AUTHOR: Mary Dixie Carter's writing has appeared in TIME, The Economist, the San Francisco Chronicle, the Chicago Tribune, The Philadelphia Inquirer, The New York Sun, The New York Observer and other print and online publications. She worked at The Observer for five years, where she served as the publishing director. In addition to writing, she also has a background as a professional actor. Mary Dixie graduated from Harvard College with an honors degree in English Literature and holds an MFA in Creative Writing from The New School. She lives in Brooklyn with her husband and two young children. The Photographer is her first novel.

DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Hodder & Stoughton via Netgalley for providing a digital ARC of The Photographer by Mary Dixie Carter for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.

For an explanation of my rating system please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com

This review and others are also published on Twitter, Amazon, Instagram and my webpage https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...

[Jennifer ~ TarHeelReader · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars!

I just finished The Photographer and couldn’t wait to share some early thoughts. Also, the marketing package with the Viewfinder (and creepy slides!) was the perfect touch for this title!

The main character is Delta Dawn, and she’s a photographer. Delta is working Natalie’s eleventh birthday party in a stunning, luxurious home. Well, she wants this home and life a little too much... She inserts herself into it, getting as close as she can to this family and their home. 😱 Obsessive, haunting, creepy, and dark, this one had me hooked!

I received a gifted copy.

Many of my reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com and instagram: www.instagram.com/tarheelreader

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars: “The Photographer” by Mary Dixie Carter is a creepy story with a very creepy narrator. In fact, the narrator, Delta Dawn, borders on the unreliable narrator. I’m a fan of the unreliable narrator, as it ups the creep factor when done correctly, as Ms. Carter has. All the while reading this, I questioned: is Delta a sociopath or is she an unreliable narrator? Or both? Certainly, the reader realizes that Delta sees the world a bit differently than everyone around her. Plus, she hints at some questionable history she’s been involved in.

Delta is a photographer, self-taught, who specializes in children’s photography. She’s hired by designers Amelia and Fritz Straub to photograph their only child’s(Natalie) birthday party. From the moment Delta steps into the Straub home, she falls in love with their life: their home, their possessions, their clothing…everything. Delta wants to be a part of their family. Since Delta is narrating the story, we get the inside glimpse into her disturbing mind.

Delta does infiltrate herself into their lives. Amelia wants another child and is too old to get pregnant. Delta schemes to find a way to get that child for them. She invents reality as she lives….she has an excellent memory, as all liars do. Nonetheless, her manufactured life and appearances leads to suspense and tension.

I keep reading, wondering how in the world this story is going to end. We know it won’t be well. Delta is fixated on this family, and Amelia is crumbling under the weight of not getting her second child.

As you read, you know this is going to end in disaster, but you keep reading to find out exactly how Carter will end this story. It’s a satisfying, yet creepy read.

[Allison Faught · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️ rounded down.
This book WAS entertaining but I guess it wasn’t quite what I was looking for.
I loved that it had this One Hour Photo vibe (great movie), and decisions Delta made were truly cringe-worthy and uncomfortable. I also loved the short chapters and incredibly easy to follow dialogue.
I felt a bit underwhelmed with execution though. It was described as ‘chilling’ and a ‘thriller’, however, I felt it played out more as a domestic drama than anything. Which isn’t necessarily bad, just not the pace I felt it could have taken as a psychological thriller. I left with a few questions as well, which is never satisfying.
All in all, entertaining enough and definitely a super easy read. I’ll be on the lookout for more from this author!

[Kim ~ It’s All About the Thrill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well this was....disturbing! However we all know that I like disturbing..so of course I devoured it! Bring on the cray!

First off I might have something in common with Delta Dawn..yes that is her name and ...NO I am not a stalker! I do tend to buy photo frames and forget to put MY photos in them. A year later of this one particular frame being on my bookcase...my husband says...ummm the Kirklands dog is nice and all...but Not OUR dog!

I love a good crazy character and that is our Delta! She appears so normal..until you get a peek into how she spends her free time!

This was such a compulsive, quick read! I really enjoyed this crazy, warped story! I can't believe how The Straub's entrusted her with their children..they seemed so naive and self absorbed! Karma may just come knocking!

I would have liked a bit more edge to this thriller...however I still really enjoyed it! I was completely caught off guard with the big twist at the end! A fun debut!

Thank you so much to Minotaur books for my gorgeous gifted copy!

[Marilyn (not getting notifications) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to the audiobook of The Photographer by Mary Dixie Carter that was brilliantly read by the author, Mary Dixie Carter, herself. It was addictive and hard to stop listening to. As a character driven psychological thriller, the characters were well developed and complex. It was hard to believe that this was a debut novel for Mary Dixie Carter. I would definitely be excited to read other books that she writes.

The plot for The Photographer centered around an actual photographer, Delta Dawn, and the envy she felt toward her wealthy clients and the lives they lived. Delta became obsessed with the details of their lives and began to imagine herself intertwined in their lives. That was what happened when Delta was commissioned to photograph Natalie Straub’s eleventh birthday party. As she photographed Natalie, her parents, family members and friends, Delta started to imagine herself as part of the Straub family living in their opulent home and being part of their day to day lives. Delta remained at the party, even after the guests left, and was able to put a plan into action to accomplish her goal. She volunteered to help the Strauss parents out by babysitting Natalie that evening. Delta made sure that the Straub’s realized that this was something that she did not usually do but under the circumstances she would do it for them. This was just the beginning of Delta’s plan to make herself indispensable to the Straub’s. Would her plan work? How far would Delta go to accomplish it?

The suspense and tension built over the course of The Photographer which made it riveting and unsettling at times. It was a little creepy and even dark but I could not stop listening. I really enjoyed listening to this compelling thriller and highly recommend it.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio for the opportunity to listen to this advanced copy of The Photographer through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Publication is set for May 25, 2021.

[Christina · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun, page-turning thriller about a woman’s obsession with insinuating herself into another family’s life. Single White Female vibes, but for a whole family.

Our narrator Delta is a children’s photographer for wealthy families. One family she photographs, the Straubs, catches her attention and eventually her obsession. They are so rich, with such impeccable taste, such an interesting child, such a beautiful home.... that Delta begins to imagine herself as part of the family. And so, as she begins to worm her way in to the family’s life, the reader becomes increasingly uncomfortable. But then, the Straubs aren’t exactly sympathetic either. Rich and clueless, with the idea that money can buy them anything they want, including a baby, their treatment of less-wealthy Delta leaves a lot to be desired. Or at least, it does the way Delta explains it to us.

My one complaint would be that I would have liked a bit more character development and backstory. The most interesting character to me was the Straubs’ daughter Natalie. She’s rebellious and observant, and sees that her parents are superficial and domineering. I liked-to-hate our narrator Delta too. But as my friend Michael David pointed out so well in his excellent review of this book (read it!) we really don’t learn much at all about any of the other characters’ psychological backgrounds, or what childhood or other experiences made them the (somewhat psychotic) way they are today. We don’t even really know about Delta’s past. This for me, too, would have deepened the story and the thrills.

Nevertheless, I found the book to be compulsively readable, always entertaining, and page-turning as it hurtled towards either a happy ending or a terribly cringeworthy one (there could be no in-between for our Delta!). I really liked Carter’s writing style. It’s a cut above many of the other thrillers out there - always suspenseful with great narration, cringeworthy obsession, and fun plotting. I didn’t want to put the book down until I finished, which is my favorite quality in a thriller.

A very fun and creepy book. I foresee many more in the future for Mary Dixie Carter. I will definitely be reading!

Thanks to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press and Mary Dixie Carter for this fun debut novel from a great new suspense writer.

[Theresa Alan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novel is written in the first person, and usually with a first-person narrator, I feel invited into her life and am seeing things from her point of view. At first, I felt distant because the narrator, Delta Dawn, a photographer, describes her world in a scientific, clinical manner that is not welcoming. Pretty early on I realized why—something is wrong with this chick. For Delta, things like what is truth and who owns what are blurry. She manipulates her situation like she manipulates the pictures she takes. For her wealthy clients, she knows how to show the pictures of their children that make them look happy and content even if they are whiny, unpleasant, spoiled brats. The magic of computers and digital photography also means that once she takes a picture, she can do a whole lot more with it than make the lighting more flattering. She inserts herself into fantasies that seem more pleasant to her than her reality.

I don’t feel strongly about this book to recommend it or not. I’m ambivalent.

Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to review this novel, which RELEASES MAY 25, 2021.

[Melissa (Semi Hiatus Until After the Holidays) · Rating 3 out of 5]

This debut novel has some good moments, but for a domestic suspense novel I don't feel like it quite goes far enough.
Delta Dawn is a photographer specializing in children's parties of the upper crust of New York. She has a talent for making the best out of every situation and giving the parents the "look" they desire in the photos, even if it requires some careful manipulation of the photos. when Delta photographs eleven-year-old Natalie's party, she finds herself drawn to Natalie's parents and doesn't just want to be a friend of the family, she wants to be a PART of the family.
I alternated between listening to the audio book (narrated by the author) and reading the print copy. I liked the narration because I could feel Delta's aspirations and her delusions radiating from the voice.
Although Delta is pretty delusional, there's a method to her madness that you don't quite get until the very end of the book. I grew to somewhat admire her gutsiness and lies--both the lies she tells to others, but also the lies she tells herself. She has major blind spots when it comes to herself, and that just makes the book more readable.
Unfortunately, the thing that is the major shortcoming of this book is that we don't know WHY Delta is the way she is. There are veiled references to her family and upbringing, but a few well placed flashbacks would have made this book so much better. We know Delta is "off" but we don't know why she is that way.
Overall, this is a decent debut novel and I look forward to seeing what the author comes up with next.

I voluntarily reviewed both the audio and print copies of this book. All opinions are my own.

[Kelly (and the Book Boar) · Rating 4 out of 5]

The look on my husband’s face every time I remember reading this book and the earworm returns . . . .



Poor guy. At least I do the cooking while I’m annoying the poop out of him with my incessant song stylings!

I literally read the words “Delta Dawn” while taking a gander at the blurb for this book and needed to look no further before requesting a copy. Yep I’m that easy of a sale. In fact I was so smitten with this main character’s name that it even counteracted my hatred of the face cover.

Another selection for the shelf entitled . . . . .



The Photographer would be a great way to wind down these final pool days before summer comes to a close. The story here is about - you guessed it - Delta Dawn, a photographer by trade who gets hired to commemorate the Straub’s daughter’s 11th birthday party and finds herself a little too smitten with the family leading to a case of . . . .



I love a good crazy and Delta Dawn delivered.

ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you, NetGalley!

[Denise · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't have a lot to say about this one - I loved the cover and while it kept my interest and entertained me, I saw the ending coming a mile away, and it just didn't blow me away.

It's a classic tale of psychotic envy and obsession: Delta Dawn comes from nothing, but she has become a highly sought-after photographer for children’s parties of New York’s elite (is there really such a thing?). Delta does more than just take pictures though, she literally transforms the crying, ungrateful children through editing to portray the image of the children and the parties that the parents want to see. When Delta is hired to take pictures of Natalie Straub’s eleventh birthday, she finds herself wanting their life, and this time editing the pictures isn’t enough. Delta begins by babysitting for Natalie, befriending her mother Amelia, finding chances to listen to her father Fritz; and soon she becomes an integral piece of their family puzzle. It is still not enough for Delta though, until she discovers the one thing Amelia Straub wants most is also the perfect way for her to become permanently a part of the picture.

From the first page, I could see that Delta oozed psychosis, and I was hoping the plot would be as twisted as it initially sounded. Unfortunately, that was not the case. Sure, she did some crazy things - the naked romps in the Straub's house were disturbing and the mindf*** she played on the tenant was on par (although that could have been so much more!), but I found it all rather tame compared to other obsession reads. I wanted Delta to be one of those characters that you love to hate due to her diabolical cleverness, but she was instead rather vanilla. I actually felt more sorry for her than anything, as she was so sad and pathetic.

The other characters were all pretty one-dimensional, and just didn't do anything for me. I did like the bitchy cat and the decrepit dog, who still managed to bite Delta's ankle (did anyone else find that whole thing bizarre and out of context?), and there was no animal cruelty, so that's a plus.

Overall, it was a quick read that was not awful by any means - I just wanted more. 3 cynical stars for me.

[Katie B · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

I kinda felt giddy while reading this psychological thriller because the author found a great balance of fun and creepy. Popcorn thriller is a good way to describe it. I was really into the story as it had a bit of a trainwreck appeal in that you can't look away even though you something bad is going to happen. The problem is there is a lot of good build up and anticipation but in the end I can't say I walked away feeling completely satisfied.

When it comes to these types of stories, I personally think less is more and it's best not to know too much ahead of time. Basically the lead character, Delta Dawn, is a photographer. After being hired for Natalie Straub's 11 birthday party, she develops an interest in the Straub family. In fact she is bound and determined to spend time getting to know this family better. Hmm....

Delta Dawn, yeah that's really her name, is a fascinating character as there is an air of mystery to her. I kept wondering, what is her deal? And that desire to learn more about her is what drove the story. Trying to figure out what exactly was in store for the Straubs was another reason I was hooked on this story.

Unfortunately, I wasn't impressed with the last few chapters of the book. I try not to place a huge emphasis on endings when it comes to rating a book but the conclusion is the weak spot by far. It just doesn't mesh well with what was really an enjoyable read up until that point. I just wish we would have gotten a meatier ending.

Maybe not a perfect read but it did hold my interest which counts for a lot these days.

I received a free ARC of The Photographer by Mary Dixie Carter from Macmillan. All thoughts expressed are my honest opinion.

[Darlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delta Dawn's photographs say thousands of words, but not all of them are true. She is sought after by affluent parents who admire her ability to document their family events in only the best light. Will Delta go too far when she tries to Photoshop her real life the way she does her photographs?

I could not put this one down. Delta is such a compelling character and I wanted to see what she would do next. By "compelling" I really mean certifiably bat shit but in the best way.

If you love a good train wreck as much as I do, then this is the book for you. I listened to the audiobook and the narrator did a great job.

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for this ARC audiobook.

[Mandy White (mandylovestoread) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stalker much??? Delta Dawn takes obsession to a new level in The Photographer.. and then some. She really is cray cray 😜And for the most part I loved it. I read the first 50% in one sitting, turning those pages las fast as ai could. I was a little disappointed in the ending, although the epilogue was brilliant. On the whole though, what an insane book of obsession, trust and envy.

Delta Dawn makes he living as a photographer, predominantly at children’s birthday parties in New York for the rich and well off. She is talented and in high demand by parents who want their little darlings to look their best, as well themselves seen to be the perfect parents. And Delta wants the perfect lives that these families have. So when she is asked to babysit Natalie Straub after her 11th birthday party when her parents Amelia and Fritz get stuck, she gladly helps out. That is the start of her need to be part of their lives, and really will stop at nothing to get what she wants.

Thanks to Hachette Australia for my advanced copy of this book to read,