The Influencer: A Short Story

by Joyce Maynard

Insta-fame has deadly repercussions in a timely short story of dark psychological suspense by New York Times bestselling author Joyce Maynard.

Tammy Partridge and her boyfriend, Kevin, are on a photo-ready road trip across America in pursuit of influencer fame. Only a couple hundred followers so far, including Roxanne, a superfan of the beautiful young couple. But when Tammy’s body is discovered in the Utah wilderness, and Kevin is nowhere to be found, the picture-perfect adventure suddenly goes wrong—and viral, with three million followers and counting. Motives are questionable. Conspiracy theories cloud the dark corners of the internet. As everyone spins their own version of the truth, reality is getting harder to see. Except for Roxanne, who’s been following closer than anyone else.

Genres: Short Stories, Audiobook, Fiction, Mystery, Thriller, Ebooks, Social Media

102 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 27, 2022

About the author

Joyce Maynard first came to national attention with the publication of her New York Times cover story “An Eighteen-Year-Old Looks Back on Life” in 1973, when she was a freshman at Yale. Since then, she has been a reporter and columnist for The New York Times, a syndicated newspaper columnist whose “Domestic Affairs” column appeared in more than fifty papers nationwide, a regular contributor to NPR. Her writing has also been published in national magazines, including O, The Oprah Magazine; Newsweek; The New York Times Magazine; Forbes; Salon; San Francisco Magazine, USA Weekly; and many more. She has appeared on Good Morning America, The Today Show, CNN, Hardball with Chris Matthews, Charlie Rose, and on Fresh Air. Essays of hers appear in numerous collections. She has been a fellow at Yaddo, UCross, and The MacDowell Colony, where she wrote her most recently published novel, Labor Day.

The author of many books of fiction and nonfiction, including the novel To Die For (in which she also plays the role of Nicole Kidman’s attorney) and the bestselling memoir, At Home in the World, Maynard makes her home in Mill Valley, California. Her novel, The Usual Rules—a story about surviving loss—has been a favorite of book club audiences of all ages, and was chosen by the American Library Association as one of the ten best books for young readers for 2003.

Joyce Maynard also runs the Lake Atitlan Writing Workshop in Guatemala, founded in 2002.

Reviews

[Elyse Walters · Rating 1 out of 5]

Audiobook….read by Hillary Huber
….3 hours and 20 minutes

I love Joyce Maynard…
but between Hillary Huber’s voice sounding very drab in her reading this short story — flat —
and this very dull uninspiring story —
I didn’t continue down the boredom path for more than forty minutes before tossing in the towel.

[Tiny Reed · Rating 1 out of 5]

Zero stars if I could. Avoid. A gleefully malicious take on the Gabby Petito homicide case. It's clear the author has no concept of not only her subject matter but influencer culture, where she paints a murder victim as getting what she deserves for being naive and detached from reality for running an instagram page. A flagrant slap in the face to Gabby's family and friends, and ridiculous considering the story is still in the news. The only addition to the story is a stalker! Simply "out of touch" becomes malicious and exploitative in a heartbeat, I cannot believe this story was released in this state. Glad I didn't spend a dime on this.

[Kim · Rating 2 out of 5]

I… did not like this.

This was essentially Gabby Petito and Brian Laundrie fan fiction and I find that pretty gross, if I’m honest. The only reason this got more than one star was because of the little twist at the end that wasn’t all the shocking, but still was decent storytelling.

I’m glad this was a short story (a little over a hundred pages) and not an entire novel because I wouldn’t have been able to finish it. The mother’s narrative was annoying as all hell and the Brian character (I seriously already can’t remember his name and I just finished) was a sex obsessed loser. Genuinely, this was awful and I’m kind of upset at Amazon for recommending this to me.

Please do not write murder fanfiction then claim it’s not based on a true story while also using every detail down to Dog the Bounty Hunter about that true story.

This was not it. Not the best start to November’s reading.

[Judy Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have told everyone about this book. I LOVED this book! From the stunning front cover to every page, character, and twist, it was TOPS! THE INFLUENCER exceeded all my expectations and more.

A brilliantly crafted psychological suspense thriller with a twist!

All you true-crime Gabby fans, this is a MUST-READ! What are you waiting for? It is free if you are an Amazon prime member.

Living in South Florida, this is all we heard for months. I was obsessed with the true-crime Gabby Petito/Brian Laundrie murder case. Nothing about it was right, especially with Brian, his family, and the attorney.

Of course, we could not believe the case's outcome and could not wait for someone to retell it so we could get a better, more believable ending—justice for Gabby.

The perfect author to tell his story is Joyce Maynard! I am a huge fan and have read all her books. Let me say it was SUPERB! Well done!

AUDIOBOOK: In addition, I am also a fan of the female narrator, Hillary Huber, and when I discovered this e-book was coming out with accompanying audio, I could not wait for the pub date! Of course, I dropped everything the day it came out and listened/read in one sitting. Hillary and Patrick Lawlor did an outstanding job for all voices.

Ok, Gabby fans and victims of domestic violence, you will DEVOUR Maynard's take. This is exactly how I would have imagined the scenario of the camping cross-country going bad. I could not have told it better. Every single action was perfect in the way Joyce wrote this.

It was hilarious, suspenseful, entertaining, and satisfying.

As a bonus, you will squeal with delight at the wickedly delicious witty twist ending with the fan girl Roxanne and her dog, Valerie Gosh, I had to rewind that a few times, as it made me smile. Also, another surprise twist, is the younger brother, Henry connection. @littlebrother

Before I started writing this review, I purchased The Gabby Petito Story Lifetime movie on Amazon Video this morning. OMG! THE INFLUENCER was ten times better than the movie. The movie was not that good (10.1.22)

This short story packed a wild punch with everything you could want. The movie was a big letdown. If the movie script had been written by Joyce and followed the book, it would have been killer! The movie focused on her best friend at home, not any influencer or follower. Lots of fighting, and the ending not satisfying as the book.

E-BOOK: We hear the following POVs in the book. (names changed for the fictional book, of course). The e-book was very well done! It contained short chapters with alternating voices, marked well with the name titles for each POV. Highly recommend!

Featuring:
Reporter
Tammy- Girl (she is so innocent. What does she see in this guy?)
Kevin - Guy (this guy is a total loser jerk, violent, and low self-esteem, narcissist, mama's boy)
Lorraine (Kevin's mom) is so bad.
Fred (Kevin's dad)
Roger (Tammy's dad)
Deb (Tammy's mom)
Roxanne (fan girl and follower) @valeriadiscoversamerica Middle age, works at Amazon warehouse, and loves dogs. A HIT! I LOVED HER.
Valerie (Roxanne's dog) - The Havanese. Major player, 12 yrs old. Good partner in crime.
Gordon (Kevin's attorney) friend of Fred

Roxanne wants to follow Tammy to look out for her. Much like the real-life crime gal that helped guide the authorities, but Roxanne became more involved, and fans, you will love the ending!

These people sure like pizza!

We all want to see the guy who killed Tammy get what he deserves. In this version, he does!

Also, in this book, Tammy is a virgin and wants to remain so until married, and of course, Kevin resents this even though she told him this in the beginning (like he would be able to change her mind—please!)

I loved how Joyce focused on the Kevin/mom relationship. This was so right on, and the sneaky way they planned to plant the backpack to escape, etc.

In real life, this was never right. Brian, the parents, especially the mom's involvement, the attorney, and lack of help with authorities. Who would believe it?

It is sad, this young couple had no business being together as a couple, much less in a small camper on a cross-country camping trip. Thinking they could make it big as influencers. This is a cautionary tale for all women victims of domestic violence. Look for the signs and stay away before it is too late. I know because this was my second husband- abusive. A real charmer. Thank goodness I got away from him.

Fan girl follower Roxanne made the book and her dog! She feels like she knows these influencers because they tell you everything online. So easy for her to get a camper and follow them and befriend Tammy. She wants to get to know Tammy, not Kevin, of course. To help protect her.

Now, Joyce, could you please write a fictional short story about the JonBenét Ramsey case? This family formerly lived down the street from me in Atlanta—another case that has always been haunting. Would love your take.

Thank you, Joyce, for reimagining the case that haunted us all. Captivating. THE INFLUENCER is one of the best audiobooks I have listened to all year! (and I have listened to a ton).

Blog Review Posted @
www.JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 5💫 STARS
Pub Date: Oct 27, 2022
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[Martini Dozier · Rating 1 out of 5]

Zero stars. I’m disgusted that this person is writing about Gabby petito. I hope the family sues and takes all your money. This is downright disgusting

[ᒪᗴᗩᕼ · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't really know all that much about the Gabby Petito case, I mean I had heard of it. But I didn't know a lot of the details. In the beginning, there is a forward of sorts, from the author, stating how "she found inspiration in popular culture, the current obsession with social media...fame in particular" which felt like she is trying to say she didn't make this piece about the Gabby Petito case. Seriously, though...it sure seems like she copied a whole heck-of-a-lot of the circumstances from it.

She did give a different twist at the end, though...so I guess my two stars are for that. Also, it was free on Prime...

[Brianna - Four Paws and a Book · Rating 1 out of 5]

1.5 stars only because the audiobook was very well done.

We are a little over a year out from Gabby Petito's death and this is literally just a fictionalized version of this story with the character's names changed. The story is exactly the same. Zero points for originality. The story is choppy and we go back and forth from the parents' POVs to this random person that was following along on their journey. Every character felt like a cliche, like the author was so enamored by this case, but only seeing the people involved as caricatures or cardboard cutouts. There was no depth to any of these characters, even the one she made up.
I think there's a way to tell this story in a way that honors or at least respects the people that were involved in this tragedy. This story... isn't how to do it.

[Night · Rating 2 out of 5]

In Influencer reads like gross, oversimplified true crime fan fiction. Capitalizing on a real life tragedy has a huge ICK factor.

This is such an odd story to rate. I listened on Audible and the narrator did a fantastic job with the material.

However...

The story.
Clearly based on the Gabby Petito case. A few obvious details are changed but it's clear who it's based on. The story is written like an overblown caricature of real people and a recent tragedy, which honestly felt kind of gross. Kevin is a laughably accurate portrayal of an immature toxic momma's boy. Pouting like a child over their non-intimacy. Insecure about his baldness. Snide remarks about his girlfriend's dreams. Incompetent at life. Jealous of everyone. It's too over the top and on point, to the point of feeling almost disrespectful These types of men exist and do commit murder. It's not a joke.
Kevin's mom is a caricature of an enabling parent who idolizes the worthless son while ignoring her other son.
Gabby...I mean Tammy, is where the book really turns offensive. She's portrayed vapid, but kind and passionate. She picks on poor Kevin and isn't a good judge of character.
The addition of Roxanne and Valerie was funny at first, but then turned cliche. The poor, older fat lady who treats her dog like a child and stalks Tammy and Kevin because she has no life of her own. Har, har, har. Aren't these stereotypes old by now?

I get the feeling the author (besides capitalizing on a tragic murder) wanted to make fun of influencer culture. That would be fine if she didn't use a real and recent tragedy to do it. I'm kind of surprised APub thought this would be a good idea to publish this. It felt icky to try and make a buck off of a tragedy.

[Danielle · Rating 2 out of 5]

If this hadn't ripped off the Gabby Petito story so much, it could have been really good. It was so similar that the differences thrown in irked me because it felt like it was getting the story wrong or being disrespectful. I understand it's meant to be fiction, but in that case you have to be less on the nose.

This could have been a warning or at least an interesting story on domestic violence and how it can escalate when stuck in a small space together or while traveling, but instead, it just felt gross and cartoonish.

[Dan · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was an excellent novella, until the end, which was so far-fetched and ridiculous that it ruined everything that had gone before.

[Diane Dachota · Rating 2 out of 5]

Novella sized story which is a fictionalized account of the Gabby Petito story. I really don't get the point of this story as it follows the real life story so closely and we have all watched this play out on Dateline, 48 Hours etc. She describes Tammy (Gabby) as shallow and obsessed with fame and describes Kevin (Brian) as insecure about losing his hair and not being able to fix mechanical things. It is possible that the real Gabby and Brian were all of these things but the story just makes them seem like cliches rather than real people. She then added a fake follower, an overweight woman obsessed with both her own dog and with Tammy and the woman ends up following them around in a rented RV. I'm thinking Maynard thought people would enjoy a more revenge type ending to the story but the real story is tragic enough.

[Anne Caverhill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Creepy.
Even though you think you already know the ending to this dismal tale of wanna be influencers, Joyce Maynard makes it come alive with yoga poses interspersed with greasy McDonalds wrappers, and accompanied with a vacuous quest for spiritual stardom.
And then! The sucker punch twist where you find yourself almost rooting for a not so likeable character yet one who has added honest sparkle to an otherwise fait d’ accompli.
I really enjoyed ( ok, not the right word for such a sad story) this imaginative take. And yes. I would recommend. Highly.

[Michelle (around - catching up!) · Rating 1 out of 5]

I found it odd that, at the start of this book that there's a prominent note from the author, stating that the people in this book aren't real people. Now I know why, this absolutely is a retelling of the Gabby Petito murder... there are no coincidences, this IS entirely based on the recent tragedy, too many of the details match. I felt sad (and somewhat duped) reading this story, but not for the usual reasons when finishing a book. It seems more than a little bit exploitative and I wish that the book had come with an honest warning.

[Jolene · Rating 1 out of 5]

Shameful!

[Jen · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF @ 10%
Not for me

[christi · Rating 1 out of 5]

what the hell this was dog shit

[Robin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well, that was an interesting read. I've been a fan of Maynard's since her first book in 1973 and have always admired her writing. This short story is based on the Gabby Petito/Brian Laundrie story and was well written but I think it's a little early to be basing a fictional story on such a sad situation and I'm not sure it's fair to Brian's family to be featured in such a way. However, that all being said, I couldn't put it down and the twist was unexpected.

[~:The N:~ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Since this is a fictionalized story of Gabby Petito's murder, I can't help but wonder about the old adage: "You never know a person until you travel with them".

Half-star for the plot twist ending.

[Bruce Katz · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not my cuppa, as they say. I am, however, fascinated by how agitated and even angry some of the GR reviews are. In any case the story was a free download.

[Judi Ross · Rating 3 out of 5]

Based on a recent news story of a young woman and her boyfriend who traveled cross country this past summer. This was not at the level of a Joyce Maynard novel. This was like a compilation of news clippings, simply repeating newscasts with a change of names. The author created her own ending. That was the only original writing. If you hadn’t followed the news story then you might be more intrigued than me.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you’re looking for an unreliable narrator, look no further - you’ve got about 6 of them right here.

What’s the truth?
Tammy’s Insta Life?
Kevin’s remorse?
Lorraine’s maternal instincts?
Henry’s machinations?
Roxanne’s obsession?

It’ll be a while before I untangle all these threads.

[Samantha · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good short story! The ending wasn’t too surprising but I enjoyed it.

[Therese · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting take on the Petito/Laundrie incident.

[Linda Galella · Rating 2 out of 5]

A total ripoff of the Gabby Petito/Brian Laundrie story with a few twists, none of which save this short story from being horrible. Well, maybe the dog is a nice touch…

At 102 pages, you can be thankful this is a quick read, should you decide to give it a go. Every character speaks in the first person changing narrators often. It’s all clearly marked with bolded type. There’s very little character development because most people are going to project into the young couple from all the news coverage of Gabby & Brian.

The third main character, and by far the most interesting, IMO, is a stalker of sorts. She owns the old dog, worked at Amazon’s warehouse and is more than a little “off”. She decided to follow the couple on their road trip and adds a unique perspective, to a point.

One small surprise at the end cannot keep this short story from being a long, giant groan📚

[Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

After months of not reading due to an eye condition and surgery, this short psychological thriller was just what the doctor ordered! I raced through it in just under an hour, following Tammy and Kevin on their cross-country search through social media for followers, fame, and fortune. There is more than one side to the story according to who is telling it and we have many narrators involved. I found myself accepting of Kevin's narrative/ "confession" until others spoke up and made me question him.
This was a fast-paced, entertaining story. Maynard always tells a good tale.

To note, I am aware that this story is loosely based on a true crime that happened sometime in the last few years. I did not follow that true crime on the news and know very few details of it.

[Gina DiGiovine Goodwin · Rating 1 out of 5]

I cannot recommend this book because it is a caricature of the horribly sad Gabby Pettito/Brian Laundrie case. Maynard completely pulled the details of the case into her short story about Tammy/Kevin, who are on-the-road wannabe influencers, and added another main character and a twist at the end. It’s nearly impossible not to think Maynard disapproves of young social media celebrities and wrote their characters as silly and shallow as she possibly could. The true story is sad enough, this fictionalized account demeans everyone involved including Maynard.

[Carmen Lang · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5. I'll be honest. I didn't read the synopsis and thought this was about something else. It was interesting to see how a person can convince themselves they're a victim.
***Spoiler***

This short story seems to be inspired by the Gabby Petito case. I wasn't familiar with many of the details, so it took me awhile to realize this.

[Karen Sokoloff · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this and gobbled it up. I so appreciated this ‘take’ on the Gabby Petito/Brian Laundrie tragic story. Very readable and with twists and a ‘fitting’ ending, I really enjoyed this short story.

[Megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

The way this book reads is so strange to me, almost like the camera is rolling and you're reading each character's account of what happened between Kevin and Tammy. It was different but I also liked it in parts.

At first I wondered how this book would end up being enjoyable since you already find out Kevin murdered Tammy in the first chapter, but the build up to the murder happening was definitely interesting. So many red flags in both his and her characters to the point that I don't know if I blame him for killing her. He was definitely a narcissistic asshole though! I really didn't like how he continually tried to pressure Tammy into sex with him and how he sexually assaulted her by just grabbing her boob out of nowhere to try and get her aroused.

One thing i did fond weird was Roxanne's weird obsession with Tammy, I can see that it makes sense as an older woman she would want to look out for a younger woman, however some parts of her wanting to look out for her did raise my suspicions about her character.

A positive note though - really liked the plot twist at the end, wasn't expecting that at all!

Overall would give this 3.5⭐️

[Jo · Rating 2 out of 5]

Despite the disclaimer at the start that this story and the characters are from the author's imagination, this is clearly a thinly veiled account of the Gabby Petito tragedy, just with a little twist at the end. Beyond that, it was drawn out too long, even for a short story.