Who is Maud Dixon anyway? When Florence is seemingly chosen from thin air to be assistant to Maud Dixon, aka Helen Wilcox, she is on top of the world, following what might have been her biggest career blunder ever...an affair with the boss. Florence and Helen jet off to Morocco to research her next great book, a tragic accident changes the entire trip...for better or for worse.

Maud Dixon is an excellent read, full of twists and turns!

What a great read! Hard to believe this is the author's first book. Who is Maud Dixon? reminded me of reading Patricia Highsmith. The novel starts out with Florence Darrow, a low level employee at a Manhattan publishing firm, getting the opportunity to work with the famous author, Maud Dixon.

Maud Dixon, of course, is a pseudonym, for Helen Wilcox. Helen (Maud) and Florence travel to Morocco to do research for Helen's next novel. One day, Florence wakes up in a hospital not really being able to remember what happened.
The staff believe that Florence is Helen. So what happened to Helen?

Florence has always thought of herself as a writer so she becomes Helen and Maud. The second half of the book moves quickly giving the reader a thrill ride. I could not put it down.

Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book. The review is my own.

Thanks to the publisher & NetGalley for this read!

Who Is Maud Dixon by Alexandra Andrews is told from the point of view of Florence Darrow, a young 20-something living in New York City, working at a small publishing house, dreaming of becoming a writer. Her mother has instilled in her this feeling that she is destined for big things, so she is frustrated that nothing is happening for her. She is offered a job as assistant to a very successful author, Maud Dixon. The catch is that she will have to sign a non-disclosure agreement, because nobody knows the real identity of the author – a woman named Helen Wilcox. Soon, she is wishing to impress her new boss, and they take a trip to Marrakesh to research the new book. Then Florence wakes up in a hospital room, not knowing how she got there, and everyone thinks she is Helen. It reminded me of another book, The Talented Miss Farwell, in that the reader is pulled along in the wake of Florence’s bad decisions, wondering how it is all going to end. I enjoyed it, and found the ending more surprising, and satisfying, than I expected.

This book was amazing! The writing was clear and fluid and the author’s descriptions of Morocco made it come alive. The first half of the book was fairly straightforward and was a wonderful build up to the switch you knew was coming. Then, the twists started and, once they did, they kept coming at a furious pace. It was great! I could not put the book down. But, it was the characters of Florence and Helen, who were both so flawed and intriguing, that really made the story so successful for me.

My copy of this book was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. My thanks to the the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review it.

Who is Maud Dixon? Someone I don't really want to know. On one hand, we have Florence Darrow. She wants to get out of her mundane life and jumps at the chance to be assistant to the famous yet mysterious author Maud Dixon. On the other hand, we have Helen Wilcox, Maud Dixon herself. Both are completely self-absorbed people. Both are very unlikeable. They both have their own agendas and only one can come out on top.

I can't say that I liked either character very much but that only added to the storyline. The mystery of what happens to each woman really keeps you turning the pages. I could also see this continuing on with a long line of Maud Dixons.

Thanks to Netgalley and Little, Brown and Company for an advance copy of this book.

The words you speak become the house you live in.

And words are at the core of Who Is Maud Dixon?. Words tossed about, words spoken in secrecy, and words sprawling upon the pages of a best selling novel.

Alexandra Andrews gifts us with the character of Florence Darrow. Florence hails from Gainesville, Florida and wears it like a second skin. Even at twenty-six, she is nothing but naive with hardly a drop of any experiential background to speak of. Her mother, Vera, constantly checks in on her only child much to Florence's frustration. Florence is the poster child for common sense not being very common.

Florence finally makes a break for it and lands in Manhattan. She's become an editorial assistant for Forrester Books. "Assistant" in the publishing world often entails runs for coffee and delivering copies to the right people. But our girl finally gets an unexpected opportunity when a position opens up to work with best-seller author, Maud Dixon. Maud Dixon is her pen name and she keeps her real identity locked up tight.

Maud meets Florence at a train station outside Cairo, New York. Florence has been sworn to secrecy and no one must know her location......not even her pesty momma. Maud and Florence arrive at a quaint stone house with a guesthouse in the rear. Maud reveals her real name is Helen Wilcox. Soon she and Florence are bonding with Florence doing clerical work for her. But someone in the publishing world presses Florence for info on Maud's new book. Will she take the bait?

Out of the blue, Maud/Helen proposes that she and Florence must take an unplanned trip to Morocco for research on her new book. Within days the two find themselves transported to the winding streets of Marrakech and Semat. Florence from Florida is leading a whirlwind life.

But things are happening too quickly for Florence. She's trying to get a handle on who Maud/Helen really is. And just as we are trying to figure out the same thing, there's a terrible accident. Florence wakes up in a hospital room and the doctors and staff are calling her Miss Wilcox. What in the world happened to Maud/Helen?

And crafty little thoughts enter into Florence's traumatized mind. Can she pull off stepping into the role of the anonymous Maud/Helen? This wonky girl from Florida has taken on a monstrous Manhattan persona. Can she pull it off?

Alexandra Andrews must have dined on donuts with devious frosting while she wrote this one. It's lined with people behaving badly. And badly keeps this storyline rolling in hazardous ways until the very end. Andrews elbows her way into the minds of her readers with nonstop sharp-pointed situations. I'll leave it there, dear readers. Mustn't give away too much here with too many words. You'll be remembering this one for quite some time........

I received a copy of this book through NetGalley for an honest review.My thanks to Little, Brown and Company and to Alexandra Andrews for the opportunity.

I liked this one - both more than and not as much as I expected... I know, I know - oblique. But the book is odd and feels almost like two stories. There's the "sweet girl trying too hard but to no avail" tale, but there's also the "secret of Maud Dixon and what happens to her" one - and they are mashed together in a way that mostly works but occasionally left me feeling like I was floundering a bit...

I am a general fan of books about publishing/writing. I find the glimpses into the inner workings (whether real or imaginary) fascinating. Ditto the personalities and characterizations, which seem to suggest that all writers are a little bit wonky in the head (a perspective I personally share, as a sometime-writer myself) and that their views of the world aren't necessarily simpatico with those of the gen pop. Andrews does a marvelous job playing with all those facets in this story, and the result is a wild ride that traveled far and wide (literally and figuratively) throughout the life of a very famous author.

There were some points after The Event (can't spoil it!) at which I felt like I was meandering a bit more than I would like - and not always in service to the story, although sometimes (in hindsight, as I moved past that part) those wanderings turned out to be purposeful after all. It made for a slightly off-kilter read. Having finished the book, I imagine this was intentional - but at times it made the read feel a little more disjointed than the previous bits suggested were appropriate. Still, it worked on the whole and I'd definitely look up Alexandra Andrews again.

There are nods in blurbs and reviews to Patricia Highsmith. I think that may have been the problem - it set up an expectation in my head, and that expectation was largely unmet. That's not the fault of the book, but of the way it's being pitched. Go into this one cold. The writing is solid and the story is an intriguing, twisty one - and I think you'll enjoy it much more if you don't think about it too much or wonder what's coming next. Enjoy the ride - it's chock full of surprises, and I think best enjoyed with blinkers on!

Wow this is a refreshing psychological thriller and I love it! We quickly meet Florence Darrow, from Port Orange, Florida, an editorial assistant at Forrester Books in NYC. She believes she’s destined to be a celebrated writer and it may just happen! Helen Wilcox wrote Mississippi Foxtrot under the name Maud Dixon, selling three million copies. She’s in the midst of writing her second book and handpicks Florence to be her assistant. They soon travel to Morocco where things begin to shake up and boom! So many twists and turns, it’s intense and suspense, a complete page turner! Thank you to NetGalley, Little, Brown Company, and the author for a gifted copy. This is my honest review.

There is something so original and compelling about this book. I love the style and the characters are immensely well written. There is a unique blend of genres in this book and the way that the story is timed and plotted is adeptly mind boggling. I will be recommending this book to others and want to read more from this author in the future. Thanks for the ARC, NetGalley.

This is a such a good book and its quite incredible that it is Alexandra Andrews’ debut. Comparisons to “The Talented Mr. Ripley” are inevitable but this book stands on its own. It’s clever and witty as it explores the publishing business. The twists in this enjoyable psychological thriller will keep you glued and guessing. Does the story go a little off the rails? Sure, but there’s enough of a sense of satire that it all works beautifully. Enjoy it.

A delightful romp through the cut-throat world of editorial assistants. Florence Darrow is an editorial assistant at a middle tier publishing house and she feels destined for greatness. When she finds herself suddenly u8nemployed, she is hired as an assistant to a very secretive hot new author. No one knows who Maud Dixon is, though many have tried to figure it out. A very fun read! A little bit mystery, A little bit family drama, a little bit travel adventure. I can't wait for more from Alexandra Andrews.

Who Is Maud Dixon? by Alexandra Andrews is a twisty thriller that certainly kept me guessing! Florence Darrow has big dreams to become a famous writer. She's asked to become assistant to "Maud Dixon," a famous but anonymous writer; and she jumps at the opportunity. "Maud" (real name Helen) and Florence travel to Morocco to do some research, but they are involved in a car accident. Florence wakes up at the hospital, remembering nothing of the accident, and is told that Helen is dead; so Florence decides to become "Maud Dixon." But, that's not going to happen very easily for her... I highly recommend this book! Thanks to NetGalley for the free digital review copy. All opinions are my own.

This had kind of a slow start, mostly because I wanted to wring Florence's neck more often than not. However, it quickly picked up, turning into a twisty compelling mystery.

I was going to rate this 4.5 but the ending clearly made this debut novel a 5 star read.

The author pulls you slowly into the story of Florence who is not very likeable at all but is smarter than most people think.

I was nonchalantly reading and taking the story for granted and then the plot thickens and I was oh so wrong.

After Florence lands a job as an assistant to Maud Dixon a pen name of a successful author. Maud is an reclusive somewhat eccentric loner with secrets of her own and you just know this is not going to end well

There are twists and turns, red herrings and I wasn't sure who to cheer on.

I wont say anymore except buckle up its a roller coaster of a read and you wont regret putting Who is Maud Dixon to to the top or you TBR pile.

Thanks to NetGalley , Little Brown and Company for one of my favourite reads of 2021.

I was obsessed with this book. It shared a lot of DNA with other thrillers I love, but it felt earned and it built slowly. I wasn't sure where things were going to go - who was going to die, who was going to win - and it blew all of my theories out of the water. Just when I thought all of the ends were wrapped up, there was another chapter to tie it up even tighter.

Who Is Maud Dixon? is a well crafted debut thriller by Alexandra Andrews. It explores the concept of anonymity and assuming an identity that I found fascinating. I am giving this novel 3.5 stars because the characters were all unlikable and I failed to make a greater connection with the book because of it. I sense this will sell well for the right readers.

Advanced copy provided courtesy of NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Florence Darrow is a want-to-be an author, she is currently living in NYC working as assistant editor. She thought by moving to New York, she would have far more opportunities than she had in her small town in Florida. She is super excited when Florence a well-known author calls her in need of an assistant. She and Florence hit it off and is excited when invited to go along to Morocco to do research.

The book endorsement states that this is for readers of “The Silent Patient”. I am not a fan of when books are compared to best sellers but “The Silent Patient” did have a big twist at the end so figured surely this will have some sort of a twist…. Right?
Story got my attention then it slowed down. I hung in there as I was sure there was going to be a big twist!!!!
Aww YES!
It did DELIVER!!

This is Alexandra Andrews’s debut novel. I certainly am looking forward to her next story!

Want to thank NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this eGalley. This file has been made available to me before publication in an early form for professional review purposes only.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for May 4, 2021

Who Is Maud Dixon
By Alexandra Andrews
Pub date: March 2, 2021

Maud Dixon is a suspense novel that offers comedic moments, drama reminiscent of Melrose Place and Dallas (shout out to my 40+ booksta peeps). Its a Thrilramacom!

It actually blows my mind that this is a debut!

Who is Maud Dixon is a twisty tale of an author who writes under a pen name and the story that lies behind the anonymity and fills the spaces between the lines! Unreliable narratives from flawed characters where desperation is a palpable pheromone and deception an appetite.

Sure, there are parts of the storyline that would likely not hold up under scrutiny but - whatever!

It was fun & Quick - I read it in less than a day! It held my interest and kept me turning the pages. And, as I was in a bit of a slump, Maud Dixon was exactly what I needed in a read!

I totally recommend reading this engaging cat and mouse read when you have a day to indulge with Maud!

My thanks to Hachette Book Group Canada, Little Brown Company and NetGalley for my advanced copy.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Who Is Maud Dixon - Alexandra Andrews (Oht March 2, 2021)

Thank you so much to @hbgcanada for the gifted copy in exchange of an honest review!

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Florence Darrow has always felt like she lives a meager life, and when she gets fired from her editorial job, it’s looking like she may have hit the ultimate rock bottom. She believes all that is about to change when she gets to opportunity to be the assistant of the literary sensation, Maud Dixon, a pseudonym for an author who’s identity is the ultimately mystery in the literary world.

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Who Is Maud Dixon? had me hooked from the start! An author with a secret identity who wrote about a murder that may or may not be nonfiction?! YES PLEASE! The story is character driven and both Florence and Helen are terrible and wonderful and slightly twisted characters. I had so much fun getting to know them both! While I did find parts of the story a little slow, I loved how everything tied together at the end and had a hard time putting this one down (I read it in two sittings, WHOOPS!).


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This book had moments that reminded me of The Safe Place, Where’d You Go Bernadette and Verity. It could definitely make a super fun drama/comedy/action film! Overall, Who Is Maud Dixon? was just such a fun read!

This was Alexandra Andrews debut novel and I will definitely be looking out for her future books!

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This is a debut??? Um, okay. I sense a bestseller here.

I truly couldn’t put this book down, so it was a 24 hour read for me. This is the second book to blow me away in 2021, and it’s only February!

Florence Darrow believes that she's destined to be a famous writer, so when she stumbles into a job assisting the brilliant novelist known as Maud Dixon — whose true identity is a secret — it appears the universe is finally providing Florence her big chance. But when Florence wakes up in the hospital after the two of them are in a terrible car accident, with no memory of the previous night — and no sign of Maud Dixon — she’s tempted to upgrade into a bestselling life.

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THIS is exactly what I want in a psychological thriller. The work of Patricia Highsmith came to mind as I was reading it, because Florence Darrow is the type of dysfunctional and unsettling main character Highsmith might create. In fact, the book has some serious notes of The Talented Mr. Ripley.

Florence is a bit of a black hole inside, unsure of who she is and what she wants, painfully neurotic when it comes to how she is perceived. She becomes obsessed with the identities of others, and she inserts herself into their lives, compelled to adopt their way of thinking, dressing and behaving.

She isn’t just unreliable. She is CREEPY.

I was often frustrated with her for making poor decisions and engaging in self-destructive behavior, yet she was likable enough that I wanted her to make the right choices -- or at least the smart choices -- and succeed.

I’ll also mention that the portion set in Morocco really allows the culture and country to come alive on the page, which is fun.

But more importantly, my thriller-loving friends, the twists and turns throughout are many, and each one is unexpected and oh so satisfying. The plotting, pacing and reveals are done exceptionally well and are downright Hitchcockian.

And I LOVED the ending.

Honestly, just get this book and read it, okay? It is just such a fun and twisty roller coaster of a read!

Thank you NetGalley and Little, Brown and Company for the ARC!