Sensational!! This is my favourite novel by the author yet! The tension! I flew through this and it was one of those novels where you just hold your breath in parts.

Zoe Ann Weiss is a struggling writer. Her first novel wasn't the success everyone hoped for, her included and now she has a day job at a florist, while her writers block continues. Making a flower delivery on her 30th birthday changes everything, when she runs into a man she had a brief fling with years ago, Zach. Except Zach the bartender, is now Zach the celebrity and they start seeing each other again, in secret. It all seems like a good idea until a stalker starts reenacting things from Zoe's first book, step by step.

The twists and turns! I did not see any of this coming and this was all so cleverly done. I thoroughly enjoyed the LA setting and a book about a writer and a stalker combined, two of my favourite reading topics - what a combination.

Thanks so much to NetGalley and HarperCollins Australia for this gifted review copy.

The Close-up gives a glimpse into the life of the rich and famous. Certainly not a life I would want.

The story goes along at a slow page for a thriller, so I was never on the edge of my seat, but it did make me feel a little voyeristic - like watching a accident from a safe distance. You are curious but your heart rate doesn't go up.

The main character did annoy me though. Zoe is a struggling author, but she doesnt seem to even want to write. Writers block I understand. Not trying to work through it? Not even a little bit? Especially what she had hanging over her head, you'd think she'd try anything. And then her internal thoughts around the writing and Zach and everything else going on in her life got me to the point I wanted someone to give her a reality check. Maybe that did happen a little with her frenemy in the writing group, but it wasn't enough for her to wake up to herself.

I didnt guess the ending, but it didnt shock me either. I actually felt a slight tinge of disappointment. Not at the writing, as I did enjoy her style, but that it wasn't the ending I was hoping for.

This is my first book by this author and I will seek out her other books now.

The ending of this novel is so emotionally brutal, and so hideously believable, that I’m still getting over it a week later. You’ll be engaged by every word of this novel, and you won’t be able to walk away from it easily: it’ll linger in your mind.

Zoe is a writer, or so she grimly insists. She moved to LA after her first novel sold to a publisher, full of hopes and dreams. But that novel didn’t sell as well as hoped, and for the last two years Zoe has been increasingly desperate, flailing around looking for an idea for her second novel.

So when Zach, a hot young actor, takes an interest in her, Zoe sees not only the possibility of romance, but of fodder for her novel. But she shouldn’t write about the things she sees and hears in private…. Should she?

Zoe is the perfect heroine for this kind of novel. Most readers will empathise with her very quickly, and find her dilemma extremely believable. Like many a thriller heroine, you see some of her mistakes as she’s making them – but you know you might have done the same thing too.

Zoe captures the feeling that a lot of people have in their late twenties and thirties: that somehow she’s marking time, waiting for her real life to start, but also afraid that it’s almost too late. It’s an easy feeling to understand, and the way it colors her decisions helps to make the plot very credible.

This is a slightly complicated plot (although when it starts unfolding, it’s easy to follow), but because Zoe and her situation are so believable, it never seems too out there.

Drysdale writes in one of those “invisible” styles that doesn’t draw attention to itself but keeps the reader turning the pages smoothly. It works really well as the plot gains momentum, keeping you completely absorbed in the story.

This is an outstanding thriller: a strong and original plot, believable action, engaging characters, and a writing style which draws you in. And unlike a lot of thrillers, not only do the last few sentences pack a punch – it’s a lingering one.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins Australia for giving me this book for my honest review.
I’ve read Pip’s other books and enjoyed them so was excited to read this book. Whilst the book started slowly, about 1/4 of the way through it picked up momentum and there were extra twists and turns that weren’t expected. The main character, Zoe, at times seemed really out of place in LA, but she had a quirky side to her with working at a florist, being in a writing group and trying to be part of the celebrity circle. Whilst the multiple twists and multiple storyline’s added interest to the story, they also added to the pace of the book. I loved the ending and overall once you get past the slow start it’s a really great read.

Ash’s rating: 3.5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Summed Up: Glam Vibes, Big Thrills + A Little Too Much Drama

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When a book promises to be ‘dark and twisty,’ you know I’m in for the ride and The Close Up definitely delivered on that front 😏✨

Let’s talk about the good stuff.

Glam LA vibes that made me feel like I was soaking up the sun on Sunset Boulevard, epic suspense that had me on edge and slow burn tension that kept me hooked.

But here’s where things got a little dicey.

The main character? Calling her frenetic might be an understatement! I felt like she spent so much time spiraling and repeating her worries that it started to feel like déjà vu (not in a good way). Her hypocritical nature made it hard for me to enjoy her perspective and I was left feeling more stressed than thrilled.

This whole book gave me Scream movie vibes, the kind where I’m yelling at the TV, “NO, don’t go in there!” or “Call the police!!” But just like with a horror movie, I couldn’t look away, no matter how much it stressed me out.

The broad list of suspects kept this book engaging but the repetitive and manic nature of the story just didn’t work for me. Overall, still a shock factor suspense filled thriller that I think many will enjoy

A big thank you to HarperCollins and NetGalley for the early access in exchange for my honest review.

At first this book showed so much promise, and had me laughing in sections. The writing was clever and witty and it seems like a good storyline with the main character needing to come up urgently with a new book, while falling back into a relationship that had major warning flags written all over it. Somehow though, the further I progressed in the story the more it became confusing and it just didn’t seem to work for me. I’m disappointed because I really wanted to like this more than I did. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for letting me read an advanced copy in exchange for this review.

Another terrific, twisty thriller from Pip. Set against the glitzy and glamorous backdrop of Hollywood. You get a good look at both high and low side of Hollywood with movie star Zack and novelist Zoe. From PR machines to the heartache of projects being shelved. I always love a big of behind the scenes and really felt for Zoe with her struggles with writing.

This one started off a bit slower than her usual novels but once it got going the twists just kept coming and didn’t stop until right at the end. I had a few different theories going about who might be behind it but was wrong all accounts. I was very surprised by the ending. Definitely check out if you’re a fan of Hollywood and twisty psychological thrillers.

Once up and coming novelist Zoe Ann Weiss is in a rut, stuck for an idea for her next book and with her deadline fast looming.

But when Zach Hamilton comes back into her life, the muse strikes once more.

But along with Zach comes his newfound fame, and a stalker who seems intent on recreating the narrative of Zoe's first novel, with her as the victim.

***

Pip Drysdale has mastered the art of a gentle thriller. The plot initially seems benign, but nothing is as it seems.

I will say this book took a lot longer to get going than some of Drysdale's previous works. However if you can hold on until about chapter 21, then it really becomes worth your while.

There are some great plot twists that you'll never see coming.

Looking forward to reading Drysdale's next work.

I am a massive fan of Pip Drysdale and I am very grateful to have received an early copy of her newest release ‘The close up’. Let me preface that I loved the setting of the uber rich celebrities and LA lifestyles which is a different change of scenery to Pip’s usual UK settings. As a character, I don’t know whether I resonated enough with Zoe. At the beginning I found her to be quite intriguing and was relatable to her fears of not achieving enough at her age. However, I found her constant back and fourth thinking of whether she was going to hurt Zach quite repetitive. I wasn’t sure I loved the twist and then the second twist at the end felt quite rushed. Overall, I did enjoy it, however I wouldn’t say I loved it as much as her previous books. However, I am always so keen to read whatever she releases next!