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thephdivabooks's review against another edition
4.0
Professional photographer Delta Dawn specializes in capturing those picture-perfect moments among family, friends, and loved ones that make her an in-demand photographer with the New York City elite. Delta knows how to create illusions, to make a subject look like the best (if not better) version of themselves, and how to hide the less desirable elements of a scene. It is her job to make her client’s lives look the way they imagine them to be, even if that version is a lie. The real magic isn’t in the moments that Delta captures, it is in the post-production work that makes lighting better, eliminates flaws, transforms frowns to smiles and crops out anything too raw. If only it were that easy to eliminate those versions of ourselves in real life!
When Delta is hired to photograph the birthday party of eleven-year-old Natalie Straub, she becomes enchanted by the elegant sophistication of the Straubs and their life. Fritz and Amelia Straub are architects, so they understand clean lines, perfect lighting, and how to frame a room in a way that appeals to Delta’s artistic side. Delta begins to see herself as a kindred spirit to the Straubs, despite the gap in wealth and lifestyle. She imagines what it would be like to be best friends with Amelia or the mistress to the handsome Fritz. She fantasizes so much that she begins to photoshop herself into their pictures, just to see what it would be like to be a part of their lives.
As Delta gets to know the Straubs, she learns that Amelia is desperate for a second child but hasn’t been able to get pregnant. When Delta learns about her fertility issues, she comes up with one of those classic deranged plans that makes books like The Photographer truly impossible to set aside. Delta wants to become a permanent part of their lives and she knows just how to do it.
Reflection
Delta is delusional and early on it is clear that we can’t trust pretty much any of her interpretations at face value. Nothing about Delta is one-note as a character. She is complicated and lacks boundaries. Delta portrays herself as selfless, but behind that façade she is manipulative and delusional. Delta is also desperate and at times strangely naïve and childlike. I felt angry with her at times and sad for her at others.
Amelia and Fritz Straub aren’t completely above reproach here. While I felt very sad for their daughter Natalie, the Straub parents certainly had their own shortcomings as characters. Often they were more fixated on completing their perfect life and family than on the daughter they had. I questioned why someone with a life like Amelia’s would befriend their photographer, no matter how nice Delta seemed. I questioned Amelia and Fritz’s motives.
No spoilers here so I won’t get into the ending but I thought the twists through the end were a lot of fun. The theme of reality versus the polished version that is displayed in photographs and on social media carries through the book in nearly every character. The strive to appear perfect and ignore the messy, flawed, and imperfectly beautiful moments in life became not just Delta’s story, but Amelia and Fritz as well. The very final chapter delivered!
Character-driven over plot-driven, The Photographer by Mary Dixie Carter kept me hooked until the very end.
When Delta is hired to photograph the birthday party of eleven-year-old Natalie Straub, she becomes enchanted by the elegant sophistication of the Straubs and their life. Fritz and Amelia Straub are architects, so they understand clean lines, perfect lighting, and how to frame a room in a way that appeals to Delta’s artistic side. Delta begins to see herself as a kindred spirit to the Straubs, despite the gap in wealth and lifestyle. She imagines what it would be like to be best friends with Amelia or the mistress to the handsome Fritz. She fantasizes so much that she begins to photoshop herself into their pictures, just to see what it would be like to be a part of their lives.
As Delta gets to know the Straubs, she learns that Amelia is desperate for a second child but hasn’t been able to get pregnant. When Delta learns about her fertility issues, she comes up with one of those classic deranged plans that makes books like The Photographer truly impossible to set aside. Delta wants to become a permanent part of their lives and she knows just how to do it.
Reflection
Delta is delusional and early on it is clear that we can’t trust pretty much any of her interpretations at face value. Nothing about Delta is one-note as a character. She is complicated and lacks boundaries. Delta portrays herself as selfless, but behind that façade she is manipulative and delusional. Delta is also desperate and at times strangely naïve and childlike. I felt angry with her at times and sad for her at others.
Amelia and Fritz Straub aren’t completely above reproach here. While I felt very sad for their daughter Natalie, the Straub parents certainly had their own shortcomings as characters. Often they were more fixated on completing their perfect life and family than on the daughter they had. I questioned why someone with a life like Amelia’s would befriend their photographer, no matter how nice Delta seemed. I questioned Amelia and Fritz’s motives.
No spoilers here so I won’t get into the ending but I thought the twists through the end were a lot of fun. The theme of reality versus the polished version that is displayed in photographs and on social media carries through the book in nearly every character. The strive to appear perfect and ignore the messy, flawed, and imperfectly beautiful moments in life became not just Delta’s story, but Amelia and Fritz as well. The very final chapter delivered!
Character-driven over plot-driven, The Photographer by Mary Dixie Carter kept me hooked until the very end.
readwkatie's review against another edition
4.0
Thank you to NetGalley and Mary Dixie Carter for an advanced copy in return for my honest review. The Photographer is out now!
Delta, a bit of a loner, is a professional children's photographer. Wealthy families pay her to shoot their children's events and provide photos that portray "the perfect family" no matter what it takes. Hired by Amelia and Fritz Straub (part of the NYC elite) to shoot their 11 year old's birthday party, Delta quickly becomes enamored with the Straub's and slowly finds her way into their family dynamic. When Delta offers the Straub's the greatest gift, people in her outer circle become concerned with her choices and wonder if she's hiding more than she's letting on.
This one had me hooked from the very beginning! Though I do think that Delta's connection with the Straub's was rushed - it is clear that Delta is hiding something from the very beginning. I really did like Delta's character, even though she was beyond creepy. Without a doubt, this has been one of my favorite ARC's in quite some time! Be sure to grab yourself a copy!
Delta, a bit of a loner, is a professional children's photographer. Wealthy families pay her to shoot their children's events and provide photos that portray "the perfect family" no matter what it takes. Hired by Amelia and Fritz Straub (part of the NYC elite) to shoot their 11 year old's birthday party, Delta quickly becomes enamored with the Straub's and slowly finds her way into their family dynamic. When Delta offers the Straub's the greatest gift, people in her outer circle become concerned with her choices and wonder if she's hiding more than she's letting on.
This one had me hooked from the very beginning! Though I do think that Delta's connection with the Straub's was rushed - it is clear that Delta is hiding something from the very beginning. I really did like Delta's character, even though she was beyond creepy. Without a doubt, this has been one of my favorite ARC's in quite some time! Be sure to grab yourself a copy!
rpark83's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
kittey2ng's review against another edition
4.0
Quick easy read. Some parts were unbelievable and unrealistic. Ending was pretty obvious and stairs were cliched. Overall though it was entertaining.
dawns17's review against another edition
4.0
More like 3.5 stars but I rounded up. The book was engaging enough but the ending seemed a little rushed. Definitely worth it to read, but don't expect to be wowed.
missjmilton's review against another edition
3.0
This was an okay read. The storyline was great and I caught myself thinking Delta, the main character, was a little crazy several times. It started pretty slow and lacked some excitement throughout the beginning. I also felt the ending was quite rushed and thrown together. I think it could’ve had more detail and leading up to the twist. I didn’t mind the writing style overall and I’d give it 3.5 stars if I could.
beckimoody29's review against another edition
4.0
Years ago my brother and I were discussing the whole "false memories" phenomenon and joked that some therapist could make a fortune photo shopping clients into photos of happy families. Seeing is believing, after all.
That kind of what Delta does -- she's an popular children's photographer who occasionally enhances her photos if they don't capture quite the right story.
When she takes a special interest in one clients family, she begins to invent ways to become indispensable, but only because she cares about them so much and wants to help them. Unfortunately, Delta is so good at manipulating reality, that eventually even she wonders what is real.
Not much psychology to this thriller beyond the unreliable narrator. I would have liked more background then "I grew up poor . . ." But it is well-written with compelling characters, and I read the whole thing in a few hours.
That kind of what Delta does -- she's an popular children's photographer who occasionally enhances her photos if they don't capture quite the right story.
When she takes a special interest in one clients family, she begins to invent ways to become indispensable, but only because she cares about them so much and wants to help them. Unfortunately, Delta is so good at manipulating reality, that eventually even she wonders what is real.
Not much psychology to this thriller beyond the unreliable narrator. I would have liked more background then "I grew up poor . . ." But it is well-written with compelling characters, and I read the whole thing in a few hours.
reynoldsemma84's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
rmarcin's review
3.0
A photographer, Delta Dawn, grew up poor but now photographs wealthy client’s children. She experiments with light and often enhances/alters her digital pictures. In so doing, she blurs what is real with how she wants things to be. She becomes involved with the Straub family, and imagines herself to be part of their family which causes serious issues.
This is a story of obsession and lies. It was a bit strange, and somewhat unbelievable. It was also quite disturbing.
This is a story of obsession and lies. It was a bit strange, and somewhat unbelievable. It was also quite disturbing.
purple676's review against another edition
1.0
This book only got a little bit interesting at 93% and that’s what the star is for.
I don’t know what this crap was but it was definitely not suspenseful
I don’t know what this crap was but it was definitely not suspenseful