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brandy_reads's review against another edition
3.0
Thank you to Netgalley and St Martin's Press for the eARC.
I liked this book, but didn't love it. The premise was intriguing and the author did a good job at really creeping me out at times. Delta's thoughts and actions were truly unsettling.
However, I felt like I had to suspend belief a little too much. The Straub family are very successful and very rich. As a parent, I don't believe that they would have a person that they met once, for a short time, babysit their child. Given that they have so much money at their disposal they could definitely use an agency. The speed with which she became a part of their family was also too much - again, they just met and now they are giving her the key to their house to water their plants while they are away? It's not like she was from an agency that vets their employees. The ending was also, unfortunately, predictable.
I would recommend this if you don't mind ignoring things that just wouldn't happen in real life.
I liked this book, but didn't love it. The premise was intriguing and the author did a good job at really creeping me out at times. Delta's thoughts and actions were truly unsettling.
However, I felt like I had to suspend belief a little too much. The Straub family are very successful and very rich. As a parent, I don't believe that they would have a person that they met once, for a short time, babysit their child. Given that they have so much money at their disposal they could definitely use an agency. The speed with which she became a part of their family was also too much - again, they just met and now they are giving her the key to their house to water their plants while they are away? It's not like she was from an agency that vets their employees. The ending was also, unfortunately, predictable.
I would recommend this if you don't mind ignoring things that just wouldn't happen in real life.
sky_carson's review against another edition
3.0
Well, that was interesting.
I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway. It was an easy read with an unusual narrator. I enjoyed it, but found the ending very unsatisfying.
I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway. It was an easy read with an unusual narrator. I enjoyed it, but found the ending very unsatisfying.
stephheartsbooks's review against another edition
5.0
Thank you Netgalley and St Martins Press for the EARC in return for an honest review.
Delta is a known photographer for the wealthy. She's is especially good with photographing children. What she can't capture behind the lens she can create with photoshopping. A few edits here and there and she can create the perfect picture.
Delta is commissioned to take photos of Natalie, daughter of Amelia and Fritz Straub. Delta begins an unhealthy obsession with the family. Delta wants to be apart of the family.
This book was good!! I loved the twists and turns. It keep me reading page after page.
Delta is a known photographer for the wealthy. She's is especially good with photographing children. What she can't capture behind the lens she can create with photoshopping. A few edits here and there and she can create the perfect picture.
Delta is commissioned to take photos of Natalie, daughter of Amelia and Fritz Straub. Delta begins an unhealthy obsession with the family. Delta wants to be apart of the family.
This book was good!! I loved the twists and turns. It keep me reading page after page.
carolinevaught's review against another edition
4.0
Maybe 3.5
Do you ever read a book and think "how did anyone come up with this?" Well that's pretty much how I feel right now. This book made me angry and tense and cringe and I have no idea how someone could have come up with such a plot line. Overall I think it made me feel exactly how it wanted me to feel, but I couldn't help but feel dirty for reading it.
Do you ever read a book and think "how did anyone come up with this?" Well that's pretty much how I feel right now. This book made me angry and tense and cringe and I have no idea how someone could have come up with such a plot line. Overall I think it made me feel exactly how it wanted me to feel, but I couldn't help but feel dirty for reading it.
samreads_alot's review against another edition
4.0
Literally a female Joe Goldberg!
A photographer with amazing skills, (and photoshop skills) but who gets too attached to her subjects, and now wants to become the center of the families lives.
And she finally found one who’s letting her.
I pictured Alexandra daddario as Amelia and to me that was a perfect casting!
I couldn’t quite get a face for delta (which is also a really weird name IMO)
And the dogs name? Couldn’t pronounce it through the entire book.
I honestly read this book so fast Amelia and Natalie were the only ones I pictured more clearly. I’ve noticed I have a hard time when it comes to that lately.
But on the plus side this was such a quick enthralling read I finished it in a day!
I kind of figured out the ending the closer I got to it, and I thought of many other twist endings that would’ve been really good, but probably out of character so I can see why she didn’t go that route. BUT it would’ve been pretty sick. And there were a few signs that definitely could’ve taken it there.
But overall a decent read to help get me out of my year long slump!
There is an odd critique I have from a writing viewpoint is there were many times the characters would just answer ‘yes.’ Or ‘Yes?’ Times where I would picture people going ‘yeah?’ Or ‘really?’ Not yes...
it felt kind of odd, I’m not sure if it was something to do with it being an arc or if I was just reading it with the wrong intonation, but it definitely felt like a lack in the conversations. If that makes sense.
Will definitely read more from Mary Dixie carter!! Definitely one of the better psych thrillers I’ve read in the past few years.
Thanks to Minotaur books for the arc in exchange for honest reviews!
(Trigger warnings for miscarriages)
A photographer with amazing skills, (and photoshop skills) but who gets too attached to her subjects, and now wants to become the center of the families lives.
And she finally found one who’s letting her.
I pictured Alexandra daddario as Amelia and to me that was a perfect casting!
I couldn’t quite get a face for delta (which is also a really weird name IMO)
And the dogs name? Couldn’t pronounce it through the entire book.
I honestly read this book so fast Amelia and Natalie were the only ones I pictured more clearly. I’ve noticed I have a hard time when it comes to that lately.
But on the plus side this was such a quick enthralling read I finished it in a day!
I kind of figured out the ending the closer I got to it, and I thought of many other twist endings that would’ve been really good, but probably out of character so I can see why she didn’t go that route. BUT it would’ve been pretty sick. And there were a few signs that definitely could’ve taken it there.
But overall a decent read to help get me out of my year long slump!
There is an odd critique I have from a writing viewpoint is there were many times the characters would just answer ‘yes.’ Or ‘Yes?’ Times where I would picture people going ‘yeah?’ Or ‘really?’ Not yes...
it felt kind of odd, I’m not sure if it was something to do with it being an arc or if I was just reading it with the wrong intonation, but it definitely felt like a lack in the conversations. If that makes sense.
Will definitely read more from Mary Dixie carter!! Definitely one of the better psych thrillers I’ve read in the past few years.
Thanks to Minotaur books for the arc in exchange for honest reviews!
(Trigger warnings for miscarriages)
bibliowino's review against another edition
2.0
This book made me feel icky. As the reader, you are following the story from Delta's point of view. She is clearly unbalanced as she tries to insert herself into a family. I didn't really buy her immediate obsession with getting into the family, nor did I understand how the family trusted this stranger right away. You learn about Delta's poor upbringing, and her lack of family, but I am a bit tired of seeing that trope for the "villain" of a psychological thriller. If anything, I felt bad for Delta and her unfortunate life, so it was hard to necessarily root against her. For me, the villain in this book was very clearly the mother of the family, Amelia. This book just seemed to be very messy and all over the place, so it was a let down for me. 2.5 stars
rodeorocks13's review against another edition
4.0
After being hired as a photographer for their child's birthday party Delta starts to place herself into the family dynamics of the Straub family in this twisted thriller by Mary Dixie Carter
After doing photography for the Straubs, Delta starts to offer to help the family with little tasks like babysitting their daughter Natalie. She then starts to becomes friends with the Amelia. When she finds out how she can get closer to the family Delta starts to manipulate everyone involved to get where she needs to be. And will go to some extremes to keep it that way.
This story was a little bit unsettling at times but in the best way. Delta is a woman desperate to be excepted and forms an unhealthy obsession with the Straub family. Her character was so well written in the way she watches and figures out how to manipulate the family. I feel like my brain was screaming red flag constantly when the character would talk about the family.
The story is not deep in a make you think hard way but has a good suspense build up and flow. It reminded me a lot of a story like you in the creepy watcher way.
It's a solid story for a slow build suspense and definitely makes you think about who you let into your home.
I received an advanced copy through netgalley in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.
After doing photography for the Straubs, Delta starts to offer to help the family with little tasks like babysitting their daughter Natalie. She then starts to becomes friends with the Amelia. When she finds out how she can get closer to the family Delta starts to manipulate everyone involved to get where she needs to be. And will go to some extremes to keep it that way.
This story was a little bit unsettling at times but in the best way. Delta is a woman desperate to be excepted and forms an unhealthy obsession with the Straub family. Her character was so well written in the way she watches and figures out how to manipulate the family. I feel like my brain was screaming red flag constantly when the character would talk about the family.
The story is not deep in a make you think hard way but has a good suspense build up and flow. It reminded me a lot of a story like you in the creepy watcher way.
It's a solid story for a slow build suspense and definitely makes you think about who you let into your home.
I received an advanced copy through netgalley in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.
filemanager's review
4.0
3.5 stars - I went into this book pretty blind. I have been a professional photographer for 14 years now, so obviously the title caught my eye! I'm glad a photographer (me) has read this book, as I've written down some corrections, some of them specifically photographer-related. I thought it might be helpful to get some feedback from a professional photographer AND an avid-reader :) Though, I will say in advance I am *nothing* like Delta, the photographer in this book though ;)
Here are the notes I wrote while reading this book:
8% - If the character is supposedly a professional photographer with a decade of experience, she wouldn't think of her camera as a "digital Canon EOS". She would just think of it as "her camera", but to give some detail to the reader, this should be replaced with Nikon D5, or the d850, but if Canon MUST be used (bleh) than it should be the Canon 5D Mark IV.
13% - So... this photographer is creepy. She has issues for sure. Hopefully we get more background info or history on why she's like this as the story moves forward. (I was very disappointed that by the end of the book we didn't get any history on her family, or her childhood, or just WHY she is the way she is.)
18% - These chapters are very long, and could easily be broken up into shorter chapters. Generally, I like 5-minute chapters, but these are like 30-minute chapters. (I did notice in the second half of the book, the chapters did get shorter, to about 10-minute chapters.). Also, a random thought: There should be a camera on the cover somewhere. And the girl on the current cover has a green eye, but in the story it says she has blue eyes. Small disconnect there.
19% - Why would the photographer bring a present to her client? That doesn't happen for regular clients, and if she's working for a friend, it should say that to explain the random client gift. Also, most professional photographers don't wear their cameras around their neck, as it causes neck strain over time.
22% - Clients would never look through the viewfinder of my camera, but I would show them images on the digital display that I had already taken. (The word "viewfinder" was used a few times mistakenly throughout the book, where it should say "digital display on the back of the camera".)
28% - It's still not exactly clear what Delta wants. A friendship with Amelia? To replace Amelia and be with Fritz? And why the obsession with this couple specifically? (By the end of the book, I assumed Delta wanted to just be part of a loving family, but it never explicitly says what her goal is, or what's driving her intentions.)
40% - Early on in the book, Delta says she never edits photos unless absolutely necessary. But then it constantly says how she's working on editing, how she spends her days editing, etc. That earlier line about "never editing" should probably be taken out. Also, photographers definitely spend more time editing than they do actually shooting!
42% - Wouldn't the first thing they do, be to call the airline to see if Amelia got on the flight? Then when they find out she didn't, go through her calendar?
65% - Okay, so why did Amelia ghost Delta for 2 weeks?? Just because she asked Lucia the name of the baby? This isn't very clear.
68% - Delta was there when Lucia came over to tell them in person! Of course she knew, why would Fritz ask if she had heard?
76% - Okay this isn't being explained. What is a "garden apartment"?? Like a basement apartment? I keep picturing it as a separate building in the backyard.
79% - Finally Ian called her on it... It was very obvious that Jasper wasn't her son from very early on. A very predictable "twist".
80% - I forgot to mention this earlier, I love that she has a cat, and how feisty Eliza is!! More cat scenes would be awesome. Especially one where Delta is trying to edit but the cat keeps walking in front of her monitor, or on her keyboard, because that happens to me ALL the time!! Delta needs to respect the cat more, and be nicer to her though :(
100% - Photographers always have backups of their photos somewhere, especially edits that they have worked hard on. Delta just deleting her images, I can't see that ever happening in real life, especially since she cherished them apparently enough to print and save copies. It should probably be mentioned somewhere that she backed them up in the cloud or on a backup device or backup server.
Overall, I feel like the story could be just SLIGHTLY darker to really push the envelope, in terms of Delta's manipulations etc. Also some history as to why she is the way she is, some info about her family, etc would have been wonderful. Overall though I really enjoyed the book - there are certainly not enough thrillers where the main character is a photographer who values photos and "freezing moments in time", and definitely not enough books where the photographer owns a cat! :D
Here are the notes I wrote while reading this book:
8% - If the character is supposedly a professional photographer with a decade of experience, she wouldn't think of her camera as a "digital Canon EOS". She would just think of it as "her camera", but to give some detail to the reader, this should be replaced with Nikon D5, or the d850, but if Canon MUST be used (bleh) than it should be the Canon 5D Mark IV.
13% - So... this photographer is creepy. She has issues for sure. Hopefully we get more background info or history on why she's like this as the story moves forward. (I was very disappointed that by the end of the book we didn't get any history on her family, or her childhood, or just WHY she is the way she is.)
18% - These chapters are very long, and could easily be broken up into shorter chapters. Generally, I like 5-minute chapters, but these are like 30-minute chapters. (I did notice in the second half of the book, the chapters did get shorter, to about 10-minute chapters.). Also, a random thought: There should be a camera on the cover somewhere. And the girl on the current cover has a green eye, but in the story it says she has blue eyes. Small disconnect there.
19% - Why would the photographer bring a present to her client? That doesn't happen for regular clients, and if she's working for a friend, it should say that to explain the random client gift. Also, most professional photographers don't wear their cameras around their neck, as it causes neck strain over time.
22% - Clients would never look through the viewfinder of my camera, but I would show them images on the digital display that I had already taken. (The word "viewfinder" was used a few times mistakenly throughout the book, where it should say "digital display on the back of the camera".)
28% - It's still not exactly clear what Delta wants. A friendship with Amelia? To replace Amelia and be with Fritz? And why the obsession with this couple specifically? (By the end of the book, I assumed Delta wanted to just be part of a loving family, but it never explicitly says what her goal is, or what's driving her intentions.)
40% - Early on in the book, Delta says she never edits photos unless absolutely necessary. But then it constantly says how she's working on editing, how she spends her days editing, etc. That earlier line about "never editing" should probably be taken out. Also, photographers definitely spend more time editing than they do actually shooting!
42% - Wouldn't the first thing they do, be to call the airline to see if Amelia got on the flight? Then when they find out she didn't, go through her calendar?
65% - Okay, so why did Amelia ghost Delta for 2 weeks?? Just because she asked Lucia the name of the baby? This isn't very clear.
68% - Delta was there when Lucia came over to tell them in person! Of course she knew, why would Fritz ask if she had heard?
76% - Okay this isn't being explained. What is a "garden apartment"?? Like a basement apartment? I keep picturing it as a separate building in the backyard.
79% - Finally Ian called her on it... It was very obvious that Jasper wasn't her son from very early on. A very predictable "twist".
80% - I forgot to mention this earlier, I love that she has a cat, and how feisty Eliza is!! More cat scenes would be awesome. Especially one where Delta is trying to edit but the cat keeps walking in front of her monitor, or on her keyboard, because that happens to me ALL the time!! Delta needs to respect the cat more, and be nicer to her though :(
100% - Photographers always have backups of their photos somewhere, especially edits that they have worked hard on. Delta just deleting her images, I can't see that ever happening in real life, especially since she cherished them apparently enough to print and save copies. It should probably be mentioned somewhere that she backed them up in the cloud or on a backup device or backup server.
Overall, I feel like the story could be just SLIGHTLY darker to really push the envelope, in terms of Delta's manipulations etc. Also some history as to why she is the way she is, some info about her family, etc would have been wonderful. Overall though I really enjoyed the book - there are certainly not enough thrillers where the main character is a photographer who values photos and "freezing moments in time", and definitely not enough books where the photographer owns a cat! :D
shereads_theworld's review against another edition
1.0
The concept of the book was a good one, but there were so many things that didn't add up or make sense so the story didn't flow or mesh well.
It seems like it was a written idea, but had an unfinished and half-done feeling to it.
Little character development made me feel blind
It seems like it was a written idea, but had an unfinished and half-done feeling to it.
Little character development made me feel blind