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faimt28's review against another edition
5.0
Rating: 5 ☆
Y’alllll. This book. First of all, going in, I was not expecting a thriller, maybe because I didn’t think too much about the description, but who knows. So of course, going into this book semi-blind made it all the more shocking to me.
Summary: Florence is an unhappy publishing company employee who somehow stumbles into the role of assistant to the famous author Maud Dixon - whose true identity is a secret. They go on a trip to Morocco to do research on Maud’s upcoming novel, when the duo get into a car crash, and suddenly Maud disappears. Florence takes this as a great opportunity to just... take over Maud’s identity, because that comes with some perks... right?
When I read this summary, I didn’t expect too much from it. But the characters are so so so well developed. It takes a good deal of work for a not likable protagonist to be written as someone that the reader has sympathy for. But slowly page by page until the wild last 25% of the book everyone’s truths come out. I would say perhaps the first quarter of the book was a bit slow, but it sort of exponentially gets more interesting and can’t-take-my-eyes-off-this towards the end. I also loved the descriptions in Morroco, and thought it was cool to get a glimpse into the publishing industry. Also, as a debut novel, I am even more impressed by this writing!
Overall: Ya gotta read this when it comes out March 2nd!
Y’alllll. This book. First of all, going in, I was not expecting a thriller, maybe because I didn’t think too much about the description, but who knows. So of course, going into this book semi-blind made it all the more shocking to me.
Summary: Florence is an unhappy publishing company employee who somehow stumbles into the role of assistant to the famous author Maud Dixon - whose true identity is a secret. They go on a trip to Morocco to do research on Maud’s upcoming novel, when the duo get into a car crash, and suddenly Maud disappears. Florence takes this as a great opportunity to just... take over Maud’s identity, because that comes with some perks... right?
When I read this summary, I didn’t expect too much from it. But the characters are so so so well developed. It takes a good deal of work for a not likable protagonist to be written as someone that the reader has sympathy for. But slowly page by page until the wild last 25% of the book everyone’s truths come out. I would say perhaps the first quarter of the book was a bit slow, but it sort of exponentially gets more interesting and can’t-take-my-eyes-off-this towards the end. I also loved the descriptions in Morroco, and thought it was cool to get a glimpse into the publishing industry. Also, as a debut novel, I am even more impressed by this writing!
Overall: Ya gotta read this when it comes out March 2nd!
justinkhchen's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars
A quick, efficient mystery thriller in the spirit of The Talented Mr. Ripley, Who Is Maud Dixon? excels in its unique setting and a cast of lively characters, even if some odd character developments and overt plot conveniences hinder it from reaching its fullest 'identity-swapping-in-foreign-land' potential.
Firstly, a strong advice: stop reading the synopsis after its first couple sentences (or simply going into this blind); I'm surprised at how much plot details was given away, essentially summarizing the first quarter of the novel.
Other than that, Who Is Maud Dixon? accomplishes its page turner goal through Alexandra Andrews' economical, yet colorful writing style, a sense of vacation escapism with its Morocco setting, as well as some worthwhile twists and reveals. I flew through this novel in 2 days, and my typical reading rate is around a week per book.
While Who Is Maud Dixon? conveys vivid depiction of New York and Morocco, as well as a convincing representation of the publishing world, the mystery thriller aspect requires some suspension of disbelief that is beyond what I can overlook. Using once again The Talented Mr. Ripley as a point of reference, certain acts of deception that are completely plausible in the 50s are less convincing to be pulled off in the 21st century. Lastly, the depiction of protagonist Florence Darrow can be somewhat inconsistent, sometimes she appears overly feebleminded (asking very uninspiring questions regarding literature even though herself was described as educated in the field, and somewhat well-read), and others extremely ruthless and skilled (pulling off some high level crimes). She comes across more like a malleable puppet driving narrative forward (to initiate an exposition for the reader, providing shock value, etc.) than a realistic, fleshed-out individual.
Overall Who Is Maud Dixon? is a competent debut; great choice to pick up if you need something fast and entertaining, just don't overthink the detail and enjoy the ride!
***This ARC was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Much appreciated!***
A quick, efficient mystery thriller in the spirit of The Talented Mr. Ripley, Who Is Maud Dixon? excels in its unique setting and a cast of lively characters, even if some odd character developments and overt plot conveniences hinder it from reaching its fullest 'identity-swapping-in-foreign-land' potential.
Firstly, a strong advice: stop reading the synopsis after its first couple sentences (or simply going into this blind); I'm surprised at how much plot details was given away, essentially summarizing the first quarter of the novel.
Other than that, Who Is Maud Dixon? accomplishes its page turner goal through Alexandra Andrews' economical, yet colorful writing style, a sense of vacation escapism with its Morocco setting, as well as some worthwhile twists and reveals. I flew through this novel in 2 days, and my typical reading rate is around a week per book.
While Who Is Maud Dixon? conveys vivid depiction of New York and Morocco, as well as a convincing representation of the publishing world, the mystery thriller aspect requires some suspension of disbelief that is beyond what I can overlook. Using once again The Talented Mr. Ripley as a point of reference, certain acts of deception that are completely plausible in the 50s are less convincing to be pulled off in the 21st century. Lastly, the depiction of protagonist Florence Darrow can be somewhat inconsistent, sometimes she appears overly feebleminded (asking very uninspiring questions regarding literature even though herself was described as educated in the field, and somewhat well-read), and others extremely ruthless and skilled (pulling off some high level crimes). She comes across more like a malleable puppet driving narrative forward (to initiate an exposition for the reader, providing shock value, etc.) than a realistic, fleshed-out individual.
Overall Who Is Maud Dixon? is a competent debut; great choice to pick up if you need something fast and entertaining, just don't overthink the detail and enjoy the ride!
***This ARC was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Much appreciated!***
lottevanderpaelt's review
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
mike_nz's review against another edition
3.0
Very predictable with not a single likeable character - however, I'm not gonna lie - I was thoroughly entertained!
bhnmt61's review against another edition
Florence Darrow is determined to have the recognition she feels she deserves and she is willing to play a little fast and loose to get what she wants. But her small steps into the gray areas soon turn into huge leaps when she gets tangled up with someone with no morals at all.
I enjoyed the first 75 pages or so—Florence is so cheerfully amoral in the early stages of her collapse that you can’t help but be amused. But once I saw where it was going, I lost interest. I skipped over and read the last 75 pages and that was plenty for me to know this book is not for me. I get that part of the fascination of reading a book like this is seeing how they get away with it, and it can be like working a puzzle to see how all the different layers of deception fit together. But that doesn't mean I have to like it.
I'm tempted to make some kind of sweeping social commentary about the moral state of our nation given the current popularity of books and movies about criminals successfully pulling off elaborate plots (from Gone Girl to the Ocean heist movies). But I know a whole bunch of normal, law-abiding citizens who love that stuff, so I'll just stick with saying I do not understand the appeal. I will cheerfully accept the label of boring stick-in-the-mud.
I enjoyed the first 75 pages or so—Florence is so cheerfully amoral in the early stages of her collapse that you can’t help but be amused. But once I saw where it was going, I lost interest. I skipped over and read the last 75 pages and that was plenty for me to know this book is not for me. I get that part of the fascination of reading a book like this is seeing how they get away with it, and it can be like working a puzzle to see how all the different layers of deception fit together. But that doesn't mean I have to like it.
I'm tempted to make some kind of sweeping social commentary about the moral state of our nation given the current popularity of books and movies about criminals successfully pulling off elaborate plots (from Gone Girl to the Ocean heist movies). But I know a whole bunch of normal, law-abiding citizens who love that stuff, so I'll just stick with saying I do not understand the appeal. I will cheerfully accept the label of boring stick-in-the-mud.
thechanelmuse's review against another edition
4.0
“Change is never a smooth curve; it comes in leaps and jolts, plateaus and remissions. And in the periods after an old identity fades away but before a new one is fully installed, there is a certain sense of impunity. As if nothing quite matters. You are not quite yourself. You’re not quite anyone.”
Who is Maud Dixon? is a clever debut novel that Alfred Hitchcock would’ve likely adapted to screen. Interweaving topics of classism and influence into the shaping of identity, author Alexandra Andrews begins the novel like a contemporary tale, following a young woman, Florence Darrow, who is desperately driven to trade her life as a low-level publishing employee to become a famous author.
When she gets the opportunity of a lifetime to be the assistant to the best-selling pseudonymous writer known as “Maud Dixon” and join the literary research trip to Morocco, Florence enters a newfound world of wisdom in life and writing, as well as story building and character development when an accident occurs, propelling readers down a rabbit hole of crime and mystery that will leave you questioning what’s fact, what’s fiction, and exactly who is Maud Dixon.
Alexandra Andrews' writing style is colorful (the atmospheric setting of Morocco) and easily gets you entranced into her world of twists and turns. Funny enough, this novel doesn't feel like a modern book. (Hence the Alfred Hitchcock nod.) But that's by no means a bad thing.
Who is Maud Dixon? is a clever debut novel that Alfred Hitchcock would’ve likely adapted to screen. Interweaving topics of classism and influence into the shaping of identity, author Alexandra Andrews begins the novel like a contemporary tale, following a young woman, Florence Darrow, who is desperately driven to trade her life as a low-level publishing employee to become a famous author.
When she gets the opportunity of a lifetime to be the assistant to the best-selling pseudonymous writer known as “Maud Dixon” and join the literary research trip to Morocco, Florence enters a newfound world of wisdom in life and writing, as well as story building and character development when an accident occurs, propelling readers down a rabbit hole of crime and mystery that will leave you questioning what’s fact, what’s fiction, and exactly who is Maud Dixon.
Alexandra Andrews' writing style is colorful (the atmospheric setting of Morocco) and easily gets you entranced into her world of twists and turns. Funny enough, this novel doesn't feel like a modern book. (Hence the Alfred Hitchcock nod.) But that's by no means a bad thing.
njw13's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
scottnap's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
djtran's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
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
3.5