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A review by swymore2692
The Photographer by Mary Dixie Carter
3.0
Delta Dawn is a highly sought-after, very talented photographer. Her work frequently takes her into the homes of New York City’s elite families, as her specialty is photographing children. When Delta books a job with the Straubs, popular and successful architects, she finds herself drawn to both Amelia and Fritz Straub, as well as their daughter, Natalie. Really drawn to them. Like, creepily drawn to them. As Delta goes on to weave her way into the Straubs’ life, the reader sees just how incredibly off the rails this character really is.
Initially, this book gave me The Last Mrs. Parrish vibes. But as it continued, I found it difficult to understand exactly what Delta’s ultimate goal was. Ultimately, it was a sense of belonging, but what that meant to her seemed a little scattered. I can’t really go into this too much without spoilers, but there was a really confusing line between whether she wanted to be a daughter, a lover, a mom, all of it to the same people? I really wasn’t sure. I also couldn’t really connect to the characters. Amelia Straub was the most dynamic character, but her motivations also became confusing for me toward the end. It’s not a spoiler to say she wants another child, but why? I never really understood. She has an incredibly successful career, for which she has sacrificed her relationship with her husband and her daughter. She seems totally okay with that, but is desperate for a new baby she has no time for? I’m not saying this can’t all be true in actual person - it just didn’t fit with this fictional personality as portrayed by the author, if that makes sense. As far as Delta, Natalie, Fritz, Ian - meh. Just nothing there. At a minimum, I need a villain I love to hate.
Ultimately, though, this book was a good quick read. Although it didn’t quite unfold in a way that works for me, I like the storyline itself. Great way to pass time in a waiting room, picking up kids from school, unwinding before bed. For a first novel, this isn’t bad and I’m looking forward to some fun thrillers from Mary Dixie Carter in the future.
Thanks to Mary Dixie Carter, Minotaur Books, and NetGalley for the ARC in return for my honest review.
Initially, this book gave me The Last Mrs. Parrish vibes. But as it continued, I found it difficult to understand exactly what Delta’s ultimate goal was. Ultimately, it was a sense of belonging, but what that meant to her seemed a little scattered. I can’t really go into this too much without spoilers, but there was a really confusing line between whether she wanted to be a daughter, a lover, a mom, all of it to the same people? I really wasn’t sure. I also couldn’t really connect to the characters. Amelia Straub was the most dynamic character, but her motivations also became confusing for me toward the end. It’s not a spoiler to say she wants another child, but why? I never really understood. She has an incredibly successful career, for which she has sacrificed her relationship with her husband and her daughter. She seems totally okay with that, but is desperate for a new baby she has no time for? I’m not saying this can’t all be true in actual person - it just didn’t fit with this fictional personality as portrayed by the author, if that makes sense. As far as Delta, Natalie, Fritz, Ian - meh. Just nothing there. At a minimum, I need a villain I love to hate.
Ultimately, though, this book was a good quick read. Although it didn’t quite unfold in a way that works for me, I like the storyline itself. Great way to pass time in a waiting room, picking up kids from school, unwinding before bed. For a first novel, this isn’t bad and I’m looking forward to some fun thrillers from Mary Dixie Carter in the future.
Thanks to Mary Dixie Carter, Minotaur Books, and NetGalley for the ARC in return for my honest review.