The Close-Up - by Pip Drysdale

Book Synopsis

A struggling author in Los Angeles discovers the dark side of fame when a stalker begins reenacting violent events from her thriller in this electrifying and twisty novel.

When Zoe Ann Weiss moves to Los Angeles to pursue her dream of becoming a writer, her whole future is wide open. But then Zach, the bartender and aspiring actor she's falling for, ghosts her. Her debut novel, a thriller, fails. And she has writer's block worse than ever before. Now, three years later, Zach is famous and Zoe is...not.

She's facing her thirtieth birthday, a dead-end job at a flower shop, and a demanding agent, terrified she'll never get her life back on track. But when she goes to make a flower delivery and Zach is at the address, it's like no time has passed at all. They start casually dating in secret, her writer's block disappears, and Zoe realizes: Zach inspired her first novel, so why can't he inspire her second?

But then the inevitable happens and photos are leaked, landing Zoe in the press. Her first novel goes viral, and now everyone seems to know her name. Except the problem with everyone knowing your name is that everyone knows your name--including the mysterious stalker obsessed with Zach. A stalker who begins reenacting violent events from Zoe's book, step by step, against her...

Review Quotes

"With twists and turns set against an LA skyline, Pip Drysdale shows that she is the undisputed queen of the sexy-cool thriller."--Hayley Scrivenor, bestselling author of Dirt Creek

"Throughly addictive, effortlessly cool and clever as hell, TCU is both a voyeuristic peek into the world of celebrity and a dark Gatsby-esque critique of the modern American Dream. From the glitter and grime of the LA backdrop to the irresistible voice of the protagonist, every page hums with an energy so delicious that one you start reading you can't stop. Perfectly thrilling, and so much fun." --Anna Downes, international bestselling author of The Safe Place and Red River Road

"Suspenseful and humorous, starring an irresistible underdog heroine, The Close-Up evokes the work of Ruth Ware or Lisa Jewell. Fun and propulsive."--Daniel Kalla, internationally best-selling author High Society

"Gripping, sultry, and ultimately shocking, The Close-Up will bathe you in magic-hour light before it haunts your dreams. Excuse me while I check my door locks."--Ashley Kalagian Blunt, bestselling author of Dark Mode

"An absolutely breathless ride from beginning to end. A twisty thriller with a total bombshell ending!"--Petronella McGovern, author of The Last Trace

"A writer living on the edge, a sexy movie star and a stalker on the prowl. Pip Drysdale delivers with heart-hammering twists, relentless suspense, and a conclusion that everyone will be talking about. I dare you to put this book down."--Loraine Peck, author of Second Son and The Double Bind

"A ripping tale about the fear of failure, the irresistible promise of making it big, and the glitz and grit of L.A. I completely devoured this dark, sexy, and addictive thriller!"--Dinuka McKenzie, bestselling author of Tipping Point

About the Author

Pip Drysdale is an author, musician, and actor. She grew up in Africa, Canada, and Australia, became an adult in New York and London, and lives on a steady diet of coffee, dreams, and literature. All four of her previous novels--The Sunday Girl, The Strangers We Know, The Paris Affair, and The Next Girl--have been bestsellers in Australia. Connect with Pip at PipDrysdale.com or on Facebook and Instagram @PipDrysdale.