Publishers Weekly
10/07/2024
A writer’s life takes a turn for the metafictional in this glossy neo-noir from Drysdale (The Paris Affair). Zoe Weiss moves to L.A. after the manuscript for her debut thriller, Fractured, earns her a million-dollar two-book deal. When the novel is published, however, it bombs, shattering Zoe’s self-confidence. Two years later, her advance is gone, her second book is long overdue, and she fears it’s only a matter of time until her publisher demands its money back. When her agent requests an update, Zoe panics and claims she’s writing a high-concept thriller based on a celebrity she knows. While it’s true that Zoe has recently reconnected with Zach, a former fling who’s now a movie star, his manager has made her sign a nondisclosure agreement, taking their time together off the table as literary inspiration. Then Zoe and Zach’s rekindled relationship makes the tabloids, and Zoe gets violent threats resembling the ones received by Fractured’s protagonist. It’s perfect thriller fodder—provided she can skirt the NDA and stay alive. Drysdale’s tale takes the form of an after the fact tell-all written by Zoe, characterized by clever foreshadowing and an intoxicating Hollywood buzz. This offers plenty of frothy fun. Agent: Mollie Glick, CAA. (Dec.)
From the Publisher
"A hotly anticipated debut novel, complete with a princely advance and a dreamy move to Los Angeles, equals lifelong success, right? Not quite. Books flop, money dries up and the city’s bright lights conceal both its dark underbelly and what those in the limelight will do to stay famous . . . With its colorful supporting characters and spectacularly twisty plot, The Close-Up is a fantastic addition to the neo-noir subgenre.” —BookPage, starred review
“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 once 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
"The Close-Up is dark, twisty, glamorous fun. It propels you headlong into a glossy world of fame and fortune, then takes a menacing turn to reveal the violence and darkness lurking behind the facade. A compulsive thriller that really gets under the skin, this book's sure to keep you up all night frantically turning the pages until every last twist is revealed." —Hannah Richell, author of The Search Party
"Pip Drysdale’s riveting novel The Close-Up, set in celebrity-soaked Los Angeles, follows the irresistible Zoe whose desperate search for success leads her to the ugly underbelly of Hollywood. Gripping, dark, and thoroughly entertaining, you’ll read straight through to the shocking ending." —Mary Dixie Carter, national bestselling author of The Photographer
“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 of 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
