Title: Who Is Maud Dixon? by Alexandra Andrews
Publisher: Little, Brown and Company
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery, Suspense
Length: 336 pages
Book Rating: B+
Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley
Summary:
Florence Darrow is a low-level publishing employee who believes that she’s destined to be a famous writer. When she stumbles into a job the assistant to the brilliant, enigmatic novelist known as Maud Dixon — whose true identity is a secret — it appears that the universe is finally providing Florence’s big chance.
The arrangement seems perfect. Maud Dixon (whose real name, Florence discovers, is Helen Wilcox) can be prickly, but she is full of pointed wisdom — not only on how to write, but also on how to live. Florence quickly falls under Helen’s spell and eagerly accompanies her to Morocco, where Helen’s new novel is set. Amidst the colorful streets of Marrakesh and the wind-swept beaches of the coast, Florence’s life at last feels interesting enough to inspire a novel of her own.
But when Florence wakes up in the hospital after a terrible car accident, with no memory of the previous night — and no sign of Helen — she’s tempted to take a shortcut. Instead of hiding in Helen’s shadow, why not upgrade into Helen’s life? Not to mention her bestselling pseudonym . . .
Taut, twisty, and viciously entertaining, Who is Maud Dixon is a stylish psychological thriller about how far into the darkness you’re willing to go to claim the life you always wanted.
Review:
Who Is Maud Dixon? by Alexandra Andrews is a cunning mystery that has plenty of unexpected twists.
Life has not worked out how Florence Darrow believed it would. An aspiring author, she instead works as an assistant editor. Having achieved her dream of living in New York, Florence realizes how far away she is from her goals. After making a decision that does not go as planned, she is now unemployed. And yet Florence feels incredibly free.
With an uncertain future, luck intervenes and Florence is offered a position working as live-in assistant to the wildly popular yet publicity shy author Maud Dixon which is a pseudonym for Helen Wilcox. Florence gladly relocates to Helen’s remote home near the Catskills. Eager to begin working, she is soon transcribing her boss’s manuscript while taking over all the pesky details of Helen’s every day life. With everything finally going her way, Florence and Helen are soon off on a research trip in Morocco. But within days of their arrival, Florence makes a split-second decision that she might soon regret.
Florence grew up with a single mother who convinced her she would do great things with her life. After college, she continues writing but envisions a future far away from Florida. Accepting the first job she is offered, Florence moves to New York and begins her new career. Quickly disillusioned and feeling out of place, she remains stagnant until she makes the ill-fated decision that alters her trajectory.
Working for Helen is interesting and Florence enjoys living in the country. Although she likes her new boss, Helen is a bit mercurial and sometimes abrupt with Florence. Helen dispenses advice that is on the harsher end of the spectrum. It is not until their trip to Morocco that Florence begins to question how well she knows Helen. And after things take a very unanticipated turn, Florence decides to take the opportunity to step into the life she believes deserves. But what will happen once the local policeman continues asking questions Florence does not want to answer?
Who Is Maud Dixon? Is a wickedly clever mystery with a delightfully unique storyline. Neither Florence nor Helen is particularly likeable. However, it becomes impossible not to root for Florence once everything begins to spin out of her control. With canny twists and sly turns, Alexandra Andrews brings this riveting debut to a rather satisfying conclusion. I absolutely loved and highly recommend this brilliant mystery to fans of the genre.
