Celebrated, bestselling, elusive…who is Maud Dixon?
Florence Darrow wants to be a writer. Correction: Florence Darrow IS going to be a writer.
Fired from her first job in publishing, she jumps at the chance to be assistant to the celebrated Maud Dixon, the anonymous bestselling novelist. The arrangement comes with conditions – high secrecy, living in an isolated house in the countryside. Before long, the two of them are on a research trip to Morocco, to inspire the much-promised second novel. Beach walks, red sunsets and long, whisky-filled evening discussions…win-win, surely? Until Florence wakes up in a hospital, having narrowly survived a car crash.
How did it happen – and where is Maud Dixon, who was in the car with her? Florence feels she may have been played, but wait, if Maud is no longer around, maybe Florence can make her mark as a writer after all…
Book Info: Print length: 337 pages. Publisher: Tinder Press. Publication Date: 4 March 2021
My Thoughts:
Alexandra Andrew’s debut novel Who is Maud Dixon was published in 2021. It’s a clever psychological thriller that blends literary ambition with identity theft. Having read Yellowface first, the plot wasn’t entirely original to me, but as this book was published first I should give it more credit.
Set in the beautiful and vibrant city of Marrakech, this is a really well written twisted story. It’s quite a slow burner initially, however at around 60-70% the book really picks up pace with some fabulous twists and shocking moments that made my jaw drop.
The story centres around Florence Darrow, a wannabe author with delusions way out of her league, who seems to think the world owes her. Convinced she is destined for greatness, unfortunately no-one else agrees. Until a chance opportunity. Best-selling, world famous novelist Maud Dixon needs a personal assistant. Maud guards her anonymity furiously, no-one knows her real name, where she lives or what she looks like, but Florence is about to find out.
It’s not often I read a book where both the main characters are so unlikeable, but Florence and Maud are both rather despicable in their actions and attitudes.
However, this really was a twisted tale which kept me entertained and guessing throughout.
