The Close-Up

In this glittering new psychological suspense novel from internationally bestselling author Pip Drysdale, a writer’s own thriller is brought chillingly to life when a stalker begins to reenact the events from her book.

Sometimes when your dreams come true, so do your nightmares...

When Zoe Ann Weiss moves to LA to pursue her dream of becoming a novelist, she welcomes the fault lines, the Santa Ana winds, and the magic hour light. Her whole future is wide open—until Zach, the bartender and aspiring actor she’s falling for, ghosts her, and her debut novel, a thriller, bombs.

Three years pass. Zach’s star rises—he’s on Netflix, on billboards, in every magazine—while hers falls. Now she’s working in a flower shop, still calling herself a writer while staring at a blinking cursor every night. But then she delivers flowers in one of LA’s most exclusive neighborhoods and...he’s there. Zach Hamilton. And it’s like no time has passed at all—the two pick up right where they left off.

It feels like fate, a love story for the ages—the kind of love you write about. Suddenly, Zoe’s writer’s block disappears. When photos of Zach and Zoe are leaked, her name ends up in the press and her novel goes viral online. Which all sounds fine in theory: at least now she’ll sell some books. Except the problem with everyone knowing her name is that everyone knows her name.

Including Zach’s stalker. A stalker who wants Zoe gone. A stalker who has read Zoe’s novel. A stalker who is now re-enacting everything that happened in that book, step by step, against her…

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.

ISBN: 9781668043462
Format: Paperback
Pages: 352
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Published: December 03, 2024

“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 façade. 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, bestselling author of The Photographer“The Close-Up is smart, sexy, original, and packs a powerful punch, especially those final few pages. . . There was no way in a million years I would have seen that explosive ending coming.”
— NICOLA MORIARTY, bestselling author of Every Last Suspect“I inhaled this cracker of a thriller! Tension simmers on every page. The Close-Up was impossible to put down until I reached the shocking ending!”
— RAE CAIRNS, bestselling author of The Good Mother and Dying to Know“Thoroughly addictive, effortlessly cool, and clever as hell, The Close-Up 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 L. A. 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, internationally 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. A fun and propulsive read! I highly recommend it."
— DANIEL KALLA, bestselling author of Fit to Die“The Close-Up tells the story of a novelist with what may turn out to be a killer deadline. With twists and turns set against an LA skyline, Pip Drysdale shows once again that she is the undisputed queen of the sexy-cool thriller.”
— HAYLEY SCRIVENOR, bestselling author of Dirt Town and Girl Falling“The Close-Up is an absolutely breathless ride from beginning to end. It’s a modern morality tale: be careful what you wish for – it may be too dangerous a price to pay. Pip Drysdale does it again in this 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 her best yet with heart-hammering twists, relentless suspense and a conclusion that everyone will be talking about. I dare you to put this book down. The Close Up is a sexy and relentless thrill ride through LA’s shiny dark heart.”
— LORAINE PECK, author of Second Son and The Double Bind“Pip Drysdale is a genre unto herself, the queen of the sexy thriller. 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