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…

About The Author

Katie Kaars

Pip Drysdale

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.

Product Details

Publisher: Simon & Schuster (December 3, 2024)
Length: 352 pages
ISBN13: 9781668043462

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Raves and Reviews

“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

Praise for The Strangers We Know

“The Strangers we Know begins with a bang and doesn’t let up from there. Our heroine, Charlie, finds herself in a most awful predicament—she’s spotted her beloved husband, Oliver, on a dating app. And things only get worse from there. Pip Drysdale dabbles some wry humour into her wild-ride of a plot. Readers will fear and cheer for Charlie as life as she knew it unravels. A book I found impossible to put down!”
— AMY STUART, #1 bestselling author of A Death at the Party

“A relatable heroine, a riveting mystery, and plot twists that will make you gasp. I loved it.”
— ROBYN HARDING, bestselling author of The Drowning Woman and The Perfect Family