Part Elena Ferrante, part Patricia Highsmith–themed thriller, ‘Who Is Maud Dixon?’ is set to be one of the buzziest debut novels of the year
Publishers Weekly
“A devilishly plotted debut…barreling full-speed towards a breathtaking series of Highsmith-style twists and a stunning conclusion. This darkly comic take on contemporary publishing may well leave readers asking, ‘Who is Alexandra Andrews?’” (starred review)
Entertainment Weekly
The insights and inspirations behind Alexandra Andrews’ thrilling debut Who Is Maud Dixon?
The South Florida Sun Sentinel
Andrews’ wicked sense of humor and intelligent plotting deliver a briskly paced novel filled with inventive twists reminiscent of “All About Eve,” “Gaslight” and any Patricia Highsmith novel. “Who Is Maud Dixon?” establishes Andrews as an author to watch.
16 New Books to Watch for in March
The Nerd Daily
Q&A: Alexandra Andrews, Author of ‘Who Is Maud Dixon?’
The desperation for literary stardom is so acute in Maud Dixon it’s unsettling—Florence’s willingness to go to extremes has ramifications both stirring and unpredictable.
The New York Times
There are feints, counterfeits, battles of wits, plot twists that appear from thin air. At a certain point, we realize — to our delight — that seeing things from Florence’s point of view has robbed us of the chance to consider that she is not the only one with a complicated agenda.
WNYC: All of It
Acclaimed debut novel, Who Is Maud Dixon?, tells the story of a young publishing assistant named Florence who assumes the identity of her boss, best-selling author Maud Dixon, after she disappears. But as this thriller unfolds, Florence might come to regret her decision. Author Alexandra Andrews joins us to discuss the book.
Vogue
Maud Dixon is that rare book that combines a rapid-fire plot with larger questions of authenticity and authorship, creating a distinct work that is as compelling as the mysterious figure at its center.
Good Morning America
The two women at the center of this story are complicated, to say the very least. Full of diabolical twists and turns and lush settings (Morocco, anyone?), this is one of the best thrillers out this year.
Shelf Awareness
... cunningly plotted ... a wickedly fun study in deception, secrets, striving and longing. Andrews's stylish, intricate debut novel showcases deft prose and expert use of tone and atmosphere ... What means might one justify to grasp the life she really wants and (she's tempted to believe) deserves? These memorable pages hold one possible answer.
Vulture
In-jokes about the publishing industry. Check. References to Lydia Davis and Renata Adler. Check. Wicked and ambitious female Ripley-like characters. Check. Andrews’s amusingly mean-spirited thriller ticks off a lot of boxes — so much so that I basically plowed through this unexpected, high-low of a surprise in one sitting.
Booklist
Identity theft takes on a new meaning in this fresh and arresting thriller. (starred review)
Air Mail
As the novel unfolds, Andrews sheds her influences and arrives at something all her own, meshing keen-eyed satire with the sly unpredictability of a first-rate thriller.
The Washington Post
Andrews’s novel is sharp, unpredictable and enormously entertaining. To say anything more would ruin the fun of reading — and being lightly appalled — by it.
In this addition to the list of reasons one should not travel to Morocco with a too-good-to-be-true new acquaintance, the dissatisfied young editorial staffer with lofty literary goals and a penchant for stealing her roommate’s yogurts falls into a dream gig assisting her mysterious favorite writer, Maud Dixon; false identities and murderous hijinks ensue.
People
When her #metoo complaint backfires, jobless Florence gets an offer to be personal assistant to “Maud Dixon”—a popular novelist whose real identity is known only to her agent. Dark comedy meets twisty thriller when “Maud” and Florence head to Morocco to research a novel. Couldn’t be more fun.
Inspired by The Talented Mr. Ripley and written during the craze surrounding the identity of bestselling author Elena Ferrante, Andrews’s novel melds a page-turning narrative and compelling female protagonists with a thoughtful consideration of the erasure and creation of identity.
BookReporter
Astute mystery readers will surely anticipate one or two of the surprises, but hardly all of them. Who is Maud Dixon has as many hairpin turns as the dangerous Rue Badr that plays such a central role to the plot ... Set aside some time for this one, because once you crack it open, you won’t want to put it down until every last question is answered.