Book Review: The Photographer by Mary Dixie Carter

The Photographer by Mary Dixie Carter
Publisher: ‎ Minotaur Books
Publication Date: (May 25, 2021
My rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Publisher’s Description:

As a photographer, Delta Dawn observes the seemingly perfect lives of New York City’s elite: snapping photos of their children’s birthday parties, transforming images of stiff hugs and tearstained faces into visions of pure joy, and creating moments these parents long for.

…are made of beautiful lies…

But when Delta is hired for Natalie Straub’s 11th birthday, she finds herself wishing she wasn’t behind the lens but a part of the scene – in the Straub family’s gorgeous home and elegant life.

…the truth will be exposed.

That’s when Delta puts her plan in place, by babysitting for Natalie; befriending her mother, Amelia; finding chances to listen to her father, Fritz. Soon she’s bathing in the master bathtub, drinking their expensive wine, and eyeing the beautifully finished garden apartment in their townhouse. It seems she can never get close enough, until she discovers that photos aren’t all she can manipulate.

When professional photographer Delta Dawn photographs Natalie Straub’s 11th birthday party, she becomes enthralled with Natalie’s mother Amelia and the rest of the family. She decides she must be a part of it and hatches an elaborate plan to make it so. At the same time, Amelia is becoming a bit unhinged herself dealing with her struggle to have another baby.

Delta Dawn is an unreliable narrator for sure and I love an unreliable narrator. The novel doesn’t go into her backstory – it just launches into her being unstable from the get-go. I would love a prequel on what made her so messed up. (Fun fact: the author is Dixie Carter’s daughter!) Even though some of the twists relied on unlikely coincidences, I found The Photographer to be very entertaining. Recommended.