A Quick Guide to Reading Alexandra Andrews
If you are looking for sharp, high-stakes psychological suspense combined with biting social satire, Alexandra Andrews is an author you need to add to your list. Known for her complex, morally ambiguous female protagonists and atmospheric settings, Andrews has quickly established herself as a standout voice in contemporary thriller fiction.
Because Andrews currently writes standalone novels, there is no complex series chronology or web of spin-offs to worry about. You can read her books in any order, though starting with her explosive debut is highly recommended.
Recommended Reading Order
Since both of Andrews's novels are standalone thrillers, the simplest and most rewarding way to experience her work is in order of publication. This allows you to see how her style develops, moving from the publishing-world deceptions of her debut to the elite art-world crime of her second novel.
- Who Is Maud Dixon? (2021) – Her debut thriller following Florence Darrow and her reclusive boss.
- The Fine Art of Lying (2026) – Her second novel, centered on Clare Bast and the dangerous high-society art trade.
Deep Dive: The Books
Who Is Maud Dixon? (2021)
This sensational debut follows Florence Darrow, a low-level publishing assistant in New York with massive writerly ambitions but little to show for them. When she gets the opportunity of a lifetime to work as the assistant to "Maud Dixon"—the reclusive, pseudonymous author of a massive bestseller—Florence jumps at the chance. The job takes them to Morocco, but after a devastating car crash, Florence wakes up with no memory of the accident and her boss missing. Seeing an opportunity to escape her mediocre life, Florence decides to step into the identity of Maud Dixon herself. What follows is a twisty, Highsmith-esque game of deception and stolen lives.
The Fine Art of Lying (2026)
Selected as a Reese's Book Club pick in May 2026, Andrews's second novel shifts focus to the wealthy circles of Manhattan's Upper East Side. Clare Bast is an art historian who abandoned her Ph.D. dissertation to raise her daughter, often feeling like an outsider in the ultra-wealthy world of her husband. When she discovers a painting that was the subject of her unfinished thesis hanging in the home of an attractive art dealer, she is drawn back into the art world. Soon, Clare finds herself caught in a web of art theft, financial corruption, and a brutal murder—with the finger of suspicion pointing straight at her.
What to Know Before You Start
Andrews's books are characterized by characters who are not necessarily likeable, but are endlessly fascinating. If you enjoy protagonists driven by intense ambition, imposter syndrome, and the temptation to cross moral lines, you will find her novels highly engaging. Her writing carries a strong influence of classic suspense writers like Patricia Highsmith (particularly The Talented Mr. Ripley), blended with modern themes of identity, ownership, and the performative nature of success.
Adaptation Update
Her debut novel, Who Is Maud Dixon?, has been optioned for a film adaptation under the title Under Another Name. Universal Pictures is developing the project with filmmaker Liz Hannah attached to write and direct, and Amy Pascal and Chris Morgan producing. Keep an eye out for updates on casting and release dates as development continues.