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𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗡𝗲𝘅𝘁 𝗚𝗶𝗿𝗹
𝗣𝗶𝗽 𝗗𝗿𝘆𝘀𝗱𝗮𝗹𝗲
The internal writing process for The Next Girl was pretty similar to every other book I've ever written: messy, terrifying, elating, exciting, challenging and steeped in self-doubt until I was done. But my physical process was (and always is) simple: I wake up every morning, put on coffee and write. It doesn’t matter if it’s only for half an hour, I just need to start my day that way or I’ll struggle to get back to the page all day. But this is my only writing rule and aside from that anything goes!
I wrote this book during COVID when I couldn't travel for research the way I usually do, so I based Billie in the apartment I'd lived in when I lived in New York in my early 20s. I had her go to the same bars I loved. I used Google Maps. I listened to a lot of vinyl and read books for research. But there was also a lot of serendipity that came into play with The Next Girl. For example, music plays a strong role in the story and, while deep in a research rabbit hole, I learnt that Miles Davis lived a couple of doors down from Billie when he first moved to the city. I learnt that Bob Dylan was rumoured to have penned Blowin’ in the Wind at one of the venues I’d chosen for a scene. I learnt that Jim Morrison frequented another. I also learnt that her full name, Wilhelmina, was particularly fitting when going by the German origin meaning (as was another character’s name I can’t mention for fear of ruining a plot twist!). Ultimately, like all books it had its unique challenges, but I love Billie and I loved writing her story, it was a lot of fun.
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𝗦𝘆𝗻𝗼𝗽𝘀𝗶𝘀
In the vein of 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘗𝘦𝘳𝘧𝘦𝘤𝘵 𝘎𝘪𝘳𝘭𝘧𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘥, 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘍𝘭𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘈𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘢𝘯𝘵, and 𝘗𝘳𝘰𝘮𝘪𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘠𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘨 𝘞𝘰𝘮𝘢𝘯, this gripping suspense novel follows a relentless woman determined to uncover the sinister secrets of a powerful man—with shocking consequences.
A single day of misfortune at work. A night of intoxication. A random Instagram follow. These seemingly inconsequential events set the stage for a life-altering ordeal, but whose life will bear the devastating consequences?
Waking up in a stranger's bed, Billie grapples with hazy recollections and an overwhelming question: What transpired last night? The man beside her remains unfamiliar, their encounter a blank slate in her memory. Moreover, how did she find herself in Coney Island of all places?
Reality crashes down, and memories resurface—a tragic reason propelled her to that bar, seeking solace in alcohol. Her law firm suffered a colossal defeat: Samuel Grange versus Jane Delaney, a high-profile assault case. And somehow, it appeared to be her fault.
But it wasn't.
Now, Samuel Grange roams free, poised to repeat his heinous acts against other unsuspecting women. Billie is left grappling with a profound concern: What about the next girl? And the one after her?
Helplessly, she watches as he continues his cycle of abuse, powerless to intervene.
Or is she?
Perhaps she can singlehandedly expose his true nature, revealing his darkest secrets to the world. If she succeeds, everyone will finally see the monster he truly is. She can ensure he never harms another woman again.
Yet, there's a catch—a perilous catch. To safeguard the next girl, Billie must assume her role, infiltrating Samuel Grange's twisted world. But such a daring move comes with considerable risks, potentially leading to her own demise.
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𝗔𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿
Pip Drysdale is a bestselling 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. Her debut novel, 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘚𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘢𝘺 𝘎𝘪𝘳𝘭, was a bestseller and has been published in five countries. 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘚𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘞𝘦 𝘒𝘯𝘰𝘸, her follow up, also a bestseller in Australia, is being developed for television.
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Kate
The door is open for a sequel and I hope Pip decides to write more about Billie.
Reviewed in Australia on April 18, 2023