"How close is admiration to obsession?"
Reviewed by Helen Williams
Posted February 6, 2017
Mystery
COPYCAT is a story about how far obsession will drive
someone. It's disturbing to see how mental illness can
cause a person to repeat mistakes without realizing it.
Athor Kimberla Lawson Roby writes about an author whose
newest book inspires a fan to go over the deep end.
Throughout the novel different people see the obvious
obsession this fan has but it does not immediately become
obvious to the author. Simone Phillips is thrilled when she meets successful author
Traci Calloway Cole. Simone becomes obsessed with Traci, to
the point where she begins to copy everything about Traci --
from her hairstyle, clothing, furniture styles down to the
same type of car. As the story unfolds you become
aware of the Simone's past obsessions. Eventually, Simone's
obsession results in financial burdens that nearly cripple
the woman. When her past is
revealed Simone still does not see what the issue is -- which
I find quite disturbing. The author at the center of Simone's obsession knows deep
down this devotion is not healthy, but Traci also thinks
she's doing what is best for Simone. Roby does an impressive
job of presenting mental illness and the depths at which
many people will go for love, even if that love flares into
something dangerous.
Learn more about Copycat
SUMMARY
From the New York Times bestselling author who "writes
with
high-octane levels of emotion" (USA Today). Befriending Traci Calloway Cole is the best thing Simone
Phillips has ever done. Traci is the kind of woman Simone
wants to be-in every way possible. She begins copying her
role model. Not because she wants to be Traci. She just
wants to be exactly like Traci. Traci doesn't worry, though. She knows Simone doesn't
mean
any harm and that her mimicry is only sincere admiration.
Until she discovers how far Simone's obsession has gone. It is then that Simone's entire world begins unraveling,
and
dreadful secrets from her past are exposed with no
warning.
Secrets that she'll do almost anything to protect.
ExcerptSimone walked inside Marie’s Hair Salon and stopped dead
in her tracks. She wasn’t positive, but she could’ve
sworn that Traci Calloway Cole, the nationally known
author, was sitting in the waiting area. She knew Traci
lived in Mitchell, yet she’d never seen her in person. Simone stepped closer to the smiling twentysomething
receptionist. “Hi, I have a five forty-five appointment
with Renee.” “Of course,” the young woman said, typing on her computer
keyboard. “It looks like Renee has already done a consult
with you by phone, so I think you’re all set. She should
be with you shortly, but in the meantime, would you like
coffee or tea? We also have bottled water.” “No, I think I’m fine for now, but maybe later.” “Sounds good. You can have a seat right over there,” the
receptionist said, eyeing the waiting area. “Thank you.” Simone sat across from the woman she believed to be Traci
Calloway Cole, and once they made eye contact, she knew
it was her. Simone had seen her photo on her book jackets
and on her web site, and she looked just like it: same
thick, shoulder-length hair, high cheekbones, and all. Traci smiled. “How are you?” “I’m good, and you?” “Doing well.” Simone set her brown shoulder bag on the chair next to
her. “I hope it’s okay for me to ask, but are you Traci
Calloway Cole?” Traci smiled again. “Yeah, that would be me I guess.” They both laughed. “Well, I’m Simone Phillips, and it’s very nice to meet
you.” “It’s nice to meet you as well.” Simone didn’t want to show it, but she was ecstatic—
especially since she’d written a book herself and had
been hoping she would soon meet a published author in
person. “I have both your books, and I really enjoyed
reading them.” “How very kind of you, and thank you. I really appreciate
that.” “You’re quite welcome. I had also planned on attending
both your signings, but when your first book came out I
was ill. Then when your other one was released last year,
I was out of town.” “Well, I hope you can come in September. That’s when my
next book is being published.” “I’ll be there.” Traci set down the magazine she was holding. “So, have
you been coming here for a while?” “No, as a matter of fact, this is my first time. But I’ve
heard really great things about it. What about you?” “Marie has been my hairstylist for fifteen years. She
didn’t open her salon until five years ago, but I went to
her when she worked with someone else. She’s very
talented, and she’s good people. One of the sweetest
women I know.” “That’s wonderful. And actually, my appointment is with
Renee.” “Renee is awesome as well, and you’ll love her, too. To
be honest, I think you’d be happy with any of the
stylists here. All of them take their work very
seriously, and they have the best customer service.” “That’s one of the reasons I decided to give them a try.
A girl at work raved over how well they treat their
clients.” “It’s the truth. They never overbook, and you never have
to wait longer than five or ten minutes when you arrive.
Your appointment is your appointment and no one else’s.” “Well, I wish I could say the same for the salon I’ve
patronized for more than two years. There have been times
when my stylist would schedule three other people around
the same time she scheduled me, and I never got out of
there until three hours after my appointment. But it was
two weeks ago, when I had a six p.m. appointment and
didn’t get out until after ten, that I was finally done.
I knew I was never going back there.” Traci raised her eyebrows. “Four hours? Did you get a
relaxer? Color? Something that would justify being there
all that time?” “No, that’s the killing part about all of it. Yes, there
were two other clients and my stylist was trying to work
on all three of us, but all I got was a wash, blow dry,
and curl. That’s it.” “How awful. I just don’t get that. I realize everyone
wants to earn as much as possible, but it doesn’t make
much sense if you end up losing all your clients.
Nowadays people have a lot of choices, and they can take
their business elsewhere.” “Exactly,” Simone said, looking around the salon. “When I
first walked in, I wondered where everyone was. I mean,
you and I are the only two waiting.” “That’s because Marie and Renee are finishing up their
clients right as we speak, and the other three stylists
just started on theirs.” “I love it here already. And it’s so chic looking.” “After what you’ve been through, I guess so,” Traci said,
and they both laughed. “But where did you go before you
found your last stylist?” “A place called Seasons.” “I’ve heard of it, but I’ve never gone there.” “It was nice enough, but I wasn’t really happy with the
way my hair usually turned out. Or at least it never
turned out the way it always had when I lived in Ohio.
The girl I went to there was an expert on working with
short styles,” Simone said, now regretting that she’d
slipped and mentioned where she was from. It wasn’t that
this information was a secret, but Ohio was a place she
tried not to think about. “You really do have a cute cut. It’s very becoming.” “Thanks.” “And is that where you’re from? Ohio?” “Yes.” “Really? Then how did you end up here in Mitchell?” Traci
said, chuckling. “Don’t get me wrong, I love my hometown
and I wouldn’t live anywhere else, but most people who
move here come for a reason.” Simone laughed along with her. “I’m sure, because it’s
not like it’s a major city.” “Far from it. A hundred fifty thousand people isn’t tiny,
but it’s still small.” “The insurance company I work for closed that location,
and in order for me to keep my position and seniority, I
had to take an opening here.” “Oh, okay.” Simone still hated that she’d had to relocate so
abruptly, but in truth, it couldn’t have come at a better
time. So much had happened, most of which she tried to
block from her mind on a daily basis. Life in Ohio had
turned out terribly, and she would never forgive her
former fiancé, who’d purposely betrayed her. He’d turned
on her and told things he shouldn’t have to the wrong
people. But that was a whole other story, and thankfully,
it was all behind her. Simone and Traci chatted a couple of minutes longer until
Marie walked toward them. “Ready?” the tall, shapely woman said to Traci. “Yep, and by the way, this is Simone. This is her first
time coming here, and she has an appointment with Renee.” “That’s great. Welcome, and please let us know if you
need anything or if there’s something we can do better
for you.” “I will, and thank you.” Traci grabbed her Gucci shoulder bag and stood up. “It
was very nice meeting you, Simone. I really enjoyed
talking to you.” “Likewise, and much continued success with your books.” “Thank you.” When Traci and Marie walked away, Simone could barely
contain herself. Traci was so nice, outgoing, and down-
to-earth. She was also beautiful, and Simone loved the
dark denim skinny jeans and oversized fuchsia cashmere
sweater she had on. It was exactly the kind of outfit
she’d love to have herself, and the black heeled boots
Traci wore were to die for. Now Simone wished she’d had the courage to tell Traci
about the romance novel she’d written. She’d desperately
wanted to, but she hadn’t wanted Traci to think that this
was the only reason she’d introduced herself. Sometimes
that sort of thing could be a turnoff, when all a person
wanted was to relax, have a cordial conversation, and not
talk about work. Simone certainly understood that, and
she respected people’s time. Simone picked up a copy of Essence magazine from the
glass table in front of her, but when she did, she saw a
woman walking toward the receptionist to make payment and
another heading in her direction. “You must be Simone?” the petite middle-aged woman said. “I am. Are you Renee?” “Yes, and it’s a pleasure to meet you.” They shook hands, and Simone said, “It’s a pleasure to
meet you also.” Renee turned to the side. “I’m all ready for you.” “Sounds good.” Simone followed Renee, and as she passed Traci, sitting
in one of Marie’s chairs, Traci smiled at her and said,
“Enjoy.” “I will,” Simone replied, and it was then that she made
up her mind to contact Traci for advice on writing and
how to get published. She was also going to make some
changes in her wardrobe; see if she could find those
jeans and that sweater Traci was wearing. She’d even love
to have Traci’s boots, but with it already being the
first week in March, pickings for boots were likely
pretty slim. Although, when it came to the Gucci purse
Traci was carrying, Simone knew she could purchase that
as soon as possible—just as soon as she drove over to
Chicago to the Gucci store on Michigan Avenue. She would
do so the second she got off work tomorrow.
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