My Friend Anna: The True Story of a Fake Heiress

Written by Rachel DeLoache Williams

Narrated by Rachel DeLoache Williams

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER​
ONE OF TIME’S 100 BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR

Sex and the City meets Bad Blood and Catch Me if You Can in the astonishing true story of Anna Delvey, a young con artist posing as an heiress in New York City—as told by the former Vanity Fair photo editor who got seduced by her friendship and then scammed out of more than $62,000.

Rachel DeLoache Williams’s new friend Anna Delvey, a self-proclaimed German heiress, was worldly and ambitious. She was also generous—picking up the tab for lavish dinners at Le Coucou, infrared sauna sessions at HigherDOSE, drinks at the 11 Howard Library bar, and regular workout sessions with a celebrity personal trainer.

When Anna proposed an all-expenses-paid trip to Marrakech at the five-star La Mamounia hotel, Rachel jumped at the chance. But when Anna’s credit cards mysteriously stopped working, the dream vacation quickly took a dark turn. Anna asked Rachel to begin fronting costs—first for flights, then meals and shopping, and, finally, for their $7,500-per-night private villa. Before Rachel knew it, more than $62,000 had been charged to her credit cards. Anna swore she would reimburse Rachel the moment they returned to New York.

Back in Manhattan, the repayment never materialized, and a shocking pattern of deception emerged. Rachel learned that Anna had left a trail of deceit—and unpaid bills—wherever she’d been. Mortified, Rachel contacted the district attorney, and in a stunning turn of events, found herself helping to bring down one of the city’s most notorious con artists.

With breathless pacing and in-depth reporting from the person who experienced it firsthand, My Friend Anna is an unforgettable true story of “glamour, greed, lust for power” (The New York Times), and female friendship.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
• Release date: Jul 23, 2019
• ISBN: 9781508298625

Rachel DeLoache Williams

Rachel DeLoache Williams was born and raised in Knoxville, Tennessee, and is a graduate of Kenyon College. In 2010, she moved to New York City and landed her dream job in the photo department of Vanity Fair, where she helped produce photo shoots, including those for the annual Hollywood and New Establishment issues, and worked with the magazine’s leading photographers and iconic subjects. My Friend Anna is her first book. 

Reviews for My Friend Anna

[Caitlyn Amanda · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

Writer is disgustingly privileged & she should really be ashamed. Would have rather read a book written by Anna Delvey herself. Blows my mind “author” doesn’t realize how whiny she sounds. I am so glad I didn’t spend $ on this.

[Cristina Michael · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

Indulgent, myopic case study of narcissism and privilege. No insight into characters motivations or psychology—no effort to explore backgrounds. Written in a whining tone by an author intent on playing the victim instead of being accountable, listen to this book to enjoy hours of detailed conversations with American Express and about 10% plot and character development. I listened tot he end hoping she would stop navel gazing but she didn’t learn anything except playing the victim gets you a book deal. I teach university and even my first-years are better writers—and more insightful people—than this shallow writer.

[Charles M. · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

While readers will be sympathetic to the one-dimensional narrator who sees the best in people, the book lacks depth and regrettably is not a character analysis of the fascinating, scheming, bold Anna. Perhaps Anna truly is too mysterious to understand fully, but this was too tactical to satisfy my curiosity.

[Linda Stewart · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Anyone can be fooled, especially the isolated & lonely if the circumstances are right. This was the insight of the author. Unfortunately, she was conned by a sociopath. I found this book to hold lessons for all who may encounter the parasites in life that feed off of the innocent. I enjoyed the book. Written with honesty.

[Jessica · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Entertaining but I hope this author never faces a real crisis. The privilege and dramatics are almost comedic.

[Kate Colley · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Good story but would have preferred more creative story telling. Too long, too detailed. Started to feel tedious.

[Allie Kellner · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The writer perfectly captures the essence of her trash personality and motivations. Hearing one piece of garbage detail excursions with another piece of garbage was like watching two trains crash into each other. It was so cringey I just couldn’t put it down.

[AndreaBregman · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

I wanted to read this book after I saw the Netflix series. I didn’t have any preset opinions about the author pre-read, but felt very sympathetic toward her very early in the book.
The problem for me was how horribly written this book is. If the extraneous descriptions were taken out, the book would have been half its length & I may have finished it.
After the description of ‘the papers still warm from the printer slid easily into the hole punch and floated into the three ring binder’ (not a direct quote but quite similar) I had to stop.
The subject matter is fascinating and the author’s voice is very enjoyable to listen to, I just feel I got everything I needed to know from her Vanity Fair article.

[Gina Blevins · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I really enjoyed this audiobook. The authors transformation through her trauma was fascinating.

[Gina S Kennedy · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

At first, I thought the author was foolish believing all those lies! Than as I finished the book I realized the real loss was Anna’s. She had truly lost a true friend In Rachel by deceiving her. Good read!

[RachelJalbert · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Thank you for having the courage to write your story

[TEEBZ · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Interesting read, most of the reviews seem to blame the narrator whilst they shouldn’t. She fe victim to someone’s pawn. Unique way to present the mind of someone who scams.
The documentary shows more in-depth but this was essentially just as good.

[fidel tzabtuin · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

After watching Netflix series I wanted to get more information about this story because I’ve always known that everything has two sides , I am
glad that I have Rachel side.

[iveender kaur dhillon · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I didn’t buy or believed what I watched on Netflix in Feb’ 2022! It was obvious on Netflix that it was too one-sided. So I thought the conventional way should be by reading and that’s when I googled to find that the victim herself is an author to her own accounts of these stories. After finishing this book; I am glad I have read it and this makes more sense on Anna Sorokin’s deceitful activity. Rachel you have written a great book! After all that you have gone through; your description of Anna is still with so much respect and I think this world needs more people like you than lady con-artist!

[Stacey Stanley · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The audiobook cuts off the epilogue, but otherwise it’s a great listen.
Definitely recommend.

[katherine · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

It’s good. Author did a good job of telling the story.
You could literally either j u s t watch the show or j u s t read the book.
I’d made the mistake of starting the book ages ago and not finishing it before watching the show.
So what story was once pretty fascinating became a tad overkill — for me. But that was my own fault.

[Dee Wallace · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I watched the Netflix series before diving into this audiobook and so am so glad I read the book! This gives a different perspective and a better insight into the relationship between Anna and Rachel, as well as giving a better understanding of Rachel as an individual character and adds more depth to her in comparison to her portrayal in the Netflix series.

Ms. DeLoach Williams has done a remarkable job in keeping the listener interested. It is the perfect companion for anyone waiting other memoirs about this fascinating situation. Cheers!

[Clare Prowse · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Kept finding my mind wander with description after description of the exact position and size of the paintings in each room...the opening chapter was really interesting but I stopped reading in favor of seeking out the author's original article to find out what happened in the end.

[Rachel Grant · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

An interesting book. I personally would have like to have heard less about the luxurious locations they went to and more about her reflections on Anna as a person. Would recommend.

[Angel White · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Where to start...I wouldn't have picked this one up if it wasn't for this being a book club pick. I've seen it around and had it on a backlist but wasn't in a rush to read it. I struggled with giving this one a 2.5 to 3 starts but ended up at 3 for overall performance and captivation.

I am not sure if it is just me, but I honestly have a hard time with believing the author's story 100%. On one hand she works in a major industry and has a great job. She is obviously smart and capable enough to thrive in a harsh industry. Then on the other hand, she claims deniability as she was blind-sighted by Anna and her treachery...and had absolutely no idea that something was horribly wrong until it was too late.

At one point it is said by the detectives in the case she should have considered being an investigator. Hmmmm...really? How is that even possible when she so obviously lacks the fundamental capability of how to read a person and a situation...

Now don't get me wrong...I am in no way discounting what she went through and could not imagine being swindled in that manner and left out to dry the way she was. I just don't believe that she didn't, on some level, know Anna wasn't who she said she was and at some level enjoyed living the "high" life enough that she chose to ignore the situations and signs that pointed to Anna's true self.

The audio is read by the author and she does a great job with it. If you have heard of this story, I would say give this a go and decide for yourself. Let me know what you thought and let's discuss!

[Stacy Duncan · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Very well written. No details left undone. Great weekend read.

[Elizabeth Bashan · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Really great listen. Basically a slow motion train wreck. Narrators voice was very pleasant

[Kristi Pederson Schmidt · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

An honest look into something many of us have not had to experience. A good look at reality and imagination.

[LyndaCrossMaides · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Yay to you my fellow E TN Aquarian for writing your story in order to heal from a supposed friend’s betrayal. It was written with class and dignity. All I can say to Anna is, “Bless Her Heart”!