Autumn’s literary lineup is rife with complicated women, each with a secret history of her own.
As the summer winds down, the drama winds… up.
At least in the literary world.
Below, check out EW’s guide to new female-led fiction.
ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: What was the initial conception of the novel?
I heard about half the headline [on the radio], and I was instantly captivated.
So I set off to imagine my own version of this person.
Becky Farwell exists between two worlds: her small town and the elite art scene.
How did she take shape for you?
[She] just kind of appeared to me instantly.
I felt like I knew her right away.
I don’t know if that’s a bad thing to admit.
The title invokesThe Talented Mr. Ripley, another book about a brilliant con artist.
Did you take any inspiration from him?
I would hope I took kind of everything, because Patricia Highsmith is such a genius.
You know he needs to, but you’re free to’t bear the suspense.
I wanted to play that same tune.
What about people likeAnna DelveyorElizabeth Holmes, from our current era of the high-stakes scam?
To me, that was sort of the heart of Becky.
She does have friendships, she sometimes has sex, but mostly she has her obsession.
