TEMPER is a sizzling summer read!

Posted By on Thursday, July 11, 2019

 

Today, I want to talk about Layne Fargo’s TEMPER, a book that came out just a few days ago and has already set my summer on fire.

I usually stick to literary fiction, and I’ve read some popular psychological thrillers years ago like GONE GIRL and GIRL ON THE TRAIN and LUCKIEST GIRL ALIVE. I liked those books, but Layne’s book, which is filled with complex yet totally relatable characters and is vivid with such acute observations about gender, sex, and power, was such a complete delight to read that I think I will start seeking out these sorts of thrillers more often.

Basically, an actress named Kira who has had little luck landing big roles makes her break when a notorious and manipulative theater-owner named Malcolm gives her the part in his play. What follows is a wild ride as the novel alternates between Kira’s perspective and the perspective of the other co-owner of Malcolm’s theater company–a woman who is as wrapped up in Malcolm’s world as Kira is about to be.

I found myself marveling at the author’s spot-on descriptions and her ability to capture the nuances of power-making in interpersonal relationships. The plot is thoroughly satisfying but the characterization was just as strong, too, making it a book I kept wanting to return to each time I put it down.

You can buy Layne’s book now!

 

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Stephanie Jimenez

Stephanie Jimenez is a former Fulbright recipient and Prep for Prep alumna. She is based in Queens, New York, and her work has appeared in The Guardian, O! the Oprah Magazine, Entropy, and more. Her debut novel, THEY COULD HAVE NAMED HER ANYTHING, will be published in the summer of 2019 (Little A). Follow her @estefsays.