Award-winning author Christina Li had never written a thriller before—a fact readers of The Hardest Ones To Fool (Penguin Workshop, Aug. 4) will find hard to believe. In this Good Morning America YA Book Club pick, high school senior Amelia Wu dates multiple prominent young men as she juggles different identities, amassing expensive gifts, lavish vacations, and money to put aside for her college fund. When a party they all attend results in the death of Amelia’s best friend, Ingrid, Amelia digs deep into the case while trying to keep her schemes straight. Hailed by Kirkus as “twisty and fun,” Li’s debut is sure to keep readers on their toes. Li answered our questions about her book via email.

What inspired you during the writing of the book? What were you reading, listening to, watching? 

I was heavily inspired by all narratives about scammers, grifters, and con artists. Some notable tuning fork texts included The Talented Mr. Ripley, My Friend Anna (which inspired the television miniseries Inventing Anna), Scammer by Caroline Calloway, and Tori Telfer’s Confident Women: Swindlers, Grifters, and Shapeshifters of the Feminine Persuasion. In terms of music, I listened to a lot of Billie Eilish and Marina and the Diamonds. And, of course, I was inspired by my hometown’s Southern California beach landscape, where this book is set. 

Where and when did you write the book? Describe the scene, the time of day, the necessary accoutrements or talismans. 

I wrote this book mostly in the mornings, but the location varied. My most fond memories are of writing this book on a weekend in an isolated cabin in upstate New York (where I befriended a very friendly cat), and at the rooftop cafe of the Tate Museum in London (which inspired the museum gala scene in my book). 

What was most challenging about writing this book? And most rewarding?

I think the most challenging thing was that I had never written a thriller before! I had to keep the plot super tight, and know not only where the reveals were, but also how to seed those reveals and not show my hand too soon. I also think that writing an unreliable narrator adds an element of difficulty—I wanted characters to root for her essence while also not knowing whether they could trust her. But pulling it off was, of course, probably the most rewarding part. I learned that I could write a thriller through the process of writing a thriller. 

What thrillers have kept you up late this year? 

I know I am so late to this, but I’ve been absolutely racing through Lucy Foley’s novels! They are such a master class in the art of the twist. I also really loved The House Across the Lake by Riley Sager as well—another fantastic, twisty thriller that made my jaw drop. 

What do you think makes stories about women who construct elaborate false identities especially compelling?

I think that there’s often an expectation of virtue surrounding women. They’re supposed to be good. They’re supposed to be upstanding. But what if they’re selfish and wily and know exactly how to get what they want? What if they are, at the same time, flawed and desperate and righteous and seeking revenge? Now that is a compelling character I want to explore—and one I hope readers want to understand.

Ellie Halleron is an Indie editorial assistant.