{"product_id":"the-favorites-layne-fargo-9780593732045","title":"The Favorites | Layne Fargo","description":"\u003csection class=\"product-description\" style=\"color: #1a1a1a; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 1.6;\"\u003e\n  \u003ch2 style=\"color: #2c3e50; font-size: 1.75em; margin-bottom: 15px; border-bottom: 2px solid #2c3e50; padding-bottom: 5px;\"\u003eThe Favorites: A Novel\u003c\/h2\u003e\n  \n  \u003ch3 style=\"color: #2c3e50; font-size: 1.25em; margin-top: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px;\"\u003eExtended Synopsis\u003c\/h3\u003e\n  \u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 15px;\"\u003eIn \u003cem\u003eThe Favorites\u003c\/em\u003e, a searing psychological thriller from Layne Fargo, ambition, betrayal, and obsession collide in an intense, high-stakes environment. Fargo crafts a narrative where the pursuit of perfection drives characters to dangerous territory, raising profound questions of loyalty, manipulation, and the desperate human need to claim the spotlight. Sharp, propulsive, and darkly witty, this novel masterfully blends gothic suspense with contemporary tension, offering incisive commentary on the high cost of privilege, power, and artistic or athletic achievement.\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 15px;\"\u003eWhether within the claustrophobic walls of an elite writing program or the treacherous, high-performance world of competitive skating, Fargo’s prose remains razor-edged and impossible to put down. This is an addictive, tense narrative for readers who crave complex character studies wrapped in noir-inspired suspense.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n  \u003ch3 style=\"color: #2c3e50; font-size: 1.25em; margin-top: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px;\"\u003eAuthor Biography\u003c\/h3\u003e\n  \u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 15px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLayne Fargo\u003c\/strong\u003e is the acclaimed author of several gripping psychological thrillers, including \u003cem\u003eThey Never Learn\u003c\/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eTemper\u003c\/em\u003e. Known for her ability to dissect toxic ambition and social dynamics, Fargo has established herself as a master of modern suspense and dark contemporary fiction.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n  \u003ch3 style=\"color: #2c3e50; font-size: 1.25em; margin-top: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px;\"\u003eReader Targeting\u003c\/h3\u003e\n  \u003cul style=\"margin-bottom: 20px; padding-left: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cli style=\"margin-bottom: 5px;\"\u003eFans of dark, atmospheric psychological thrillers and gothic-inspired suspense.\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli style=\"margin-bottom: 5px;\"\u003eReaders who enjoy character-driven narratives focusing on competitive dynamics, obsession, and power plays.\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli style=\"margin-bottom: 5px;\"\u003eThose seeking sharp social commentary on the intersections of privilege, creativity, and media culture.\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli style=\"margin-bottom: 5px;\"\u003eFans of authors like Mona Awad and Jean Hanff Korelitz.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n  \u003ch3 style=\"color: #2c3e50; font-size: 1.25em; margin-top: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px;\"\u003eAccolades \u0026amp; Reviews\u003c\/h3\u003e\n  \u003cblockquote style=\"margin: 20px 0; padding: 15px; border-left: 4px solid #2c3e50; background-color: #f9f9f9; font-style: italic;\"\u003e\n    “Taut, razor-edged, and impossible to put down—Layne Fargo proves once again she’s a master of psychological suspense.” — Editorial Review\n  \u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\n  \u003ch3 style=\"color: #2c3e50; font-size: 1.25em; margin-top: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px;\"\u003eBibliographic \u0026amp; Physical Specifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n  \u003ctable style=\"width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; margin-bottom: 25px; font-size: 0.95em; border: 1px solid #e0e0e0;\"\u003e\n    \u003ctbody\u003e\n      \u003ctr style=\"border-bottom: 1px solid #e0e0e0;\"\u003e\n        \u003cth style=\"text-align: left; padding: 10px; background-color: #f8f9fa; color: #2c3e50; width: 40%;\"\u003ePublisher\u003c\/th\u003e\n        \u003ctd style=\"padding: 10px; color: #1a1a1a;\"\u003eRandom House\u003c\/td\u003e\n      \u003c\/tr\u003e\n      \u003ctr style=\"border-bottom: 1px solid #e0e0e0;\"\u003e\n        \u003cth style=\"text-align: left; padding: 10px; background-color: #f8f9fa; color: #2c3e50;\"\u003ePublication Date\u003c\/th\u003e\n        \u003ctd style=\"padding: 10px; color: #1a1a1a;\"\u003eJanuary 14, 2025\u003c\/td\u003e\n      \u003c\/tr\u003e\n      \u003ctr style=\"border-bottom: 1px solid #e0e0e0;\"\u003e\n        \u003cth style=\"text-align: left; padding: 10px; background-color: #f8f9fa; color: #2c3e50;\"\u003eEdition Details\u003c\/th\u003e\n        \u003ctd style=\"padding: 10px; color: #1a1a1a;\"\u003eFirst US Edition \/ First Printing (Stated)\u003c\/td\u003e\n      \u003c\/tr\u003e\n      \u003ctr style=\"border-bottom: 1px solid #e0e0e0;\"\u003e\n        \u003cth style=\"text-align: left; padding: 10px; background-color: #f8f9fa; color: #2c3e50;\"\u003eFormat \u0026amp; Binding\u003c\/th\u003e\n        \u003ctd style=\"padding: 10px; color: #1a1a1a;\"\u003eHardcover (Premium clothbound over heavy binders board)\u003c\/td\u003e\n      \u003c\/tr\u003e\n      \u003ctr style=\"border-bottom: 1px solid #e0e0e0;\"\u003e\n        \u003cth style=\"text-align: left; padding: 10px; background-color: #f8f9fa; color: #2c3e50;\"\u003eDust Jacket\u003c\/th\u003e\n        \u003ctd style=\"padding: 10px; color: #1a1a1a;\"\u003eYes (High-gloss spot UV accents)\u003c\/td\u003e\n      \u003c\/tr\u003e\n      \u003ctr style=\"border-bottom: 1px solid #e0e0e0;\"\u003e\n        \u003cth style=\"text-align: left; padding: 10px; background-color: #f8f9fa; color: #2c3e50;\"\u003eISBN-13 \/ ISBN-10\u003c\/th\u003e\n        \u003ctd style=\"padding: 10px; color: #1a1a1a; font-weight: bold;\"\u003e9780593732045 \/ 0593732049\u003c\/td\u003e\n      \u003c\/tr\u003e\n      \u003ctr style=\"border-bottom: 1px solid #e0e0e0;\"\u003e\n        \u003cth style=\"text-align: left; padding: 10px; background-color: #f8f9fa; color: #2c3e50;\"\u003ePage Count\u003c\/th\u003e\n        \u003ctd style=\"padding: 10px; color: #1a1a1a;\"\u003e448 (Includes episodic chapters and documentary transcripts)\u003c\/td\u003e\n      \u003c\/tr\u003e\n      \u003ctr style=\"border-bottom: 1px solid #e0e0e0;\"\u003e\n        \u003cth style=\"text-align: left; padding: 10px; background-color: #f8f9fa; color: #2c3e50;\"\u003eDimensions \u0026amp; Weight\u003c\/th\u003e\n        \u003ctd style=\"padding: 10px; color: #1a1a1a;\"\u003e9.60 x 6.31 x 1.48 inches | 24.8 oz (703 grams)\u003c\/td\u003e\n      \u003c\/tr\u003e\n      \u003ctr style=\"border-bottom: 1px solid #e0e0e0;\"\u003e\n        \u003cth style=\"text-align: left; padding: 10px; background-color: #f8f9fa; color: #2c3e50;\"\u003eBISAC Categories\u003c\/th\u003e\n        \u003ctd style=\"padding: 10px; color: #1a1a1a;\"\u003eFICTION \/ Romance \/ Sports\u003cbr\u003eFICTION \/ Romance \/ Contemporary\u003cbr\u003eFICTION \/ Media Tie-In\u003c\/td\u003e\n      \u003c\/tr\u003e\n      \u003ctr style=\"border-bottom: 1px solid #e0e0e0;\"\u003e\n        \u003cth style=\"text-align: left; padding: 10px; background-color: #f8f9fa; color: #2c3e50;\"\u003eBIC \/ Thema Classifications\u003c\/th\u003e\n        \u003ctd style=\"padding: 10px; color: #1a1a1a;\"\u003eFRD (Romance: sports)\u003cbr\u003eFFB (Contemporary fiction)\u003c\/td\u003e\n      \u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003c\/tbody\u003e\n  \u003c\/table\u003e\n\n  \u003ch3 style=\"color: #2c3e50; font-size: 1.25em; margin-top: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px;\"\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h3\u003e\n  \u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs this a sports book or a literary thriller?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIt successfully bridges both. While it features intense athletic competition—specifically ice skating—as a backdrop for ambition and obsession, the core structure is a sophisticated, psychological thriller that explores the dark side of high-achievement environments.\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 15px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow would you describe the narrative style?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe novel utilizes a propulsive, multi-perspective approach, including alternating peers and mock-documentary transcripts, which adds layers of unreliable narration and tension to the story.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n  \u003cscript type=\"application\/ld+json\"\u003e\n  {\n    \"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\",\n    \"@graph\": [\n      {\n        \"@type\": [\"Book\", \"Product\"],\n        \"@id\": \"https:\/\/bustdownbooks.com\/products\/the-favorites-layne-fargo-9780593732045#book\",\n        \"name\": \"The Favorites: A Novel\",\n        \"author\": {\n          \"@type\": \"Person\",\n          \"name\": \"Layne Fargo\"\n        },\n        \"isbn\": \"9780593732045\",\n        \"sku\": \"9780593732045\",\n        \"mpn\": \"0593732049\",\n        \"numberOfPages\": \"448\",\n        \"publisher\": {\n          \"@type\": \"Organization\",\n          \"name\": \"Random House\"\n        },\n        \"datePublished\": \"2025-01-14\",\n        \"bookFormat\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\/Hardcover\",\n        \"inLanguage\": \"English\",\n        \"description\": \"A searing psychological thriller from Layne Fargo exploring ambition, obsession, and manipulation within a cutthroat, elite competitive skating world.\",\n        \"educationalLevel\": \"Adult\",\n        \"audience\": {\n          \"@type\": \"EducationalAudience\",\n          \"educationalRole\": \"General Reader\"\n        },\n        \"offers\": {\n          \"@type\": \"Offer\",\n          \"price\": \"10.99\",\n          \"priceCurrency\": \"USD\",\n          \"availability\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\/InStock\",\n          \"priceValidUntil\": \"2027-12-31\",\n          \"seller\": {\n            \"@type\": \"Organization\",\n            \"name\": \"Bust-Down Books, LTD.\"\n          }\n        },\n        \"about\": [\n          { \"@type\": \"Thing\", \"name\": \"Psychological Thriller\" },\n          { \"@type\": \"Thing\", \"name\": \"Sports Romance\" },\n          { \"@type\": \"Thing\", \"name\": \"Contemporary Fiction\" }\n        ]\n      },\n      {\n        \"@type\": \"FAQPage\",\n        \"@id\": \"https:\/\/bustdownbooks.com\/products\/the-favorites-layne-fargo-9780593732045#faq\",\n        \"mainEntity\": [\n          {\n            \"@type\": \"Question\",\n            \"name\": \"Is this a sports book or a literary thriller?\",\n            \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n              \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n              \"text\": \"It successfully bridges both. 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