Description

Bad Habits

A gripping psychological thriller from the acclaimed author of Good as Gone, this narrative jumps into the life of a graduate student who is ensnared in a perilous rivalry that transforms her into a stranger to her own family, her driven academic peers, and ultimately, to herself.

The story unfolds with Claire “Mac” Woods, a professor basking in the glow of her recent success at an academic conference, where she finally feels the validation she has long sought. However, her moment of triumph is abruptly interrupted when she encounters Gwendolyn Whitney, a figure from her past that she would prefer to forget—a woman who embodies everything Mac once aspired to be.

The arrival of Gwen during their high school years marked a turning point for Mac, who was then a struggling student from a less privileged background. Gwen’s wealth and charm highlighted the stark contrasts in their lives, igniting a fierce determination within Mac to rise above her circumstances. Through relentless effort and unwavering ambition, Mac matched Gwen’s academic prowess and gained admission to the same prestigious graduate program. Yet, as they both vie for a coveted fellowship, the competition intensifies, forcing Mac to navigate a treacherous path filled with moral dilemmas and personal sacrifices. Each step she takes toward success raises the stakes, leading her to question how far she is willing to go to secure her future.

The narrative oscillates between Mac’s transformative journey through graduate school and the tense atmosphere of the hotel where the conference unfolds, revealing the complexities of her character and the choices she faces. As Mac grapples with the shadows of her past and the precariousness of her present, the story poses critical questions about ambition, identity, and the cost of success. With sharp, evocative prose, Amy Gentry explores the lengths to which individuals will go to achieve their desires and whether it is possible to escape the influences of one’s history truly. The tension builds as Mac confronts the reality of her actions and the potential consequences that could unravel everything she has worked so hard to attain.

Amy Gentry

Amy Gentry is a talented novelist known for her compelling works, including Good as Gone, Last Woman Standing, and Bad Habits. In addition to her fiction, she has contributed to the 33 1/3 series with a book focused on Tori Amos’s iconic album, Boys for Pele. Gentry is also an accomplished critic, having penned insightful reviews for esteemed publications such as the Chicago Tribune, Los Angeles Review of Books, Paris Review, LitHub, and Electric Literature. Her expertise extends to writing introductions for two titles in the prestigious NYRB Classics series. With a PhD in English from the University of Chicago, she brings a wealth of knowledge to her writing and currently resides in the vibrant city of Austin, Texas.