Batra's debut book is reminiscent of Bret Easton Ellis'
American Psycho - at one point, Maris listens to "Dream a Little Dream" during a murder and often details her grooming regimen - as well as
Dexter, since Maris enjoys keeping murderous mementos, or "trophies," as she calls them, along the way.
"Trying to construct a full-blown psychopath was difficult," said Batra.
The deeply macabre story takes many twists and turns once Maris links up with Ted - will he kill her or succumb to the, well, "honeytrap?" - and is jam-packed with nauseating details even a horror buff might find revolting.