Erik Pedersen, The Orange County Register

Kashana Cauley, whose previous novel was the acclaimed “The Survivalists,” is the author of the just-published, “The Payback.”

Cauley has written for TV shows such as “The Great North,” HBO’s “Pod Save America” and “The Daily Show with Trevor Noah,” and has been published in The New York Times, The Atlantic, The New Yorker and other outlets. Here, she takes the Q&A about her new novel and the books that inspired her.

Q. Your novel is set in the Glendale Galleria. What made you choose that spot?

While most mall real estate is dedicated to chain stores that are all over the country, there are always a few stores or a vibe that tells you exactly where you are.

The Galleria is both just like some of the malls I used to work in when I lived in Wi

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