Scan barcode
A review by tessa_talks_books
The Favor by Nora Murphy
5.0
What's it about (in a nutshell):
The Favor by Nora Murphy is a riveting debut domestic thriller about two professional women living with an abusive husband and what happens when their lives intersect.
Initial Expectations (before beginning the book):
I love the cover! The blue filter is eye-catching, and the depictions say lonely, isolated women to me, matching the blurb's description. That description gives me cold chills, so I expect a chilling domestic thriller about spousal abuse.
Actual Reading Experience:
I just loved this debut novel. Nora Murphy is definitely the latest author I will be watching out for new books from.
I love the situation in the story because it exemplifies how anybody can fall prey to an abusive person, even intelligent, accomplished women. Domestic abuse victims are handled sensitively and with the utmost respect in this story. "I am someone like you." That quote says it all, doesn't it? The story gives a sense of "you're not alone" to victims in the best possible way.
The tale had me riveted. Discovering how the two women came to be linked and how the story plays out is utterly and positively compelling from the first page to the last. I found the plot, though not original, to be rewarding and fascinating and to fulfill every reader's innermost need in stories such as this.
I became confused early on as the story switched timelines and 1st person narrators rather frequently. But once the story settled a bit, I could follow much more effortlessly. There are three 1st person narrators: Leah, McKenna, and a detective, and each tells a tale as equally compelling as the others.
I don't want to say too much because I would hate to ruin the surprise of this story. Still, I can say that it contains exciting twists and turns, loads of suspense, and an ending that will have you contemplating how small the world really is. Also, the author's note is worth reading as it gave me an even greater appreciation for the story and how it is told.
Characters:
Leah is a lawyer married to Liam, also a lawyer with a successful solo practice. She loves to help people and does not practice law for the money.
McKenna is a pediatrician married to Zack, a successful Psychologist. They live a picture-perfect life, or do they?
To Read or Not to Read:
If you enjoy domestic thrillers that explore domestic issues with compassion and respect and that keep you riveted. The Favor is a debut that you won't want to miss!
The Favor by Nora Murphy is a riveting debut domestic thriller about two professional women living with an abusive husband and what happens when their lives intersect.
Initial Expectations (before beginning the book):
I love the cover! The blue filter is eye-catching, and the depictions say lonely, isolated women to me, matching the blurb's description. That description gives me cold chills, so I expect a chilling domestic thriller about spousal abuse.
Actual Reading Experience:
I just loved this debut novel. Nora Murphy is definitely the latest author I will be watching out for new books from.
I love the situation in the story because it exemplifies how anybody can fall prey to an abusive person, even intelligent, accomplished women. Domestic abuse victims are handled sensitively and with the utmost respect in this story. "I am someone like you." That quote says it all, doesn't it? The story gives a sense of "you're not alone" to victims in the best possible way.
The tale had me riveted. Discovering how the two women came to be linked and how the story plays out is utterly and positively compelling from the first page to the last. I found the plot, though not original, to be rewarding and fascinating and to fulfill every reader's innermost need in stories such as this.
I became confused early on as the story switched timelines and 1st person narrators rather frequently. But once the story settled a bit, I could follow much more effortlessly. There are three 1st person narrators: Leah, McKenna, and a detective, and each tells a tale as equally compelling as the others.
I don't want to say too much because I would hate to ruin the surprise of this story. Still, I can say that it contains exciting twists and turns, loads of suspense, and an ending that will have you contemplating how small the world really is. Also, the author's note is worth reading as it gave me an even greater appreciation for the story and how it is told.
Characters:
Leah is a lawyer married to Liam, also a lawyer with a successful solo practice. She loves to help people and does not practice law for the money.
McKenna is a pediatrician married to Zack, a successful Psychologist. They live a picture-perfect life, or do they?
To Read or Not to Read:
If you enjoy domestic thrillers that explore domestic issues with compassion and respect and that keep you riveted. The Favor is a debut that you won't want to miss!