About the book:
(blurb from Pan MacMillan SA):
Leah Dawson and McKenna Hawkins had a lot in common, but they had never met.
They are smart, professional women living in the same sunny, prosperous neighbourhood in lovely houses with picket fences and beautiful gardens. And they were both married to successful, good-looking men who both seem bent on having ‘the perfect wife’.
They don’t – ever – find themselves in the same train carriage or meet accidentally at the gym or in the coffee shop. And they don’t – ever – discuss their problems and find common ground.
But they do cross paths. And they see something each recognizes in the other.
That they are living in hell.
Neither narrator is unreliable. They always tell us the truth. And their truth hurts. A lot. Because these two attractive, intelligent professional women are living in a hell of their husband’s making. And there is no way to get out of hell. Is there?
My thoughts:
To read about domestic and abusive relationships is never easy, so let’s start with that trigger warning. But it is necessary for us, the readers, to feel and understand Leah and McKenna’s murky desperation and frustration. I must also note that the author, Nora Murphy, approaches this dark centre of the story with respect and in a non-sensational way, which I appreciated. The signs are so familiar and easy to recognise, no one ever walks into an abusive relationship, knowing what they are getting themselves into. It is a gradual slide, as it is clear in “The Favour”.
After Leah, on a random Friday, sees the stylish McKenna from afar in a liquor store, she starts to recognise herself in her, bringing back memories of the person she, Leah, used to be. I was immediately intrigued, wanting to find out more about Leah’s back story. What has changed, why does she feel as if she’s a lesser person now. Where has her self-confidence and zest for life gone?
Leah starts to follow McKenna home, stalking her from a distance and that is where both women’s lives change forever.
A gripping tale that kept me captivated – it is a true page-turner! It is well-paced, with Murphy’s style of writing drawing you in even further.
It is always exciting to discover a debut author that you can’t wait to read more of!
- Domestic suspense
- Socially relevant
- Strong character development
- Emotional connection to characters
- Multiple POVs
Disclosure Thank you to Pan MacMillan SA for this review copy.
The details:
- Release date: 31 May 2022
- Paperback
- 416 pages
- Where to buy: https://www.panmacmillan.co.za/authors/nora-murphy/the-favour/9781529068825
About the author:
@roelia_reads #TheFavour by #NoraMurphy – at-a-glance review! #roeliareads @Pan Macmillan #booktok #bookreview #bookifyza
