Title: The Favour
Author: Nicci French
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Australia
Genre: Mystery & Thriller, General Fiction, Modern Romance, Suspense, Crime
Year of release: 2023
Release Date: 31/01/23
Rating: 
Synopsis
A good deed
Can turn deadly…
When Liam unexpectedly turns up in Jude’s life after ten years of no contact, asking her for a favour, she can’t say no. He was her first love, and even though she is now a successful doctor and about to get married, he will always be someone special to her.
But after she does the favour, she is contacted by the police, informing her that Liam has been found dead, and suddenly she is caught up in a murder investigation.
And she realises this one decision could cost her everything – even her life…
Review
Jude Winter has a lot to be thankful for in her career and personal life she’s a successful Dr, and she has a fiancé Nat whom she’s marrying in the new year; she cannot wait to find herself and Nat’s forever home, perhaps even get a cat. The end of yet another busy shift has arrived she’s told she has a visitor waiting for her in the lobby, she’s certain Nat wouldn’t have made it to the hospital just yet but she heads to the lobby anyway; turning the corner she discovers it’s not Nat it’s her ex-boyfriend Liam, memories of the last time she saw him have started to flood her brain what does he want from her?
When Liam needs a favour Jude can’t really say no, he was her first love. When Jude agrees to the favour Liam makes a promise that he will tell her everything the next time the pair meet. When Liam is found dead, the police want answers.
After reading the line in the synopsis ‘but after she does the favour, she is contacted by the police, informing her that Liam has been found dead, and suddenly she is caught up in a murder investigation;’. I knew The Favour was the Crime/ Mystery/Thriller I had been looking for. The other selling point for this novel was the larger print size.
The short Chapters make it easy for the suspense element to build throughout the novel rather than just in multiple chapters for short bursts, whilst at the same time giving the reader an opportunity to add a few pieces of the puzzle along the way but not enough to finish the puzzle before the plot has come to its conclusion, this reader does believe this made for a satisfying quick read.
I’m drawn to character-driven stories so you’d think this would mean I’m in my comfort zone as a reader when it comes to The Favour, but sadly not, the characters weren’t able to satisfy me in this book at all they all seemed to flatline when I needed that burst of adrenaline however, I was delighted with the storyline.
I had high hopes in the beginning for our protagonist Jude Winter instead I found myself scratching my head, especially when it come to some of the questions she asked Detective Leila Fox. In some of the situations, she puts herself in meant this reader was left rolling her eyes making it hard to get attached to Dr Jude Winters, that being said there is a slight adjustment in the conflict and resolution chapters but not much of one.
Looking closely at the minor characters for which there are a few this reviewer was hopeful that there would be an opportunity to connect with a character after all. Perhaps not all hope was lost.
I believe Leila Fox was an interesting character who had to be the stand-out in this novel for this reader but unfortunately, she fell short more often than not. It was hard not to think of Leila as having stepped over the line on more than one occasion; yes I’m willing to suspend disbelief a little as this is a work of Fiction after all, but not as much as the plot wanted me too, hence my four-star rating.
Almost immediately you realise The Favour doesn’t move at lightning speed but thanks to the authors skilled writing it’s not painfully slow either. in fact it’s in this reviewers opinion that the pacing of this novel is just right it gave time to appreciate the location and the hints to aid in the big reveal. Some may say this book airs on the lighter side when it comes to the Mystery/Thriller genre and perhaps they are right it didn’t have me hiding under my bed, but this book has the suspense and at times eerie factor on high.
Tropes in The Favour
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- Everybody’s guilty
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- The alibi
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- Grieving family member/ friend
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- The unsuspecting suspect
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- Set up for a crime the character didn’t commit
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- I know what you did the threat
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- The Escape
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- Detective-Piecing it all together
Overall, I am pleased I read this book; I cannot remember the last time I read a book that quickly I was left curious as to what will happen to the characters in the future, without spoilers I will say I personally wanted more in the way of a conclusion perhaps this is because I’m more familiar with the Historical Fiction genre writing style of being heavy when it comes to the little details.
I recommend The Favour to a mature audience I’m certain readers of the Mystery/Thriller genre will be eager to discover this title for themselves, perhaps you’re looking to explore this genre a little more? Look no further The Favour might just be the perfect place to start however if you’re a fan of Nicci French’s previous books then I’m sure you’ll be happy to add this book to your bookshelf also I look forward to discovering some of the previous titles the duo has written.
With Continued thanks to Simon and Schuster Australia for sending a copy to read and review in exchange for my honest opinion.