The Favor: staying is dangerous but leaving could be much worse

The Favor by Nora Murphy is a domestic suspense novel in which staying is dangerous but leaving could be much worse. Leah and McKenna have never met but they lead parallel lives. On the outside, it would seem that they have it all. All the trappings of success, wealth, and marital bliss. But in fact, they are hopelessly trapped. Leah and McKenna don’t accidentally meet, discuss their common issues and devise a plan. Leah understands that what is hidden behind closed doors can be much more dangerous than outside in the real world. What is supposed to be a safe haven is actually a prison. Driving past McKenna’s house one night, Leah watches a scene she knows all too well. She watches and waits until one night, she decides to intervene. What Leah doesn’t know is that her actions will lead to a chain of events that threatens their lives and their freedom. 

With Strangers on a Train (1951) and The Girl on The Train (2015) vibes, The Favor is a gripping novel about abuse, alcoholism, as well as compassion and what happens when a woman is pushed to the limit and takes matters into their own hands. From the opening scene to the finale, this book gripped me and would not let go. It is powerful, suspenseful and horrifying as readers will witness psychological abuse and gaslighting as two controlling men break down their wives. Leah and McKenna aren’t stupid women. They are well educated with well respected jobs. And yet they are trapped. Slowly but surely, they find themselves in a prison with no hope of getting free. The Favor will keep readers on the edge of their seats as Ms. Murphy takes us back and forth from the present into the past to witness the slow descent into  abuse and the fight back. I highly recommend The Favor! 

The Favor is available May 31, 2022 in hardcover, eBook, and audiobook.