It was 2 am, not long after A levels, when the car crash happened. It would cause problems for Liam Birch but then no one could really understand why he and Jude Winter were together. She was utterly driven by her determination to go to medical school. Liam was the reverse. He just acted as if life just rolled him over and carried him along. A bit of weed here, a few drinks there: the legal effects of the car crash really didn't worry him at all. The relationship broke up soon after that - or rather, Liam simply didn't see Jude any more.
| The Favour by Nicci French | |
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| Category: Crime | |
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Reviewer: Sue Magee
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| Summary: A slow-burn and slightly annoying start warms up into something really intriguing. | |
| Buy? Yes | Borrow? Yes |
| Pages: 448 | Date: March 2023 |
| Publisher: Simon & Schuster | |
| External links: Author's website | |
| ISBN: 978-1398509580 | |
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It would be a decade later when Jude was just about a fully-qualified doctor, that she met Liam again. He'd waited for her in the hospital entrance after she finished her shift and they went for a coffee. Jude convinced herself that there was nothing in it: after all, she and Nat were about to get married and were going to buy their own home. This was just a catch-up for old times' sake. It would be interesting to hear how Liam had got on. Only, Liam's not there for a catch-up he wants a favour from Jude.
He wants to meet her at the weekend' give her his bag and have her drive his car to an Airb'B in Norfolk. Two bedrooms are promised and she's to use his credit card to put petrol in the car and buy some food. After all, Jude's doing him the most tremendous favour by getting the car to the cottage - she shouldn't be out of pocket too. Alarm bells? Yep - I heard them too but Jude seemingly doesn't. She agrees that she'll keep what she's doing a secret, not telling even Nat what she's really doing. In fact, she lies to him.
Liam doesn't turn up at the railway station where Jude was supposed to meet him. He can't. He's been murdered.
It's a brave author who takes as their heroine someone as dislikeable as Jude. She lies, she's weak-willed and she takes things which aren't hers. In fact, I disliked her to the point (about halfway through the book) when I considered giving up. Even amongst the other characters there isn't one you'd care to spend an afternoon with. If I hadn't been planning a review I would have cut my losses. Then it all changed and I understood a lot more about Jude and her motivations - but it didn't make me like her any more.
Once we understand Jude's motivation this becomes a good story and there's a real mystery to unravel in establishing who killed Liam. I had someone chalked in but was completely wrong.
I'd like to thank the publishers for sending a copy to the Bookbag.
For me, this wasn't the best Nicci French novel, by far - I think that's House of Correction.
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