The Favorites

A Campus Novel

by Rosemary Hennigan

On Sale: 11/07/2023

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The Favorites

A Campus Novel

by Rosemary Hennigan

On Sale: 11/07/2023

Format:

Amazon Indigo

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Book Overview
Author Info

About the Book

A graduate student competes her way into a selective Law and Literature cohort and plots a takedown of its popular professor in this provocative campus novel about privilege, power, and obsession.

“A standout dark academia thriller, with shades of Donna Tartt’s modern classic The Secret History and Emerald Fennell’s revenge fantasy film Promising Young Woman.” —BookPage

Most students would kill to be accepted into the prestigious Law and Literature cohort at Franklin University. But for Jessie Mooney, enrollment in the course is about more than campus status, rigorous thought, and professional connections. It’s her chance to get close to charismatic professor Jay Crane so she can expose who he really is.

From the moment she discovered their secret relationship, Jessie's been convinced Crane is to blame for the events leading to her sister’s death. Still haunted by their last email exchange—You know what you did—she'll cross any line to hold him accountable. But when Jessie finally earns Crane’s trust and the coveted position as one of his “favorites,” attracting the other students’ envy and suspicion, the truth becomes darkly twisted. Is it justice Jessie craves, or revenge? And what does she stand to lose if she gets her way?

Shimmering with tension, The Favorites explores the ways that love, desire, and anger reveal the best, and worst, of us.

Critical Praise

“A standout dark academia thriller, with shades of Donna Tartt’s modern classic The Secret History and Emerald Fennell’s revenge fantasy film Promising Young Woman... Thanks to Hennigan’s strong voice and full embrace of the bumpy, twisty nature of retribution and revenge, The Favorites positively sings.”
—BookPage

“The Favorites is dark academia at its best. A tale of revenge gone wrong, toxic relationships, power imbalances. I absolutely devoured it.”
—Disha Bose, author of Dirty Laundry, A GMA Book Club Pick

“[R]iveting… Hennigan’s law degree is evident in her eloquent depictions of classroom discussions and her thoughtful meditations on justice. Readers will devour this satisfying tale.”
—Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“A riveting, surprising thriller that contains much more at its heart, The Favorites is a ferocious commentary on the nature of justice, and the gulf between what is right and what is legal. Gripping, emotional, and at times profound, I raced through this in an evening.”
—Kate Collins, author of A House for Good Children

“With an evocative academic atmosphere, subtle exploration of hierarchies, and brilliant foreshadowing, The Favorites is a truly propulsive read.”
—Heather Darwent, bestselling author of The Things We Do to Our Friends

“[A]n engaging thriller that entertains while it explores toxic relationships and abuse of power in a prestigious academic setting.” —Booklist

“A thematically intriguing novel.” —Kirkus Reviews

“Brilliantly weaves an enraging and all too familiar narrative that spotlights the systemic disregard of women.”
—Shondaland, Best Books of November -