The Favorites - by Rosemary Hennigan

About the Book

"Enrolling in the prestigious Law and Literature course at Franklin University to exact revenge on the professor she believes is responsible for her sister's death, Jessie Mooney will cross any line to hold him accountable as the truth becomes darkly twisted"--

Book Synopsis

An outsider graduate student forges her way into an exclusive 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 selected for the prestigious Law and Literature course at Franklin University. But for Jessie Mooney, admittance into this campus inner circle is about more than social cachet and access to distinguished alumni: It's her chance to get close to charismatic professor Jay Crane. Since the moment she discovered their secret relationship, Jessie's been convinced Crane is to blame for the events leading to her sister's death, and she'll do anything to hold him accountable.

Between off-campus parties and intense classroom debates, Jessie carefully plots her every move with one goal in mind--to earn the coveted position as Crane's "favorite." But when she finally gains his trust, 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.

Review Quotes

"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