A Favour for the Devil – Book Review
by Garry Duncan
A Dark and Addictive Thriller About Temptation and Desperation
Gore is a staple of some horror books. Others have a strong preference for supernatural spectacle. The reason A Favour for the Devil works so well is that it concentrates on something much more disturbing: everyday human desperation.
I was very excited to get a review copy of this book, and I’m looking forward to telling you why I enjoyed it in this spoiler-free review.
Liam Donaldson, a man who believes life has entirely passed him by, is at the heart of the narrative. He is emotionally spent, lonely, struggling financially, and barely able to keep himself together. And we learn this from the very first pages, where we dive into Liam’s life in Scotland.
From the outset, Garry Duncan does a fantastic job of making Liam seem relatable. The feelings that underpin the story never cease to feel authentic, even as it ventures into increasingly sinister and paranormal realms.
The idea itself is compelling right away. In fact, the Devil responds to Liam’s desperate screams. The offer is straightforward: if Liam murders his old friend Dave Cornell within seven days, he would be able to live the life he has always desired.
A tempting proposal?
Well, for many people… probably not. But for our bud, Liam… well, let’s just say he is desperate for his circumstances to change.
The novel succeeds because it transcends a straightforward “deal with the Devil” narrative, even though that setting immediately builds suspense. It becomes a psychological struggle between survival, terror, morality, temptation, and guilt. The tale gets more dramatic and frightening as Liam approaches his deadline.
Dave Cornell has depth as a character, as well. He seems to have the ideal life on the outside – a stable, prosperous, and loving family – but below that polished veneer lies a person plagued by tragedy and inner darkness. The story’s emotional depth is enhanced by the contrast between Liam and Dave, which keeps the stakes feeling more intimate than just otherworldly.
Chapter after chapter, the tension gradually increases while the tempo goes swiftly without feeling hurried. You keep telling yourself, “just one more chapter,” because you want to know what will happen next in this type of novel. And if you’re like me, you’re probably going to stay up past bedtime at least a couple of nights to keep reading.
Duncan keeps the plot engaging by striking a mix between suspense, emotional turmoil, and horror aspects.
The entire book has a depressing, suspenseful, and engrossing mood, which you’d probably expect going into it… but it’s really well done and tends to suck you into it. The entire narrative is tinged with dread, particularly when Liam’s life starts to fall apart. The supernatural aspects work well because they never overshadow the underlying human narrative. Liam’s decisions and emotional breakdown contribute just as much to the misery as the Devil does.
It makes you ask yourself what you would do in Liam’s shoes. And from the start it seems too obvious to say “I’d never do that” but as the story goes on, you may find some parts of Liam’s desperation relatable.
The moral complexity woven throughout the story is another noteworthy aspect. The work consistently compels readers to consider challenging issues such as ambition, remorse, bitterness, and the extent to which someone might go when they believe they have nothing left to lose. The plot is far more engaging since characters’ motivations are still clear even when they make bad choices.
This is a really assured and captivating book for a first. A dark thriller with suspense, emotional depth, and compelling character development – it’s one you won’t forget. Fans of supernatural thrillers, psychological horror, and morally challenging narratives will enjoy this read.
A Favour for the Devil is unquestionably worth adding to your reading list if you like tales of temptation, difficult decisions, and the perilous price of achieving your goals. Remember, this is horror. It’s not a light and fluffy read.
5 stars from me!