The Favorite Daughter
The perfect home. The perfect family. The perfect lie.
Jane Harris lives in a sparkling home in an oceanfront gated community in Orange County. It’s a place that seems too beautiful to be touched by sadness. But exactly one year ago, Jane’s oldest daughter, Mary, died in a tragic accident and Jane has been grief-stricken ever since. Lost in a haze of anti-depressants, she’s barely even left the house. Now that’s all about to change.
It’s time for Jane to reclaim her life and her family. Jane’s husband, David, has planned a memorial service for Mary and three days later, their youngest daughter, Betsy, graduates high school. Yet as Jane reemerges into the world, it’s clear her family has changed without her. Her husband has been working long days—and nights—at the office. Her daughter seems distant, even secretive. And her beloved Mary was always such a good girl—dutiful and loving. But does someone know more about Mary, and about her last day, than they’ve revealed?
The bonds between mothers and daughters, and husbands and wives should never be broken. But you never know how far someone will go to keep a family together…
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Praise & Reviews
The Favorite Daughter on Good Day Columbus
“A chilling glimpse behind the façade of the perfect family that leaves you wanting more.”
~ Liv Constantine, author of the national bestseller The Last Mrs. Parrish
“(An) exceptional psychological thriller from Rouda…. Suspense fans will be amply rewarded.”
~ Publishers Weekly *STARRED REVIEW*
“(It) will keep you at the edge of your seat as Jane struggles to figure out the truth.”
~ PopSugar
“A thriller about grief, loss, and memory that will hit you right in the heart.”
~ Bustle
“There’s nothing a little revenge can’t fix in Rouda’s diabolical new domestic thriller…. Delightfully wicked fun.”
~ Kirkus Reviews
“Gillian Flynn fans: Kaira Rouda is the new mistress of domestic suspense.”
~ Bookstr
“I had loved her last book, BEST DAY EVER, and again here she nails the voice of her protagonist, who is a narcissist. It is edgy and has much the same tone as BEST DAY EVER. It is a complete page-turner of a train-wrecked life that consumed my last Saturday—and I loved it. I joked with Kaira, telling her that her characters terrify me. Her reply: “They should!”
~ CAROL FITZGERALD, BookReporter.com