What if the most challenging thing that you knew, and ever faced, was a bend that led to the woods in the back of your house?
This interesting premise opens up “The Wolf And The Favour”, as we get into the mind of our main character Hannah, and how she sees the world and how she interprets it through the lenses of her mind, were even words are challenging. Does she have a mental condition? Is she a child? These questions will grab you, and you will have the answers soon enough, trust us.
Once you snuggle in with the plot and have your answers, the reality will take you back and makes you ask: When was the last time I read a book like this where the main character has a challenging mental condition yet has a bubbly outlook at things? If your answer reading this is never, then you want to seriously consider grabbing a copy for yourself of this title, because there are few books that Brigid’s Gate Press publishes that aren’t amazing.
The narrative is sweet, and although there is a lot of mystery in the book, with the insinuations, hints and the mentions of she, there is a warmth that will spread to you as you read, due to the innocence , stubbornness and the point of views of the world of our main character. Sure, there are points of view that are more normal, and that comes, at first from the Dad, but, overall, the cuteness will always be a tone in the narrative.
Catherine McCarthy got some tricks up her sleeve when it comes to plots and family relationships, as she twists the usual good/caring mother expectation in this story. When we stop and make a note to see and analyse the mother of the main character, we will be remembered how some people can be selfish, even in the face of having children.
The story grows interesting as it grows spooky with the introduction of the creature, person, witch, of the story, how she sees the child, how she feels about her and why she feels that way. It will make you want to read about her again and her to be a bigger part of the book, because the author, Catherine McCarthy sure takes her time telling the story while letting us know the details and the perspectives of things.
It’s impressive how the author was able to make this story both light and cute, realistic and dark at the same time, without displaying much from each character and how the flow of the story grows from one point of view, to two and then to three and the same situation is explained in different perspectives, which gives us a fuller understanding of each character and their motives. Very well done.
The way the author explores the life of a person with Down Syndrome, both from the inside and the outside, neatly creating a plot around it while continuing to be realistic in the descriptions, reactions of third characters, the challenges that the parent faces, the pushes and toll that it brought to the parental relationship, especially after having one side that is selfish, and how it changes he dynamic of life of everyone around in a certain way, for the good and for the bad is simply impressive. Not many can do what Catherine McCarthy achieved here with such precision.
The good-wolf bad-wolf dynamics is gripping, as it’s the part of the book that has the most mystery. We have a cunning and deceitful witch, and another good witch, or she-wolf that is doing its best to fight for the animals in the forest by keeping the bad witch at bay, but there is so much that Catherine McCarthy hides about them both that we are forced to be contempt with what we get in the pages as we read. Well done.
The interlacing between darkness and light, between innocence and devilish evil grows as the plot advances and more is revealed through tales and memories. The grip that the book has closes tighter and tighter as the it advances to the point you will have to take a breath. Very well done indeed.
If you like slow burning spooky tales, filled with mystery and contrast, you should grab your copy of this book now.
The characters are very well made, and their interactions get more interesting as the book goes, and I get it that this is part of the story, but one has to say that the dad, is quite soft and emotional, to the point of letting many times his child have power over him, something that shouldn’t happen, but, it’s just a story.
With an original and complex plot, The Wolf And The Favour by Catherine McCarthy, is a folk suspense with light horror story that will keep you entrenched from beginning to end.
There are so many themes in here that any reader that fancies an interesting story will find itself rejoiced by having this book picked up. A story of love, emotion, family and the powers of evil and deceit versus trust and sacrifice.
Pros:
- Excellent characters, with depth and vibrancy.
- Excellent descriptions of both scenery and the character’s moods and perspectives
- Original plot
- Growing mystery and suspense that will grip you throughout the book
- A good finale overall, quite unexpected indeed
Cons:
- The father was flimsy and many times submissive to the wishes of the child
Scribble's Worth 
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