Book Review: Nine Perfect Strangers by Liane Moriarty

Title: Nine Perfect Strangers

Author: Liane Moriarty

Series/Standalone: Standalone

Genre: Fiction, Contemporary, Thriller, Adult

Pages: 453

Publisher: Flatiron Books

Year Published: 2018

Format: Audiobook

"Could ten days at a health resort really change you forever?

These nine perfect strangers are about to find out...

Nine people gather at a remote health resort. Some are here to lose weight, some are here to get a reboot on life, some are here for reasons they can't even admit to themselves. Amidst all of the luxury and pampering, the mindfulness and meditation, they know these ten days might involve some real work. But none of them could imagine just how challenging the next ten days are going to be.

Frances Welty, the formerly best-selling romantic novelist, arrives at Tranquillum House nursing a bad back, a broken heart, and an exquisitely painful paper cut. She's immediately intrigued by her fellow guests. Most of them don't look to be in need of a health resort at all. But the person that intrigues her most is the strange and charismatic owner/director of Tranquillum House. Could this person really have the answers Frances didn't even know she was seeking? Should Frances put aside her doubts and immerse herself in everything that Tranquillum House has to offer- or should she run while she still can?

It's not long before every guest at Tranquillum House is asking exactly the same question.

Combining all the hallmarks that have made Liane Moriarty's writing a go-to for anyone looking for wickedly smart, page-turning fiction that will make you laugh and gasp, Nine Perfect Strangers once again shows why she is a master of her craft."

My Rating: 4/5

It had been a while since I had read any other works by the author, so I felt that I was approaching this author's book with fresh eyes. However, it did have a similar ambience to what I remembered of Big Little Lies. The unsettling idea that something isn't quite what it appears, and that we're on the tracks in a train that could derail at any minute. I love how individual each of her characters feels in both of these works that I've read. My only complaint was that I thought there would be a slightly bigger twist at the end of the book, but I understand how we came to the conclusion we did. 

Thank you for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty

Title: Big Little Lies

Author: Liane Moriarty

Series/Standalone: Standalone

Genre: Mystery, Adult Fiction

Pages: 460

Publisher: Berkley Books

Year Published: 2014

Format: Audiobook

"A murder... A tragic accident.. Or parents behaving badly? What's indisputable is that someone is dead.

Madeline is a force to be reckoned with. SHe's funny, biting and passionate; she remembers everything and forgives no one Celeste is the kind of beautiful woman who makes the world stop and stare, but she is paying a price for the illusion of perfection. New to town, single mom Jane is so young that another mother mistakes her for a nanny. She comes with a mysterious past and sadness beyond her years. These three women are at different crossroads, but they will all wind up in the same shocking place.

Big Little Lies is a brilliant take on ex-husbands and second wives, mothers and daughter, schoolyard scandal, and the little lies that can turn lethal."

My Rating: 5/5

I absolutely ran through this novel, this audiobook had the perfect mix of tone and the multiple points of view kept the story going and interesting. Although this does contain many difficult subjects and sensitive topics I felt as an outsider looking in that they were well done. I was impressed by the author's ability to maintain the tension throughout the story and keep me guessing as to who was dead at the end of the book. I would strongly recommend the audiobook and it lives up to the hype. I plan to watch the adaptations as soon as possible.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny