Today, I am recommending Nine Perfect Strangers, the new novel by bestselling author Liane Moriarty. After the runaway success of The Husband’s Secret and Big Little Lies, Liane Moriaty delivers a darkly humorous and satisfying story of nine individuals who book a “Mind and Body Total Transformation Retreat” at a secluded Australian wellness resort.
The nine guests of Tranquillum House are an eclectic group--a wealthy, young married couple, a divorced mother of four, a grieving family of three, a handsome divorce lawyer, and a mysterious and imposing middle-aged man. The main character of the novel, Frances Welty, is a brokenhearted romance writer whose last novel was rejected by her publisher. Each character tells a part of the story, hoping that this wellness retreat can transform their lives.
The resort’s staff have their own interesting stories to tell, including the aggressively beautiful director who plans to implement a new wellness protocol with these guests that is nothing like the restorative retreat that they are anticipating. To give away any more about the guests, or their experiences would give away the surprising twists of the story. The flawed, yet relatable cast of characters progressively reveal just enough of this canny plot to keep it compelling. The witty writing style will keep you turning the pages.
For an added element of fun, I recommend listening to this as an Audiobook. Narrator Caroline Lee provides unhurried, distinctly-voiced character accents to create a truly engaging experience.
Check out Nine Perfect Strangers and other novels by Liane Moriarty at the Sioux City Public Library.
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