3.6/5 I read one of Liane Moriarty’s books prior to the pandemic; I might someday post a a Starlight Book Review (SBR) of Big Little Lies. When Nine Perfect Strangers became the latest read in my book club, it pleased me that I would revisit Moriarty’s Australia. Also, I returned to my first bookish love – Fiction in this SBR.
“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 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….”
On the whole, I liked many facets of Nine Perfect Strangers. I enjoyed a number of the characters. In fact, I found Frances somewhat meta, maybe a reflection of Moriarty. I also liked that this seemed to be a contemporary take on an Agatha Christie mystery. Yet, I deducted some stars for two key reasons – too many points of view and length of the story. I do plan to pick up another book by Moriarty but I doubt Nine Perfect Strangers will ever be my favorite of hers.
Quotes come from book flaps/cover and are featured on color blocks.
Starry Night Elf 