NINE PERFECT STRANGERS BY LIANE MORIARTY

PLOT SUMMARY:

One house. Nine strangers. Ten days that will change everything . . .

The retreat at health-and-wellness resort Tranquillum House promises total transformation.

Nine stressed city dwellers are keen to drop their literal and mental baggage, and absorb the meditative ambience while enjoying their hot stone massages.

Miles from anywhere, without cars or phones, they have no way to reach the outside world. Just time to think about themselves, and get to know each other.

Watching over them is the resort's director, a woman on a mission. But quite a different one from any the guests might have imagined.

For behind the retreat's glamorous facade lies a dark agenda.

These nine perfect strangers have no idea what's about to hit them . . .

MY REVIEW: This was the first book I read by Moriarty and I really enjoyed it! I’ve heard a lot of mixed reviews as people felt this book was too different from what Moriarty usually writes. So maybe I was just lucky that I picked this one up first because I loved it and have become a big fan of Moriarty as a result.

Nine Perfect Strangers starts off with some witty but deep undertones where we get to know nine people and the aspects of life they are looking to escape from. The story evolves as expected, they are at a retreat and all finding ways to come to terms with themselves. But then...the story takes a truly bizarre twist! ⁣

I loved the way we got to know each character and their story. I was immediately drawn to some of the characters and found that Moriarty brought them to life so well through her writing. Each of the nine are very different and bring their own personalities and roles to the table to make this an engaging and eccentric story.

As mentioned, the end is weird and is probably the main reason why people don't like the book. The twist comes out of nowhere and kind of leaves you thinking 'What the f**k just happened?' but unlike other books, it didn't completely take away from the enjoyment of the book for me. There is nothing worse than reading a book or watching a film that you're loving and then the end just ruins it completely and luckily this wasn't the case for me with this book.

I won’t say much more but I found this book hugely refreshing. The style of writing and tone are really witty and despite how bizarre the ending of it was, I found it a really enjoyable read. I have read other books from Moriarty since and I can see what people meant and understand why they found this book very different, but I found it a great introduction! ⁣

IN 3 WORDS/PHRASES:

Bizarre

Witty

Easy Read

FAVOURITE QUOTE: “The lowest point of your life can lead to the highest.”

FAVOURITE CHARACTER: Frances,

OVERALL RATING:

8/10