Chapter Sampler: Nine Perfect Strangers

by Liane Moriarty

Download a free excerpt from Liane Moriarty’s Nine Perfect Strangers!

From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Big Little Lies

Could ten days at a health resort really change you forever? In Liane Moriarty’s latest page-turner, 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.

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

Genres: Fiction, Mystery, Book Club, Audiobook

17 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 4, 2018

About the author

Liane Moriarty is the author of the #1 New York Times bestsellers Big Little Lies, The Husband’s Secret, and Truly Madly Guilty; the New York Times bestsellers Apples Never Fall, Nine Perfect Strangers, What Alice Forgot, and The Last Anniversary; The Hypnotist’s Love Story; and Three Wishes. She lives in Sydney, Australia, with her husband and two children.

Reviews

[Meredith · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am a huge fan of Liane Moriarty's books. I even enjoyed Truly, Madly, Guilty. But I am quite disappointed with her latest novel. The character development was good for the 9 strangers, but there was very little in the plot to make me care about the relationships they built with each other at the spa. The Spa Director's character arc was horrible...their time at the spa was just bizarre. The entire story was incredibly drawn out and ridiculous. I kept waiting for something to make me care and it didn't. The story would have been better if it was just 9 strangers whose stories intertwined in the context of normal everyday life..and not that godforsaken spa. I will continue to support her but this was underwhelming, to say the least.

[LisaZAnderson · Rating 2 out of 5]

It pains me to say this! I love Liane Moriarty's books! Big Little Lies and The Husband's Secret are two of my favorite books. But this one never got traction with me. I could not have cared less for these characters and the situation in which they were placed was ludicrous! This book just did not work for me.

[Claudia Silk · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was afraid I was done with Liane Moriarty’s books after Truly Madly Guilty but this one was a lot of fun.

[Tiffany Romeo-Peragine]

I’m not sure about this one?? I don’t even know what to rate it!

[Vickie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was worried that I would feel about this book the way I felt about Ms. moriarty’s last, Truly Madly Giilty—enjoyable in the moment, irritating in how long it took to get to the nature of the life-altering bbq, then ever to be read again. (I am quite a fan of two previous novels: The Hupnotist’s Love Story and Big Little lies and read them again every year or two.)

Fellow Goodreaders I am relieved to say that this book was nothing I feared. It got to important revelations quite quickly in most cases except maybe Masha’s, and even that did not feel like an overworked overdrawn plot device. Plus with Ms. Moriarty’s gift for painting a very vivid portrait of her characters with well-told ditties, i grew to like all the characters in this book.

The plot itself is just a great mix of realistic and plausible-bordering-on-impossible. Really, this book is great fun—it reminds me of Fantasy Island, only better told!

[Holly · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author has a way of writing complex issues about grief, fears, and vulnerabilities that is unmatched. My favorite character was the nosy Frances. I found myself sympathetic towards everyone, even the “villain” at the end. A strange story that I enjoyed listening to while riding my bike. I laughed out loud many times. Like nothing else I’ve ever read.

[Emily Farwell]

4.5-great story of 9 people-reason it wasn’t a 5 for me so many stories, they weave together but so many to keep straight, it was a slow start.

[Sophie Salas Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

slow start and then out of nowhere i was HOOKED. my first experience of a page-turner!

[Supreya Mahabir · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beginning evoked the interest.
The long drawn stay at the "Tranquillium House" was part tedious and part boring.
The end was pleasant.
I love reading Liane M's books...but this once her work disappointed me.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I want to win it! I love her, one of my fave authors. Cant wait.

[Suzan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I hope this book gets made into a movie. It's a little long in the tooth but I found it very interesting and funny. I'm not sure I would have finished the book if I was reading it but listening to it the narrator did a wonderful job and kept me wanting to listen to more.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

At first, I was so curious about who those 9 strangers would stay at a health resort and why, but as the story goes on, I got annoyed at the situation and just wanted this book to be over while remained about a half. I had to push myself to finish not because I was enjoying but was too curious about the ending.
When I discovered about LSD smoothies, then I was like WHAT THE HECK?!!?!? So then I got so curious about her background, so I ended up reading till the end.
In the beginning, I was imagining to be at a stunningly beautiful house in Australia, but the next thing I find out is things are going out of hand and even scarier.
I got a few laughs but as a whole found the book clunky to read, rather than a page-turner.
Finally, I finished!

[Eraneh Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finally after reading mythological stories for months I took up this psychological fiction novel. It had intrigued me the day I heard they were going to create a series out of this book. After reading this book I don't regret the decision of picking this book. It did take me more days than I actually take in finishing a book but I think it was worth it from the fact that it had 79 chapters and I usually read 10 chapters a day. Great story, though I wanted to read more of Yao and also of the relationship between Tony and Frances and also about Joe and his family. I think more about the future of all the characters would have been a great addition to the wonderful ending 💖.

[Hollie Spencer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyed the deeper character development and the exploration of women’s relationships with their bodies (common theme with Frances and Carmel) and mens emotions, explored through Lars, Tony and Napoleon but the twist fell flat for me. Came too quickly and was not obscure enough for a shock factor. The characters of Yao and Delilah had no depth, they were add Ons and the book seemed to end rather quickly and somehow Jan and Gus were the hero’s. Also the policeman’s scepticism was misplaced given the evidence that would have been there. Enjoyed the book nonetheless.

[Lyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

What happened Ms Moriarty??? I have loved all the books you have written BUT this one was not written with the humor and character development that has always made me devour your books with a healthy appetite. I thought this novel would never end what it made it more unbearable was that I listened to this and your reader got on my every nerve!! I believable all others wrote one novel that should be trashed and this is yours. Look forward to your next novel.

[The Winter'S · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’ve not read this author before, but I was intrigued by the concept of this wellness retreat and what could’ve happened. I love the character development and was excited about how it was going and I knew something was going awry.

Then suddenly, what, the owner turns crazy and it’s over? It doesn’t make sense to me how quickly it ended. I was glad to though, that the author followed up with all of the characters after they left the retreat so we could see what happened with them.

[Natanya · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun and unexpected journey through them the lives of nine strangers, all guests at a unique health resort. I was impressed at the pace of plot and character development while shifting narrators and POV so many times. Her attention to detail and motivation felt authentic and was interesting throughout. Highly recommend, especially if you enjoy endings that wrap up neat and tidy. A very satisfying read!

[Celia Mokalled · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the story very much and can't wait to discuss it all at my next book club. One of the things I love about Liane Moriarty's writing is she gives you a glimpse of the characters once the story is over, but this time that glimpse felt rushed or like an after thought; but that will not keep me away from reading any new books she may publish next. I still love her stories.

[Inês Sofia · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very entertaining book!
Kept thinking "what is about to happen?" "what is this misterious environment the author is creating?"
Couldn't have antecipated it
The ending and the last chapters were a bit boring though, but since I enjoyed reading the majority of it I'm giving it 4 ⭐

January 19, 2020

[Erika · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was one of my favorites of Moriarty's. She did an excellent job of wrapping up all the characters at the end; I feel like each one of those characters could have had a book devoted to them. Moriarty did a great job of getting us in the heads of the characters, so we could understand their motivations and have some sympathy for them. It was a perfect blend of relationships and mystery.

[Lou · Rating 5 out of 5]

Started off good, then I thought it was getting silly, no way people would let all of this go on ( then I remembered Covid) but by the end I just decided it was just a really original and fun read. So what if it was unrealistic. That’s what fiction books are for, to take you away from real life and have fun. I’ll read more of her books.

[Laurel Fallon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book and it seem like I enjoyed it more than others. I believe the reason was that a few years ago I was on the Big Sur highway and the road was closed right outside a gorgeous spa overlooking the Pacific. The moment I started reading this book I imagined this was where it took place! Funny how that can happen…

[Judith · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this author's work. Saying that, this book was sightly different than her usual work. I don't want to give anything away, but the theme is quite unusual. I found that some of the incidents dragged, but overall this turned out to be a very good read.

[Elle Moser · Rating 2 out of 5]

Eh...thought it a bit preposterous. Very unlikely scenarios in my opinion. I did not develop any strong affection for the characters, nor did I care what happened to them. I was mildly curious as to how the book ended, and it was for book club, so I finished it. I do not recommend.

[Kelly Solomon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great Liane Moriarty book!

I can't wait to read the rest of the book! I'm next on the waiting list at my local library!! I've loved all of her books & am already anticipating her next one!

[Debbie A McGaw · Rating 4 out of 5]

Got really into this book (as I do all of hers) but the ending felt rushed and incomplete. The entire book she wrote with great character and plot detail but then summed up the ending in a few pages.

[Trish Amspacher kotyk · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite authors who perfectly tells the story from all the individual characters through their perspective. Riveting tale of nine strangers who checked into their idea of a health resort to be transformed. But was it really?

[Michelle Picard · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love this author and every book that she has written! Nine Perfect Strangers has the same compelling character development present in Moriarty’s novels; however, I had a lot of difficulty with the premise of the conflict.

[Sawsan Al-kooheji · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nope.. I was very excited for this one as I am a huge fan of Liane's writing and loved all previous books, but I really couldn't like it. It was very slow and depressing, not witty and fun like the previous ones.