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Then there is Maria (Masha) Dmitrichenko, a Russian immigrant. Masha, the director of Tranquillum House, is a transformation zealot – enlightenment for all. These nine guests are to be the first to start her new regime. Their destinies are in her hands. She is going to change these people, not just temporarily, but forever. Overall, this one is a bit of a departure for Liane Moriarty, but her signature style is etched all through the novel. While the plot is just this side of deranged, the story is a compulsive read, perhaps a little overlong, but otherwise compelling and highly engrossing!! The story had my emotions reeling. I could feel empathy for the characters and sadness over their different circumstances. But a sudden shift in the story had my anger rising, which shows how real the characters and the story felt to me. With Moriarty you never know what could possibly happen next. Moriarty’s usual wry, spot-on observations about the dramas of real life are missing from this book. Setting all the action in an isolated (and oddly un-chichi) health spa cuts Moriarty off from showing everyday life and culture, which has been one of her greatest strengths. These characters are stranded, unable to go about their daily business of planning, worrying, drinking coffee, and bonding with other women. (Or worrying about what other women think of them.)

I’m guessing Moriarty was aiming to show all these strangers gradually thawing and bonding through the spa's team-building activities. And there is some of that. But the novel is really more like Fantasy Island goes to hell, and the many unrelated characters' stories are connected very loosely by that hokey Fantasy Island plot device: they're all there at the same time to Change Their Lives. read: A luxury retreat that promotes itself as being able to transform lives in a ten day stay in which you cannot leave. Nine people with body and/or psychological issues seek transformation. The story told from the perspective of each of them and the three main consultants at the retreat. The setting Australia. The key phrase - 'which you cannot leave'! I hate when you've been waiting for an author you like to come out with a new book and it disappoints. The good news for me is, there are still some of Moriarty's earlier books I haven't read, so I look forward to those. And who knows? You may enjoy this one more than I did. In the end the guests are indeed challenged in many ways, some of which they definitely didn’t consent to or want to be a part of. There is some healing, some transformative times for the guests and then bonding together to try to figure out the answer to a most urgent puzzle. She couldn’t shake the feeling that if she didn’t record this moment on her phone then it wasn’t really happening.”What really stood out about this novel for me was how realistic and raw these characters were written. I could see myself and others in probably every single one of these characters in this story. I thought the inner thoughts and dialogue was absolutely spot on. A washed up romance novelist, a family broken by tragedy, a has-been football star, a young couple whose marriage is faltering, the wife who has been left for a newer model and the lawyer who has commitment issues. Nine perfect strangers all broken in their own way looking for a make-over, a rejuvenation.

This remote health resort called Tranquillum House is located in Sydney- Australia, built in 1800s and renovated into a secluded place providing extra pampering, luxury, mindfulness, medication, soul healing etc. I really enjoyed Big Little Lies and I wondered how this one would compare. Ms. Moriarty has a way of developing characters that I learned to find a bond with, even though they were all very different. The novel is told from multiple points of view and yet the audiobook flowed seemlessly between the characters. Moriarty has written a novel that delves into the human mind and the way we think and connect with each other, showing an intricate observation of human failings and frailties. From time to time, my wife and I choose an audiobook to listen to together at night after the kids go to bed. I had Nine Perfect Strangers set as the June 2020 read for one of my book clubs and she had read this author before. It seemed like the perfect opportunity to listen to another one together! I will say, I think getting a chance to listen to a book with my wife like we are listening to a radio drama in the 40s or 50s always enhances my experience.I have to give this one 5* for pure enjoyment levels. I can't remember the last time I laughed so much at the same time as being made to consider life so much whilst reading a book. This one's written in the way so many are these days, where the narrative switches from one character to another with each short chapter. But in this case, there are NINE characters staying at the health resort, with NINE different narratives, plus another 3 or 4 characters who run the resort, who are also weighing in with their thoughts for the reader. I absolutely loved the way that this novel made me feel and yup in the end it gave me that warmth and satisfying afterglow that I seek in my books.

Overall: An extremely enjoyable & entertaining read that had me totally engrossed from start to finish! Would highly recommend! years later - Yao is a well being consultant at the healing resort. Masha is the Head honcho. Her regimens are unconventional... ha to say the least. We learn more about the rules and tactics as time goes on.This one started out STRONG... ( of course... it's Liane Moriarty), but it didn't stay strong, and frankly, it could've been better. It was okay. Definitely not her best. There’s an epilogue, which I ordinarily find to be unnecessary but in this case I appreciated it. There are transformations, although not necessarily the ones the guests expected. That being said, the payoff truly is excellent. The book ends its chosen arcs with about eight different quality character endings, including but not limited to an amicable marital breakup that subverts expectations, a sendup of romance novels & commentary on the thriller genre that ends one couple’s story, a very sweet coming-to-jesus moment for one couple, and an excellent and very feminist ending for one woman.