Set in Sydney, Truly Madly Guilty gently pokes fun at modern society with some astute observations of human nature, both good and bad.
A suburban barbeque ends in an undisclosed tragedy, the details and history of which slowly unravels over the course of the book, from the different perspectives of the six adults involved.
Clementine is a professional cellist, wracked with self-doubt about an upcoming audition. Her husband Sam has just started a high-powered new job and they have two cute young daughters.
Clementine’s childhood friend Erica had a difficult home life growing up, and Clementine’s social worker mother encouraged the girls’ friendship, and opened her home to the serious and introverted Erica. As an adult Erica has few friends and dotes on Clementine’s children, as does her perfectionist husband Oliver. Her relationship with Clementine is at times spiky, so when a flashy and extroverted neighbourhood couple Tiffany and Vid throw out a last minute invitation to a barbecue, both couples accept.
The dynamics for everyone changes when tragedy strikes.
Moriarty has now had seven best-selling books and is at the top of her game.
Her successful template combines domestic fiction with touch of Girl on the Train-type psychological edge, and a sometimes dark satirical humour. Not a demanding read but intriguing and amusing, with an antipodean flavour.
Reviewed by Katrina
