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By Liane Moriarty

ISBN-13: 9780399167065
Publication Date: 7/29/14
Publisher: Amy Einhorn Books/Putnam
Format: Other
Pages: 480
My Rating: 5 Stars

After Liane Moriarty's famous The Husband’s Secret, comes BIG LITTLE LIES— a powerful novel and once again a group of women with secrets of tragedy and abuse, bearing the truths, holding nothing back--filled with humor and craziness in suburban Australia.

Pirriwee Public's annual school Trivia Night has ended in a shocking riot. One parent is dead. The school principal is horrified. As police investigate what appears to have been a tragic accident, signs begin to indicate that this devastating death might have been cold-blooded murder.

In this thought-provoking novel, we see the honesty, raw emotions, and realistic and sometimes dark side of parenting, ex-wives, ex-husbands, second wives, pasts which still haunt, bullying, domestic abuse, violence, politics, and dysfunctional families in every shape and form.

Again, I enjoyed Caroline Lee, audiobook, performer, as she does not miss a beat with her stunning accent and stellar performance. She is quite the gifted actor and narrator who has worked extensively in theatre, film and television. Combined with talented author and writer, Moriarty, this makes for a dynamic duo. (highly recommend the audiobook, which will keep you entertained)!

Liane’s style is unique, “all over the board”, with characters--at times--wild, crazy, quirky, troubled, and humorous. Reading/listening to her books is like being a bystander in a private home whenever no one thinks you are listening, or on a girl’s night out.

Told from multiple POVs, BIG LITTLE LIES captures you from page one and leaves you hanging until the fate of each of the characters, building suspense for the climatic Trivia Night and events leading to this night. Throughout the book we hear from Madeline, Celeste, and Jane– three women with more in common than they may think.

Madeline is age 40, is wacky and resides in the same town as her ex-husband Nathan with his perfect second wife, Bonnie. Madeline has re-married to a great guy with two children and now their 14 yr. old daughter wants to live with her dad.

Celeste is stunning, and married to a wealthy man, Perry with two twin boys and everyone thinks she has it all. To the outside world, looks can be deceiving. However, behind closed doors, full of violence, abuse, and sickness which is not hidden from the children.

Next, there is Jane, a single mother with her son, Ziggy (age 5), who has recently moved to the area. She lives to stay thin, and holds the the troubles of her past, and has never recovered.

It all begins when they are on their way to kindergarten orientation which brings the three women together—each with problems of their own as they are drawn together; however, when they collide, there will be an explosion of years of anger and hurt.

When Ziggy is accused of bullying a female kindergarten classmate of a high powered attorney, and a petition is rendered to try and have the boy suspended, dividing the parents.

There is much depth to this story as dives deep into the dysfunction of families (parents and children). By keeping quiet and telling lies, ultimately does not help matters; however, further complicates the issues.

From the Australian setting to the fast pace, page-turner suspense drama, this novel will keep you on the edge, with razor sharp writing which sets this author apart, and does so with style, offering second chances for a satisfying read.