Australian author Liane Moriarty first novel Three Wishes was published in 2004, when she was 37. She's since written eight novels, as well as three books for children, and sold over 20 million copies worldwide.
Her sixth book Big Little Lies earned her the claim of being the first Australian author to have a novel debut at number one on the New York Times bestseller list. The TV rights were snapped up by Nicole Kidman and Reese Witherspoon and the HBO series that followed won four Golden Globes and five Emmys. Since then several other of her books have been turned into TV series, including Nine Perfect Strangers which also starred Nicole Kidman and Melissa McCarthy.
Best books by Liane Moriarty, in order
1 The Husband's Secret
This is the book that made us add Liane Moriarty to our must-read list. The initial hook is brilliant: a woman finds an envelope addressed to her by her husband with the words "Only open this if I am dead". From this attention-grabbing start, the novel unrolls at a break-neck pace. What makes this thriller so good is that the characters are incredibly well written so that you really care about them and their relationships.
2 Big Little Lies
We absolutely loved this gripping page turner which opens with a dramatic death at a school quiz night - but who has died and why? Set in an affluent community, the female friendships at the heart of this novel feel realistically complex - everyone knows someone like well-connected mum Madeline. It tackles some big issues like domestic abuse and bullying but there's humour too to stop it getting too heavy. This is one of those books that keeps you up to the early hours as you read just one more page.
3 Here One Moment
Like all of Liane's books it has an enticing premise - a woman on a plane stands up and starts predicting the age and way fellow passengers will die - which she weaves into an propulsive, thought-provoking story.
4 Apples Never Fall
The author of Big Little Lies is back with another thriller that’s the perfect mix of edge-of-your-seat plotting, well-crafted characters and a satisfying ending. When their mother vanishes, four siblings suspect a mysterious young woman who showed up on their parents’ doorstep five months earlier.
5 Nine Perfect Strangers
At the heart of this quirky thriller is enigmatic Russian wellness director Masha, who runs her own wellness retreat. Her latest group olf guests are nine people seeking a calm and peaceful sanctuary to relax and recuperate in. However, their break takes a sinister turn and each guest begins to unravel. Although this is a bit of departure for Moriarty, it has l.ots of her signature style: fully developed characters with believable back stories, lots of twists and turns and a thought-provoking ending.
6 The Last Anniversary
When Sophie is left a house by ex-boyfriend Thomas' aunt she is mystified. Connie is infamous in Australia, as she found and adopted the Munro baby, daughter of Alice and Jack Munro who mysteriously disappeared one day. Sophie moves to the island where the house is and becomes caught up in the slightly unusual family, while trying to find out what happened to the Munros. There's not a single dull moment in this gripping thriller, with eccentric characters and twists aplenty. A six part TV adaptation has been filmed and will appear on the BBC later this year.
7 Truly Madly Guilty
This captivating thriller begins with an innocuous neighbourhood barbecue and ends with lifelong friendships in tatters. Moriarty very cleverly doesn't reveal what actually happened until quite late in the book, keeping us glued to the page.
