Liane Moriarty's Truly Madly Guilty impresses with its intricate exploration of relationships and suspense, though it occasionally suffers from a slow pace and excessive detail. Characters are well-developed, and the narrative's structure keeps readers engaged, but some found the climax underwhelming. Overall, it offers a compelling but uneven reading experience.

Fans of domestic dramas and psychological suspense will relish Truly Madly Guilty by Liane Moriarty. Ideal for readers who enjoyed Big Little Lies or The Girl on the Train, this book delves into the complexities of friendships, secrets, and the hidden truths that shape our lives. Engrossing and emotionally charged, it's perfect for those who crave intricate character studies and unforeseen twists.

In Truly Madly Guilty by Liane Moriarty, three couples—Erika and Oliver, Clementine and Sam, and Tiffany and Vid—attend a seemingly mundane backyard barbecue, which triggers deep emotional and psychological repercussions. Using non-linear timelines, the novel explores themes of friendship, marriage, and parenthood, revealing how each character grapples with guilt, secrets, and the complexities of their relationships. Issues faced by people with mental health conditions and children nearly drowning appear in this book.

Suspenseful / Emotional / Mysterious / Bittersweet / Contemplative

- Truly Madly Guilty was published in 2016 and became a New York Times bestseller, further cementing Liane Moriarty’s reputation as a master of domestic suspense.
- The book explores themes of friendship, marriage, and the complexity of human relationships, reflective of Moriarty's interest in the small, personal dramas that define everyday life.
- Liane Moriarty has cited an outdoor barbecue in a suburban setting as an inspiration for the novel's central event, highlighting how ordinary settings can unravel extraordinary consequences.

**Clementine**
A cellist and one of the two central characters, Clementine experiences stress balancing her music career with family life and navigates complex feelings of guilt and responsibility.

**Erika**
The other central character, an accountant who had a difficult childhood, Erika deals with her complex friendship with Clementine and her ambivalence toward becoming a parent.

**Sam**
Clementine’s husband, who struggles with PTSD after a traumatic event, works to support his wife and family while grappling with traditional expectations of masculinity.

**Oliver**
Erika’s husband, an athletic accountant, who is supportive of his wife but also confronts personal issues stemming from a difficult family history.

**Holly and Ruby**
Clementine and Sam’s young daughters, who play a crucial role in the narrative’s central event that impacts family relationships.

**Tiffany**
Vid’s wife, who deals with the challenges of her past profession resurfacing during a social event and prioritizes resolving her family's distress.

**Vid**
An affable and extroverted electrician, whose love for hosting and connection with Clementine overlays deeper narrative developments.

**Dakota**
Vid and Tiffany’s daughter, a young book-lover, who inadvertently carries guilt from the family event that alters her behavior.

**Pam**
Clementine’s mother, a former social worker who has well-meaning but often misguided influences on her daughter’s relationships.

**Sylvia**
Erika’s mother, a nurse with a hoarding disorder, whose relationship with Erika adds tension and complexity to the narrative.

**Harry**
An antisocial elderly neighbor, whose past tragedy eventually sheds light on his tough exterior and connections to the story's events.

Liane Moriarty

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