3.25 out of 4 stars.

I watch Dateline essentially every Friday and I could not figure out for the life of me the murder scene that takes place at this beach-side school’s trivia night. Yes, murder.

I figured this book was going to be a lot of fluff and gossip but it really fooled me. I found myself very intrigued by the long list of characters and although their problems were far-fetched I still felt bad for them and they are all pretty/rich so I am surprised I had sympathy!

The book is set in a small town with the usual snobby mothers running around telling each other’s secrets and being nosy. The most aggressive wasps are those with children attending Pirriwee Public School. Three mothers in particular by the names of Celeste, Jane, and Madeline continue to be the subject of much attention. Between these three women the reader runs into divorce, abuse, money, and a whole lot of secrets that end up perfectly synching together. A circle that left me dizzy and clueless. Also, as mentioned before all ending in a murder. Murder! Can you picture a real housewife in your town capable of that? Don’t answer.

I highly recommend as a book club book because it leads to a lot of discussion or could be good just reading on your own this summer when you are feeling like you want to spice up your beach days.

P.S. Reese Witherspoon bought the rights to this book to be turned into a movie so this may be popping up soon on the big screen!