Dirty Laundry
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Average rating3
GOOD MORNING AMERICA BOOK CLUB PICK • “A twisty tale of murder and love gone wrong, rife with bone-chilling revelations . . . This is a riveting debut, and Disha Bose is a writer to watch.”—Joshilyn Jackson, New York Times bestselling author of Mother May I She was the perfect wife, with the perfect life. You would kill to have it. Ciara Dunphy has it all—a loving husband, well-behaved children, and a beautiful home. Her circle of friends in their small Irish village go to her for tips about mothering, style, and influencer success—a picture-perfect life is easy money on Instagram. But behind the filters, reality is less polished. Enter Mishti Guha: Ciara’s best friend. Ciara welcomed Mishti into her inner circle for being . . . unlike the other mothers in the group. Discontent in a marriage arranged for her by her parents back in Calcutta, Mishti now raises her young daughter in a country that is too cold, among children who look nothing like her. She wants what Ciara has—the ease with which she moves through the world—and, in that sense, Mishti might be exactly like the other mothers. And there’s earth mother Lauren Doyle: born, bred, and the butt of jokes in their village. With her disheveled partner and children who run naked in the yard, they’re mostly a happy lot, though ostracized for being the singular dysfunction in Ciara’s immaculate world. When Lauren finds an unlikely ally in Mishti, she decides that her days of ridicule are over. Then Ciara is found murdered in her own pristine home, and the house of cards she’d worked so hard to build comes crumbling down. Everyone seems to have something to gain from Ciara’s death, so if they don’t want the blame, it may be the perfect time to air their enemies’ dirty laundry. In this dazzling debut novel, Disha Bose revolutionizes age-old ideas of love and deceit. What ensues is the delicious unspooling of a group of women desperate to preserve themselves.
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I'm in my three star era, I guess. Hoping something can break this up. I thought it was an abrupt ending after it took way too long for anything to ramp up. I'll keep this author on my radar though because I did think the writing was atmospheric which I enjoyed.
Friends in Low Places
Ciara, Mishti, and Lauren are residents of a quaint Irish village, each with their own distinct backgrounds. Ciara appears to have a flawless life and family, while Mishti and Parth embody the quintessential immigrant success story. On the other hand, Lauren is deemed an outcast, considered “weird” due to her supposedly dysfunctional family. However, when Ciara is discovered murdered in her pristine home, the blame falls on no one.
Mishti and Ciara share a fragile friendship, strained by the presence of Lauren. Meanwhile, Lauren and Ciara's relationship began on shaky grounds. Their interactions resembled fierce battles between pit bulls, making for a captivating read. “Dirty Laundry” fearlessly delves into the expectations surrounding motherhood and being a wife, addressing moments of “better parenting” while exploring the depths of despair caused by lack of time and self-care.
As a mother and wife, I found many of the struggles in this book highly relatable, causing me to nod in agreement. The bitterness, jealousy, animosity, and helplessness were palpable, yet balanced by humorous and unbelievable moments. This novel sheds light on the longing for personal needs, privacy, and emotional appreciation. The most intriguing aspect is delving into the characters' backstories. Despite initially judging Lauren, I couldn't help but feel empathy for her as her past was unveiled.
Additionally, this book offers astute observations on marriage, encompassing themes of love and deceit. Bose provides a close examination of arranged marriages and how they can deteriorate over time. Furthermore, the exploration of Indian family and culture, along with a glimpse into the mind of a social media influencer, adds unique layers to the story. While “Dirty Laundry” leans heavily on literary elements, the mystery surrounding the murder serves as a backdrop. The only drawback I found was that the ending felt rushed, and I would have welcomed an additional 50+ pages.
“Dirty Laundry” is a domestic drama depicting imperfect lives that readers will thoroughly enjoy when seeking a dose of pettiness. Overall, I had a satisfying and entertaining reading experience, and I eagerly anticipate Bose's future works. A solid debut novel! Thank you Netgalley for my eARC of this thriller.
3.5 This felt like reading a guilty pleasure. For the seasoned domestic thriller reader I'm sure you'll work out some of (if not all) the twists, but it sure is a quick, paced ride.
I couldn't put it down. The perfect thing to pickup if you're trying to get out of a slump.
