The Last Anniversary

Sophie Honeywell inherits a house on Scribbly Gum Island from her ex-boyfriend's aunt Connie, despite having no connection to the family. The house comes with both a lucrative stake in the island's main tourist attraction - the unsolved Munro Baby Mystery from the 1930s - and complex relationships with the eccentric family who lives there. The Munro Baby Mystery centers around the disappearance of Alice and Jack Munro, who vanished from their home one morning, leaving behind a freshly baked cake, a boiling kettle, and their healthy baby girl. The mystery brought fame and fortune to sisters Connie and Rose Doughty, who discovered the scene and raised the abandoned baby as their own. The story shifts between multiple characters on the island as they navigate their individual struggles with depression, marriage, new parenthood, and aging, all while living in the shadow of the decades-old mystery. Each resident of Scribbly Gum Island holds their own secrets and theories about what really happened to the Munros. The novel explores how single events ripple through generations, affecting both personal identity and family dynamics, while questioning the nature of truth and the stories people choose to believe.

Readers note the book's lighter tone compared to Moriarty's other works, with many describing it as a "cozy mystery" rather than a suspenseful thriller. The multigenerational family dynamics and quirky characters on Scribbly Gum Island drew readers in. Readers appreciated: - The authentic portrayal of postpartum depression - Multiple character perspectives that flesh out the story - Blend of humor with serious themes - The Australian setting and local details Common criticisms: - Plot moves slowly in the middle sections - Too many characters to track - Mystery element feels underdeveloped - Some found the ending unsatisfying Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (145,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (9,800+ ratings) BookBrowse: 3.5/5 Reader quote: "A light, entertaining read with deeper themes bubbling under the surface. Not Moriarty's best work but still enjoyable for fans of her writing style." - Goodreads reviewer

Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty Three mothers become entangled in a murder investigation that reveals dark secrets in their seemingly perfect beachside community.

The Family Upstairs by Lisa Jewell A woman inherits a London mansion on her 25th birthday and uncovers the truth about three dead bodies found there decades ago, along with a missing baby.

Behind Closed Doors by B.A. Paris A newlywed's picture-perfect marriage conceals a pattern of control and psychological manipulation that ties to a mystery in her husband's past.

The Mother-in-Law by Sally Hepworth The death of a family matriarch forces her daughter-in-law to confront their complex relationship and unravel the truth behind long-held family secrets.

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid An aging Hollywood icon reveals her life story to an unknown journalist, uncovering decades of secrets about her seven marriages and an unexpected truth.

🌟 The book's plot centers around the real-life Munro Baby Mystery, which occurred on Scribbly Gum Island – a setting inspired by Australia's Dangar Island in the Hawkesbury River. 🌟 Author Liane Moriarty wrote this novel before her breakthrough hit "Big Little Lies," and it showcases her signature blend of mystery and domestic drama that would later become her trademark style. 🌟 Postpartum depression, a key theme in the book, affects approximately 1 in 7 women, making Sophie's struggle in the story representative of many real mothers' experiences. 🌟 The traditional tea shop business featured in the novel reflects a growing trend in Australia, where heritage tourism and vintage-style cafes have seen a significant revival since the early 2000s. 🌟 The book's exploration of family secrets spanning multiple generations mirrors psychological studies showing that family secrets typically impact at least three generations of family members.