Ciara Dunphy appears to have a story book or Instagram perfect life with an attentive husband, Gerry and 2 kids. Behind her online persona is a troubled woman who drinks too wine to avoid dealing with the stress in her life. She holds it together for her videos and in her Irish neighborhood but falls apart behind closed doors. Her husband suggests she hire a nanny or someone to help her maintain the messy house. Ciara is embarrassed and would rather keep her drinking and problems a secret.

The neighbors are made up of unlikely characters. Mishti Guha has an arranged marriage to her husband Parth, and have a daughter Malva. She feels trapped in a marriage with a demanding husband. She often feels jealous of Ciara and uncomfortable trying to adjust since immigrating from Calcutta. Then, there's Lauren Doyle and Sean O’Grady who are parents to Freya, Harry and Willow but never married. Sean enjoys his freedom and not interested in marriage.

Life in the neighborhood gets messy when Ciara threatens to stir up trouble and is then found dead. Since Ciara had so many people on edge the list of suspects is long. ( )

In a small community in Ireland, 3 couples' lives are entwined, and eventually, it turns deadly.
Ciara and Gerry are in a loveless marriage. Ciara posts pictures of their "perfect" life on IG. However, Lauren knows their family isn't perfect. She and Ciara have a frosty relationship. Lauren is also concerned that her partner, Sean, is back to his unfaithful ways. Finally, there is Mushti and Parth, Indian immigrants, who have an arranged marriage. Mushti doesn't trust Parth, esp. after she catches him looking at Ciara in a flirtatious manner.
Then, Ciara is found dead at the bottom of her stairs. Then, the novel gives the backstory of these couples. Odd ending. Just a gossipy, unhappy bunch of people! ( )

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.
( )

A wonderful debut from a new Irish author. Really enjoyed it despite not liking any of the characters but thought how fun it would be to discuss it in a book group! What beatches! Some fun surprises along the way and good writing. Will definitely read what comes next for this author. ( )

Arghh!

Probably the nastiest, unfriendliest, loveless, and annoying novel I've read in many, many years. There is nothing charming or redeeming in this book. I'm sure Disha Bose has many good reasons for hating men. In this novel, most are awful, the rest bad.

The long-suffering women characters make poor choices in mates, some for good reasons and some for bad reasons. Ciarra Dunphy is the saddest, neediest, most superficial and irritating character I've come across in ages.

But... despite all of the above I felt compelled to finish the book. Glad I did. Looking forward to returning it to the library.