PLOT: 3/5 CHARACTERS: 4/5 WRITING: 4/5 ENTERTAINMENT: 3.5/5
I am an avid fan of domestic thrillers and over the years I have read many of them, so much so that I often come across thrillers that feature repeated themes and settings. But that doesn’t dishearten the thriller enthusiast in me and I am always on the lookout for thrillers that will surprise me by offering something new and unexpected.
Dirty Laundry by Disha Bose is a book that I recently had the pleasure of reading and enjoying. The fact that it is by an Indian author, and features Indian characters, in addition to its unique setting in Ireland (unlike the usual USA or the UK) made it instantly appealing to me. And wow! I was not to be disappointed.
The story as it goes
In a posh neighbourhood in a small village in Ireland, live Ciara, Lauren, and Mishti along with a bunch of other enthusiastic and highly competitive mommies. The story revolves around these three characters, their partners, and their kids.
Now, Ciara, Lauren, and Mishti may appear as ordinary mothers, friends, and wives. Yet, underneath the meticulously managed routines of their lives lies a deeper complexity, as well as the concealed truths they guard.
We all have our private matters to confront, but when their meticulously constructed world faces a threat, the consequences transcend mere scandal. Instead, it leads to a shocking act of murder that alters the course of their lives irreversibly.
Dirty Laundry is a gripping and exciting story that explores the unpredictability of love and our natural desire to see our kids become the best versions of themselves.
What to expect?
Prepare yourself for a psychological thriller, unfolding against the captivating backdrop of Ireland—a setting rarely explored in mainstream fiction.
Delve into a gripping narrative that delves into the complexities of motherhood, the myriad challenges it presents, and the scandalous secrets concealed within the lives of affluent mothers.
Meet the Intriguing Cast of Dirty Laundry
Let’s get personal and dive into the world of these intriguing characters in Dirty Laundry. The title couldn’t be more fitting because every single person in this story, from the main characters to the supporting cast, even those who may seem insignificant, harbors their own hidden secrets. They all put on a front, striving to maintain an image of absolute flawlessness.
Motherhood is a tough journey, and no one understands this better than our trio of mommies. Let’s start with Ciara, the Instagram influencer mom who exudes the aura of a neighborhood Queen Bee. With her affluent husband, two adorable children, and the grandest house in the area, she appears to have it all together. She makes motherhood and family life seem effortless, but is it all as picture-perfect as it seems? What secrets is she concealing beneath that impeccable facade?
Then there’s Lauren, the down-to-earth mom who embraces her imperfections and doesn’t pretend to be flawless. She knows she doesn’t have it all, and she’s perfectly fine with not fitting in with the crowd of seemingly perfect moms. She might be the neighbourhood’s black sheep, but at least she believes she has a perfect marriage. Or does she?
Mishti, our grounded and reserved Indian friend, finds herself like a fish out of water in the foreign land of Ireland after her arranged marriage. So far from home, she struggles to assimilate and connect with others. Her journey through this arranged marriage and her so-called friendships in this unfamiliar land is nothing short of challenging.
My thoughts on the writing and the overall experience
What makes Dirty Laundry truly captivating is its characters. They are undoubtedly the heart and soul of this book, and that’s precisely why I’ve dedicated a substantial section to talk about them.
What’s truly gripping is delving into their lives—exploring their motives, desires, and the occasional decadence and scandalous secrets they harbour. It’s equally fascinating to witness these grown-up women occasionally revert to their high school days, behaving like bullies and shamelessly enforcing their unspoken rules within their exclusive clique.
While the plot itself is relatively straightforward, it sprinkles in some unexpected twists and turns to keep you engaged.
Talking about the mystery and intrigue that brews in the neighbourhood. There’s been a murder, and here’s the kicker: there’s no extensive investigation into it.
The fact of the murder is revealed right from the start, but as the story unfolds, we are introduced to a fascinating array of characters, each with their private lives and connections to the victim. The narrative takes us on a journey into their pasts, gradually unveiling the story like peeling back layers of an onion.
To be candid, Dirty Laundry leans more towards being a psychological drama than a conventional thriller or murder mystery. There’s not an overwhelming emphasis on psychological intricacies either.
Instead, it immerses you in a neighbourhood drama, where the lives of its residents are steeped in glamour, intrigue, and sheer entertainment. Once again, it’s the characters who provide the backbone to this narrative.
In the end
In the end, Dirty Laundry is a recommended read for enthusiasts of domestic and neighbourhood dramas. It’s a fresh and compelling work of fiction from the talented new Indian voice, Disha Bose. I, for one, am eagerly anticipating more books from this author.
If you’re as intrigued as I am, don’t wait—grab your copy of the book right away!
