Every Last Suspect (Nicola Moriarty, HarperCollins)

Nicola Moriarty’s latest novel combines the domestic drama she’s known for with a compelling hook that will draw in mystery and thriller readers. Harriet Osman lies dying on the floor, bleeding from a fatal head wound. As someone who is accustomed to being in total control, she vows to expose her murderer before she dies. Can Harriet work out who killed her before her time runs out? Readers are taken back to the events leading up to Harriet’s birthday party, the night she was attacked. Moriarty utilises alternate points of view to unravel the mystery, with chapters shifting between the suspects: her husband, Malek; her best friend (and sometimes lover), Victoria; and her daughter’s best friend’s mother, Karen. All are well-developed and compelling. Harriet’s italicised internal monologue bookends the novel and follows several of the suspects’ perspectives. Moriarty skilfully depicts Harriet as a woman who evokes strong feelings of both love and hate. Beautiful and charismatic on the surface, she is contradictory, plays games with people, and lies. As we see more of her through the eyes of others, the mystery of Harriet’s true character and who she really cares about is as riveting as identifying her murderer. This integration of character study and suspense will appeal to readers of Sally Hepworth. With a strong narrative drive and a tightly wound plot, Every Last Suspect is Nicola Moriarty’s best yet.

Books+Publishing reviewer: Ilona Urquhart has a PhD in literary studies and currently works as a children’s and youth services librarian. She is a judge for the 2024–2025 CBCA Book of the Year Award Younger Readers Category. Books+Publishing is Australia’s number-one source of pre-publication book reviews.

Books+Publishing pre-publication reviews are supported by the Copyright Agency Cultural Fund.

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