I grew up watching soap operas on TV. I remember when I was very young and my mom was in the kitchen cooking, I would tell her what was happening in her favorite soap, The Edge of Night. I’m definitely telling my age here, but that’s where I first caught a glimpse of what multiple storytellers had in mind for a great soap. I was in awe. Later, I would try my hand at writing a soap of which I did for four years. It helped me to character build, learn about plot and my all-time favorite, bringing the drama.

So when I began reading Dirty Laundry, I felt like I was home and in my element. Ahh, what a feeling! Ciara Dunphy was a beautiful and vivacious young mother and wife with a popular social media following. All the mothers within her circle hung on to her every word as if their lives depended upon it, and in some cases, that was very true.

Mishti Guha was very shy and not as outgoing as some of the other mothers in Ciara’s circle, but she needed her to help her because she didn’t have anyone else. Mishti, her husband Parth, a prominent and respected physician and their daughter, Maya, were new to Ireland, so being a part of Ciara’s world helped her navigate her own. It also was an added benefit that their daughters were the same age and could share playdates together.

Lauren Doyle was the outcast of the mother circle. She wasn’t liked by most of their community because she was branded as “weird” and couldn’t be trusted. Perhaps the mothers took issue with Lauren because she was a realist and spoke her mind whereas the other mothers refused to give Ciara their honest opinions on how they felt. Ciara was the puppet master of most, but she damn sure wasn’t controlling any strings when it came to Lauren and that posed a major issue for she and Ciara.

Ciara’s followers were in complete awe with how flawless her skin was and how well her body held up after having children. All the mothers were a little green-eyed and totally smitten at the same time. Ciara didn’t mind she had them right where she wanted them. But that was the persona she projected to social media, but the life she lived with her husband Gerry, couldn’t have been more opposite. And Lauren knew this.

Lauren wanted to be friends with Mishti, but Mishti didn’t seem to want much of a friendship with her. Lauren chocked it up to she was afraid to offend her bestie, Ciara, but Mishti may have had other reasons. As you begin to follow the three women’s lives, a bigger picture immerges, exposing the vulnerabilities and removing the masks that each of them so purposefully hid behind. Ciara’s circle begins to enclose itself around them so much so, when it’s all said and done, alliances and loyalties become shattered like a wannabe's hopeful dream of becoming a star.

I could not get enough of this story. Each of these women were written as strong characters and they individually did something to my spirit as I read. What Bose did exceptionally well was how she exposed the insecurities of these characters but gave them enough integrity that made them feel so real. The reader will want to invest all of their time to learning more about them and getting to know what makes them tick. Each of their husbands were so different yet they all had some things that were common. This is all I can tell you about this story without giving away spoilers.

Overall, this story is quite engaging, funny, serious and filled with loads upon loads of drama dirtier than your toughest load of laundry you may have.

The very first part of this book misled me into thinking this was going to be a truly memorable read. However, I tried so hard to get into this book, but 30% in and I still couldn’t remember half of the characters or plot. I had to give up.

I really wanted to like this as domestic/neighborhood thrillers are usually my jam. It just didn’t grip me - and every time I tried to read some more, I’d have to go back to re-read because it just wasn’t very interesting to me.

I will not review on Goodreads or Instagram since I didn’t finish it, but I will post/promote on Instagram on pub day.

A decent domestic thriller with some complicated relationships between neighbors and families, but ultimately, a fairly average explanation to a death in the same neighborhood. A bit of unexpected plotlines that felt gratuitous and not exceptionally necessary. I'd recommend if you like domestic thrillers, but perhaps not otherwise.

Thanks to Netgalley and Random House- Balllantine Books for this advanced copy. Yes, if you liked Desperate Housewives you'll like this, a story about a bunch of very unlikeable characters that live in a small coastal town in Ireland yet you still tuned in every week to see what happens next. Most of the characters are despicable (aside from Mishti) and I found myself having a hard time getting invested in the story line as it seems it's been done before. I realized I was skimming through the pages in an effort to be done...sorry, this one was not for me.

Mean girls meets desperate housewives in this thriller. It truly did feel like a cast that came right out of mean girls after they grew up and had families. Now into this suburban climate, where you have the unlikeable PTO mom group. I think this book would make good for a weekend read.

Engaging and gossipy domestic drama centered in a small village. We get to know the neighbors and their secrets. But who killed the Queen Bee? With so many possibilities, you will race to the end to find out whodunnit!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for this ARC!

Thank you to Ballatine Books a division of Penguin Random House for an arc of Dirty Laundry. I was intrigued by the title very original. This book was a suspense book that kept me on the edge of my seat. One big thing that I did not like about the book was the over use of bad language. I have to deduct a star for this, this book did not have to have cuss words in it.

Dirty Laundry is a tangled web of manipulation, deceit, and secrets. It’s mean girls, deceiving spouses, and keeping up appearances.

The writing is very interesting. I enjoyed the glimpses into the past that showed us how everyone got to where they are today. There are vile, horrible characters you hate and those you want more for. I liked the twists and intrigue. Who is real? Who is fake? Who can you trust? And who did it?

"Dirty Laundry" by Disha Bose is a domestic thriller with a cast of completely unlikeable characters. Seriously, I would probably be tempted to kill Ciara myself if she were in a real person in my life. As much as I didn't care about Ciara's death, however, I was interested in finding out who did the neighborhood the favor of getting rid of her. All of the characters in the book were suspects at one point in the story and, though I found it a little abrupt, the ending came as a surprise to me. Overall, this book is an entertaining read, perfect for the beach or other situation where one wants to read for pure entertainment alone, and also doesn't want to have to think too much. I will definitely read further books by this author.

Many thanks to NetGalley, to the author Disha Bose, and to the publisher Ballantine Books for the opportunity to read an advanced digital copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Dirty Laundry (ARC)
Author: Disha Bose
Source: NetGalley
Pub. Date: April 4, 2023

In Dirty Laundry by Disha Bose, we have a group of ladies led by Instagram Influencer Ciara, followed (literally) by her bestie from India, Mishti, and bringing up the rear, Ciara’s archenemy and the town’s unpopular girl, Lauren. All live in the countryside of Ireland, and they socialize with their children and other Moms in the village. It’s an unholy female trinity with rampant jealousy, husband stealing, bullying, false modesty, love, hate, envy, sex, gluttony, unhappy marriages, and emotional abuse. In other words, it’s a delicious story that leaves one of our ladies dead. I have to say that I was wrapped up in this story and found the dichotomy between love and hate vivid and sadistic. In a good way. This story gives mean girls a new description, and the men are all lowlifes. What a great read and an ending to die for. It is funny how people want control, and Lord knows; this novel was about control and power. It also reinforces that appearances can be deceiving, and don’t believe everything you see on Instagram. A debut novel by Ms. Bose, and I look forward to reading her next book. @netgalley @dishabose #multiculturalinterest, #womensfiction, #suspicion #mystery #thriller @randomhouse @ballantinecorp @dishabossy
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I received a complimentary copy of this ARC. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own. Thank you to Random House Publishing, NetGalley, and the author for the opportunity to read this book. Pub. Date: April 4, 2023.
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#book #books #bookaddict #booksofinstagram #bookstagram #bookstagramer #bookshelf #booksbooksbooks #readersofinstagram #reader #booklove #bookreader #reader

Dirty Laundry is a story of neighbors and “friends”.
Ciara is an internet influencer with thousands of followers that everyone looks to for advice on fashion, skin care, child raising and everything imaginable. She has an internet presence that is envied by all the other ladies. It’s a profile of perfection that she’s cultivated for herself. She is beautiful, wealthy, married to Gerry and has 2 perfect children. Mishti is from India is new to Ireland and to the neighborhood. She is in a loveless marriage that had been arranged by her traditional parents. Her husband Perth barely acknowledges her. She’s lonely and misses her family and her life in India. Her only joy in life is her young daughter, Maya. Lauren is shunned by Ciara and thus not accepted into the group of young mothers that are followers of Ciara. She is the owner of the home that she and her boyfriend Sean live in. Her boyfriend and father of her three children is an unemployed, unambiguous free spirit that does not accept any responsibility. The beginning of the book starts with the end of the story and the death of Ciara followed by the events that lead up to the death. The “Dirty Laundry” of all characters is revealed culminating in multiple suspects all with plausible motives.

This book was too good for words, its Desperate Housewives with a heavy does of Mean Girls, because one of the main characters is a HORRIBLE, and we have the topic of social media influencer and the need to always appear perfect to others even if your life is in shambles, we all know social media is a LIE, and this whole book illustrates that. Ciara is a huge mom influencer and everyone goes to her for advice on everything, but not all is what is seems when it comes to this woman, she is HORRIBLE, I said it in the beginning. Not only is there a ton of manipulation but also bullying against moms, it was a heavy book to read at times because some of the characters didn’t deserve it. Then we have the backstories between the two other characters Lauren and Mishti, and of course in true Murder/Mystery fashion we have secrets being revealed left and right, and a LOADS of dirty ass laundry between the characters and their families. When I say this book is worth the read? I mean it.

Dirty laundry is a domestic drama novel more so than domestic suspense. This novel charts the story of three different women in a neighborhood and goes back in time to piece together the days leading up to the ones murder (we know who is murdered at the beginning of the book). Secrets harbored between these three women and their families fester and are exposed as we get information on the days leading up to the death. While this sounds like a thrilling domestic murder or suspense novel, it didn’t really hold my attention and it was perhaps mislabeled as a mystery more so than just a piece of domestic fiction with the crime elements underneath. The novel deals with female relationships, social media, and there are racial undertones underneath. I think that if someone going into this has a better understanding of the genre this book is and knows what to expect going into it he or she may find it more enjoyable.

Dirty Laundry by Disha Bose

Published: April 4, 2023
Ballantine Books
Genre: Domestic Thriller
Pages: 304
KKECReads Rating: 4/5
I received a copy of this book for free, and I leave my review voluntarily.

Disha Bose received a master’s in creative writing at University College Dublin, where she was mentored by Booker Prize winner Anne Enright. She has been shortlisted for the DNA Short Story Prize, and her poetry and short stories have appeared in The Incubator Journal, The Galway Review, Cultured Vultures, and Headstuff. Her travel pieces have appeared in The Economic Times of India and Coldnoon. Bose was born and raised in India and now lives in Ireland with her husband and daughter.

“Something did feel different.”

Ciara is considered a “super mom” and an Instagram influencer. She is the queen bee. Lauren is the mom on the outside, the pariah. Mishti is an arranged bride trying to find happiness far from home with a successful but distant husband.

Well, this was quite the ride. Thematically, this was an excellent book. The things that were explored were relevant and trendy. The Instagram vs. reality of it all was well represented.

This had some undertones of Murder on the Orient Express; the plots are vastly different, but if you read the book, you’ll get it, and the characters all had things that made them likable, unlikable, and all too human.

I enjoyed how this story was told, the way the perspective rotated, and how the timeline shifted around to fill out the gaps. The writing was strong, and nothing in this book was “too unrealistic.” Everything between these pages could happen in real life.

I think we all know Ciara, Lauren, and Mishti. I found the way the leading women were written realities, vulnerable and raw. Their internal struggles were often just as relevant to one another, though they would never admit that.

There was a heavy undertone of adult mean girls within this storyline and a hierarchy of mothers (and motherhood) that I think many mothers would say is accurate.

The twists in the novel were great, and when I felt like I had predicted the ending- one last twist left me speechless. This was an engaging read from page one.

Many reviewers have compared Dirty Laundry to a mashup of Desperate Housewives and Mean Girls, and with good reason. I mean this in the best way possible. We have the leader of the pack who dictates who is in and who is out. In this case, Ciara, the social media influencer who see herself as the sun and demands the total dedication of those that orbit her. But she is a benevolent dictator, in her own eyes. Why else would she take on the sorry little woman next store, Mishta Guha.?

Mishta came to Ireland from Calcutta as a wife in an arranged marriage. Ireland does not suit her - too cold, too different. She wishes she could be more like Ciara - in command of her world. Mishta often wonders what became of her true love, the one she dared not run away with in India. What would her life have been if she had taken that risk?

In the outer trajectory of this solar system is Lauren, an unmarried mother whose boyfriend is not winning any father of the year awards., Lauren is the main backbone of the family, but she does not have the stamina to stand up to Ciara's bullying ways, Although Ciara has determined that Lauren is an unsuitable friend, Mishta understands Lauren's plight.

Add in misbehaving men and children and you have a perfect storm. There is a total eclipse of this sun with the murder of Ciara. But who is the one that extinguished this bright force?

This debut novel is a fast read. You may not like all the characters in the story, but admit it, we have all met them in our lives. Some may even have been them.

My thanks to to Netgalley for this enjoyable ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Disha Bose has written a masterpiece that gives insight into the lives of a group of young mothers in a small Irish town. The whole story takes place in the month of September and we are carefully led through each day as the story slowly spirals toward the surprising conclusion.

At the center of the story is Ciara Dunphy. Ciara is the exquisitely beautiful center of this small universe—and she knows it. Ciara regularly blogs about beauty, fashion, and her life as a mother, building a reputation as the epitome of perfection. We readers quickly learn that she is not. Yet she and her husband Gerry appear to be a perfect couple in a loving marriage.

Lauren Doyle, on the other hand, is an outcast in the neighborhood. She is a child from the wrong side of the tracks, living with Sean and raising their children when she and Dean are not really married. Lauren has carved out the role for herself as Ciara’s nemeses even though she wants nothing more than to be Ciara’s friend.

Mishti Guha was born in Calcutta and was bound to Perth in a traditional arranged marriage. In actual fact, the marriage is a sham since Perth has done nothing to even attempt to build a real relationship with his wife. Mishti became Ciara’s closest and best friend.

The first two chapters of the book cover the last two days of September and in them we follow the final days of Ciara’s life. As fate would have it, Lauren is the one who discovers the body. But the question is: who was responsible for Ciara’s death. As it turns out, there are a number of excellent candidates.

Day by day, page by page we are allowed a look as the dirty laundry in each relationship and between every character. I especially enjoyed the twist at the end of the book where the one responsible for Ciara’s death is revealed.

I really loved this book and was enwrapped by it until I finished. I highly recommend it to anyone who loves either a good mystery or a great story of human relationships and frailties.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I do love a good neighborhood drama... The juicier the better!
This story centered around three very different women:
Ciara is the belle of the ball. All the other mother's in the neighborhood cling to her advice on parenting and want desperately to be her and be within her inner circle. But her life isn't as perfect as she wants everybody to believe. She's having trouble parenting and is starting to fall out of love with her husband.

Lauren is the outcast who is ostracized by the snobby women of the village now due to her unorthodox lifestyle and parenting. When she gets on Ciara's bad side, things become even worse for Lauren. But she's not willing to go down without a fight.

Mishti is an Indian woman in an arranged married with a man who is cold and controlling. She feels lucky to be taken under Ciara's wing. But things start to shift when she becomes closer to Lauren. Whose side will she choose in the end?

At the beginning of the book, Ciara is found dead under suspicious circumstances. From there, the story goes back in time to piece together the last days of these three women leading up to Ciara's death. However, this isn't really a murder mystery. This is pretty much all domestic drama without a lot suspense.

Dirty Laundry doesn't really add anything new to the genre. I've read this same story many times before, which in and off itself is fine if done in an entertaining way. But I couldn't connect with any of the characters and found all three to be shallow and one dimensional. And, honestly, I didn't think there was enough drama to be a salaciously entertaining read.

If you like domestic dramas, give this one a read. However, it's pretty forgettable and not something I would recommend over other books in the same genre.

I love a good neighborhood drama, and this one did not disappoint. This book kept me on my toes and I didn't want to put it down. The characters were perfectly unlikable, which I love in this kind of drama. You get invested in their lives, but also are rooting for them to all fail. The ending was perfect for everything that happened and tied things up nicely.

Between the storyline and the characters this book was not for me. Ciera was a cold, calculating person who didn't show affection to her kids. Mishti was very subdued and shy. Lauren was a limp washcloth when it came to her man.I didn't think much of their partners, either but I have been mean enough already in regards to the characters. I won't throw more dirt. The storyline has been done many times and brought nothing new to the pages. I do think this book will appeal to many readers--and enjoy many 5 star reviews--but not by me. I am jaded.

I'm not always a fan of all the characters in the book being relatively unlikeable, but this debut novel hit the mark. Ciara, a mom/inflencer type, lives the "perfect" life and chaos and eventually murder ensues. In this mystery the suspects could be nearly any of the other characters in the book. Definitely an entertaining, quick read and I will look for more from this author. Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine Books for an ARC of this book.