The Trivia Night: The insanely addictive must-read domestic 2024 thriller with a shocking twist

I love a book that's light enough to have that juicy undercurrent (read: salacious one-night-only pact), but dark enough to be gripping and captivating. Perfect summer holiday read.

The Trivia Night is the first novel by Australian author, Ali Lowe. A fancy-dress trivia night primary school fundraiser; a table of eight parents of year one pupils; marital tiffs; flirtatious partners; a rumour about a swinging couple; inhibitions loosened by way too much alcohol; deep, dark secrets; a tightly-held grudge and an iPhone camera. What could possibly go wrong? And when it does, who will be caught up in the aftermath? Three main narrators carry the story: an alcoholic mother shares the series of events that precipitate the start of her journey to sobriety; a transcript of a closet lesbian’s sessions with her therapist offers her perspective on the events that lead her to find her true self; and a grieving woman’s emails to her far-away sister fill in the rest; the prologue and epilogue come from a fourth mother. Australian author Ali Lowe’s debut novel definitely has shades of a certain Liane Moriarty novel, but sports an original plot, an easily recognisable setting, credible characters, plenty of laugh-out-loud moments and an excellent final twist. A brilliant read from an author to watch. This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by Better Reading Preview and Hodder & Stoughton/Hachette Australia.

For a debut novel, Ali Lowe smashes this right out of the park! A deliciously wicked and scandalous read, this one had me addicted right from the outset and I powered through it in one sitting. My poor Kindle could barely keep up with the speed I was flicking the pages at! A primary school trivia night unlike any other for this group of parents sets things in motion where the alcohol is flowing and inhibitions are released. It is definitely a night that will change their lives and force them to take stock of their relationships and themselves in the aftermath. Told from multiple points of view gives the reader great insight into the characters lives and they are a good mix of likeable and unlikable which keeps things interesting. The writing is engaging and the story is vividy brought to life as I watched it all unfold from the sidelines with my glass of rosé and tub of popcorn! Ali Lowe is an exciting new voice in this genre and even though we have to wait until next year for her next book, it will be one that I will most be looking forward to reading.