Liane Moriarty Books in Order: The Complete Reading Guide

Moriarty’s official bibliography lists her adult novels separately from her children’s Space Brigade books, and Big Little Truths is now the second book connected to Big Little Lies.

Liane Moriarty Books in Publication Order

Because most Liane Moriarty novels are standalones, publication order is less about following a continuous story and more about experiencing her development as an author.

There is no complicated chronological universe to decode. You can technically begin with almost any adult novel. However, publication order provides a satisfying way to see how Moriarty developed the themes and storytelling techniques that later became her trademarks.

1. Three Wishes (2003)

Three Wishes is Liane Moriarty’s debut adult novel and the book that began her published career.

The story follows triplet sisters Lyn, Cat, and Gemma Kettle, whose lives are closely intertwined even as each sister faces very different personal problems.

Moriarty’s official biography explains that she wrote Three Wishes as part of a Master’s degree at Macquarie University, and it went on to become her first published novel.

The book already contains several elements that would become important throughout Moriarty’s later fiction: complicated family relationships, secrets, humor, emotional conflict, and the messy gap between how people’s lives appear from the outside and what is actually happening underneath.

Best for: readers who enjoy family dramas, sister relationships, humor, and character-driven contemporary fiction.

2. The Last Anniversary (2005)

The Last Anniversary takes readers to Scribbly Gum Island, a fictional island on the Hawkesbury River where a famous unsolved mystery has become part of the local mythology.

Sophie Honeywell unexpectedly inherits a house on the island from Thomas Gordon’s aunt. Thomas was once Sophie’s boyfriend, which makes the inheritance considerably more complicated than it first appears.

As Sophie becomes part of the island community, she discovers that almost everyone seems to have something to hide.

Moriarty has explained that Scribbly Gum Island was inspired partly by Dangar Island on the Hawkesbury River and by the mystery of the Mary Celeste.

Best for: readers who want a domestic mystery with an unusual setting, secrets, family drama, and a touch of romance.

3. What Alice Forgot (2009)

What Alice Forgot takes one of Moriarty’s recurring interests—how well we really know ourselves—and turns it into a fascinating premise.

Alice Love falls and suffers a head injury, only to discover that she has lost her memory of the previous ten years of her life.

The woman she remembers being is very different from the woman she has apparently become.

That allows the novel to explore marriage, motherhood, friendships, identity, aging, and the unexpected ways people change without realizing it.

Best for: readers who enjoy emotional contemporary fiction, memory-loss stories, marriage drama, and questions about identity.

4. The Hypnotist’s Love Story (2011)

The Hypnotist’s Love Story centers on Ellen O’Farrell, a hypnotherapist who begins a relationship with Patrick.

There is one major complication: Patrick’s former girlfriend has been stalking him.

What begins as a romantic relationship gradually becomes a much more complicated exploration of obsession, fear, trust, and the stories people tell themselves about love.

The novel is a good example of Moriarty’s ability to combine romance, psychological tension, domestic drama, and humor without fitting neatly into just one genre.

Best for: readers who like relationship suspense, psychological drama, romance, and morally complicated characters.

5. The Husband’s Secret (2013)

The Husband’s Secret is one of Moriarty’s breakthrough novels and one of the best places to start if you want to understand why her books became so popular internationally.

The premise is deceptively simple: a woman discovers a letter from her husband that he intended her to read only after his death.

The contents of that letter have the potential to change not only her life but the lives of other people around her.

Moriarty’s official biography notes that the novel became a #1 New York Times bestseller shortly after its U.S. release and remained on the bestseller list for more than a year.

This is classic Moriarty territory: ordinary domestic life, hidden secrets, multiple perspectives, moral dilemmas, and consequences that spread far beyond the person who initially made the mistake.

Best for: readers who want secrets, suspense, marriage drama, multiple perspectives, and emotional twists.

6. Big Little Lies (2014)

Big Little Lies is arguably the defining Liane Moriarty novel for many readers.

The story follows three women—Madeline, Celeste, and Jane—whose lives intersect through their children’s school community.

On the surface, it is a story about friendships, parenting, school politics, marriages, and social rivalries.

Underneath that surface are secrets, domestic violence, resentment, trauma, and a mystery surrounding a death.

Penguin Random House describes it as a suspenseful novel about three women whose seemingly ordinary lives ultimately converge around a shocking event.

The novel later became the basis for the acclaimed HBO series, which helped introduce Moriarty’s work to an even larger international audience.

Best for: readers who want domestic suspense, female friendships, secrets, school-community drama, and dark humor.

Should You Read Big Little Lies Before Big Little Truths?

Yes. Absolutely.

Unlike most of Moriarty’s adult novels, these two books are directly connected.

Big Little Truths revisits Madeline, Celeste, Jane, Renata, and Bonnie roughly ten years after the events of Big Little Lies, with their children now teenagers.

So the correct order is:

1. Big Little Lies
2. Big Little Truths

This is the one major reading-order rule you should not ignore when reading Liane Moriarty’s adult novels. Penguin Random House specifically identifies Big Little Truths as the sequel and recommends reading the two books in order.

7. Truly Madly Guilty (2016)

Truly Madly Guilty begins with a deceptively ordinary event: a backyard barbecue.

Something happens during the gathering that changes the lives of the people involved.

The novel then asks a distinctly Moriarty question:

What if one seemingly small decision could divide your life into a “before” and “after”?

The story explores friendship, marriage, parenthood, guilt, memory, and the ways people try to understand events that they cannot undo.

Best for: readers who enjoy character-driven domestic suspense, friendship drama, secrets, and emotional tension.

8. Nine Perfect Strangers (2018)

Nine Perfect Strangers moves Moriarty’s trademark relationship drama into a very different setting: Tranquillum House, an exclusive wellness retreat promising transformation to its guests.

Nine strangers arrive with different problems and expectations.

But the retreat’s methods become increasingly unusual, and the guests soon realize that they may have surrendered more control than they intended.

The novel combines psychological suspense, mystery, dark humor, wellness culture, and an ensemble cast.

It was later adapted into a television miniseries starring Nicole Kidman and Melissa McCarthy.

Best for: readers who like ensemble casts, psychological mysteries, unusual settings, wellness culture, and darker humor.

9. Apples Never Fall (2021)

Apples Never Fall focuses on the Delaney family, a seemingly successful family whose parents, Joy and Stan, have built their lives around tennis.

Then Joy disappears.

Her adult children are forced to confront the possibility that they may not know their parents—or each other—as well as they thought.

The mystery gradually exposes family tensions, old resentments, secrets, and questions about what happened to Joy.

Best for: readers who enjoy family mysteries, missing-person stories, sibling relationships, and domestic suspense.

The novel was also adapted into a television miniseries starring Annette Bening and Sam Neill.

10. Here One Moment (2024)

Here One Moment takes Moriarty’s interest in ordinary people and unexpected disruptions in life in a more speculative direction.

The story begins on a flight from Hobart to Sydney.

The flight is completely ordinary—until a woman begins predicting how and when passengers will die.

At first, the predictions seem strange but harmless.

Then some of them start coming true.

The novel uses that premise to explore fate, free will, grief, love, uncertainty, and the human desire to control the future. Moriarty’s official description specifically frames the story around the question of what people might do differently if they knew when they were going to die.

Best for: readers who enjoy psychological mysteries with a speculative premise, questions about destiny, and emotionally complex character stories.

11. Big Little Truths (2026)

Big Little Truths is the newest Liane Moriarty novel and the direct sequel to Big Little Lies.

Published on August 25, 2026, it returns to the lives of Madeline, Celeste, Jane, Renata, and Bonnie approximately ten years after the original story. Their children are now teenagers, and the dynamics of the community have changed dramatically.

A threatening package arrives at a high school, a stranger begins asking questions, and the families are forced to confront consequences from the secrets they have carried forward.

The sequel is particularly interesting because it isn’t simply repeating the premise of the first book. Instead, it explores parenting teenagers, aging, family secrets, changing friendships, and the consequences of the truths people choose to reveal—or hide.

It is also Moriarty’s first sequel to one of her adult novels. Penguin Random House describes it as a novel that can appeal to both longtime fans and newer readers, but for the strongest emotional impact, Big Little Lies should come first.

Best for: readers who loved Big Little Lies and want to know what happened to its characters years later.

Liane Moriarty Children’s Books in Order

Liane Moriarty has also written a three-book children’s series known as the Space Brigade or Nicola Berry series.

These books are completely separate from her adult novels and are aimed at children roughly 7–12 years old. Moriarty’s official site confirms that all three books feature Nicola Berry, a young girl who becomes the leader of the Space Brigade.

If you’re looking for all Liane Moriarty books in order, these should be included separately rather than mixed into the adult novel reading order.

1. The Petrifying Problem with Princess Petronella (2007)

This is the first Space Brigade adventure.

Nicola Berry is an ordinary schoolgirl until a visitor from another planet arrives with an extraordinary mission.

Princess Petronella has decided that Earth should become a giant rubbish dump, and Nicola is chosen as the Earthling Ambassador who might be able to change her mind.

The book was published in the United States as Nicola Berry: Earthling Ambassador.

Best for: children who enjoy science fiction, space adventures, humor, and imaginative quests.

2. The Shocking Trouble on the Planet of Shobble (2009)

The second Nicola Berry adventure sends Nicola and the Space Brigade on another intergalactic mission.

The story expands the imaginative world established in the first book while continuing Nicola’s adventures as an unlikely young hero.

3. The Wicked War on the Planet of Whimsy (2010)

The third Space Brigade book concludes the children’s series.

It continues Nicola’s intergalactic adventures and completes the trilogy.

Because these books form a genuine series with recurring characters, children should read them in order:

The Petrifying Problem with Princess Petronella → The Shocking Trouble on the Planet of Shobble → The Wicked War on the Planet of Whimsy

Moriarty’s official children’s-books page confirms that the Space Brigade consists of three books centered on Nicola Berry.

Do You Need to Read Liane Moriarty Books in Order?

No—mostly.

This is one of the easiest author reading orders to navigate because most Liane Moriarty books are standalone novels.

You can read The Husband’s Secret without reading Three Wishes. You can read Nine Perfect Strangers without reading Big Little Lies. You can begin with Apples Never Fall without knowing anything about Moriarty’s earlier books.

There is no overarching Moriarty universe connecting her adult novels.

The important exception is:

Big Little Lies → Big Little Truths

Those books share the same characters and storyline, so they should be read in that order. Penguin Random House explicitly identifies the two as the exception to Moriarty’s otherwise standalone bibliography.

The Space Brigade books are another exception because they form a children’s trilogy and should be read sequentially.

What Is the Best Liane Moriarty Book to Read First?

There isn’t one universally correct answer.

The best starting point depends on what you want from a Liane Moriarty novel.

Start with Big Little Lies for the classic Moriarty experience

This is my recommendation for most new readers.

It has the combination of domestic suspense, complicated women, friendships, marriage, secrets, humor, and a central mystery that has become strongly associated with Moriarty’s work.

Penguin Random House currently recommends Big Little Lies as a starting point as well.

Start with The Husband’s Secret for secrets and suspense

If your priority is a mystery built around a devastating secret, The Husband’s Secret is an excellent introduction.

Start with What Alice Forgot for emotional character development

If you prefer stories about identity, marriage, relationships, memory, and how people change over time, What Alice Forgot is an especially strong choice.

Start with Nine Perfect Strangers for an ensemble mystery

If you like unusual settings and multiple characters whose stories gradually collide, try Nine Perfect Strangers.

Start with Here One Moment for a more unusual premise

If the idea of a woman predicting passengers’ deaths on a flight immediately grabs you, Here One Moment offers one of Moriarty’s most distinctive premises.

Start with Big Little Truths only if…

You can technically approach Big Little Truths without having read Big Little Lies, since the publisher says it can work for newer readers. But I would not recommend that route.

The emotional weight of the sequel comes from already knowing the characters and understanding what happened a decade earlier.

Read:

Big Little Lies → Big Little Truths

Liane Moriarty Books by Genre and Reading Mood

One of the best ways to choose your next Moriarty book is by the kind of story you want.

This is where Moriarty’s bibliography becomes particularly appealing: although her books are often classified as women’s fiction, domestic fiction, contemporary fiction, mystery, or psychological suspense, individual novels can feel quite different from one another.

What Genre Are Liane Moriarty Books?

Liane Moriarty is best known for contemporary women’s fiction and domestic suspense, but her novels often cross several genres.

Her books commonly combine:

• Domestic fiction
• Women’s fiction
• Contemporary fiction
• Psychological suspense
• Mystery
• Family drama
• Relationship fiction
• Dark humor
• Social commentary

Her signature approach is to start with recognizable situations—marriages, friendships, families, school communities, vacations, or everyday routines—and gradually reveal the secrets and tensions underneath them.

Penguin Random House describes her work as combining complex female characters, suspense, and dark humor, while the UK Penguin reading guide highlights her sharp characterization and exploration of the darker tensions beneath ordinary lives.

That combination is one reason her books are so adaptable for television.

Which Liane Moriarty Books Have Been Adapted for TV?

Several of Moriarty’s novels have made the transition from page to screen.

Big Little Lies

The most famous adaptation is HBO’s Big Little Lies, starring Reese Witherspoon, Nicole Kidman, Shailene Woodley, Laura Dern, Zoë Kravitz, and Meryl Streep.

Nine Perfect Strangers

The novel was adapted into a television miniseries starring Nicole Kidman and Melissa McCarthy.

Apples Never Fall

Apples Never Fall was adapted as a television miniseries starring Annette Bening and Sam Neill.

The Last Anniversary

The Last Anniversary has also received a television adaptation, filmed around the Hawkesbury River setting that inspired the fictional Scribbly Gum Island.

Moriarty’s success in television is not surprising: her novels naturally lend themselves to ensemble casts, secrets revealed gradually, multiple perspectives, and dramatic turning points.

Are Liane Moriarty Books Connected?

Most are not.

The adult novels are primarily standalone stories with different characters, settings, and plots.

There is no need to read The Husband’s Secret before Apples Never Fall, for example.

The major exception is the Big Little Lies storyline:

1. Big Little Lies
2. Big Little Truths

The children’s Space Brigade books are also connected as a trilogy.

This means that readers have unusual freedom when exploring Moriarty’s bibliography. You don’t have to commit to a 10-book universe before discovering whether you like her writing.

Publication Order vs. Chronological Order

For Liane Moriarty, publication order is more useful than chronological order.

Why?

Because her adult novels generally tell independent stories rather than following one fictional timeline.

There is therefore no meaningful “Liane Moriarty chronological order” comparable to a fantasy universe or a long-running detective series.

If someone asks for Liane Moriarty books in chronological order, the most practical answer is to use original publication order.

The one exception is the connected Big Little Lies story, where:

Big Little Lies (2014) → Big Little Truths (2026)

is both the natural story order and the correct reading order.

Frequently Asked Questions About Liane Moriarty Books

What is the correct order to read Liane Moriarty books?

Most Liane Moriarty novels are standalones, so they can be read in any order. If you want to follow publication order, start with Three Wishes and continue through her adult novels chronologically. The important exception is Big Little Lies followed by its sequel, Big Little Truths.

What Liane Moriarty book should I read first?

For most new readers, Big Little Lies is the best starting point. It combines domestic suspense, female friendships, family drama, secrets, dark humor, and mystery, making it a strong introduction to Moriarty’s style.

Do you need to read Big Little Lies before Big Little Truths?

Yes, it is strongly recommended. Big Little Truths is a direct sequel that returns to the characters from Big Little Lies roughly ten years later.

Is Big Little Truths a sequel?

Yes. Big Little Truths is the sequel to Big Little Lies and was published on August 25, 2026. It is Moriarty’s first sequel to one of her adult novels.

Are Liane Moriarty books connected?

Most are standalone novels and are not connected. The major adult-fiction exception is Big Little Lies and Big Little Truths, which follow the same characters.

How many Liane Moriarty books are there?

Her current adult bibliography contains 11 novels, including the newly released Big Little Truths. She has also written the three-book Space Brigade children’s series featuring Nicola Berry. Her official site separately lists her adult books and children’s books.

What is Liane Moriarty’s latest book?

As of August 2026, Liane Moriarty’s latest book is Big Little Truths, published August 25, 2026. It is the sequel to Big Little Lies.

What are Liane Moriarty’s most popular books?

Some of her best-known novels include Big Little Lies, The Husband’s Secret, Nine Perfect Strangers, What Alice Forgot, Truly Madly Guilty, Apples Never Fall, and Here One Moment. Big Little Lies is particularly prominent because of its successful television adaptation.

Which Liane Moriarty book is most like Big Little Lies?

If you want another Moriarty novel featuring secrets, relationships, family tensions, and domestic suspense, The Husband’s Secret is an excellent next choice. Truly Madly Guilty is another strong option if you particularly enjoy the friendship and relationship dynamics of Big Little Lies.

What are Liane Moriarty’s children’s books?

Moriarty wrote three children’s books about the Space Brigade and its young leader, Nicola Berry: The Petrifying Problem with Princess Petronella, The Shocking Trouble on the Planet of Shobble, and The Wicked War on the Planet of Whimsy.

Is Liane Moriarty Australian?

Yes. Moriarty was born in Sydney, Australia, and her official biography says that all of her books are set in Australia. She lives in Sydney.

Final Verdict

If you’re searching for Liane Moriarty books in order, the good news is that you don’t need to solve a complicated series timeline.

Most of her adult novels are standalone stories, so you can choose based on your preferred premise, genre, or reading mood.

If you want to experience her work chronologically, start with:

Three Wishes → The Last Anniversary → What Alice Forgot → The Hypnotist’s Love Story → The Husband’s Secret → Big Little Lies → Truly Madly Guilty → Nine Perfect Strangers → Apples Never Fall → Here One Moment → Big Little Truths

But there is one sequence you should definitely preserve:

Big Little Lies → Big Little Truths

That is the only major continuing storyline among Moriarty’s adult novels, and the 2026 sequel makes this distinction more important than it was in older Liane Moriarty reading guides.

If you’re completely new to her work, I’d start with Big Little Lies. It is suspenseful, character-driven, funny in unexpectedly dark ways, and representative of the qualities that have made Moriarty one of the most recognizable names in contemporary domestic fiction.

And if you finish it and immediately want to know what happened to Madeline, Celeste, Jane, Renata, and Bonnie?

You now have your answer:

Read Big Little Truths next.

Written by

Emon Anam

Hi, I’m Emon. I’m the voice and heart behind Whimsy Read. After nine years in the world of banking, I followed my passion for storytelling into the world of SEO and content strategy. Now, I blend that analytical eye with a deep love for literature to bring you book reviews that are thoughtful, honest, and always focused on the stories that stay with you. When I’m not reading or writing, you’ll find me enjoying joyful chaos with my wife and three kids, getting lost in a new series, or revisiting my old loves: theater, music, and gaming. At the end of the day, I believe great books are meant to be shared, and I’m so glad you’re here to share them with me.