An abandoned child, an isolated island and a mystery

The Last Anniversary by Liane Moriarty introduces us to the inhabitants of the small and isolated Scribbly Gum Island in Australia. The island is famous because seventy years ago a baby was found alone in an abandoned cabin and brought up by Connie and Rose, two sisters who also lived on the island. The ‘Munro Baby Mystery’ has brought tourists to the island ever since and every year on the anniversary of the day when Connie and Rose found the abandoned child who they called Enigma a special evening is held with entertainment and food. But everyone is growing very old now and a decision is made that this will be the last anniversary.

There is now a large family descended from the three women and they are all involved to one degree or another with the family business. When family members reach the age of forty the original sisters reveal to them the secret about Enigma but they are beginning to think that maybe it shouldn’t be a secret any more.

On the surface this is a light book but it actually explores lots of issues, many to do with parenting and family dynamics. There are plenty of sub-plots and the characters are often experiencing change in their lives or having to face up to something that they don’t want to accept. It is fair to say that this isn’t the most realistic story in the world but it is told well, is often funny and I certainly found it very entertaining reading.