6 books to read if you like The Perfect Pair on Netflix

Books

Bestselling author Elin Hilderbrand reveals what you should read after the Netflix series about her 2018 novel.

Bestselling author Elin Hilderbrand’s 2018 novel “The Perfect Couple” has been adapted into a six-episode limited Netflix series starring Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Dakota Fanning and Eve Hewson. The mystery drama series hit the streaming platform on Thursday.

The plot of “The Perfect Pair” revolves around Amelia Sacks (Eve Hewson, “Bad Sisters”), who is about to marry Benji (Billy Howle, “The Heavens Spell”), the son of writer Greer Garrison Winbury (Nicole Kidman), and become part of the wealthy Winbury family on Nantucket – to the displeasure of writer and matriarch Greer.

But when a body is found on the beach on the morning of the wedding, an investigation begins, secrets come to light and everyone is suspected.

We asked Hilderbrand what books she recommends to fans of the book and series. Below are her six book recommendations if you’re reading or watching The Perfect Pair.

Rufus Leung Gresham is the future Earl of Greshambury and the son of a former Hong Kong supermodel. But as it turns out, the glitz and glamour of the family’s magazine covers, yachts and mansions are nothing but a facade: the legendary Gresham Trust has been depleted by decades of extravagant spending and the family is facing a gigantic mountain of debt. The only solution, suggested by Rufus’ scheming mother, is for Rufus to attend his sister’s wedding at a luxury resort and seduce a woman with money. But when a volcanic eruption disrupts the wedding ceremony and a hot mic exposes a secret romantic rendezvous, the Gresham family’s plans – and their reputation – go up in flames.

Critics say: “If you liked ‘Crazy Rich Asians’, Kevin Kwan’s latest film will not disappoint… Alliances are made and broken. Fortunes are won and lost. Rich people who want to get richer outsmart themselves. Poor girls, armed only with their stubborn integrity, lay claim to happiness. And the laugh lines come just in time… Kwan has a keen eye.” – The Washington Post

When Liv and Nora decide to take their husbands and children on a cruise, everyone is excited. The adults love the comfort and convenience of the ship. The four children – ages six to eleven – love the nonstop buffet and their newfound independence. But when they all disembark for an adventure in Central America, a series of minor mishaps and miscalculations lead the families to wander further and further from the safety of the ship. One minute the kids are there, and the next they’re gone.

Critics say: “(Meloy delivers) a wild, driving plot with taut prose and a constant stream of tension. It’s a thrilling novel, well constructed and hard to put down, a haunting reminder that the tide can take us anywhere, even when the water looks calm.” – Los Angeles Times

A 52-year-old photographer and a 41-year-old anatomy professor are isolated jurors during a three-week high-profile trial: a toddler was murdered by one of his twin sisters. In the court-assigned motel off the highway, they begin an intense affair, but it is not until deliberations that they realize they are on opposite sides of the case. After the trial, the photographer returns to her husband amid a sustained media frenzy surrounding the case. But the judge has received an anonymous letter about the affair and is preparing to announce the names of the jurors.

Critics say: “(The) skillful orchestration of absurdity and existential fear characterizes Ciment’s style. That is why the situation in Ciment’s latest novel, The body in question, “perfectly matches her talent as a novelist…perceptive…a profound story about mortality and the mysteries of human behavior…smart and disturbing.” – NPR

Siracusa follows two couples on vacation in Siracusa, a town on the coast of Sicily, where the secrets they have kept from each other come to light and relationships fall apart. The book unfolds at the pace of a psychological thriller, delivering an unexpected final act that no one expects.

Critics say: “A seductive and provocative analysis of two imploding marriages – and a mother-daughter relationship that has gone off the rails… Each of these toxic relationships sets the characters on a path to plunge headlong into a dark place of deception and anger in Ephron’s brilliant reckoning with marital and familial pretenses.” – Publisher:

“Swan Song” by Elin Hilderbrand

Police Chief Ed Kapenash is about to retire. Blonde Sharon is going through a divorce. But when the mysterious Richardsons buy a $22 million summer house – how did they make their money anyway? – Ed, Sharon and everyone else in the community find themselves in a big drama. The Richardsons throw lavish parties, flirt with several locals, show off their wealth – not just one, but two yachts – and raise impossible hopes in everyone they meet. When their house burns to the ground and their most important employee disappears, the whole island is in turmoil.

Critics say: “Hilderbrand’s final Nantucket novel will lure readers old and new out of hiding… There are plenty of surprises for longtime fans, but even those delving into her exquisite writing for the first time have something to look forward to: a story that feels like it’s being told over cocktails at the Oystercatcher, perfectly paced for maximum drama, and with characters you can’t get enough of. This is ambitious escapism at its finest.” – Susan Maguire, Booklist

Irene Steele lives an idyllic life in a beautiful Victorian house in Iowa City with her husband, who loves her beyond measure. But as she rings in the New Year on a cold, snowy night, everything she thought she knew collapses with a shocking phone call: her beloved husband has died in a helicopter crash while on a business trip. Before Irene can even process the news, she must first come to terms with the confusing details of her husband’s death on the remote Caribbean island of St. John.

When Irene and her sons arrive in this remote paradise, they make another shocking discovery: her husband had been living a secret life. As Irene unravels a web of intrigue and deception, and she and her sons are drawn into the vibrant island culture, they must face the truth about their family and their own future.

Critics say: “With great panache, (Hilderbrand) has done it again with her latest novel, Winter in Paradise, the first book in a planned trilogy. Witty and engaging, she captivates her readers with an unforgettable cast of characters… As always, she delivers a story with plenty of detail and skillfully weaves her characters and plot threads together… Be prepared to spend several hours reading a fast-paced and entertaining novel that will leave you wanting the second book in the series.” – Book reporter