Here One Moment by Liane Moriarty

A Turbulent Tale of Destiny and Free Will

You know that feeling when you’re on a plane and there’s a bit of turbulence? That moment of suspended disbelief where you think, “This can’t be happening,” even as your stomach does a little flip? Well, buckle up, because Liane Moriarty’s latest novel, “Here One Moment,” takes that sensation and cranks it up to 11.

This isn’t just any old bumpy flight from Hobart to Sydney. Oh no. This is a journey that will leave you questioning everything you thought you knew about fate, free will, and whether it’s really such a good idea to eat those dodgy-looking oysters at the airport buffet (spoiler alert: it’s not).

The Premise: A Flight to Remember (Or Wish You Could Forget)

Picture this: You’re settling into your seat, maybe eyeing up that suspiciously perky flight attendant or wondering if you can sweet-talk your way into an upgrade. Then BAM! A mysterious woman starts walking down the aisle, pointing at passengers and casually dropping bomb after bomb about how and when they’re going to die.

It’s like the world’s worst game of “Duck, Duck, Goose,” except instead of getting tapped on the head, you’re getting handed an expiration date. Talk about baggage claim.

The Cast: A Motley Crew of the Doomed and Determined

Moriarty, in her signature style, gives us a smorgasbord of characters to sink our teeth into:

• Leo, the anxious civil engineer with a workplace accident looming in his future (maybe it’s time for a career change, buddy)
• Ethan, the young software developer facing an ominous “assault” prediction (note to self: maybe skip that boxing class)
• Sue, the cheerful nurse with a grim pancreatic cancer forecast (suddenly those kale smoothies don’t seem so bad)
• Eve, the newlywed bride with a chilling “intimate partner homicide” prediction (honeymoon plans, anyone?)
• Paula, the worried mother whose toddler is apparently destined for a watery grave (swimming lessons, stat!)

And let’s not forget our titular “Death Lady,” the enigmatic Cherry, whose motivations remain as murky as airline coffee until the very end.

The Plot: A High-Stakes Game of Dodge-Your-Destiny

As the predictions start coming true one by one, our characters are thrown into a tailspin. Do they fight against their supposed fates or resign themselves to the inevitable? It’s like watching a bunch of cats trying to avoid a bath—hilarious, slightly painful, and oddly compelling.

Moriarty weaves their stories together with the dexterity of a master seamstress (or maybe an air traffic controller on Red Bull). We bounce between timelines and perspectives, slowly unraveling the mystery of Cherry’s past and the impact of her predictions on the present.

Moriarty’s Magic: More Than Just a One-Trick Pony

If you’ve read Moriarty’s previous hits like “Big Little Lies“, “Apples Never Fall“. or “Nine Perfect Strangers,” you know she’s got a knack for blending humor, mystery, and social commentary into a deliciously readable package. “Here One Moment” is no exception, but it feels like she’s turned up the dial on everything.

The Humor: Laughing in the Face of Death (Literally)

Only Moriarty could make a book about impending doom so darn funny. From Eve’s attempts to bribe the “Death Lady” for a better prediction to Ethan’s increasingly paranoid efforts to avoid any potential assailants, the dark humor flows as freely as the complimentary wine on a business class flight.

The Mystery: Who is Cherry, and Why is She Ruining Everyone’s Day?

The gradual reveal of Cherry’s backstory is like peeling an onion—layer after layer, each one making you tear up a little more. Moriarty keeps us guessing until the very end about Cherry’s true nature and motivations. Is she a genuine psychic? A deranged prankster? Or something else entirely?

The Social Commentary: A Mirror to Our Mortality-Obsessed Society

Through the reactions of her characters and the wider world to the “Death Lady” phenomenon, Moriarty offers a biting critique of our obsession with controlling the uncontrollable. It’s a stark reminder that in the age of wellness apps and life hacks, death remains the ultimate wildcard.

Themes: Heavy as Your Overweight Carry-On

Fate vs. Free Will: The Ultimate Chicken-or-Egg Debate

At its core, “Here One Moment” grapples with the age-old question of whether we’re masters of our own destiny or just along for the ride. It’s like trying to steer one of those coin-operated kiddie rides at the mall – you might feel like you’re in control, but are you really?

The Power of Belief: Mind Over Matter (Until It Isn’t)

Moriarty explores how our beliefs can shape our reality—for better or worse. Whether it’s Paula’s increasingly obsessive efforts to “save” her son or Leo’s growing paranoia about workplace safety, we see how a single prediction can snowball into life-altering decisions.

Living in the Moment: Carpe Diem or YOLO?

There’s a poignant undercurrent about the importance of appreciating the here and now, rather than constantly worrying about what’s around the corner. It’s a gentle reminder to maybe put down that phone and actually look out the airplane window once in a while.

The Writing: Smooth as a First-Class Upgrade

Moriarty’s prose is as effortlessly engaging as ever. She has this uncanny ability to make you feel like you’re gossiping with your best friend over coffee, even as she’s tackling some pretty heavy existential questions. It’s the literary equivalent of hiding vegetables in a really tasty smoothie – you’re getting all the good stuff without even realizing it.

Pacing: Fasten Your Seatbelts, It’s Going to Be a Bumpy Ride

The story moves at a breakneck speed, alternating between the immediate aftermath of the fateful flight and Cherry’s own journey through the decades. It’s like watching a master juggler – just when you think Moriarty’s dropped a ball, you realize she’s actually setting up for an even more impressive trick.

Character Development: From Cardboard Cutouts to Fully-Fledged Humans

What starts as a seemingly random assortment of stereotypes (the neurotic engineer, the bubbly nurse, the blushing bride) quickly evolves into a cast of complex, flawed, and utterly relatable characters. By the end, you’ll feel like you’ve known these people your whole life—and maybe even see a bit of yourself in them.

The Verdict: Prepare for Takeoff (And Maybe An Existential Crisis)

“Here One Moment” is Liane Moriarty at her absolute best. It’s a rollicking good time that also manages to make you question the very nature of existence. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll probably side-eye that stranger on the bus who looks a bit too much like Cherry for comfort.

Is it perfect? No. Some of the plot threads feel a bit rushed towards the end, and there are moments where the coincidences stretch the bounds of believability. But you know what? When a book is this entertaining and thought-provoking, I’m willing to overlook a few bumps in the narrative road.

Who Should Read This?

• Fans of Moriarty’s previous works (duh)
• Anyone who’s ever had a fleeting “what if” thought about their own mortality (so… everyone?)
• People who love a good mystery with a side of existential dread
• Anyone who’s ever been on a flight and thought, “Gee, I wish this was more dramatic“

Who Should Maybe Skip It?

• The faint of heart or weak of stomach (some of those death scenes are… vivid)
• People with upcoming flights (maybe save this for after your trip)
• Anyone looking for a light, fluffy read (this ain’t it, chief)

Final Thoughts: A Flight You Won’t Forget

“Here One Moment” is like the best kind of turbulence—it shakes you up, makes your heart race, but ultimately leaves you exhilarated and grateful to be alive. Moriarty has once again proven why she’s the queen of the “unputdownable” novel, crafting a story that’s equal parts hilarious, horrifying, and heartfelt.

So go ahead, grab a copy, and prepare for takeoff. Just maybe don’t read it on an actual plane. You know, just in case.