An Absorbing Page-Turner: Read Our Review of The Trivia Night by Ali Lowe

Question: How long does it take to tear someone’s life apart?
Answer: Sometimes just one night.

From the outside, the parents of the kindergarten class at Darley Heights primary school seem to have it all. Living in the wealthy Sydney suburbs, it’s a community where everyone knows each other – and secrets don’t stay secret for long.

The big date on the calendar is the school’s annual fundraising trivia night, but when the evening gets raucously out of hand, talk turns to partner swapping. Initially scandalised, it’s not long before a group of parents make a reckless one-night-only pact.

But in the harsh light of day, those involved must face the fallout of their behaviour. As they begin to navigate the shady aftermath of their wild night, the truth threatens to rip their perfect lives apart – and revenge turns fatal.

What begins as an innocent trivia night at a local public school, quickly takes a turn into a domestic story of revenge, scandals, and how one night can change everything. The Trivia Night is told from three perspectives which allows Lowe to deliver the full breadth of the story with a great deal of impact. Through every twist and turn, I was holding my breath to see what would happen next.

This is Lowe’s first novel, and I’m already eagerly awaiting her next. Most debut authors take a few novels to hone their craft, but with over twenty years of experience as a journalist, Lowe’s writing is polished and compelling.

The story kicks off after the infamous night, and the reader must piece together the threads of this evening through the perspectives of Amanda, Alice and Zoe. Not all their stories are told directly, however. Zoe’s perspective is told in letters to her sister, while Alice’s is told through meetings with her psychologist. This unique take on point of view gives the story a lot of depth and complexity, while also forcing the reader to question what motives each character has.

The Trivia Night is a gripping page-turner full of shocking reveals. If you’re a fan of Liane Moriarty and Sally Hepworth, this is the perfect domestic drama for you.

Buy a copy of The Trivia Night here.