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Moonlight Sonata
Will the truth be revealed?
A bitter-sweet novel of forbidden love and family secrets.
'Some secrets should never be told.'
It's the annual New Year family get-together. Molly is dreading having to spend time with her mother, but she is pleased her son will see his cousins and is looking forward to catching up with her brothers . . . Joe in particular.
Under the summer sun, family tensions intensify, relationships become heightened and Molly and Joe will not be the only ones with secrets that must be kept hidden.
'No one must ever know.'
A bitter-sweet novel of forbidden love and family secrets.
'Some secrets should never be told.'
It's the annual New Year family get-together. Molly is dreading having to spend time with her mother, but she is pleased her son will see his cousins and is looking forward to catching up with her brothers . . . Joe in particular.
Under the summer sun, family tensions intensify, relationships become heightened and Molly and Joe will not be the only ones with secrets that must be kept hidden.
'No one must ever know.'
- GenresFiction
288 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2019
11 people are currently reading
110 people want to read
About the author
Eileen Merriman
25 books109 followersEileen Merriman works full-time as a consultant haematologist at North Shore Hospital. Her writing has appeared in a number of national and international journals and anthologies, including Smokelong Quarterly, The Island Review, Literary Orphans, the Bath Short Story Award Anthology 2015, the Sunday Star-Times, F(r)iction, takahe, Headland and Flash Frontier. Her first novel was Pieces of You, with reviewers calling it 'compulsively readable' and 'compelling, challenging, and heartbreaking'. It was a 2018 Storylines Notable Book and, along with her second novel, it was shortlisted for the NZ Book Awards for Children and Young Adults.
Her other awards include runner-up in the 2018 Sunday Star-Times Short Story Award, third for three consecutive years in the 2014-2016 Sunday Star-Times Short Story Awards, second in the 2015 Bath Flash Fiction Award, commended in the 2015 Bath Short Story Competition, and first place in the 2015 Graeme Lay Short Story Competition.
Her other awards include runner-up in the 2018 Sunday Star-Times Short Story Award, third for three consecutive years in the 2014-2016 Sunday Star-Times Short Story Awards, second in the 2015 Bath Flash Fiction Award, commended in the 2015 Bath Short Story Competition, and first place in the 2015 Graeme Lay Short Story Competition.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
September 27, 2021
I like this author but I didn't like the subject matter. Twins disgusted me 😞
December 2, 2019
This is a great modern day family saga with a dark twist lurking beneath the surface. It is the story of a big family who gather at the beach-front home of the matriarch, Hazel, for New Year. And being a New Zealand novel, New Year comes in mid-summer when it is the best time to be on the beach, outdoors and sitting in a deck chair with food and drink.
Most of all this is a story about twins, Molly and Joe. Molly and her husband Richard have brought their teenage son, while Molly’s older brothers have brought their wives and families too. There are lots of kids, all cousins, who have grown up with this New Year ritual of visits to grandma at the beach. They are not exactly one big happy family, but they do laugh and banter well together. Scratch the surface and some more troubling events will emerge.
Hazel’s husband was an alcoholic and as a result she left home with her daughter, separating Molly and her twin brother for six years of their childhood. In a series of flash backs we see some of their past life, the times when they were together once more as teenagers and the different way that they were treated. Now both of them live at a distance from their mother, Molly in Australia and Joe in the Middle-East. The twins are very close and have that sixth sense about each other that twins sometimes have.
Molly’s son Noah is not coping well with being moved to Australia, but now he is home he develops a crush on his younger cousin Lola. There is lots of furtive behaviour from the two cousins, trying to hide their increasing fascination with each other from a household of at least ten others.
I like the realism of this book – it feels just like a normal New Year at the beach for a large family; fun and games with the underlying tension that always develops when everyone is bunched together. That they are always running out of bread and bacon with so many teenagers in the house, is a lovely touch of realism. No amount of bacon can feed that many. Molly and Joe get to spend time together, much to the displeasure of Molly’s husband Richard. You know that something is lurking under the surface and you begin to guess just what it will be as the narrative unfolds. However, as the storm clouds roll it, you are not prepared for the eventual outcomes. Like the storm, you can see something building in the distance.
Most of all this is a story about twins, Molly and Joe. Molly and her husband Richard have brought their teenage son, while Molly’s older brothers have brought their wives and families too. There are lots of kids, all cousins, who have grown up with this New Year ritual of visits to grandma at the beach. They are not exactly one big happy family, but they do laugh and banter well together. Scratch the surface and some more troubling events will emerge.
Hazel’s husband was an alcoholic and as a result she left home with her daughter, separating Molly and her twin brother for six years of their childhood. In a series of flash backs we see some of their past life, the times when they were together once more as teenagers and the different way that they were treated. Now both of them live at a distance from their mother, Molly in Australia and Joe in the Middle-East. The twins are very close and have that sixth sense about each other that twins sometimes have.
Molly’s son Noah is not coping well with being moved to Australia, but now he is home he develops a crush on his younger cousin Lola. There is lots of furtive behaviour from the two cousins, trying to hide their increasing fascination with each other from a household of at least ten others.
I like the realism of this book – it feels just like a normal New Year at the beach for a large family; fun and games with the underlying tension that always develops when everyone is bunched together. That they are always running out of bread and bacon with so many teenagers in the house, is a lovely touch of realism. No amount of bacon can feed that many. Molly and Joe get to spend time together, much to the displeasure of Molly’s husband Richard. You know that something is lurking under the surface and you begin to guess just what it will be as the narrative unfolds. However, as the storm clouds roll it, you are not prepared for the eventual outcomes. Like the storm, you can see something building in the distance.
June 22, 2025
I don’t even have words. Hard to review this one because I feel the novel itself and then the content of the novel have very different opinions from me!! I have nothing bad to say about Eileen Merriman I truely think all her writing is exquisite, perfect balance of detail and pace and twist and turns that all link up eventually this book was no exception and she has crafted another masterpiece!!. The actually story though, wild, slightly disturbing, engaging, and a page turner for sure
August 26, 2021
Moonlight Sonata - Eileen Merriman
The scene is set at Nana’s house, near the beach during summertime in New Zealand during a typical (or maybe not so typical on second thoughts) family holiday. The pōhutukawa trees are in flower, there is late night swims, BBQ dinners and card games whilst surrounded by your aunties, uncles, and cousins. Sounds awesome right?!
The waters quickly become murky and details are slowly revealed…. Suddenly the secrets are spilling out at rapid pace and an unexpected turn ends in tragedy.
There are a lot of characters but thanks to skill-full character development- they all have defining features which help you remember who is who.
I admire the author here for picking to go with a story line that challenges a readers morals with a subject matter that can be somewhat uncomfortable to read about.
Not a lot can be said without spoiling the book but let’s just say it took me by surprise. A reasonably quick, snappy read full of twists and turns.
3/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️
The scene is set at Nana’s house, near the beach during summertime in New Zealand during a typical (or maybe not so typical on second thoughts) family holiday. The pōhutukawa trees are in flower, there is late night swims, BBQ dinners and card games whilst surrounded by your aunties, uncles, and cousins. Sounds awesome right?!
The waters quickly become murky and details are slowly revealed…. Suddenly the secrets are spilling out at rapid pace and an unexpected turn ends in tragedy.
There are a lot of characters but thanks to skill-full character development- they all have defining features which help you remember who is who.
I admire the author here for picking to go with a story line that challenges a readers morals with a subject matter that can be somewhat uncomfortable to read about.
Not a lot can be said without spoiling the book but let’s just say it took me by surprise. A reasonably quick, snappy read full of twists and turns.
3/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️
February 19, 2022
Great summer holiday reading, weird content but really draws you in 🤣
August 4, 2019
Love has many faces. Not all of them are easy to understand. This is a quintessential New Zealand story, with teenage shenanigans, the crash of neverending surf, and the haunting sound of timeless music. Yes, there is love in this novel. There is deep anguish too.
Not all love is easy to understand, but unexpected love can endure. It can also tear the those who experience it to pieces.
Not all love is easy to understand, but unexpected love can endure. It can also tear the those who experience it to pieces.
December 26, 2019
This would've been great if it wasn't for the inceat. Weird.
October 13, 2019
I have really enjoyed this authors YA books so grabbed this one totally blind.
I will admit I found the topic a bit hard to wrap my head around. But at the same time I was really invested in the characters and couldn't put it down. It was a great read. Just a bit hard at times to get to grips with.
I will admit I found the topic a bit hard to wrap my head around. But at the same time I was really invested in the characters and couldn't put it down. It was a great read. Just a bit hard at times to get to grips with.
February 17, 2020
This is Eileen Merriman's first book written for adults and I enjoyed it more than her young adult stories. As it alternated between the 1990s and the present day there was a lot of history and background about the family to take on board. However Merriman writes in style which is easy to understand and her description of the kiwi bach camp and beach is familiar to anyone living in New Zealand. I found myself drawn into the family but was unprepared for the secret revelations as the book neared its ending .Moonlight Sonata is a good read possibly more suitable for the under 50s age group , and anyone who enjoys a family story with its ups and downs will find this a worthwhile read .
August 31, 2019
Brilliant, Brilliant, Brilliant! Another great read by Eileen Merriman. She draws you in from the first page and keeps you reading until late at night. I have thought about the characters in this book for days after finishing. I love the essence of New Zealandness that she imparts in her writing. I could almost feel like I was at the beach for Christmas, sand in my toes, the ocean out there. Keep writing Eileen, I can't wait to read more of your work.
December 4, 2019
Before i picked up this book I knew that family secrets were involved. Oh my! I could not put it down. I was finished in 4 hours all the while my laundry waited. Eileen is a kiwi writer and develops mental imagery of the characters and locations beautifully. It is a story of love, heartbreak, the forbidden all weaving into an intriguing, easy read that threatens to derail not only the characters but the reader also. The kiwi beach lifestyle features strongly. Highly recommend.
October 21, 2019
I read this book because it had a New Zealand author. I quickly realized that it was not my type of book. I persevered with it and found it both confronting and thought provoking. It was very predictable until the final chapter that had an unexpected twist. It was a good book, probably more suited to the 40 to 50 age group.
March 1, 2020
A skilfully written, tragic story. Setting in a holiday home at a NZ beach is very accurate. Sand in everything, the hot sticky days, the games and tents on the back lawn. All these touches are so evocative. Quite a large cast of family members but each is an individual and underlined with a sound ear for voice.
A confronting situation but well paced and expertly handled.
A confronting situation but well paced and expertly handled.
July 14, 2019
Families and family secrets. NZ author.
July 17, 2019
I found the topic of this book really hard to deal with, but Merriman did a really great job writing about it. Another 5 star book from her, in my humble opinion.
January 29, 2020
Never read a book before on this very sensitive subject. Enjoyed the NZ beach holiday setting.
February 1, 2020
Continuing my New Zealand fiction buzz.
August 13, 2019
Successful author of teenage/YA fiction has branched out and written her first novel for adults. I have read two of her YA novels and really liked them in their story line and character development, as well as being very relevant and current in dealing with issues so important to our teenagers. In this novel, designed for adults, she tackles incest - consensual rather than abusive which is a Pandora's box all by itself. I did a bit of googling on the subject and it would appear to be more common, though not at all accepted, than one would think. By the way I am not giving any plot spoilers in revealing that the core of this story is sexual love between family members and the taboo that it is. The last lines of the first chapter are a dead giveaway, as is the setting of a family reunion with a plethora of teenage cousins staying together at the beach over the summer holidays.
Widow Hazel has opened her home on a Northland beach - I visualise somewhere like Coopers Beach or Cable Bay - for New Year holidays to her adult children - Sully, Anthony, twins Molly and Joe, and their families, come together from around NZ, Australia and Middle East. Like all families there is bad history, the most momentous thing that has happened to this one being Hazel leaving her husband and the three sons, moving to Christchurch with Molly when she was only six for a six year period, during which Molly had no contact at all with her father and brothers, the separation from her twin Joe being especially traumatic.
The story is told in alternate chapters by Molly in both the present and in her past; 15 year old Lola who is Anthony's daughter, only very recently diagnosed with type 1 diabetes; and Noah who is Molly's 18 year old son. The story only covers a few days over the New Year period, but a lot can happen in even just one day. The author has captured that unique NZ phenomenon - the family summer beach holiday where everyone is in close quarters, alcohol is involved, bit of cabin fever, childhood sibling issues resurface, set against the stunning background of the beach, the surf, the sand, running out of supplies, sunburn.
I am not so sure about her characters. Although quite distinct they are fairly one dimensional, with little development. They are all self absorbed which you can appreciate for the teenage characters, but not so much for the adult characters. For example Molly and her mother Hazel I did not like at all, both far too stuck in the patterns and behaviours of the past, unable and it would seem unwilling to make peace with each other. Molly is a smart woman - professor at a Melbourne university - yet she has very little self awareness of how she behaves with her husband, her son and her siblings. So much rage there for a grown woman to be carrying around with her. Brother Sully I found annoying too - his wallowing in self pity, his awful daughter and unpleasant son; then there is Joe who is a bit like Peter Pan - never grown up and blithely unable to take on the responsibilities of being an adult. I did find the ending unsatisfactory. Aside from being too neat and tidy, I am not sure it is sending out the right message as a way to deal with problems.
It's biggest problem for me however is that it is neither an adult novel nor a teenage novel. It is not complex and nuanced enough for the former, but with teenagers as lead characters it certainly falls into the teen genre. And yet due to its subject matter with so much of the perspective being from the adult Molly is probably not what I would imagine teenagers would be engaging with.
Widow Hazel has opened her home on a Northland beach - I visualise somewhere like Coopers Beach or Cable Bay - for New Year holidays to her adult children - Sully, Anthony, twins Molly and Joe, and their families, come together from around NZ, Australia and Middle East. Like all families there is bad history, the most momentous thing that has happened to this one being Hazel leaving her husband and the three sons, moving to Christchurch with Molly when she was only six for a six year period, during which Molly had no contact at all with her father and brothers, the separation from her twin Joe being especially traumatic.
The story is told in alternate chapters by Molly in both the present and in her past; 15 year old Lola who is Anthony's daughter, only very recently diagnosed with type 1 diabetes; and Noah who is Molly's 18 year old son. The story only covers a few days over the New Year period, but a lot can happen in even just one day. The author has captured that unique NZ phenomenon - the family summer beach holiday where everyone is in close quarters, alcohol is involved, bit of cabin fever, childhood sibling issues resurface, set against the stunning background of the beach, the surf, the sand, running out of supplies, sunburn.
I am not so sure about her characters. Although quite distinct they are fairly one dimensional, with little development. They are all self absorbed which you can appreciate for the teenage characters, but not so much for the adult characters. For example Molly and her mother Hazel I did not like at all, both far too stuck in the patterns and behaviours of the past, unable and it would seem unwilling to make peace with each other. Molly is a smart woman - professor at a Melbourne university - yet she has very little self awareness of how she behaves with her husband, her son and her siblings. So much rage there for a grown woman to be carrying around with her. Brother Sully I found annoying too - his wallowing in self pity, his awful daughter and unpleasant son; then there is Joe who is a bit like Peter Pan - never grown up and blithely unable to take on the responsibilities of being an adult. I did find the ending unsatisfactory. Aside from being too neat and tidy, I am not sure it is sending out the right message as a way to deal with problems.
It's biggest problem for me however is that it is neither an adult novel nor a teenage novel. It is not complex and nuanced enough for the former, but with teenagers as lead characters it certainly falls into the teen genre. And yet due to its subject matter with so much of the perspective being from the adult Molly is probably not what I would imagine teenagers would be engaging with.
January 2, 2022
REVIEW: 2/5 ⭐⭐
_______________________
It's been two years since Molly, Richard, and Noah saw their family after moving to Australia, but now the family is coming together for a quintessential New Zealand New Years celebration. Baches by the beach, hell yes!
Molly isn't thrilled her mother will be there, but it'll be the perfect excuse to see her siblings - she misses them, and especially her twin brother Joe so much. And Noah will get heaps out of being around his cousins.
But her family has a secret that is so large it threatens to rip the family apart.
_______________________
TW: Incest, Underage Sex.
This book is absolutely "dead dove, do not eat."
To make this clear, I'm not giving this two stars because of the topic, I chose to read the book regardless. I have been a fan of Merriman's other works, especially A Trio of Sophies. I like that her works tend to confront challenging themes.
I like that this book is so Kiwi. I've stayed in baches on the seaside that are reminiscent of the town this is set in.
The characters in this book were awfully unlikeable though. There wasn't anybody who I felt like I was cheering for, and everybody just had a bit of a shit time. Even Richard, who comes out of this the biggest victim is a really unlikeable character.
I think there should have been more explored with Lola's diabetes, which had more potential to be good B plot. Merriman tends to do diseases and disabilities with poise and I was hoping she would follow through again here.
It is an easy to read book overall, even with the time and perspective jumps. I did almost find the plot between Molly and her mother a waste of time too, apart from briefly understanding why she was so angry about her childhood. I wouldn't recommend it to others though. It is not so horrible I want my time back but there is a lot better out there, even if you want a story about incest.
_______________________
It's been two years since Molly, Richard, and Noah saw their family after moving to Australia, but now the family is coming together for a quintessential New Zealand New Years celebration. Baches by the beach, hell yes!
Molly isn't thrilled her mother will be there, but it'll be the perfect excuse to see her siblings - she misses them, and especially her twin brother Joe so much. And Noah will get heaps out of being around his cousins.
But her family has a secret that is so large it threatens to rip the family apart.
_______________________
TW: Incest, Underage Sex.
This book is absolutely "dead dove, do not eat."
To make this clear, I'm not giving this two stars because of the topic, I chose to read the book regardless. I have been a fan of Merriman's other works, especially A Trio of Sophies. I like that her works tend to confront challenging themes.
I like that this book is so Kiwi. I've stayed in baches on the seaside that are reminiscent of the town this is set in.
The characters in this book were awfully unlikeable though. There wasn't anybody who I felt like I was cheering for, and everybody just had a bit of a shit time. Even Richard, who comes out of this the biggest victim is a really unlikeable character.
I think there should have been more explored with Lola's diabetes, which had more potential to be good B plot. Merriman tends to do diseases and disabilities with poise and I was hoping she would follow through again here.
It is an easy to read book overall, even with the time and perspective jumps. I did almost find the plot between Molly and her mother a waste of time too, apart from briefly understanding why she was so angry about her childhood. I wouldn't recommend it to others though. It is not so horrible I want my time back but there is a lot better out there, even if you want a story about incest.
August 24, 2020
A family, full of secrets reunites for what should be a fun week together, however, emotions run high, secrets come out, & bonds between cousins & siblings threaten to destroy the whole family.
The story follows Molly, mother of Noah who returns to New Zealand to reunite with her mum, her brothers, & their families for the week. The year prior her, her husband, & son packed up & moved to Australia, though Noah has never really settled in there. Tension has built between parents & child for moving & also for how tough Richard, Molly’s husband appears to be on Noah all the time & eventually everything has to come out.
We quickly learn in the novel when Molly was a child her mum & dad separated, Molly’s mum taking her far away for about 6 years & then returning when her parents decide to have another go at their marriage. This time away affects her relationship with her mum & her siblings, especially her twin brother Joe. After they’re reunited, they quickly become thick as thieves again, their bond bordering on codependency throughout the years as the story takes us from present day, back to important dates in the past that Molly & Joe share.
During the family reunion we also see a reconnection of sorts between the cousins: Noah & his uncle’s children, especially young Lola. Only about two years apart, they get on really well, which leads to loads of trouble.
Of all the books I’ve read with dark subject matter, I think this one bothered me the most. To avoid any spoilers all I’ll say is that how the subject was handled between characters, how it was discussed was so lax like it almost wasn’t that big of a deal which was shocking & yet somehow so believable that it made it so much more uncomfortable to read.
If you’re a fan of family dramas, of taboo/dark subjects I recommend checking this out but read up on it for trigger warnings first.
The story follows Molly, mother of Noah who returns to New Zealand to reunite with her mum, her brothers, & their families for the week. The year prior her, her husband, & son packed up & moved to Australia, though Noah has never really settled in there. Tension has built between parents & child for moving & also for how tough Richard, Molly’s husband appears to be on Noah all the time & eventually everything has to come out.
We quickly learn in the novel when Molly was a child her mum & dad separated, Molly’s mum taking her far away for about 6 years & then returning when her parents decide to have another go at their marriage. This time away affects her relationship with her mum & her siblings, especially her twin brother Joe. After they’re reunited, they quickly become thick as thieves again, their bond bordering on codependency throughout the years as the story takes us from present day, back to important dates in the past that Molly & Joe share.
During the family reunion we also see a reconnection of sorts between the cousins: Noah & his uncle’s children, especially young Lola. Only about two years apart, they get on really well, which leads to loads of trouble.
Of all the books I’ve read with dark subject matter, I think this one bothered me the most. To avoid any spoilers all I’ll say is that how the subject was handled between characters, how it was discussed was so lax like it almost wasn’t that big of a deal which was shocking & yet somehow so believable that it made it so much more uncomfortable to read.
If you’re a fan of family dramas, of taboo/dark subjects I recommend checking this out but read up on it for trigger warnings first.
October 10, 2019
I loved Eileen Merriman's YA books, so was looking forward to her first adult novel but sadly I didn't enjoy it as much as I'd hoped. It's always good to read New Zealand novels, but I couldn't help but think that in this case it was very kiwi and may not be as easy for readers from other countries to identify with - I hope that's not the case because it does deserve to be widely read. The novel is a love story centred around one family and moves back in time to the 1980s and 1990s to gradually explain what is happening in the present. Although aimed at the adult market it does still have a YA vibe, with 2 of the main characters being in their teens. I worked out pretty early on where the story was headed, and found it hard to get to know the characters enough to be emotionally involved in their stories. But having said that, I'm sure lots of readers will totally love this story. It would make a good summertime read, especially if you're sitting in the sun on a beach in the North Island over Christmas.
October 12, 2023
I’ve enjoyed other books by this author, but didn’t like the flashback structure of this one. There was a lot of repetition. None of the characters felt relatable.
The twist was telegraphed, so not a surprise. The ending felt lazy, as if the author was running late for the deadline.
Not recommended.
The twist was telegraphed, so not a surprise. The ending felt lazy, as if the author was running late for the deadline.
Not recommended.
August 8, 2020
Flowing narrative, uncomplicated flashbacks and and an overall beautifully written story that fully transports you into its setting, and lets you make up your own mind about the events. Once you start reading, it is impossible to put it down.
March 14, 2022
Was disappointed in this book after reading her other two more recent novels. This book sows the relationships between twin brother and sister and also cousins. However after saying that I did not expect the ending,
February 21, 2025
Every family has their secrets, yet not every family's secrets could tear the whole family apart. Moonlight Sonata is a beautifully written book about family, forbidden love, and the devastating impact of a secret.
May 22, 2020
I wasn't expecting that twist......
October 5, 2020
Did not finish
January 22, 2022
I find Eileen Merriman's books easy to read, the stories pull me in and keep me turning the pages. The subject matter in this one was not what I was expecting, but it is a good story.
December 17, 2022
Well-written, but the plot... did not work for me, let's just say.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews