When adapting novelist Elin Hilderbrand’s best-selling novel “ The Perfect Couple ” for Netflix , series creator Jenna Lamia could have made it an intense murder mystery, or leaned toward all the delicious bits that make the story an irresistible beach read. Lamia chose the latter. “The Perfect Couple” follows Amelia Sacks (Eve Hewson), a zoologist who is marrying into the wealthy and esteemed Winbury family. Unfortunately, when a body is discovered on the Winbury estate the morning after Amelia and Benji’s (Billy Howle) rehearsal dinner, the happy occasion quickly becomes a murder investigation. As clues are unearthed, long-held secrets about the Winburys come to light in the most absurd ways, making way for a pulpy, overdramatized and entirely entertaining show.

“The Perfect Couple” begins on Nantucket Island during a picturesque Fourth of July weekend. As the cameras begin rolling, we are introduced to guests enjoying the pre-wedding festivities under a massive tent in the Winburys' beachfront backyard. While Amelia's parents and best friend/maid of honor, Merritt (Meghann Fahy), are present, this gathering is primarily a Winbury affair.

Amela's fiancé, Benji, is thoughtful and kind, but his affluent family is a different story. Benji's older brother, Tom (Jack Reynor), is a pompous and boisterous individual, barely kept in check by his cunning wife, Abby (Dakota Fanning). Meanwhile, Will (Sam Nivola), the youngest Winbury, is emotionally troubled and haunted by his past. Windbury patriarch Tag's ( Liev Schreiber ) sole interests seem to be rowing, golfing, and smoking marijuana. And matriarch Greer ( Nicole Kidman ), an acclaimed novelist, controls her husband and sons with calculated cunning, standing at the apex of this house of cards.

The rehearsal dinner appears glamorous and joyful, but things take a dire turn in the early hours of the following day. Nantucket Chief of Police Dan Carter (Michael Beach) receives a call that a body has been found. Chief Carter, a Nantucket resident who knows that Winburys’ power, initially attempts to conclude the investigation as quickly as possible. Yet he must confront the truth when Det. Nikki Henry (Donna Lynne Champlin) is brought in from the mainland to work on the case. As the pair quickly discover, there is much more to the Winburys than their flawless facade.

Kidman, Schreiber and Fanning, in particular, effectively portray profoundly troubled individuals who are concerned only with appearances and maintaining their lifestyles. The show’s pacing and timeline also keep viewers engaged. As wedding guests are called into the police station for questioning, the audience learns about their inner thoughts and preoccupations. However, the series’ tone is almost comical, because the bigger picture becomes glaringly apparent as each puzzle piece clicks together. From the soap-opera-esque dialogue to a cheesy dance sequence involving the entire cast that opens each episode, there is never a point where viewers can take “The Perfect Couple” seriously. But this is why it’s so enjoyable.

Although Amelia adores Benji, it is clear she feels deeply uncomfortable within the Winbury household. Furthermore, while everyone else seems terrified of Greer, Amelia refuses to put on a facade. She pushes back against certain social customs and desperately seeks answers to all the questions that have arisen for her. In Episode 3, “The Perfect Family,” a dinner descends into a reality TV-esque spectacle when the bride-to-be boldly inquires about Greer's use of NDAs and the enigmatic disappearance of a family friend. The uncovered truths are not ones that anyone at the table is prepared to confront. A similar scene in the finale, “That Feels Better,” leads to even more jaw-dropping and incredible revelations.

While advertised as a captivating investigation, “The Perfect Couple” delves into facades and the lengths people will go to maintain them. Despite its nonsensical plot and lack of genuine depth, the series boasts enough magnetic star power and intriguing elements to make it an enjoyable and highly engaging watch.

“The Perfect Couple” premieres on Netflix Sept. 5.