Wanna read about a family who makes your group chat look boring? Then you might wanna stick with my review of this twisty tale. I spent a whole weekend with Apples Never Fall, flipping pages so fast I almost gave myself a paper cut. Get ready for secrets, lies, and a family that could win at hide and seek when it comes to their problems. I’ll give you the good, the not-so-good, and tell you if this book is worth picking up.
‘Apples Never Fall’ Review
In a nutshell
‘Apples Never Fall’ is a twisty family drama by Liane Moriarty, who knows her way around a juicy secret. This is a modern mystery novel where the Delaney family faces a missing person, lots of questions, and even more baggage than a lost-luggage office.
The story blends suspense, humor, and messy relationships that might remind you of your own family (if your family argues about tennis as much as these folks). Major themes in the book are trust, regret, and the things people keep hidden – sometimes even from themselves.
If you like reading about secrets, families that bicker in a very Australian way, and a little suspense, you’ll probably get a kick out of this one. But don’t worry, this isn’t just a murder mystery – it’s also about love, mistakes, and second chances.
Family Secrets in ‘Apples Never Fall’: When Apples Hide Worms
Let’s talk about family dynamics and secrets, which is basically a fancy way of saying, “Nobody talks about the elephant in the room, even when the elephant keeps stepping on everyone’s toes.” In Apples Never Fall, Liane Moriarty takes a normal family and stuffs them with so many secrets, you could fill a fruit basket and still have leftovers for a smoothie.
Reading this book made me think about every awkward dinner I ever had with my own family. You know, the kind where everyone smiles, but you all know Aunt Marge is hiding something, and Grandpa is still mad about the missing TV remote from 1992. The Delaneys, the main family in the story, are just like that, but instead of TV remotes, they hide things like old grudges, petty fights, and, oh yeah, a missing person. No big deal.
Moriarty peels back the shiny skin of the Delaney family to show the bruises underneath. Each family member holds their own secrets close, like smuggling apples out of a grocery store in your coat. I liked how real and messy the characters felt—no one is perfect, and everyone makes questionable choices. Sometimes, I wanted to reach through the pages and yell, “Just tell the truth already!” But let’s be honest, if people in books did that, there would be nothing to read.
On the downside, there were times I wished for a bit more focus—a few too many secrets can jumble things up. Still, it kept me guessing about who was lying about what, and why.
Speaking of guesswork, the next section is about plot twists and pacing—so get ready for some literal page-turning action, and maybe a surprise or two!
Plot Twists and Pacing that Keep You Guessing in “Apples Never Fall”
Let’s talk about plot twists and pacing, two things that can make or break a book for me. “Apples Never Fall” is like one of those rollercoasters that looks slow from far away, but then you get on and whoosh! You’re gripping the safety bar, probably wishing you hadn’t eaten a chili dog before the ride. The story starts out calm enough—old tennis pros, their grown-up kids, some classic family squabbles. Then, out of nowhere, someone goes missing. It’s like the author, Liane Moriarty, said, “You thought that was all? Hold my apple.”
The book feeds you clues like breadcrumbs, but sometimes the trail leads straight into a brick wall. More than once, I thought I had the whole mystery sorted, only to be smacked with a twist that made me question my detective skills. (Spoiler: I have none. My friends still laugh about the time I thought Colonel Mustard did it because his name sounded funny.) The pacing keeps things interesting. It speeds up when you need it, then slows down to let you stew in your own suspense. But, I’ll admit, some middle chapters could’ve used a little more pep. I got distracted once or twice and had to reread a bit, but maybe that’s just my brain thinking about lunch.
The twists come at you steadily, but never feel forced or too bonkers. If you hate slow burns or overly wild turns, this book strikes a good balance. Still, you might want to keep your hat on—there are some surprises you won’t see coming.
Next up, let’s talk about the people who make all these twists matter: the characters. Get ready, because this family is juicier than a bushel of Granny Smiths!
Character Development and Likability in Apples Never Fall
Let’s talk about the Delaney family in Apples Never Fall. I’ve met my fair share of oddballs at Thanksgiving, but these folks would really spice up the gravy boat. Liane Moriarty knows how to create characters that you love, even when you want to throw a tennis ball at them. (Yes, tennis. There’s lots of it. Don’t ask me why, but I now know more about doubles matches than I ever wanted!)
Each Delaney has layers. Joy, the mom, is all soft cakes and smiles, but she’s got a bucket of secrets hid under her flour tin. Stan, the dad, is like your granddad who never learned to text, grumpy outside but surprisingly squishy inside. The kids? Oh boy. I kept mixing up Logan and Troy, and had to check who was who — but that’s on me and my tragic memory, not on the writing! Still, I wish each of their quirks stood out a bit more to help me keep score.
What I really love is that nobody’s 100% good or bad. There’s pettiness, jealousy, and one sibling who is so annoyingly Type A that I kept picturing them colour-coding their socks. Sometimes I wanted to shake them all, but then I’d find myself rooting for them a chapter later. That’s hard to pull off and makes the story so much juicier.
Ready your trust issues and poker faces, because next we’re heading straight for the tangled web of betrayal and secrets…
Themes of Trust and Betrayal in Apples Never Fall
Let me tell you, if there was a prize for Most Distrustful Family, the Delaneys in Apples Never Fall would have a strong shot at gold. This book really serves up trust, lies, and betrayal like a dodgy fruit salad—sometimes sweet, sometimes suspiciously bruised. You know the feeling when you think you’ve bought the perfect apple, only to find a wormhole inside? That’s the Delaney family for you.
Throughout the story, trust is like a game of hot potato. One minute, a character is certain of their spouse or sibling. The next, they’re side-eyeing each other and keeping secrets bigger than my motivation to get off the couch on Sunday. The arrival of a mysterious stranger only turns up the drama dial. Suddenly everyone is pointing fingers, and paranoia becomes the family’s new group sport. I’m not judging—I once accused my brother of eating my snacks, only to find them in my own backpack. But in Apples Never Fall, these suspicions carry heavier consequences.
What I found interesting is how the story shows that betrayal doesn’t always come from a villain. Sometimes, it’s the little dishonesties and half-truths among loved ones. If you’re someone who checks your partner’s phone when they go to the bathroom (no judgment… okay, maybe a little), this book will speak to your suspicious soul.
Do I recommend it? If you like a story with juicy secrets and trust issues thicker than my mom’s apple pie crust, Apples Never Fall is worth a bite.
Conclusion
Well folks, that wraps up my review of Apples Never Fall. This book packs juicy family drama, secrets galore, and more tennis than Wimbledon. Liane Moriarty brings her classic wit and twisty plot skills here, and while the pace slows now and then, it’s a fun ride with lots to chew on. The Delaneys are a hot mess but feel real, and you’ll find yourself guessing what’s true right to the end. If you love mysteries with heart (and can forgive a few slow bits in the middle), give this one a shot. Just don’t blame me if you start suspecting your own family of hiding bodies in the garage. Thanks for joining me, and see you at the next book club!
