Apples Never Fall: Now a major TV series starring Annette Bening and Sam Neil, from the creator of Big Little Lies

As always - good engaging story

I was ready to give this five stars until I got towards the end. I was enjoying it so much and then the author had to bring the pandemic into it, which completely ruined it for me, and this has been the same for several other books I’ve read recently. I do not need or want to have to relive the nightmare that was the pandemic and lockdowns, I want to read a book and be entertained and to lose myself in the story and the characters. The actual ending would have been good if the pandemic and lockdowns had never been mentioned; it’s really made me very annoyed.

Liane has done it again, a book you cannot put down. Her insight into relationships alongside tension as to the outcome keeps you enthralled with her humerous wit thrown in. I wont give away the ending obviously but note to the author please give me another chapter!!

The story centres around the Delany family, a well know family of tennis players, with Stan and Joy being the head coaches in a tennis school. Then there’s the disappearance of Joy Delaney suddenly and how her four children come to terms with her disappearance and begin to ask questions about their father and mother’s relationship. It is also about a girl called Savannah who Joy and Stan Delaney took on as a lodger (when she randomly turned up at their doorstep one night without them even knowing who she was) a year before Joys disappearance and who has also become a prime suspect in Joys disappearance. The book has a multitude of characters who are around Joy and Stan Delaney and their 4 children. Various chapters tell the story from the neighbours and friends perspectives which is incredibly long winded. The characters are not particularly likeable,especially the four children and I found it really unbelievable that their mother Joy was missing and there was not an ounce of emotion, they just seemed completely self-centred and immersed in themselves and their lives. I just could not feel any empathy for any part of the story. However the book is a good holiday read, for the simple fact that it is entertaining and it’s an easy story to follow, I just found there were so many holes in the plot. Towards the end when the big revelation of why Savannah had integrated into the Delaneys family life and where Joy had disappeared to for 21 days (with her husband Stan about to be arrested for her murder), the story fell apart for me entirely. Bearing in mind the authors books have become best sellers, I expected so much more from this author.

I was looking forward to reading this and then planned to watch the series. I am now almost half way through and I am getting so bored with it! I just keep thinking ...get on with it! I will persevere to the end, and hopefully it will get a bit more exciting. I watched the first 2 episodes of the series and the characters (of the 2 daughters) are nothing like the book ..also the visit to Savanna's place to pick up her things was completed changed! Update: Now having finished the book, it definitely improved ..I actually enjoyed it towards the end... so I have amended my rating from 2☆ to 4☆

Ever since I stumbled upon Big Little Lies, I have been a big fan of Liane Moriarty’s superb writing. Apples Never Fall was another excellent book that shows her style and penchant for bittersweet domestic humour. The story evolves an older couple and their grown-up children. The retirement of the couple and recent changes in their circumstances expose tensions and loyalties within the family that have been building for decades. First, the story reads like a thriller despite the quite domestic setting and is gripping throughout. Second, the characters are so real that it feels like you know them. This cleverly reinforced by the author who tells many parts of the story through the eyes of bystanders who overhear parts of the conversation between the main characters. Third, the book transcends the constraints of pure entertainment by hinting at broader insights about relationships within families and the challenges of ageing. In sum, I loved the book and would highly recommend it to anyone.

I am a fan of Liane Moriarty and have enjoyed all of her other books. This one did not disappoint. Good plot, well written and keeps you guessing right to the end. I did find the main character in it slightly irritating as, I felt, she wouldn't listen to anyone else and seemed to make everything about her. That being said, being a mother myself, I could relate to the way she was thinking. All in all a very good read.

A glossy, domestic thriller that hides plenty of dirt and dark family secrets under it's shiny Australian sun soaked exterior. Moriarty is as skilled as ever at creating an ensemble of believable, beautiful and flawed characters. Also she is adept at revealing titbits little and often and piecing her plot together like a puzzle. The plot is both comforting and disquieting in its depiction of suburban hum drum married family life. Would liked to have given 4.5 out of 5 as it was very good but can't here. Another Moriarty gem!

Truly the most interesting read I've had in a long time. A unique style that plays off of perspective taking. There are no side characters. Everyone that is introduced plays an important role, even the dog. The author has also managed to weave in modern and events historical events in a natural manner. And where most authors drag out the ending, this author uses it to expand the plot and character development well beyond the conclusion. Its also a surprising page turner. Something that is rare with wholesome writing. Beautifully woven, cleverly written. My first read of this author. Not a single complaint. I highly recommend this book for a refreshing, surprising, intricate "whodunit." Finally an author that's recreating the formula!!

Identifique a algunos personajes de mi propia historia

I loved this book. So much in fact, that when I finished reading it, I said to my husband, "I have to read this again, immediately!" I have never done that before. The author has deftly planted little clues from the very first page, to show how this fascinating story unwinds. All the protagonists are well defined and their characters develop seamlessly - on the re-reading, there were many 'Aha" moments which showed how well Liane Moriarty has woven her story. Highly recommended!

Adoro o estilo da escrita da autora, ela vai desenrolando devagar o assunto e vai deixando o leitor preso até a última linha. Muito bom livro. Recomendo

This was my first Lianne Moriarty read and it's not even her the most successful one so definitely planning to read more of her