In today’s post, I am introducing you to Apples Never Fall by Liane Moriarty. This novel is a mix of family drama and mystery, centered around the Delaney family and the mysterious disappearance of Joy Delaney, the mother. I will provide a brief summary of the plot and then talk about the key characters who play vital roles in unraveling the family’s complex dynamics.
Apples Never Fall Summary
Apples Never Fall by Liane Moriarty revolves around the Delaney family, specifically the disappearance of Joy Delaney, a retired tennis coach and mother of four adult children. The novel alternates between events leading up to her disappearance and the present day as her family deals with the mystery of her whereabouts.
Joy and her husband Stan, who ran a prestigious tennis academy for decades, are adjusting to retirement. Their four children—Troy, Brooke, Logan, and Amy—were all once promising tennis players, but none pursued professional careers, each finding their own paths in life.
The plot thickens when a mysterious woman named Savannah arrives at the Delaney house one night, bloodied and bruised, claiming to have been assaulted by her boyfriend. Despite concerns, Joy takes her in, offering her a place to stay. Savannah’s presence soon stirs up old tensions in the family, as unresolved issues about their upbringing under their father’s strict coaching surface. Savannah takes over household duties and becomes a fixture in their lives.
As the family grapples with their past, Savannah’s true identity is revealed. She is the sister of Harry Haddad, a former tennis protégé of Stan’s who abruptly left his coaching to pursue a successful career. Savannah’s arrival is tied to this past connection, and her presence further destabilizes Joy and Stan’s marriage, leading to bitter fights.
On Valentine’s Day, after a major argument with Stan, Joy disappears. Stan becomes the prime suspect in her potential murder, as the police and children struggle to make sense of the situation. Amid the investigation, a neighbor’s security footage shows Stan moving a roll of carpet into his car, raising suspicion. However, before any definitive action can be taken, Joy reappears, explaining that she had gone off the grid on a retreat with Savannah, needing a break to reflect on her life.
The novel concludes with the Delaney family attempting to move forward, addressing their emotional wounds, while Savannah, whose dark past is revealed, returns to her hometown. She leaves the disturbing revelation that she had left her abusive mother locked in a room to starve to death, adding a chilling element to the story’s resolution.
Apples Never Fall Characters
Here are the main characters from Apples Never Fall by Liane Moriarty:
- Joy Delaney: The matriarch of the Delaney family and a retired tennis coach who mysteriously disappears. Her disappearance prompts the family to confront unresolved emotional and family issues.
- Stan Delaney: Joy’s husband, a former world-renowned tennis coach. He is a strict and demanding father, and becomes the prime suspect in Joy’s disappearance. His unresolved past with his former protégé, Harry Haddad, plays a significant role in the story.
- Troy Delaney: The oldest son, a flashy but volatile former tennis player who now works as a successful stock investor. He faces personal struggles, including a broken marriage and decisions about frozen embryos with his ex-wife.
- Brooke Delaney: The youngest Delaney sibling, a former tennis player who now works as a physiotherapist. She suffers from stress-induced migraines and is grappling with her struggling business and separation from her husband.
- Logan Delaney: The middle son, a laid-back former tennis player who now teaches business communications at a community college. He’s dealing with the breakup of a long-term relationship due to his indecisiveness.
- Amy Delaney: The eldest child, a quirky and mentally unstable woman who works part-time as a taste tester. Her struggles include holding down steady jobs and maintaining relationships, all of which stem from her upbringing and mental health issues.
- Savannah Pagonis: A mysterious young woman who shows up at the Delaney house, claiming she was abused by her boyfriend. She is later revealed to be the sister of Harry Haddad, and her arrival stirs up family tensions.
- Harry Haddad: Stan’s former tennis protégé who became a successful tennis star after leaving Stan’s coaching. His past relationship with the Delaneys, especially Stan, plays a key role in the family’s unraveling.
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Final thoughts
I hope you found this summary and character breakdown of Apples Never Fall helpful. If you have not read it yet, this gripping novel offers a deep dive into family relationships and unresolved emotional wounds. It’s a compelling read for fans of family dramas with a touch of mystery.