Gene Fackler’s Texas-set literary novel earns critical praise and joins global showcase at the Frankfurt International Book Fair this October.

Gene Fackler’s The Green Apple Tree is gaining international attention as it takes the spotlight at the Frankfurt International Book Fair in Germany, this October 15–19. Fackler’s haunting coming-of-age novel captivates readers with its depiction of youth, memory, and an unsolved disappearance in small-town Texas by fusing mystery, nostalgia, and finely nuanced prose.

Set during the scorching summer of 1963 in the rugged Texas Hill Country, The Green Apple Tree follows three teenage boys—Thomas, Pete, and Bennett—whose carefree exploits dissolve into a sobering mystery. Guns, makeshift grenades, and wild storytelling define their youth, until the sudden vanishing of Bennett fractures their bond and leaves unanswered questions lingering for decades.

Fast forward to 1986: Thomas Kessler, now an adult, sits in a quiet bar awaiting his old friend Pete, now a lawyer obsessed with the murder case tied to Bennett’s disappearance. As Thomas waits, he reflects on that pivotal summer—his memories painting a vivid picture of loss, loyalty, and buried truths.

Critically acclaimed by several literary outlets, The Green Apple Tree is praised for its masterful handling of nonlinear storytelling and evocative atmosphere. The US Review of Books calls it “a well-told novel about three teenage boys growing up in Texas with a powerful secret,” highlighting its realistic conversation and vivid flashbacks. Meanwhile, Pacific Book Review highlights Fackler’s “illustrative writing style, which is heavy with detail and similes,” and describes the work as “not a YA novel but rather an adult reminiscence.”

The book’s multi-layered structure, paired with richly drawn characters and a keen sense of place, sets it apart in the literary fiction and mystery genres. Reviewers consistently praise Fackler’s restraint and intelligence as a storyteller, trusting readers to fill in the blanks without spoon-fed exposition.

With the launch of the official website thegreenappletree.com, readers can now explore deeper insights into the novel’s setting, themes, and author’s information.

Author Gene Fackler will be represented at the Frankfurt International Book Fair, one of the largest and most influential events in the global publishing industry. The fair draws publishers, agents, and readers from over 100 countries, making it a significant opportunity for Fackler’s novel to connect with a wider international audience.

The Green Apple Tree is a timeless story of friendship, secrets, and the way memory can preserve—and distort—the past. Its moving synthesis of mystery, literary fiction, and Southern Gothic keeps readers of all ages and backgrounds interested.

For more information, visit:
https://thegreenappletree.com

The Green Apple Tree is available now in hardback,paperback , and eBook formats through major online retailers.

Buy: https://rb.gy/927e93 

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Coming-of-Age Mystery The Green Apple Tree Heads to Frankfurt International Book Fair 2025

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