5 Shocking Twists: The Last Anniversary Ending Explained And The Munro Baby Mystery Solved

The Last Anniversary, Liane Moriarty's compelling novel of family secrets, mystery, and self-discovery, has captivated readers for years, leaving many curious about the final, intricate resolution of its central enigma. As of this December 2025, the book's ending remains a masterclass in weaving together multiple character arcs, culminating in the long-awaited revelation of the Munro Baby Mystery on the secluded Scribbly Gum Island.

The story centers on Sophie Honeywell, who unexpectedly inherits a house on the famous island, drawing her into the orbit of the enigmatic Daring family and the decades-old cold case: the disappearance of Alice Munro, mother of baby Grace, found abandoned in 1932. The finale provides not just a single answer, but a series of deeply human, interconnected twists that redefine the legacy of the Daring sisters and the meaning of family.

The Daring Family and the Mystery's Main Players

To fully grasp the ending, it is essential to understand the key figures whose lives intersect with the Munro Baby Mystery, which became a national sensation and a tourist attraction on Scribbly Gum Island.

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• Sophie Honeywell: The protagonist who inherits Connie's house and becomes the catalyst for the final revelations.
• Thomas Daring: Sophie’s ex-boyfriend and a member of the Daring family, whose aunt, Connie, leaves the house to Sophie.
• Connie Daring: One of the two sisters who "found" baby Grace Munro. Her death and will set the main plot in motion.
• Rose Daring: Connie's sister, who shared the secret of the abandoned baby. She is portrayed as a somewhat eccentric figure.
• Alice Munro: The mother of baby Grace, who vanished without a trace after leaving her child.
• Jack Munro: Alice's husband and Grace's father.
• Grace: The baby found in 1932, now an adult with her own family secrets.
• Enigma (Margie Daring): A Daring relative who runs the tours of the preserved Munro cottage, capitalizing on the mystery.

The True Fate of Alice Munro and the Shocking Arrangement

The biggest question throughout the novel—what happened to Alice Munro?—is finally answered, and the truth is far more complex than a simple disappearance or murder. The long-held secret, carefully guarded by Connie and Rose Daring, is revealed to Sophie and the world.

Twist 1: Alice Munro Died by Accident, Not Murder

The island's legend suggests a dramatic, possibly criminal, vanishing. In reality, Alice Munro’s death was a tragic accident. She drowned in a storm on the river. This revelation, though simple in its execution, removes the sinister cloud that had hung over Scribbly Gum Island for decades, turning a notorious cold case into a heartbreaking domestic tragedy.

Twist 2: The Baby's True Parentage and the Unconventional Family

The novel reveals a profound twist regarding the relationships within the Munro family unit. Alice Munro and Rose Daring were actually in a romantic relationship. Furthermore, the baby, Grace, was Rose's daughter, conceived with Jack Munro, Alice's husband, in a unique and unconventional arrangement. Jack was fully aware and supportive of the relationship between his wife, Alice, and Rose. This revelation completely reframes the narrative, transforming the "abandoned baby" into a child of a loving, albeit non-traditional, family structure that was shattered by Alice's untimely death.

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Connie and her husband ultimately raised Grace, maintaining the public story of the "found baby" to protect Rose and the memory of Alice, ensuring Grace grew up shielded from the scandal and the complex truth. This act of sisterly devotion and sacrifice is the core of the Daring family's legacy.

The Resolution of Grace and Sophie's Personal Journeys

While the Munro mystery is the plot's engine, the novel's heart lies in the personal struggles of its contemporary characters, particularly Grace and Sophie, whose endings offer a sense of hope and closure.

Twist 3: Grace's Secret and Her Planned "Escape"

The adult Grace, a seemingly perfect mother, is revealed to be struggling with severe, debilitating post-natal depression. Her "shocking escape" that she feverishly plans is not a repeat of her mother's mysterious vanishing, but a desperate plan to leave her perfect life because she feels numb and unable to bond with her baby. The ending assures the reader that Grace is okay, receiving the help and support she needs, offering a warm and hopeful resolution to her personal crisis, a poignant contrast to her mother's tragic fate.

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Twist 4: Sophie's Decision and the Future of Scribbly Gum Island

Sophie's journey is one of self-discovery and finding a true sense of belonging. Throughout the book, she grapples with her on-again, off-again relationship with Thomas Daring. In a surprising move, when Thomas finally proposes, Sophie declines, feeling that she doesn't love him enough to marry him. This decision is a major turning point, signifying Sophie's newfound independence and clarity.

However, the novel concludes with a sense of future possibility. Thomas, though heartbroken, eventually moves on. The final chapters, titled 'First Anniversary,' 'Second Anniversary,' and 'Third Anniversary,' fast-forward to show Sophie settling into her life on Scribbly Gum Island, embracing the Daring family and the island community. While the romantic relationship with Thomas is initially over, the open-ended nature of the final pages suggests a possibility for a future connection or a new, fulfilling life on the island, leaving the reader with a satisfying sense of continuity and healing.

The Last Anniversary's Final Message and Topical Authority

Liane Moriarty's ending for *The Last Anniversary* is a powerful exploration of the nature of family, sisterhood, and the secrets people keep to protect those they love. The resolution of the Munro Baby Mystery is less about a scandalous crime and more about an act of profound, if misguided, love and sacrifice by Connie and Rose. The ending emphasizes that family is defined not just by blood, but by choice, support, and the deep bonds forged through shared life. This theme is consistent with Moriarty's other works, such as *Big Little Lies* and *Nine Perfect Strangers*, which often delve into the hidden lives and complex relationships of seemingly ordinary people.

Twist 5: The Lasting Legacy of the Mystery

Even with the truth revealed, the legacy of the "Munro Baby Mystery" continues. The Daring family, specifically Enigma, continues to run tours of the cottage, now with the full, true story as part of the narrative. This highlights a subtle commentary on how tragedy and mystery, once public, become a permanent part of a community's identity and even a source of livelihood. The island retains its unique charm and history, but the cloud of a decades-old mystery is finally lifted, allowing the characters, especially Sophie, to build a future free from the weight of the past.

The ending, therefore, is not a neat, Hollywood-style wrap-up, but a realistic portrayal of life continuing after a major revelation. It’s a heartfelt conclusion that prioritizes emotional resolution and the enduring strength of sisterly and community bonds over a sensational criminal plot, making it one of Moriarty's most emotionally resonant finales.