Lisa Unger's Latest Novel
You may remember the novel by Patricia Highsmith called “Strangers on a Train” which became a famous Alfred Hitchcock movie in 1951. It was a psychological thriller about two men who meet on a train and whose lives become entangled after one of them proposes they "trade" murders.
Confessions on the 7:45 by Lisa Unger is a bit reminiscent of “Strangers on a Train”. The story begins with two women, strangers to one another, who begin talking when their commuter train is stalled on the tracks. Unlike “Strangers”, there is no proposed murder involved. Instead, the women end up sharing confessions. Martha confesses she is having an affair with her married boss; Selena ends up admitting she suspects her husband is having an affair with their nanny. The women part ways, presumably never to meet again.
The Plot
Days after the strange 'confessions', Selena's nanny disappears and soon Selena's near-perfect life begins to turn upside down. The fractures in her marriage become deeper and the mystery surrounding the missing nanny intensifies.
Be careful to whom you tell your darkest secrets
In the midst of all that is going on in her life, dealing with her husband who admits he had been sleeping with the missing nanny and with the police who are investigating, Selena receives a text message from Martha. Before she can figure out how Martha got her phone number, another text arrives saying:
It's Martha, by the way.
From the Train.
Selena begins to wonder, who was Martha, really? But she is hardly prepared for what she’ll discover…
Summary
The chapters of this book are labeled by names as the plot unfolds. There are chapters called SELENA, and other chapters labeled PEARL and ANNE. Who are these other women and what do they have to do with MARTHA? Deep into the book we have a chapter called HUNTER. Each of these people have a role in what happens in the story.
Confessions on the 7:45 is a riveting thriller by master of suspense author Lisa Unger about a chance encounter that unravels a stunning web of lies.
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Book Review of Confessions on the 7:45 written by (c) Wednesday Elf
There is nothing like a good thriller. This sounds like a good suspense read to keep you reading and on the edge of your seat. Thanks Pat for this review and recommendation.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome, Sam. This one certainly did keep me on the edge of my seat. And gave me a surprising ending.
DeletePat this sounds like a wonderful thriller. I love the way you have written the review....giving us just enough information to get us interested but not too much. Sounds like a book I'd like. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Mary Beth. I had fun with this review because it was that kind of story. Author Lisa Unger keeps you in suspense throughout the book with keeping the suspense up and not revealing too much.... until the end. It's Martha, by the way..... from the train! is repeated in a text to Selena several times throughout the story, and each time it's a 'chilling' reminder that something is about to happen.
DeleteIt will sound odd for me to say I loved "Stranger's on a Train", but I did. I enjoyed the suspense. Alfred Hitchcock had a way of making suspenseful movies, even including murders, that weren't graphic. I love those kinds of movies! I'm sure I would enjoy this book too. There is nothing like a spellbinding suspense.
ReplyDeleteIt was a really interesting suspense story, Mouse, with surprise ending.
DeleteThis thriller has an extremely intriguing premise, and I like the concept of structuring the novel around different characters as we - and, presumably, Martha, learn who they are and what roles they play in both the nanny’s disappearance and Martha’s life. Thanks for the great review and recommendation.
ReplyDeleteVery intriguing, I agree, Margaret. It is an excellent suspense story.
DeleteOh my, this is going on my To Be Read Soon list. This is the type of book that will keep me reading late into the night! I could be sleep deprived for a while I think. Thanks for adding to my growing list, but this one gets a star beside it, so that when I need a good read, I'll get this one for sure. Thanks again!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your 'read', Olivia. Thanks for your visit.
DeleteThis sounds like a book I'll love Pat, definitely going on my must read list for when I have a day (or afternoon) to myself as I won't want to be interrupted!
ReplyDeleteDefinitely a book that would be hard to put down once you begin. A fast-paced suspense novel for sure.
DeleteWOW this sounds like an excellent book. You have me curious about it!! I know my mom would enjoy this book - I'll have to consider this one too. I'm not into murder mystery type books or movies, but this one could be the exception.
ReplyDeleteLisa Unger (author) does a really exceptional job with keeping you glued to the page(s) as this story progresses. Definitely a hard-to-put-down novel.
DeleteThank you for this book review, have to say I am intrigued...I think I would enjoy this book and be quite absorbed in it. I like a story with good developed characters and it all sounds very mysterious...
ReplyDeleteThe plot does keep you guessing until the very end, Jasmine. An excellent suspense story with well-developed characters.
DeleteIntrigued by the Chapter titles! Sounds like an engrossing book, thanks for the review!
ReplyDeleteThanks for your visit, Tracey. It's a really good book.
DeleteThis sounds so fascinating. I must read it.
ReplyDeleteI really think you would enjoy it, Diana. Thanks for your visit.
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