ISBN-13: 9781785651731
Publisher: Titan Books
Publication Date: March 2016
Format: Paperback, 320 pgs
Source: Purchased
This story is basically about multiple identities, secrets, deceits and of course murders often go alongside with them when thrillers are concerned. Thrown in with one or two unreliable characters and The Passenger would have you turning the pages quickly if you are a fan of those mentioned above.
It all started when Tanya Dubois's husband, Frank, is dead. She'd found him at the bottom of the stairs and assumed he had fell down on his own after he'd suffered a few cases of vertigo lately. She'd tried resuscitating him but knew he's a goner. She claims she has no alibi and that we readers have to take her word for it. She has an affair with her chiropractor during her marriage to Frank and although her relationship with Frank is simply so-so, at least she finds some life and some financial security (even if it isn't much) being with him.
What happens next is a series of events where we see Tanya on the run; changing her names and shedding her identities as she travels from places to places. At this stage, the reader would assume that Tanya is guilty but yet there isn't evidence to convict her as being guilty. In fact, at some point the reader would start to wonder if she's fallen prey to a cleverer deceiver, who has taken her in when Tanya is in trouble. To make things complicated (and not to mention intense), she also gets acquainted with a man whom she later finds out is a cop. What is her chances of being a free woman again? Is she truly a murderer or not?
Well, I've to say The Passenger took me by surprise throughout my reading journey. The first three quarters of the book intrigued me due to Tanya's methods and reasons for changing her identities and her facial appearances as she runs from one state to another. Sometimes her reasons were deemed to be paranoia but other times they were horrifying that I began to wonder about Tanya; which is the whole point of this story. At times I pitied her and then I would find myself changing my mind after reading a few more chapters. It was quite an emotional ride in a way but yet also a dilemmatic one, too; in which you ended up asking more questions than having answers. I was sure I felt lukewarm about the plot until I got to the end, which had left me quite surprised and above all, had me wondering about a few things. Overall it was a compelling read but to readers who are going for a more action-packed thriller this might seem a bit disappointing.
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I just finished this one earlier in the week and liked it a lot. Different!
Sounds a bit complicated...but in a good way. As long as the ending didn't leave a bad taste in your mouth.
Sounds...complicated! I've heard good and lukewarm reviews about this one, but it still has something about it that might pull me in. Thanks for your thoughts.
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http://viewfrommyhomejournal.blogspot.com
For some reason I thought this was going to be more of an action packed thriller but from what I've been reading lately it seems like it's not. Not that I mind but good to know what to expect!
Diane - I'm glad you enjoyed it, Diane. It was a good read but I supposed I was expecting it to be a little different.
Lark - Tanya is a complicated character but I enjoyed reading about her. The ending was a good one and I was glad it didn't leave me disappointed.
Rita - It was a great read but I was expecting something else. That said, I'll be looking forward to this author's next release.
Iliana - Yes, that's what I thought too. Anyways it was still a good read, just something different.
I have been intrigued about this one for a long time, I think I am going to read it to find out for myself. I do like unreliable narrators and it sounds like an emotional roller coaster which I am fine with if not a ton of action.
I have seen this one all over the place. It sounds good.
I had hoped to read this one by now, but it hasn't been meant to be. Yet. You've whet my appetite for it again, Melody, with your review. I like stories with unreliable narrators from time to time. I am looking forward to reading this one.
Marce - I can't wait to hear what you'll think of it, Marce. I hope you'll enjoy it more than I did.
Naida - It was good and I definitely will check out her next release.
Wendy - I love reading stories with unreliable narrators, too! Can't wait to hear what you'll think of it!