The Other Passenger ⭑⭑⭑⭒
Genre: Thriller
US Publication: July 20, 2021
Print: 400 pages
Audio: 10 hours 47 minutes
Confetti Rating: 3.5 stars
REVIEW:
Reasons I read this book:
It’s written by Louise Candlish, a new-to-me-but-loved-by-others thriller author.
It’s set during Christmas! Christmas is my favorite!
For reasons I can’t entirely explain, I just don’t like reading novels that make significant reference to that holiday any time other than the end of the year. If I see a review or synopsis that even mentions the word “Christmas,” onto the December list it goes. So here we are.
The Other Passenger follows the first person perspective of a 40-something jackhole named Jamie who commutes to his job as a cafe barista via a ferry. He befriends another 20-something jackhole named Kit, whose significant other, Melia, works with Jamie’s significant other, Clare. Kit turns up missing on December 27th, so we flash back to the days (and months) leading up to his disappearance.
Did Jamie kill Kit so he could have Melia? Good question!
Was Jamie in kahoots with Melia to get insurance money? Time will tell!
Does The Other Passenger have even the slightest seasonal vibe? Not at all!
Candlish opens the book with the dedication: “For everyone who has ever been tempted to compare up.” Seems pretty clear then that the intention is to examine the old “grass is always greener” adage by way of this suspenseful tale about these four haves and have-nots. It was definitely fun to be a passenger on this twisty, turny ride, even if there was absolutely nothing holly or jolly about it. I’m now game for reading other thrillers by Candlish, whenever she chooses to set them.
PUBLISHER SYNOPSIS:
It all happens so quickly. One day you’re living the dream, commuting to work by ferry with your charismatic neighbor Kit in the seat beside you. The next, Kit hasn’t turned up for the boat and his wife, Melia, has reported him missing.
When you get off at your stop, the police are waiting. Another passenger saw you and Kit arguing on the boat home the night before and the police say that you had a reason to want him dead. You protest. You and Kit are friends — ask Melia, she’ll vouch for you. And who exactly is this other passenger pointing the finger? What do they know about your lives?
No, whatever danger followed you home last night, you are innocent, totally innocent.
Aren’t you?