I have been completely off the hook when it comes to crime thrillers. There was a time when I read Sidney sheldon back to back but that seems like ages now. So when Gazala recommended me to read a thriller to get over the reading slump I picked up my copy of ‘The Girl on the Train’ which I picked up from a second hand book store. I liked the book, honestly. And maybe I will go back to thrillers after all. But it has also made me realise that my thrillers will need to be picked carefully.
Cover page
I do not like the movie-tie-in editions of books at all. I think I have made it very evident. But this is by far one of the best covers that falls into the category. Imagery is very presented.
Characters
There are multiple characters in the book. There is Racheal who has turned alcoholic and a stalker. There is her ex-husband and his current wife Anna, both happily in love. There is the neigbour who goes missing and her husband. Multiple characters are going to make your head spin but carry on.
Content
The book is strategically divided into perspectives. We initially meet Rachel who is an alcoholic. She is passing by the lane that used to live on before her separation from her husband. She recollects her life on the lane. She has made up a fake world of her own where she imagines the lives of the people living on it. It has become a routine now. She does this twice a day- in the morning while going to work and in the evening while back from it. The days slowly go by when one day she returns home completely drunk but hurt as well. She is soaked in blood and her head hurts. Here begins the story of the girl on the train. We meet other women as well. They are all related in some way or the other. Rachel’s husband’s current wife has enjoyed the luxuries of being the other woman. She knew she had the man wrapped around her fingers. Until she becomes the centre of the thriller. Anna’s neighbour who used to babysit for Anna but now she goes missing and the world around the two woman, both Rachel and Anna explode.
For the most part Rachel is leading the narration but it is the perspective of Anna and Megan that puts the story in perspective.
The intelligent use of timelines is what is unique about the book. The three narrators are telling their stories in different times and they converge to create the storyline and solve the mystery. I found this bit very thrilling. At each narration there is a clue left which all collect towards the end to reveal the mystery.
Language
It is narration based fiction. So the language is very simple. Almost as if you are thinking in your head. The storyline keeps you gripped throughout. The author has written each perspective really well.
Good points
I loved how each character is drafted. The author has gone into the bone of each and crafted it well for the story. The story unfolds in a beautiful manner. You will fine yourself eagerly waiting to find out what happens next. The flow is great!
Bad points
The narration based on dates can be too messy. It takes a while to keep a record of events and how they unfold. You may have already guessed the ending but the fun lies in how each event unfolds.
Overall
I enjoyed the book. It has been really long since I have read any thriller. This was a reminder of good old days.
Whom do I recommend this to
This is for al those who love thrillers. Or any mystery novel for that matter.
Go ahead, grab yourself a copy of The Girl on the Train and tell us what you think about the book! If you are a Kindle person, ensure to select the Kindle edition of the book.
Looking to buy a Kindle?
The frontlit, high-resolution Kindle Paperwhite seems to be the officially preferred Kindle at Meraki Post; Veena, Gazala and Ram have one each. And while Pooja may claim she is more of the “Love the new book smell” kind of person, she may be secretly deciding between the premium Kindle Oasis and the simple and efficient Good Ol’ Kindle.
Kindle Kindle Paperwhite Kindle Oasis
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