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Tras un encuentro fortuito en un tren, se despierta una atracción irresistible entre dos extraños. Charlie es un publicista volcado en su familia. Lucinda, una mujer casada de belleza espectacular. Dejándose llevar por la obsesión creciente que esta mujer le provoca, Charlie acaba con Lucinda en un hotel neoyorquino. Esa primera cita será la última entre ambos; un hecho terrible cambiará la vida de él para siempre.
Tomando como protagonista a un hombre en una situación limite, y con un estilo que recuerda a los clásicos del cine negro, James Siegel concibe una novela inteligente, rica en descripciones atmosféricas, que, yendo allá del engaño, el chantaje y la venganza, se cierra con una ingeniosa vuelta de tuerca.
Tomando como protagonista a un hombre en una situación limite, y con un estilo que recuerda a los clásicos del cine negro, James Siegel concibe una novela inteligente, rica en descripciones atmosféricas, que, yendo allá del engaño, el chantaje y la venganza, se cierra con una ingeniosa vuelta de tuerca.
410 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2003
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 283 reviews
July 18, 2025
"We were stopped at a traffic light that was generally acknowledged to be the slowest traffic light in Merrick. Whole days would pass and this traffic light would stay red. Kingdoms rose and fell, presidential administrations came and went, and the light obstinately refused to change.”
― James Siegel, Derailed
Derailed is a dark, dark book. It is also a book I really did not like.
I maybe in the minority here. (Have not looked at the reviews yet). but I did not care for this mystery/thriller. The writing was good but the book was just a bit to much for me.
I read alot of dark literature but even by any regular reader's standards this is some pretty sick stuff. I had a tough time with the movie too.
Derailed is completely devoid of any joy. It is a sort of modern Noir story about a hapless “average joe” who gets involved with an extraordinarily beautiful but very mysterious woman. Both of them are married to other people although this does not seem to bother them greatly.
I won’t go into spoiler territory but an unexpected act of violence will change the lives of both these people.
It’s a really sick story and there were aspects of the book that were completely over the top and not believable in the slightest, particularly toward the end. I felt a strong distaste reading this and it’s not a book I could really strongly recommend.
I did complete the book and it flowed smoothly. I was just turned off by it. The plot twists did not help. One of these occurs at the end and was so over the top that… I’m sorry… I rolled my eyes a bit.
Normally this would be the type of book, I’d gravitate too. I love Noir and I love the concept of ordinary people stumbling into crazy situations.
But not this book. I could not enjoy it. Not a good fit for me.
― James Siegel, Derailed
Derailed is a dark, dark book. It is also a book I really did not like.
I maybe in the minority here. (Have not looked at the reviews yet). but I did not care for this mystery/thriller. The writing was good but the book was just a bit to much for me.
I read alot of dark literature but even by any regular reader's standards this is some pretty sick stuff. I had a tough time with the movie too.
Derailed is completely devoid of any joy. It is a sort of modern Noir story about a hapless “average joe” who gets involved with an extraordinarily beautiful but very mysterious woman. Both of them are married to other people although this does not seem to bother them greatly.
I won’t go into spoiler territory but an unexpected act of violence will change the lives of both these people.
It’s a really sick story and there were aspects of the book that were completely over the top and not believable in the slightest, particularly toward the end. I felt a strong distaste reading this and it’s not a book I could really strongly recommend.
I did complete the book and it flowed smoothly. I was just turned off by it. The plot twists did not help. One of these occurs at the end and was so over the top that… I’m sorry… I rolled my eyes a bit.
Normally this would be the type of book, I’d gravitate too. I love Noir and I love the concept of ordinary people stumbling into crazy situations.
But not this book. I could not enjoy it. Not a good fit for me.
December 23, 2025
Thinking of a little affair? Think again!
I put it to you that there isn't a single forty- or fifty-something man on the planet that hasn't found himself in Charles Schine's shoes at some point!
You have a couple of crummy months at work. That last project just didn't work out as you had hoped and your boss reamed you out for your lack lustre performance. Your child is ill. Your pay cheque is a little less than certain. Your sex life at home is suffering from the stress and you ask yourself if your wife truly understands the pressure you're under. And then you have a casual accidental encounter with that sweet young thing who manages to give you the impression that not only are you the smartest and sexiest man that she's ever had the good fortune to meet but she is actually listening to you and she really, really understands the difficulties you're going through. You're thinking to yourself that the grass in that pasture looks incredibly green on the other side of the fence, aren't you?
In a single moment of weakness, Charles Schine allowed himself to indulge that fantasy and then he watched his life spin out of control and dissolve into a frightening blur of crime, brutal violence, blackmail, degradation, horror and loss.
As a male reader, I can tell you that my stomach was tied up in knots the entire time I spent reading this book. Half the reason was the actual writing - the story line is exceptional and moves at high speed from one crisis to another. The other is the extreme banal plausibility of the original set-up. For several chapters, I was Charles Schine and I realized that if I ever indulged that momentary fantasy and succumbed to that weakness - well, you get the idea!
The plot is satisfying and the ending works even if it did come to pass as a result of an outlandish coincidence. You'll know what I mean when you get there and to say anything beyond that would be an outrageous spoiler. The coincidence is just a little bit TOO over the top to let the story stand at 5 stars but this roller coaster is a great ride all the same. Climb aboard and hold your breath!
Paul Weiss
I put it to you that there isn't a single forty- or fifty-something man on the planet that hasn't found himself in Charles Schine's shoes at some point!
You have a couple of crummy months at work. That last project just didn't work out as you had hoped and your boss reamed you out for your lack lustre performance. Your child is ill. Your pay cheque is a little less than certain. Your sex life at home is suffering from the stress and you ask yourself if your wife truly understands the pressure you're under. And then you have a casual accidental encounter with that sweet young thing who manages to give you the impression that not only are you the smartest and sexiest man that she's ever had the good fortune to meet but she is actually listening to you and she really, really understands the difficulties you're going through. You're thinking to yourself that the grass in that pasture looks incredibly green on the other side of the fence, aren't you?
In a single moment of weakness, Charles Schine allowed himself to indulge that fantasy and then he watched his life spin out of control and dissolve into a frightening blur of crime, brutal violence, blackmail, degradation, horror and loss.
As a male reader, I can tell you that my stomach was tied up in knots the entire time I spent reading this book. Half the reason was the actual writing - the story line is exceptional and moves at high speed from one crisis to another. The other is the extreme banal plausibility of the original set-up. For several chapters, I was Charles Schine and I realized that if I ever indulged that momentary fantasy and succumbed to that weakness - well, you get the idea!
The plot is satisfying and the ending works even if it did come to pass as a result of an outlandish coincidence. You'll know what I mean when you get there and to say anything beyond that would be an outrageous spoiler. The coincidence is just a little bit TOO over the top to let the story stand at 5 stars but this roller coaster is a great ride all the same. Climb aboard and hold your breath!
Paul Weiss
June 22, 2019
Romance A Thon: Read a forbidden romance
Alright I'll admit I'm stretching it by calling this a romance but it does have a forbidden relationship in it...and I just wanted to read a thriller.
Leave Me Alone!
God! this book is bad! This book has the perfect title because it definitely went off the rails.
How would I explain the plot of this book?
Imagine a dumpster is traveling on a train, when the dumpster catches fire causing the train to wreck.
I'm kidding but only a little.
Charles is an ad exec who is married to a great women and together they are raising a great daughter who is living with Type 1 Diabetes. His life is stressful but good, then he meets a woman on a train and decides to have an affair with her. From there his life is turned upside down. He's blackmailed, steals money and basically becomes a criminal.
I knew by page 30 I wasn't gonna like this book but I still felt compelled to continue reading it. Despite all the crazy shit happening in this book it was still somehow boring. I know a lot happened but it stills feels like nothing happened. To make matters even worse it was so so so predictable. I saw the "twist" coming from just reading the synopsis. Also I was annoyed that any time a non- white person was introduced in this book they were either a criminal, a prostitute, or illiterate. Also someone is referred to as a "wetback".
I hate this book but I still plan to watch the movie because it stars Jennifer Aniston whose character by the way is Mexican in the book??????
I read this book so you don't have too!
Alright I'll admit I'm stretching it by calling this a romance but it does have a forbidden relationship in it...and I just wanted to read a thriller.
Leave Me Alone!
God! this book is bad! This book has the perfect title because it definitely went off the rails.
How would I explain the plot of this book?
Imagine a dumpster is traveling on a train, when the dumpster catches fire causing the train to wreck.
I'm kidding but only a little.
Charles is an ad exec who is married to a great women and together they are raising a great daughter who is living with Type 1 Diabetes. His life is stressful but good, then he meets a woman on a train and decides to have an affair with her. From there his life is turned upside down. He's blackmailed, steals money and basically becomes a criminal.
I knew by page 30 I wasn't gonna like this book but I still felt compelled to continue reading it. Despite all the crazy shit happening in this book it was still somehow boring. I know a lot happened but it stills feels like nothing happened. To make matters even worse it was so so so predictable. I saw the "twist" coming from just reading the synopsis. Also I was annoyed that any time a non- white person was introduced in this book they were either a criminal, a prostitute, or illiterate. Also someone is referred to as a "wetback".
I hate this book but I still plan to watch the movie because it stars Jennifer Aniston whose character by the way is Mexican in the book??????
I read this book so you don't have too!
October 9, 2021
A few simple morning requests from his daughter mean Charles Schine misses his regular 8:43 train and catches the 9:05 instead. The change leads to a chance encounter that in turn leads to a potentially interesting thriller. I was lapping it up for about the first fifty pages when it suddenly turned into one of those unfunny ‘hilarious comic romps’ that I hate. I guess lots of people love this kind of story. Unfortunately I am not one of them. DNF.
August 31, 2016
Charles, a married man with a good job has his life "derailed" when he meets a beautiful woman on the train, and decides to have an affair with her. This affair ends in the most horrible way possible, and his life is turned upside down when he finds himself in a spiral of lies to protect himself and his family.
The only reason that this did not get 5 stars is because I managed to figure out the plot twist very early on, and I am not usually able to do that.
Even though it was somewhat predictable, it was captivating and I couldn't put it down. Some of the details were truly horrific and really knocked me at times.
This is a great short read, that will keep you hooked right until the end.
The only reason that this did not get 5 stars is because I managed to figure out the plot twist very early on, and I am not usually able to do that.
Even though it was somewhat predictable, it was captivating and I couldn't put it down. Some of the details were truly horrific and really knocked me at times.
This is a great short read, that will keep you hooked right until the end.
January 30, 2015
4.5 stars
I loved this! Just a great thriller. Even though I had already seen the movie this book still kept me in suspense. Definitely skip the movie and read the book instead, it's so much better. I felt all sorts of conflicting emotions for the protagonist, Charles. In the end, despite his many faults, I found myself rooting for him. I won't say more since this is best read unspoiled.
I loved this! Just a great thriller. Even though I had already seen the movie this book still kept me in suspense. Definitely skip the movie and read the book instead, it's so much better. I felt all sorts of conflicting emotions for the protagonist, Charles. In the end, despite his many faults, I found myself rooting for him. I won't say more since this is best read unspoiled.
January 20, 2015
Surprisingly, I disagree with most readers: I liked the film best. Still, a great thriller!
July 17, 2007
Some books are so good that you can't put them down. But some books are soooo good that you can't continue reading them because you don't want to know what's going to happen next. This one falls in the second category! Brilliant first novel!
June 26, 2009
James Siegel, Derailed (Warner, 2003)
I saw the 2005 film version of Derailed a while back, and was unimpressed, to put it kindly. When a friend of mine lent me this novel a couple of months ago, I didn't put two and two together until reading the jacket copy. Of course, I assumed the book would be better, since they almost always are, and dove in anyway.
Charles Schine is an ad executive whose life is going along swimmingly until one fateful week when everything seems to go wrong. He loses the firm's biggest account, for one thing. But what really sends his life spiraling out of control is meeting a beautiful woman one morning when he misses the train. They're attracted to one another, despite both being married, but the stumbling beginnings of an affair are interrupted by a nasty mugging that turns into blackmail. But that's only the beginning...
While the book is most certainly better than the movie, it does break one of the main rules of thriller-writing; there are things that are obvious chance that get woven into the story as if they were planned by the bad guys. There's one painfully obvious place this happens close to the beginning, and it soured a lot of the book for me. Still, Siegel is a very good writer when he's not strangling the conventions of the genre in ways that many have tried and no one has succeeded. He book is well-paced and well-plotted, and the characters are much better drawn here than they are in the film version.
Even if you didn't like the movie, the book is worth checking out. Give it a shot. ***
I saw the 2005 film version of Derailed a while back, and was unimpressed, to put it kindly. When a friend of mine lent me this novel a couple of months ago, I didn't put two and two together until reading the jacket copy. Of course, I assumed the book would be better, since they almost always are, and dove in anyway.
Charles Schine is an ad executive whose life is going along swimmingly until one fateful week when everything seems to go wrong. He loses the firm's biggest account, for one thing. But what really sends his life spiraling out of control is meeting a beautiful woman one morning when he misses the train. They're attracted to one another, despite both being married, but the stumbling beginnings of an affair are interrupted by a nasty mugging that turns into blackmail. But that's only the beginning...
While the book is most certainly better than the movie, it does break one of the main rules of thriller-writing; there are things that are obvious chance that get woven into the story as if they were planned by the bad guys. There's one painfully obvious place this happens close to the beginning, and it soured a lot of the book for me. Still, Siegel is a very good writer when he's not strangling the conventions of the genre in ways that many have tried and no one has succeeded. He book is well-paced and well-plotted, and the characters are much better drawn here than they are in the film version.
Even if you didn't like the movie, the book is worth checking out. Give it a shot. ***
January 19, 2015
This is one of those stories where you watch the protaganist dare a bit, then dare some more, then get just a bit too far in to get out, but you sort of hope he will manage. Then he begins to struggle to get on top of things and...it all goes awry. Kept me reading to the end, which is more than some books do these days.
Couple of days after I wrote this, the movie turned up on TV - enjoyed the story again with Clive Owen and Jennifer Aniston. Gets into the action quicker than the book, but still frighteningly faithful.
Couple of days after I wrote this, the movie turned up on TV - enjoyed the story again with Clive Owen and Jennifer Aniston. Gets into the action quicker than the book, but still frighteningly faithful.
September 16, 2016
No es mi tipo de libro, y de a ratos (sobre todo en el episodio del hotel) me pregunté por qué lo estaba leyendo. Pero me resultó intrigante el tema del cambio de narrador, y rápido de leer. Algunas cosas eran bastante previsibles, otras, totalmente ridículas y oportunas. Una lectura entretenida y bastante atrapante.
March 25, 2008
read it before the movie came out. save your time and just read the book. it keeps you hanging..........
November 14, 2012
In essence, Derailed is the story of an affair gone wrong. A rather average husband and father, Charles meets Lucinda on the train and is sucked into a torid affair. Yet when they finally venture to a hotel room, a man follows them, beats Charles up, robs them, and rapes Lucinda. In the aftermath, Charles is blackmailed, a man is killed, and his family is threatened. Yet was Lucinda who she really claimed to be?
If I had to select one word to describe this novel, it would be contrived. Or implausible. The plot was too far-fetched and I was unable to suspend my disbelief. I was further irritated by the complete lack of characterization of every character besides Charles. Every character is one thing - Lucinda is sex, Deanna is devoted, his daughter Anna is ill. It was disappointing. Charles, himself lacks character development for the most part. But of what I do know about him, I don't believe this tale would happen to him. He's too sensible, too loyal, too average. He would have called the police. He would not create a new identity. Also - that bomb would not have gone off. I sort of felt as though Charles was recounting a dream to the reader, in which he is suffering from severe delusions of grandeur.
I haven't seen the movie based on this novel, nor do I want to after reading this. And I can't figure out why they wanted to make this into a movie. Even the great plot twist is just not that twist-y.
I will say I was impressed by the frame story of this novel, which begins after the main story has concluded. Charles is teaching english to inmates and one begins writing a third person narration of a story of a man on a train. But it's Charles' story. Someone from his past is threatening him by feeding him his own bio. And eventually he takes over and begins to tell his own story in first person. It was a really interesting and unusual introduction and I applaud the originality.
If I had to select one word to describe this novel, it would be contrived. Or implausible. The plot was too far-fetched and I was unable to suspend my disbelief. I was further irritated by the complete lack of characterization of every character besides Charles. Every character is one thing - Lucinda is sex, Deanna is devoted, his daughter Anna is ill. It was disappointing. Charles, himself lacks character development for the most part. But of what I do know about him, I don't believe this tale would happen to him. He's too sensible, too loyal, too average. He would have called the police. He would not create a new identity. Also - that bomb would not have gone off. I sort of felt as though Charles was recounting a dream to the reader, in which he is suffering from severe delusions of grandeur.
I haven't seen the movie based on this novel, nor do I want to after reading this. And I can't figure out why they wanted to make this into a movie. Even the great plot twist is just not that twist-y.
I will say I was impressed by the frame story of this novel, which begins after the main story has concluded. Charles is teaching english to inmates and one begins writing a third person narration of a story of a man on a train. But it's Charles' story. Someone from his past is threatening him by feeding him his own bio. And eventually he takes over and begins to tell his own story in first person. It was a really interesting and unusual introduction and I applaud the originality.
December 12, 2018
4 stars
I saw that this was turned into a movie and so I decided to read it as I am planing to watch the movie (Jennifer Aniston was in it :)).
I listened to the audiobook and it was fantastic! The narrator was so good, I wasn't confused on who was speaking. Also, I love the extra touches such as the special effects.
Some parts dragged though. This is kind of a short book but at times, I just wanted it to be over.
Maybe the main reason why is that the male MC made stupid decisions again and again and again! I know that sometimes, people have problems in their house/family or that they are bored with their life and so they look for a thrill. This happens of course in real life and some people cheat and really become stupid but still I was irritated.
He protects his short-term mistress repeatedly. He doesn't even ask her to help. He didn't even have a suspicion on why she's not helping him clean up the mess they both created. Like really?! I get that something happened to the mistress and he's guilty but still... Stupid. :D
A lot of times, I am at the edge of my seat because I know he'll screw up again or make poor decisions.
But the writing style is good and I like the twist on the professor and the story teller.
The ending has an open ending but I didn't like it. I wanted to know what happened to every one!
I saw that this was turned into a movie and so I decided to read it as I am planing to watch the movie (Jennifer Aniston was in it :)).
I listened to the audiobook and it was fantastic! The narrator was so good, I wasn't confused on who was speaking. Also, I love the extra touches such as the special effects.
Some parts dragged though. This is kind of a short book but at times, I just wanted it to be over.
Maybe the main reason why is that the male MC made stupid decisions again and again and again! I know that sometimes, people have problems in their house/family or that they are bored with their life and so they look for a thrill. This happens of course in real life and some people cheat and really become stupid but still I was irritated.
He protects his short-term mistress repeatedly. He doesn't even ask her to help. He didn't even have a suspicion on why she's not helping him clean up the mess they both created. Like really?! I get that something happened to the mistress and he's guilty but still... Stupid. :D
A lot of times, I am at the edge of my seat because I know he'll screw up again or make poor decisions.
But the writing style is good and I like the twist on the professor and the story teller.
The ending has an open ending but I didn't like it. I wanted to know what happened to every one!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 15, 2021
If you don’t mind “impossibilities” or quirky (for story to work) coincidences or a story which seems to be ending and then starts on a new “rail” and then is ending but goes to yet another “rail” …
This is for you.
Even With all of the derailing, I easily figured my way out. Predictable.
This is for you.
Even With all of the derailing, I easily figured my way out. Predictable.
November 15, 2011
Derailed is a classic, cautionary tale with enough suspense and plot twists, to keep a jaded reader like me turning pages. Charled Schine is is an advertising executive with job troubles, a sick daughter and a preoccupied wife, trapped on the commuter treadmill. When he meets a dropdead gorgeous woman on the train from Long Island to NYC, sparks fly. She's just what his bruised ego needs. They meet for dinner, have an affair, and then the blackmail starts. Derailed is a well-crafted novel. Siegel throws in enough action, suspense and humor to keep you turning pages. His dialog is flawless. I gave Derailed 5 stars and intend to read more of Siegel's thrillers.
April 22, 2013
Lee Child's blurb for this book says it is "literally impossible to put down"; I did not find this to be the case, having no trouble detaching it from my hand. But I did read it in three or four sittings, which for me is pretty absorbed. It snares you very competently with a tale of a married man, a decent fellow under stress, who in a moment of weakness is drawn into an affair with a beautiful stranger. Bad things ensue and he's off down the slippery slope to mayhem and murder. Very well executed, for me it suffers only from an out-of-left-field deus ex machina sort of plot twist which had me rolling my eyes-- but I finished it. Bottom line, a pretty good read.
December 13, 2023
This review is for another one of my favourite books.
I’m sure it might look somewhat familiar if you’re seen the movie. I usually prefer to read the books before watching the adaptations of it, as in the past I’ve been disappointed in movies and it completely put me off from reading the books.
In this case, it wasn’t the case. I watched the movie Derailed a couple of years prior to finding the book. I really enjoyed the movie. Not only did it have an amazing cast but the storyline was pretty good too. Naturally, the book needed to be read.
Read the full review here: https://sincerelyyoursannie.com/2021/...
I’m sure it might look somewhat familiar if you’re seen the movie. I usually prefer to read the books before watching the adaptations of it, as in the past I’ve been disappointed in movies and it completely put me off from reading the books.
In this case, it wasn’t the case. I watched the movie Derailed a couple of years prior to finding the book. I really enjoyed the movie. Not only did it have an amazing cast but the storyline was pretty good too. Naturally, the book needed to be read.
Read the full review here: https://sincerelyyoursannie.com/2021/...
March 31, 2016
It was, just as 2 stars indicate, okay.
I found it very shocking in the beginning. Almost to the point of not wanting to continue. And, believe me, i've read some brutal stuff. But this was kinda just sick.
Then comes the mystery/drama/suspense part... which I actually didn't find all that gripping.
There were twists that were good and some that were ridiculous, but overall it kept my attention and I did read about the last 1/3 in 1 sitting.
There's a second book... I won't be reading it most likely.
I found it very shocking in the beginning. Almost to the point of not wanting to continue. And, believe me, i've read some brutal stuff. But this was kinda just sick.
Then comes the mystery/drama/suspense part... which I actually didn't find all that gripping.
There were twists that were good and some that were ridiculous, but overall it kept my attention and I did read about the last 1/3 in 1 sitting.
There's a second book... I won't be reading it most likely.
September 12, 2014
3.5 stars--Excellent thriller with some good twists.
June 5, 2015
Loved the movie and have to say loved the book more, great story with plenty of twists and turns keeping it interesting.
January 17, 2019
One of the best thrillers I have ever read.
Unique writing and stylish.
Very Skilled Storytelling.
Read this one.
June 19, 2018
I picked up this book at a train station, mostly because of the quote on the front from Lee Child ‘Literally impossible to put down’ as I am a big fan of Child’s books and I am pleased to say that it didn’t disappoint.
Charles has become a bit discontented in his married family life and one day on the train, he meets a married woman who has also hit that point in her marriage. Charles switches the train he gets each day to match hers and their train journeys turn into drinks, lunches and dinners. Charles and Lucinda both want to stay in their marriages but decide to take their relationship to the next level and book a seedy hotel one afternoon.
When they are ready to leave they discover why you shouldn’t book a seedy hotel – a gun man forces them back into their room and robs them. Finding the pictures in their wallets of their spouses and children, he realises that they are having an affair and decides that the money is not enough. The gun man repeatedly rapes Lucinda in front of Charles and he is unable to stop it. At the end, the gunman walks out with their wallets and leaves them both hurt lying on the floor.
Charles and Lucinda consider going to the police but realise they would have to answer awkward questions and their spouses would likely find out about the affair so they agree to put the situation behind them and both move on with their marriages. Unfortunately, the gun man realises they haven’t gone to the police and using the business card in Charles’ wallet calls him and demands $10,000 to stay quiet.
Charles decides to pay the money but next time the amount is $100,000. Charles ropes in an ex con friend from work to help but unfortunately he is killed in the process and Charles ends up disposing of the body. The gun man attacks Lucinda again and Charles can now definitely not go to the police due to the dead body involvement. Charles pays the $100,000 and life goes back to normal for everyone. Charles and Lucinda decide not to have anymore contact.
A few weeks later, Charles sees Lucinda out with another man who is not her husband and after some investigation, realises she was in on the whole thing and it is actually a con that her and the gun man do together.
I won’t spoil the end but there are a lot of twists and turns in this story and it kept me gripped throughout. I did feel sorry for Charles as he got himself into an absolutely ridiculous situation! I did enjoy the end although some horrible person had randomly ripped out some of the paragraphs at the back of the book so I missed the big finish but I could work out what had happened.
A great book.
Charles has become a bit discontented in his married family life and one day on the train, he meets a married woman who has also hit that point in her marriage. Charles switches the train he gets each day to match hers and their train journeys turn into drinks, lunches and dinners. Charles and Lucinda both want to stay in their marriages but decide to take their relationship to the next level and book a seedy hotel one afternoon.
When they are ready to leave they discover why you shouldn’t book a seedy hotel – a gun man forces them back into their room and robs them. Finding the pictures in their wallets of their spouses and children, he realises that they are having an affair and decides that the money is not enough. The gun man repeatedly rapes Lucinda in front of Charles and he is unable to stop it. At the end, the gunman walks out with their wallets and leaves them both hurt lying on the floor.
Charles and Lucinda consider going to the police but realise they would have to answer awkward questions and their spouses would likely find out about the affair so they agree to put the situation behind them and both move on with their marriages. Unfortunately, the gun man realises they haven’t gone to the police and using the business card in Charles’ wallet calls him and demands $10,000 to stay quiet.
Charles decides to pay the money but next time the amount is $100,000. Charles ropes in an ex con friend from work to help but unfortunately he is killed in the process and Charles ends up disposing of the body. The gun man attacks Lucinda again and Charles can now definitely not go to the police due to the dead body involvement. Charles pays the $100,000 and life goes back to normal for everyone. Charles and Lucinda decide not to have anymore contact.
A few weeks later, Charles sees Lucinda out with another man who is not her husband and after some investigation, realises she was in on the whole thing and it is actually a con that her and the gun man do together.
I won’t spoil the end but there are a lot of twists and turns in this story and it kept me gripped throughout. I did feel sorry for Charles as he got himself into an absolutely ridiculous situation! I did enjoy the end although some horrible person had randomly ripped out some of the paragraphs at the back of the book so I missed the big finish but I could work out what had happened.
A great book.
July 1, 2019
Unsettling is the first word that comes to mind with this book.
I'll admit it, I watched the Clive Owen/Jennifer Aniston film before reading it (my book cover is the paperback copy before the movie tie-in version was issued) so I had a rough idea about how the book was going to be. Well, suffice it to say, the book was in fact better. It was a pretty good adaptation, but I loved this book. Very enjoyable and well-written.
I'll admit it, I watched the Clive Owen/Jennifer Aniston film before reading it (my book cover is the paperback copy before the movie tie-in version was issued) so I had a rough idea about how the book was going to be. Well, suffice it to say, the book was in fact better. It was a pretty good adaptation, but I loved this book. Very enjoyable and well-written.
March 20, 2018
Average thriller. Plot a little slow and meandering and characters were somewhat weakly developed. I really didn't like the conclusion. I would like to read another book from this author before passing judgment. At just over 360 pages this one ran too long.
April 13, 2024
Eh. This book was so apparent I figured out the whole story from the synopsis like damn. But I would never choose this book for myself it was a gift that I read in a few hours and it was just so obvious. 😭😭
August 28, 2018
Great read!
November 20, 2020
Subject matter did not interest me especially when the female character had to be subjected to such brutality for fir purposes of a story line. Don’t waste your time.
June 23, 2020
Guilty read arising from the fact it's been the coronavirus lockdown and anything other than genre thriller stuff has been a bit beyond me. This is another example of a book sitting on my shelves for ages - possible years - which now seemed like a good time to take down and peruse.
About three pages in and I realised I'd seen the film of the book sometime ago. Starring Clive Owen and Jennifer Anderson it was a pacey enough piece of work with one great twist to the plot. For some reason Rotten Tomatoes has it down as a stinker....
Never mind. Man beginning to feel the weight of incipient middle age on his shoulders, with a career going nowhere and a family, though much loved, has reasons to be a source of unhappiness, finds himself an object of desire on the part of a woman he bumps into on his commute into downtown NY. Yep, we've all been there.
Blossoms into a most unwise liaison that takes a decisive turn towards nightmare. Deeper and deeper plunges the hapless fellow, with a body (dead) adding to the toll of his shocking predicament. What on earth is to be done?
No spoilers here so it is sufficient to say his path towards redemption takes a few peculiar turns, the last of which strains my capacity to suspend belief. But a full three days of being locked down was preoccupied with this pot boiler. Worst things have happened.
About three pages in and I realised I'd seen the film of the book sometime ago. Starring Clive Owen and Jennifer Anderson it was a pacey enough piece of work with one great twist to the plot. For some reason Rotten Tomatoes has it down as a stinker....
Never mind. Man beginning to feel the weight of incipient middle age on his shoulders, with a career going nowhere and a family, though much loved, has reasons to be a source of unhappiness, finds himself an object of desire on the part of a woman he bumps into on his commute into downtown NY. Yep, we've all been there.
Blossoms into a most unwise liaison that takes a decisive turn towards nightmare. Deeper and deeper plunges the hapless fellow, with a body (dead) adding to the toll of his shocking predicament. What on earth is to be done?
No spoilers here so it is sufficient to say his path towards redemption takes a few peculiar turns, the last of which strains my capacity to suspend belief. But a full three days of being locked down was preoccupied with this pot boiler. Worst things have happened.
February 5, 2020
this was a bit far fetched - but It keep me reading/listening
Advertising director Charles Schine is just another New York commuter, regularly catching the 8.43 to work. But the day he misses his train is the day that changes his life. Catching the 9.05 instead, he can't help but be drawn by the sight of the person opposite. Charles has never cheated on his wife in eighteen years of marriage. But then Charles has never met anyone like Lucinda Harris before. Charming, beautiful and a seductively good listener, Charles finds himself instantly attracted. And though Lucinda is married too, it is immediately apparent that the feeling is mutual. Their journeys into work become lunch dates, which become cocktails and eventually lead to a rented room in a seedy hotel. They both know the risks they are taking, but not in their worst nightmares could they foresee what is to follow. Suddenly their temptation turns horrifically sour, and their illicit liaison becomes caught up in something bigger, more dangerous, more brutally violent. Unable to talk to his partner or the police, Charles finds himself trapped in a world of dark conspiracy and psychological games. Somehow he's got to find a way to fight back, or his entire life will be spectacularly derailed for good.
Advertising director Charles Schine is just another New York commuter, regularly catching the 8.43 to work. But the day he misses his train is the day that changes his life. Catching the 9.05 instead, he can't help but be drawn by the sight of the person opposite. Charles has never cheated on his wife in eighteen years of marriage. But then Charles has never met anyone like Lucinda Harris before. Charming, beautiful and a seductively good listener, Charles finds himself instantly attracted. And though Lucinda is married too, it is immediately apparent that the feeling is mutual. Their journeys into work become lunch dates, which become cocktails and eventually lead to a rented room in a seedy hotel. They both know the risks they are taking, but not in their worst nightmares could they foresee what is to follow. Suddenly their temptation turns horrifically sour, and their illicit liaison becomes caught up in something bigger, more dangerous, more brutally violent. Unable to talk to his partner or the police, Charles finds himself trapped in a world of dark conspiracy and psychological games. Somehow he's got to find a way to fight back, or his entire life will be spectacularly derailed for good.
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