A few weeks ago I noticed a strange amount of oohhhing and aahhhing about this book. And now I’ve read it, I get it! It’s definitely one to ohh and ahh over! *jumps over on to the bandwagon*
The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins Published by Random House UK on January 19th 2015
Genres: Contemporary, Psychological, Suspense, Thriller
Pages: 283
Format: eARC
Source: NetGalley
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Rachel takes the same commuter train every morning. Every day she rattles down the track, flashes past a stretch of cozy suburban homes, and stops at the signal that allows her to daily watch the same couple breakfasting on their deck.
She’s even started to feel like she knows them. “Jess and Jason,” she calls them. Their life—as she sees it—is perfect. Not unlike the life she recently lost. And then she sees something shocking. It’s only a minute until the train moves on, but it’s enough.
Now everything’s changed. Unable to keep it to herself, Rachel offers what she knows to the police, and becomes inextricably entwined in what happens next, as well as in the lives of everyone involved. Has she done more harm than good?
First Line of The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins
“She is buried beneath a silver birch tree, down towards the old train tracks, her grave marked with a cairn.”
My Thoughts on The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins
I gave this 4.5 stars so it’s a no brainer to figure out that I loved this twisty book. I love psychological thrillers and I have VERY high standards for them. So I’m happy to report that The Girl on the Train jumped the bar effortless for me!
What I loved about The Girl on the Train:
It’s mysterious. I was a LONG time figuring out what was going on and just how the three main characters all fitted together.
It’s familiar. I loved the simple concept of a girl on the train making up stories in her head about a house she sees every day. Of course it’s not that simple but that theme just really appealed to me as I’m always ridiculously nosey when I get glimpses into people’s lives too.
It’s intriguing. Once you start, I’m sorry but you will probably be a goner until you’re finished it. The way the book is set up is just really enticing and makes you want to read on just one more chapter to see just what is really going on. And then one more….
The characters are realistic and I was pulled head first into their knotty, complicated lives. It’s not pretty, it’s not heart-warming but it is compulsive reading. I love intense, dark characters and this book has those in abundance.
The ending nailed it as a great read for me. I loved the tone of it and it worked perfectly.
What I didn’t love about The Girl on the Train
I got nothing. I loved it all!
I don’t rate it as high as I rated Gone Girl as I just didn’t admire the prose as much in this one. It’s still fab but the language doesn’t dazzle me with cleverness the way Gone Girl did. And I know I won’t remember it as long.
Overall I thought this one was an absorbing read with fully fleshed out characters and I loved how mysterious and twisty it was.
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Who should read The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins?
I’d highly HIGHLY recommend this to fans of psychological thrillers especially if you like characters whose lives are full of shadows. Fans of Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn, Before I Sleep by S J Watson and The Secret Place by Tana French should also really enjoy this one.
Thanks to Random House UK and NetGalley for giving me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
Cayce
Okay, actually this book is totally new to me, BUT I NEED IT NOW! Thank you, Trish!! Can’t wait to get my hands on it and read it~
Cayce recently posted…Lost in Translation…
trish
YAY! Cayce, I do think that you’ll love this one! I think I know the kind of thrillers you love and this fits neatly in to that! 🙂
Lola
I am not sure if psychological thrillers are something for me, but this book sounds intriguing! The combination of mystery and realistic characters sounds interesting. I like it when characters are realistic. Great review!
Lola recently posted…Lola’s Ramblings: Household chores
trish
If you ever fancy dipping your toes in the psychological thriller genre, this would be a great one to try out 🙂
Katherine @ I Wish I Lived in a Library
I can’t wait to get to this one! It sounds so great and I love the first line. It’s too bad the prose isn’t quite as good as Gone Girl but it sounds like the twists and turns made up for it.
Katherine @ I Wish I Lived in a Library recently posted…The Cunning Cruise Ship Caper – Blog Tour Review
trish
That first line is even more amazing when you’ve read the book as it doesn’t make sense for a lot of the story. And even though I didn’t like the prose as much, it was still FAB!
Laura
Am I crazy? That wasn’t how mine started. It starts with Rachel seeing a pile of clothes on the side of the tracks.
Laura
Never mind, kindle throws you in to first chapter… Had to press back two pages to find opening passages!
trish
That’s funny! I was wondering had it changed from the advanced reader copy that I read. Hope you enjoy it! Let me know what you think 🙂
Danielle
I’m dying to read this one but the hype on twitter has scared me a bit so I’m going to wait a few weeks but this does sound like one I would love!
Danielle recently posted…Island Escape by Viv Daniels | Review
trish
I think you’d LOVE it Dani! No pressure :O
kimbacaffeinate
I listened to this on audio and it rocked for me. The comparison to Gone Girl was spot on but this was far better.
kimbacaffeinate recently posted…Once Loved by Cecy Robson
trish
I would like to reread this one sometime via audio as I’d love to hear the accents.
R_Hunt @ View From My Home
I didn’t read Gone Girl but I did just read this one and loved it too. I couldn’t come up with any faults, or at least not any major ones at all. Thanks for sharing a good review!
R_Hunt @ View From My Home recently posted…The Girl on the Train Review
trish
I know, it was pretty great! There was nothing that felt out of place or that I disliked, it just worked great and sucked me right in.
Christy
Kimba told me to read this, and now your review … I guess I better get to it!
Christy recently posted…Nothing Between Us by Roni Loren
trish
I think everyone that reads this will be telling you to read it!
Cynthia
I am so excited to read this one! Now I am even more excited after reading your review. Great one. 🙂
Cynthia recently posted…Book Beginnings Friday!
trish
I love when a book lives up to the hype and this one does. Hope you get to it soon 🙂
Melanie (YA Midnight Reads)
Eeeep this sounds truly fantastic! I love a good mysterious plot line and twisted and realistic characters? Seems damn amazing to me.
Melanie (YA Midnight Reads) recently posted…Discussing Through Midnight (50): Books with Tough Topics
trish
This plot was just so mysterious and kept me puzzled for a large part of the book. Loved it!
Dee @ Dee's Reads
I saw this one and was wondering about it…the cover made me curious! It sounds really good! 😀 I’m glad you liked it. Although I’m making more room fro thrillers and mysteries this year, realistically I probably won’t ever get to read this, there’s just so many others I need to read! But I’m glad you loved it and excellent review as always Trish
Dee @ Dee’s Reads recently posted…Post-Birthday: Book/Gift Haul + mushy sentiment
trish
Well I have no doubt that this will be made into a movie. It is that good so you will probably be able to watch it sometime 🙂 And aw, thank you!
Ashley Farley
I’m listening to The Girl on the Train on audio now. Can hardly stop listening, it is THAT good. I can’t wait to see what happens. I sense a huge twist heading my way. Coincidentally, I like your book cover so much better than the one in the US. Great review. Thanks for sharing.
Ashley Farley recently posted…Cheryl’s Column—Catching Air
trish
I’d love to listen to it on audio sometime! And I was the same, I couldn’t put the book down! Enjoy 🙂
Leanna
So glad you enjoyed this one! Not one person I know hasn’t liked it so far! 🙂
Leanna recently posted…Book Review: I Was Here by Gayle Forman.
trish
It’s pretty rare for so many positive reviews for a book but when you read it, you realise how deserved it is!
Wattle
I am yet to read a bad review for this, which is making me want to read it even more! Definitely looking forward to getting to it…eventually. Think I might read Gone Girl first (since I already own it lol)
Wattle recently posted…Book Review: Dangerous Girls by Abigail Haas
Sarah @ One Curvy Blogger
This book sounds deliciously twisted. Glad you enjoyed it!
Sarah @ One Curvy Blogger recently posted…Friday Freebies and a Favorite! – Week 3
Shaina
Oh my, this sounds like a ton of fun! I think, based upon your review, I’ll give Gone Girl a try first. 🙂
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Lisa @ Captivated Reader
I’ve heard great things about The Girl on the Train as well! So when Paula Hawkins came to a local bookstore for an author reading and book signing, I couldn’t resist attending the festivities and have her sign a copy of her book for me.
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