TITLE/AUTHOR: Strangers on a Train; Patricia Highsmith
PUBLISHER: Blackstone Audio and WW Norton
YEAR PUBLISHED: 2021 (print ed. - originally 1950) (audio-2015)
GENRE: Fiction / Mystery / Psychological Thriller
FORMAT: Audio/Print Combo Read /LENGTH: 301 pages (audio-9 hrs. 41 min.)
SOURCE: Amazon Vine and Library Download
SETTING(s): NY, CT, DC
ONE SENTENCE SUMMARY: A conversation between two men on a train (one a drunken psychopath) leads to murder.
BRIEF REVIEW: In this story two men who have never met before are riding the same train. One man, Guy Haines is a decent man with a cheating wife named Miriam. Guy is in the process of a divorce yet has a promising career and is involved with a nice woman named Ann. The other guy is Charles Anthony Bruno is a lazy drunk from a rich family who can't wait for his father to die so he can inherit some money. Bruno has a few too many drinks on the train and strikes up a conversation with Guy. While Guy is just trying to mind his own business, he does tell Bruno a little too much info about his soon to be ex-wife. The two part ways but before too long Miriam is dead - strangled and now Bruno is looking for Guy to help him out by getting rid of his father. Unfortunately, Bruno is a psychopath that will stop at nothing to see that the rest of his plan is executed.
This was tense and sometimes disturbing story that pulled me in immediately. I love deeply flawed characters and that combined with intense drama was a great combination. It's one of this stories that shows readers what can happen when people become crippled by their own fears and guilt.
Although I saw the (1951) movie adaptation some years ago, I had never read the book until now. I was so impressed that this book was Patricia Highsmith's debut novel (1950). This was a combo print and audio read. The audio is read by Bronson Pinchot who did a fabulous job. Of course, now I want to see the movie again soon.
RATING: 4/5 stars
An interesting review. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteI liked the story.
DeleteWill add to my audio list. Pinchot does a great job narrating books!
ReplyDeleteMe too Mary, in fact I just google to see what other audios he gas read.
DeleteI've seen the movie but didn't know it was based on a book.
ReplyDeleteI definitely plan to read more of Patricia Highsmith's older books now.
DeleteI love Strangers on the Train! Both the book and the movie. :D
ReplyDeleteYes, both well done.
DeleteYou captured the book very well in your review. I have read quite a few of her books and she does that thing so well.
ReplyDeleteI hope to read The Price of Salt and a few others soon.
DeleteI'm reading Highsmith's The Talented Mr. Ripley now. Have a feeling I'll be reading some of her other books, too.
ReplyDeleteI just looked up Highsmith's books and see there are a few in that series - surprise. I loved the movie!
DeleteI haven't read this one in a while, but I remember liking it a lot more than I liked the movie. I agree with you that the fact that it was a debut novel is probably the most amazing thing about it.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely want to read more of her books Sam.
DeleteWe, the elder humans, remember that movie too.
ReplyDeleteYes, it was hard to forget - parts anyways.
DeleteI have never read Highsmith but she's been on my TBR list for a while. I'll get to her one of these days. I do remember seeing that movie and it was well done, I thought.
ReplyDeleteI am surprised Dorothy, I would have bet you read more than a few.
DeleteWhat a nightmare situation. You spill your guts to a stranger and they "take care of" your problem for you? Scary! The book sounds good.
ReplyDeleteI've never read this iconic novel, maybe now is the time. I'd love to see the old film, too!
ReplyDeleteI saw the Matt Damon version of the movie and loved it. I keep saying I'm going to read Patricia Highsmith but just haven't gotten around to it yet.
ReplyDeleteI've been recently hearing a lot more about Patricia Highsmith and would love to sample her books. I believe this is also the same book that keeps popping on my radar but I can't recall why. Glad to hear you enjoyed it. I also need to read a book this month that's set on a train, and I was thinking of reading Murder on the Orient Express (I know, too obvious a choice) but maybe I'll look at this Highsmith book instead.
ReplyDeleteWow. This story is pretty wild. I love how old it is! It's giving me a Hitchcock vibe.
ReplyDeleteThe audio is good Vicki.
ReplyDelete