I avoided this book for a long time because of all the reviews. I know the feminist in me should be appalled by how the female characters were written and I am now that it has been pointed out, I am. I did enjoy the story though. It was slow to start but I love rambling books that examine people's lives and I very much relate to imagining the lives of the random people I see along my commute. The mystery kept me guessing along the way too. I just didn't see who it was until just before the MC started figuring it out. Was the book outlandish? Yes Are the characters poorly written? Yes. Did I enjoy it anyway? Yes. This book started out at 3 stars and then I was up to 4 stars but then the big reveal came along and the book got way to soap opera-ee for me and I busted it back down to 3 stars. But it's a solid 3. ( )

An excellent audiobook. My ratings are often based on how they hook me and keep me engaged rather than any literary quality. This one kept me hooked to the end and also used fresh and interesting language at times.

Modern fiction is not my usual fare, nor suspense, but this was a nice break from my usual history and non-fiction.

Recommended for a riveting ride, especially as an audiobook for the rich British accents. ( )

I'm probably the only one left that hadn't read this book. When it was released, it was all the rage. I can see why. It's a mysterious, suspenseful ride (pun might be intended). The story revolves around a love triangle and a murder. Rachel lost her husband to another woman, but she can't seem to move passed it. She stalks her ex-husband and his new wife by calling, riding the train by their house, and watching them from outside their (her old) home. She also watches her ex-neighbors from the train and fantasizes about their story. It's all innocent fun until one day she sees someone who is not the woman's husband, and then finds out that she has disappeared. What happened to her, and who is this other man? This thriller is not to be missed. ( )

I listened to this one as an audiobook, and I saw the movie before I read the book. I liked the movie - the book, not so much. I really didn't care about any of the characters. They were all little shits in some way or another. I just didn't care enough about them.
SPOILER -

I did enjoy the girls killing Tom in the end. ( )

I chose this book since it will be released as a movie (Emily Blunt, 2016) and I like to read the book before watching the movie.

Without offering any spoilers, here is my summary:

Definitely a page turner. From the perspective of the girl on the train, the book examines what she imagines to be the happy lives of the people that she passes while looking into the back of their houses in the suburbs of London on a daily train ride. She fantasizes that the couples are happy in comparison to her miserable life. Each chapter is written from the perspective of the three main female characters, which allows us to see a bit deeper into their daily struggles, which often are not perfect nor happy. As the story unfolds, the plot takes twists and turns and no one is beyond suspicion.

Delightfully written with British slang and colloquialism.

Pro: Well written and developed story. Excellent use of first person perspective in storytelling. Suspense. Thriller.
Con: The male characters are a bit unbelievable in respect their heavily emotional behaviors. ( )