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THE OTHER PASSENGER by Louise Candlish


Publisher: Atria Books
Release Date: July 20, 2021

Self described as “hurtling towards fifty,” long-time partners Jamie and Clare befriend a younger millennial couple, Kit and Melia. I use the term friend loosely, because in reality they are simply jealous of each other, the elders’ wealth versus the younger ones’ youth.

Jamie (James) and Kit (Christopher) commute to work by ferry together, until one morning Kit isn’t on the boat. Jamie is shocked when police meet him at his stop to say that Melia has reported Kit missing. Another passenger has come forward telling police that Jamie and Kit were arguing the evening before. Based on what the witness saw, police want answers. What the heck is going on?

Unfortunately, I really struggled with this book. It moved very slowly, and I wasn’t gripped by the situation or characters. The premise was intriguing, and I enjoyed the twists at the end, but the first 70% was too dull for me. I don’t mind unlikable characters, but there has to be something that makes them compelling or makes me care what happens to them. Not the case here. Also, is there really that much animosity between Gen X and millennials? I would assume that Gen X in particular wouldn’t care. Whatever. ;-)

THE OTHER PASSENGER is the third book I’ve read by this author, and the previous two were enjoyable, twisty domestic suspense. (Check out OUR HOUSE and THOSE PEOPLE.) Even though this one was a miss, I won’t hesitate to pick up her next book. — 𝓓𝓲𝓪𝓷𝓪

Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

8 thoughts on “THE OTHER PASSENGER by Louise Candlish”

  1. Sorry this one wasn’t as good as Candlish’s other two books. I’m not sure I’d like either the characters, or the premise of this one. So a pass for me.

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  2. Thanks for the review. I probably won’t pick this one up, and I was interested when you first posted about it. I need a really good thriller, I just haven’t found one lately. I was burned by the last one I read, lol. It was awful.

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  3. I’m like you in that I’m finding I have to have at least one character that I can connect with – in a good way. Books that have all unlikable characters are just not working for me any more. I’ve read a couple of other books by the author and liked them. Isn’t it interesting how trends in storytelling appear and then usually disappear after a time? I hope the ‘totally’ unlikable characters trend will melt away. LOL

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  4. Oh too bad! I’ve read 2 previously as well and thought they were good but didn’t love either. I do have this one as well but, may wait on it a bit. It’s too bad I’m too often finding in the thriller genre that first books often hook me and then I am disappointed with subsequent releases.

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  6. It’s too bad this one didn’t live up to its promise. It does look good but I don’t think I could handle the slowness of this one. As someone who is between Gen X and Millennial I can say with certainty that I don’t care as long as neither is acting like an idiot!

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  8. What you said about there having to be something compelling to pull you in… I feel exactly the same way. I don’t need to like the characters but I have to feel something or else why bother? Too bad this one was a little dull.

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