The Other Passenger by Louise Candlish
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
**3.5-stars rounded up**
Jamie and Kit are part of a group of London commuters known as the Water Rats.
They have the luxury of making their daily commute via riverboat on the Thames, as opposed to more traditional, oftentimes more frustrating modes of transportation.
They drink coffee together in the morning and more spirited drinks after work. It’s not a bad way to start, or end the day.
On the first Monday back to work after the Christmas holiday, however, Jamie is approached by two police officers as he disembarks from the boat. Apparently, Kit hasn’t been seen since the Water Rats Christmas drinks celebration a few days prior.
They had all been a bit sauced when they finally boarded a late boat to get home. The boat was practically empty, but it seems another passenger reported that Jamie was the last person seen with Kit.
Jamie is under suspicion. He can hardly believe it. He and Kit did have a bit of a row, but then he went straight home. Back to his longtime partner, Claire, who can certainly attest to his whereabouts.
As the hours, then days, tick by with no sign of Kit, things begin to get progressively worse for Jamie. It’s all a bit of a downward spiral.
Through a past perspective, the evolution of Jamie and Kit’s friendship is brought to light, including their signficant others, Claire and Melia. Kit and Melia have a contentious relationship, with Jamie and Claire witnessing evident unhappiness on more than one occasion.
Could Kit have run off on his own, or has something much more sinister happened to him?
Jamie needs to find out. His very freedom may depend on it.
It’s no secret that I am a fan of Louise Candlish’s brand of Domestic Thriller. There’s something about the way she weaves a tale that I am absolutely addicted to reading.
It’s always over the top, full of unlikable characters, as well as plenty of twists and turns to keep things interesting.
The Other Passenger did start out a little slow for me, but around the midpoint, it really heats up. After that the gas pedal is all the way to the floor until the conclusion.
This is one of those stories where the last little bit left a devilish smile on my face. I always enjoy that type of wickedly satisfying ending.
Thank you so much to the publisher, Atria Books, for providing me with a copy of this to read and review.
I am so on board for anything Candlish writes, so I am definitely looking forward to seeing what she comes up with next!!