Oh my!! What a book. It thrilled from the beginning when secrets of the past and present collided on the 7:45 train, and none realized that their path was getting derailed.

Selena led a good life with Graham and the boys and their nanny, with just a small twist. Graham was sleeping with the nanny. On the 7:45 train, she met Martha, and both confessed secrets about themselves. And life exploded when the nanny went missing, and cops got involved.

My first book by author Lisa Unger held me in thrall from the first page and never let me go. It took me time to reconcile with Selena’s character. I could see shades of myself in her. The first section with multiple POV seemed confusing initially, until I figured out where their lives would entwine.

In such a story where lies were paramount, I was amazed that the author could make me feel empathy for the characters. Life was shown in different shades. And all the characters including a retired cop had their ups and downs.

There was just a tiny nigglette, if you could call it that, the best friend and the would be identity of one of the characters were the same, so that confused me. I thought it was another subplot. But it wasn’t.

Overall, a fun breakfast read where I needed something fast to get my adrenaline flowing.

Selena Murphy was having a bad day. She caught her husband having sex with the nanny on their security cameras. It wasn't the first time Graham had ignored their marriage vows, but for some reason, this time leaves Selena feeling empty. She really liked that nanny. On the train home from work, Selena finds herself sharing her deepest secrets with a complete stranger. At home she confronts Graham and it does not go well. And then on Monday, the nanny doesn't show up for work. The police get involved and question both Graham and Selena. Selena knows that Graham has issues, but did he murder the nanny, too?

Confessions on the 7:45 is a fast-paced mystery novel about the secrets we keep. Selena Murphy is a sympathetic character. She just saw her husband having sex with the nanny and I don't think there is a female reader out there who wouldn't sympathize with her. From the very first moment he was introduced, Graham came across as a dick. Of course, we were first introduced to Graham as he was screwing the nanny, but it did not get better from there. As for Pearl and Geneva, it was easy to feel sympathy for them, too. Their childhood was tragic and that manifested into what they were doing.  When it came to the train, I thought for sure that  we were going to get some twist on the old "Strangers on a Train" movie. But I was wrong. - CLICK HERE FOR SPOILERS

Bottom Line - Confessions on the 7:45 was a fabulous mystery. It was fast-paced full of thrilling moments. And with twists that will leave you speechless!

Details:
Confessions on the 7:45 by Lisa Unger
On Instagram
Pages: 368
Publisher: Park Row
Publication Date: 9/1/2020
Buy it Here!
Thank you to NetGalley for the book in exchange for a review.

In this fast-paced, twisted novel, we follow a woman who shares a secret with the stranger on her commute. But when a mysterious disappearance happens a few days later, she believes the listener may be more than just that..

From multiple POVs, we jump through all the lies, secrets, and disguises slithering into a well-written story of revenge. I was completely engrossed in this slow-burning thriller that quickly withers me from page to page.

I 100% recommend this one for lovers of domestic, cheating dramas mixed with a powerful, thrilling, edge-of-your-seat suspense plot. This one deserves every inch of a high 4 out of 5 stars.

This book was amazing. I loved the story and how they overlapped. It kept me on my toes, I would 100% recommend.

This book was an excellent mastery of suspense. the characters were unaware of the complexities they were to endure in their worlds. The depth of the lies and deceit caused many unexpected turns to the characters.The characters were flawed but well developed. This mystery was very engaging.

Confessions On The 7:45 was filled with instant drama. Once Selina missed her train and the nanny-cam started rolling, I was in!! Unger’s book is filled with incredibly flawed characters with hidden pasts and secrets oozing out of their pores.  The pacing was perfect, the plot was well developed and the suspense was on point. The storylines hop around a bit in the book, but Unger did a fantastic job knitting it all together.  Cheating husbands with a dash of mysterious strangers and a splash of deception make a toxic cocktail.  Throw in a few dead bodies, a couple of con artists and twists to catch you off guard, and Confessions On The 7:45 is your next stiff drink.  Bottoms up!

I hope you enjoy this thrilling ride…choo choo!!!!

Lisa Unger can scare you half to death when she wants to, and she usually wants to. In her new book, she'll teach you the folly of ever speaking to strangers.  A wife and businesswoman who has  just watched her husband on a home surveillance camera having sex with the nanny sits depressed and angry on the train that will take her home when a stranger strikes up a conversation. Before long, the betrayed wife is spilling her marriage secrets to the stranger. The other woman says, "Wouldn't it nice if your problem just disappeared?" When the troublesome nanny does exactly that -- and the woman on the train keeps making contact -- it's obvious lines have been crossed and the stranger may not be a stranger at all. From that opening, the story twists in endless unexpected directions and secrets both recent and long-held emerge with horrifying frequency. This is a story in which everything surprises,, and it winds around to an ending that could never have been predicted. One of Unger's most complex and involving works.

Lisa Unger is known for writing psychological thrillers. This is another good one. Selena Murphy has just got her husband on the nanny-cam boinking the nanny. Not sure how to proceed, she confesses her misgivings to a seeming stranger on the train home from work. Things begin to unravel when she starts getting texts from the woman on the train...only problem is, Selena did not share her number with this unknown woman. And then, the nanny disappears. Selena's husband, Graham, swears he did nothing to her, but his rising violence towards Selena says otherwise. The police are not sure either and when they discover steamy texts between the nanny and Graham, it appears to paint a bulls-eye on him. As Selena tries to uncover what really happened, it becomes more clear that her happy "Instagram-able" life is not what it appears to be.

Everyone has a secret... Now she knows yours.

Lisa Unger's Confessions on the 7:45 is a suspenseful psychological thriller. There are multiple POVs, an interesting plot with a nod to Patricia Highsmith’s Strangers on a Train, and plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing until the end.

This is the first title by this author for me and I do not think that it will be my last. Confessions on the 7:45 is a taut thriller that unfolds in ways not always expected. What if Selena had gotten her usual train home? What if she had not talked to Martha on the train? What if Selena’s husband was not at home with the nanny? Well…then we would not have this engrossing story.

This title is being compared to Strangers on a Train. That may be but it tells is own atmospheric and suspenseful tale. I recommend it and suggest that you have time when you start the book as you may want to read it in one sitting.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title. All opinions are my own.

Thank you to NetGalley, Lisa Unger and Harlequin for the free e-book in exchange for an honest review.

I haven't read a novel by Unger in ages, and man have I been missing out if they are all as good as this one was!
I really enjoyed the strangers on a train vibe and how it didn't continue to follow the logical path that I believed that it was going to follow. I read this one in one sitting because I just had to know what was going to happen next with any of the characters and at one point, I wondered if they were all guilty. I really enjoyed the dark atmosphere and the short, easy to devour chapters. I would definitely recommend this one to any thriller fans out there! It's a page turner that really makes you wonder.

A thriller with lots of twists and turns told from multiple perspectives. The ending was hit or miss but doesn't significantly detract from the story.

What a fast paced thriller I finished this book in a day!
Selena Murphy is married and mother of two little boys. Her husband lost his job,she’s been supporting her family and working late a lot. Her meeting has run late so she catches the 7:45 train instead of the 5:30 train she usually takes. Selena starts chatting with the woman in the next seat on the train. The woman whose name is Martha, gives her a small airplane bottle of vodka and they  begin to tell each other the stresses and regrets they have. Soon Selena finds herself confiding that she suspects her husband is cheating on her with their nanny. Martha confides she been sleeping with her boss. Not even thinking twice Selena blows it off as two strangers on a train. A few days later Selena’s nanny doesn’t show up for work and the police begin to investigate her disappearance. Selena begins to realize her husband has been hiding quite a bit from her. What’s even stranger Martha from the train begins to text Selena when she doesn’t even remember giving her, her phone number. What is going on? Soon Selena finds her entire life turned upside down. Is there a connection with the woman on the train and her nanny’s disappearance? How many lies are to many lies? This book was so twisted and the depth of the characters blew me away. The multiple POV added so much to the story! Four stars!

Lisa Unger's Confessions on the 7:45 is a psychological thriller that will either make one woman stronger, or shatter her forever. Serena Murphy is a woman who thought she had it all figured out. She's got a fantastic job, a wonderful husband, and two kids. Until she finds out that husband is found having sex with the nanny which she just happens to catch on nanny cam. (Best invention ever). After missing her train, and then watching her own husband have sex, she ends up on the 7:45 train. There she meets with a woman calling herself Martha. Martha claims that she is having an affair with a married man who just happens to be her boss. 

In turn, Selena tells Martha that she suspects her husband Graham, is carrying on with the nanny, Geneva. Regret at this admission immediately follows, but what harm is there in an anonymous conversation with someone she'll never see again? Two days later, Geneva doesn't show up for work. Things really heat up when Geneva's sister calls the police and tells them she's missing. Making matter worse is that Geneva's car was left parked right up the street from Selena's own home. Selena tries to put the facts together. Did Martha have something to do with Geneva's disappearance? Or, did Graham? 

Multiple POV's and several twists will keep readers on their toes and flipping pages quickly to see what happens next. Anne Porter has been having an affair with her married boss which ends up getting her fired from her job but not before walking away with a large payday. Anne was clever and often rehearsed what her Pop taught her to stay sharp and ahead. Geneva Markson is the nanny. Being a nanny is tough when all the husbands want more from her than just watch his kids. The hard part is that she actually likes her job, and the boys like her, and Selena is a fantastic boss.

Pearl from 15 years old to 25 thereabouts in an important character to watch since a large part of the story is about what happens to her, and why she tends to target those like Selena. She's used to being invisible until her mom's latest boyfriend, Charlie noticed how smart and clever she was. Over the course of the story, Charlie will be called Pops, and Pops will teach Pearl the ins and out of how to grift someone. Oliver, Selena's older son, is the next character. He's observant and knows that adults lie. The day the nanny got fired was the last day anyone saw of her. He's so observant, he catches an important moment in the story.

Hunter is retired detective investigating Pearl's mom's murder among others. He doesn't care for cold cases. It makes him understandably curious when another girl goes missing after her mother is killed in a similar fashion. Hunter is a good guy who just wants to bring the missing girls home or at least ensure that they are safe and not being exploited. Without giving much away, I will just say that one character in particular has multiple identities and the story is told by this person in the past, and in the present. 

As this mystery plays out we will learn more about Martha, who she really is, how and why she is determined to be a part of Selena’s life. Selena has always portrayed her family as a fun loving group. She has an online persona, but that is not who she is in real life. Not after what happens right out of the gate. I will say without hesitation or reservation that cheaters never stop. Oh sure, they claim they love you, and care for you, and bring you candy, and flowers, but when your back is turned 5 minutes later, they are back sneaking down the alley looking for their next chase. I will also say that I felt bad for Selena and not just because of the cheating part but because of her own father, and mother keeping secrets from her. Secrets that could have nullified some of the pain and suffering. Several plot twists will have you quickly turning the pages to see what happens next. 

*Thank you to Park Row Books for providing me a free copy of this novel without any compensation expected. **

Told from three POVs, this one had me racing to figure out what the heck was happening. Everyone is a mess and everyone has juicy secrets and no one's life is as good as it looks from the outside.

Selena finds out her husband is cheating with none other than their nanny, Geneva. During her evening commute, she meets a strange woman, Martha, and they exchange confessions. A few days later, when Geneva goes missing, Selena starts to question her chance meeting on the train.

Told from multiple perspectives, this book is full of twists and turns.

A fresh new take on Strangers on a Train with something a bit more sinister lurking just below the surface. Unger's books never hesitate to take me on a wild ride and Confessions on the 7:45 was certainly no exception. 

Thank you to Park Row for an advanced copy. All opinions are my own.

I was so excited to get approved for this title! This book kept me guessing until the end. I hope this book will turn into a movie or limited series.

From master of suspense Lisa Unger comes a riveting thriller about a chance encounter that unravels a stunning web of lies and deceit.

Be careful to whom you tell your darkest secrets…

This book is so good. You do not want to miss it.

There are many characters in it that you will get to know. Even though there is almost a different one with each chapter it's very easy to follow. You get to know them deeply. On an almost personal level. You will care about each one. There are a couple of characters that you will not like at all. Not in the least. But most you will love or love to hate.

Selena, married to Graham, mother too, Oliver and Stephen. She's a hard working woman who takes care of her family. Her husband lost his job and now she's the only bread winner. Selena is a good person. She's a strong female though. She's not perfect by any means, but she's also not a player. She is running late one evening and while on the train she meets a stranger. They begin a conversation that will alter the course of Selena's life dramatically. 

Martha, the woman on the train. She's been having an affair for a while with the boss's husband. Not good. Anne tells her secrets to Selena and they have a nice chat about this and things going on in Selena's life. Namely, Selena's husband's affair with the nanny. Anne is very mysterious. 

Geneva, the nanny. Geneva is a godsend too Selena. She's so good with Olive and Stephen. She has them on a schedule and they love her. Geneva met Selena while she was a nanny for another couple. Selena was lucky to get her. Or so she thought. Geneva is having an affair with Graham, Selena's husband. 

Pearl, a young girl who is not noticed a lot. She has a gift for making herself invisible in a room. She lives with her mother Stella who is somewhat of a player with men. One such man, Charlie, seems to take to Pearl. Not in a bad way. He seems interested in her school work. Making sure she has meals and is just nice to her. He seems crazy about Pearl's mother too. When Pearl's mother is murdered Charlie and Pearl take off. Pearl is in shock and they are afraid of being implicated in the murder.

Anne, she's one bad woman. That is my opinion anyway. She's actually really Martha. Though she told Selena her name was Martha not Anne. Anne has many secrets. You will find out all of them in this book. From beginning to end. Things she does to people. Is it to survive or is she just evil? That's for you to decide.

Hunter is the FBI agent looking for Charlie and Pearl. He's also looking for other missing people. He specializes in cold case files. He wants to find out who murdered Stella and where Pearl and Charlie went. Along with other people who are missing. He wants to know if Pearl went with Charlie willing or if she was abducted. Did Charlie kill Stella?

Cora, Selena's mother. She holds a few secrets herself. Though she says it was their father's place to tell the girls, I disagree. I think she should have been honest from the start. But then we might not have a story. So what do I know right? Cora loves her girls and grandchildren.

This book has so much going on but it's easy to follow. Twists and turns that keep you turning the pages. I did figure out the relationship between two of the characters but it in no way took anything from the story. This book is excellent. Its twists and turn are spot on to keep you on the edge. The things that come out about the characters will leave you holding your breath. At the center of them all is Selena and the woman on the train. They are the basis for the whole story. All the things that happen are because of these two women meeting on a train that is stopped on the tracks for almost an hour. The things they share are what sets the stage for this twisted, curvy, edge of your seat, thriller. 

Thank you #NetGalley, #LisaUnger, #Harlequin for this ARC. This is my own true review.

5/5 stars and a big huge recommendation to all.

This was my first book by Lisa Unger and it did not disappoint! It was full of great twists and even better turns. The writing keeps the reader engaged and guessing. A story so neatly woven together you can’t see what’s coming. 4 stars.  Great job! I will be adding my Lisa Unger to my TBR. Thank you Netgalley for the free arc in exchange for my honest opinion.