The Passenger by Lisa Lutz

Rating: ★★★✰✰

Dates Read: 5/28/23 - 5/29/23

    Tanya Dubois finds herself caught up in a dangerous situation after her husband's death, but she insists she's innocent. Fleeing town, she assumes a new identity as Amelia and seeks refuge with Blue, a bartender who understands the life of a fugitive. Together, they embark on a perilous journey, trying to evade the past and stay off the grid. Despite the challenges, Debra (formerly Amelia) remains haunted by a dark secret from her past, and she must confront her past to find a way forward. Can she escape the relentless pursuit of her past and create a new life for herself?

    At first, I wasn't sure about this book, but it surprised me in the best way possible. The protagonist's thought process was intriguing, even though some of her actions seemed contradictory. Loneliness seems to drive her decisions, making her character all the more complex. 

    Though it took some time for me to fully engage with the story, once I did, I couldn't put it down. The unexpected revelation towards the end caught me off guard and added a compelling twist to the narrative. I knew Tanya had a mysterious past, but the reveal was truly unexpected. Overall, the book was a thrilling and immersive read, and I was pleasantly surprised by the ending.

    Buying books at thrift stores has consistently been hit or miss for me, and I think this one was a hit! It keeps your interest once the plot really gets moving, and it's an easy read. I enjoyed the inclusion of the emails as well. I might go back and read more from Lisa Lutz one day!