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Strangers on a Train

Patricia Highsmith

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Nov 11, 2019 Pamela rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: crime-other, guardian-1000-read

Interesting psychological thriller. Guy Haines, an architect, is heading to Texas to ask his estranged wife Miriam for a divorce so he can remarry. On the train he meets Charles Bruno, who insists on Guy's company for dinner. On learning of Guy's difficulties with Miriam, Charles reveals his hatred for his father, and suggests the perfect crime - as two total strangers, they could kill each other's 'enemy' without ever being suspected.

The premise for this novel is original and intriguing, but it ...more

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Apr 14, 2016 Elise rated it liked it

Shelves: women, read-in-2016, 1950s, crime, club

Excellent premise but ultimately a flawed and unconvincing story. I get that noir is predicated upon ordinary people making poor decisions, but too often Guy's choices feel flat-out dumb. Plus he's too much of a boring bozo to warrant Bruno's obsession. Still, a fun book with excellently handled tense moments. ...more

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Aug 02, 2012 Sera rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites, library, mystery, thriller-suspense

This book was a great noir read. Highsmith did a nice job of getting behind the motive of a murderer, whether or not he seeks atonement for his actions, and the role that we as society play as to whether the violent acts of others go unpunished.

I was on the edge of my seat for much of this book, which doesn't happen to me very often. The characters are deftly drawn and the story moves along at a nice pace.

I would highly recommend this book to mystery/crime/thriller fans.

I didn't know that Highs ...more

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