"Lutz develops riveting suspense by slowly revealing the events that first sent Tanya/Amelia on the run, while pouring threats on her gritty heroine's increasingly tenuous bids at survival. Binge-worthy fare, especially for those drawn to strong female protagonists" ( Booklist , starred review). From the author of the New York Times bestselling Spellman Files series, Lisa Lutz's latest blistering thriller is about a woman who creates and sheds new identities as she crisscrosses the country to escape her past: you'll want ...
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"Lutz develops riveting suspense by slowly revealing the events that first sent Tanya/Amelia on the run, while pouring threats on her gritty heroine's increasingly tenuous bids at survival. Binge-worthy fare, especially for those drawn to strong female protagonists" ( Booklist , starred review). From the author of the New York Times bestselling Spellman Files series, Lisa Lutz's latest blistering thriller is about a woman who creates and sheds new identities as she crisscrosses the country to escape her past: you'll want to buckle up for the ride! In case you were wondering, I didn't do it. I didn't have anything to do with Frank's death. I don't have an alibi, so you'll have to take my word for it... Forty-eight hours after leaving her husband's body at the base of the stairs, Tanya Dubois cashes in her credit cards, dyes her hair brown, demands a new name from a shadowy voice over the phone, and flees town. It's not the first time. She meets Blue, a female bartender who recognizes the hunted look in a fugitive's eyes and offers her a place to stay. With dwindling choices, Tanya-now-Amelia accepts. An uneasy and dangerous alliance is born. It's almost impossible to live off the grid today, but Amelia-now-Debra and Blue have the courage, the ingenuity, and the desperation, to try. Hopscotching from city to city, Debra especially is chased by a very dark secret...can she outrun her past? With heart-stopping escapes and devious deceptions, The Passenger is an amazing psychological thriller about defining yourself while you pursue your path to survival. One thing is certain: the ride will leave you breathless.
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Excellent! It's written in a hard-boiled, in-your-face style that I really liked. Hooks you from the first line, then moves forward at a pace that never lets up.
Tanya Dubois find her husband of seven years, Frank, dead at the bottom of the stairs.
She tells us that she didn't do it, but she doesn't want to hang around being asked questions nor the police digging into her past.
So, she goes on the run. It isn't the first time.
Leaving Wisconsin, Tanya first ends up in Austin, Texas where a bartender named Blue befriends her. Blue recognizes a fugitive when she sees one. It will prove to be a dangerous alliance.
Being in trouble herself, Blue switches identities with Tanya...it's not the first time...for either of them.
Bad things happen and then they're both separately on move.
Tanya travels countless miles and changes identities often to put distance from her past.
There's many narrow, pulse-pounding escapes and tight situations along the way as we begin to learn about "Tanya's" history.
The story delves into the psychological toll and sheer exhaustion it takes to be on the run. The constant looking over your shoulder. Searching for new aliases. Finding money, resources, food and shelter.
When I found out the truth about "The Passenger" I was angry and relieved. In the best way!
It's so good.
KrisAndersonTAR
Apr 6, 2016
Slow paced novel!
The Passenger by Lisa Lutz is a suspense novel. Tanya came downstairs after her shower and found her husband, Frank dead. She contemplated about burying the body, but there is no way she can do it herself (very practical). So she gathers up some cash and takes off (do you think she has something to hide). She changes vehicles, changes her hair color, and then gets a new identity. She ends up in Austin, Texas and meets Blue (for her eyes) at May's Well (a bar). Blue recognizes Tanya (now Amelia) as someone on the run. When two goons try to take off with Tanya/Amelia (starts to get confusing after a while as she keeps changing identities), Blue helps out. After several unsuccessful attempts to get a new identity, Blue has an idea. Both women end up with new identities and a chance to start over. But the past always manages to catch up with you. Eventually, you have to face it (you cannot run forever).
The Passenger is listed as fast paced, but I did not find it very speedy (I have two week old kittens that move faster). To me it was a long drawn out book where I kept waiting for my questions to be answered (and after a while I did not care). The Passenger is Tanya's story of her running, hiding, and finding new identities. The Passenger is just the telling of a story and teller decided to draw it out. The Passenger gets better towards the end (if you make it that far). I give The Passenger 2 out of 5 stars. The basic concept of the book was good, but I did not like the final product (if you need something to help you sleep, then you have found the right book). The Passenger contains extreme violence and foul language (and large quantities of alcohol).
I received a complimentary copy of The Passenger in exchange for an honest review of the book.
