Review of THE OTHER PASSENGER by Louise Candlish (New Release)

 3 Stars

The novel opens on December 27, 2019, with Jamie Buckby being questioned by the police about Kit Roper, his friend and fellow river bus commuter who went missing just before Christmas.  Apparently Jamie was the last person to see Kit before he disappeared, and a passenger on the river bus witnessed the two of them arguing.  Via flashbacks, we are told how Jamie and his partner Clare met Kit and Melia Roper in January of 2019 and what transpired in the year since then.  Jamie claims innocence, but it seems he is not being totally honest.

The story is narrated in the first person point of view by Jamie so only his perspective is given.  It is not long before it is clear that he is an unreliable narrator who is withholding information.  For example, in the first chapter, he comments on being childless:  “No parent would do what I’ve done this last year, or at least not so readily, so heedlessly.”  Of course, he doesn’t elaborate on his actions.  Later, he tells himself, “Don’t think about the peninsula.  The apartments, the bedrooms, the secrets” without explaining what happened that must be kept secret. 

The characters are difficult to like.  All seem self-centred.  One is devious and manipulative, while another has a sense of entitlement and is constantly complaining.  Common sense seems to be in short supply.  Everyone seems untrustworthy, so who is playing whom?  Everyone is deceptive and is willing to betray others.  Virtually all the seven deadly sins make an appearance:  pride, greed, lust, envy, wrath, and sloth; even gluttony in the over-consumption of alcohol is evident.

Given the almost 20 year age difference and different lifestyles, it is difficult to see what attracts Clare to Melia.  Financial inequality exists between Jamie and Clare and that might not be a deal breaker, but Clare’s reaction to Jamie’s behaviour stretches credulity.  What does Jamie offer Clare, much less Melia?

It seems that most reviewers speak of the surprise twists and turns in the narrative and, yes, there are some, but it is not difficult to determine who the ultimate “villain” is.  Any reader who pays attention and stops to question people’s motives (like Jamie should do) will be able to predict what will happen.  What is satisfying in the end is that everyone gets his/her just deserts. 

Jamie spends a lot of time on the river bus commuting to and from work.  Descriptions of the Thames are used to create atmosphere.  There are passages like “the river was liquid mud, stippled with rain, its lethal eddies and currents visible on the surface like feeding mouths” and “As we duck through the gold-studded red arches of Blackfriars Bridge, I picture the river bursting its banks and breaching us onto the South Bank, the humans fleeing from the slimy double-hulled monster, everyone screaming.”

This book is a slow burn.  It begins slowly and only picks up pace about two-thirds of the way.  It is not a boring read, but it is not particularly challenging either, so it might make for a perfect summer read. 

Note:  I received an eARC from the publisher via NetGalley.