This post was originally published at Novelicious.com and is now at WritingTipsOasis.com. WritingTipsOasis.com acquired Novelicious.com in June 2022.
Reviewed by Kay Brooks
The famous Orient Express offers mystery and romance; it is the trip of a lifetime and it is destined to live up to its reputation for the group of passengers about to board. Each has their own story to tell and a reason for being there. As the train travels from London to Venice, there will be revelations, drama and unforeseen gestures of love in all its forms; a dedication to a deceased friend, a father’s support for his daughter and love that has withstood the test of time.
At first sight I was immediately drawn to the beautiful cover that invites the reader to come aboard the Orient Express. The title alone is intriguing but combined with the glorious background, the novel is visually irresistible. The novel promises an exotic setting where anything could happen. The prologue is a wonderfully evocative description that draws the reader in to the exquisitely luxurious and famous train.
At the beginning of the novel there are many different characters that are introduced and this was confusing for a while – there were times when I needed to flick back to make sure that I was imagining the correct character. After a while though, each one takes up their own unique space in the storyline. My favourite characters were Adele Russell and Jack Molloy whose turbulent relationship was so fascinating and intoxicating that I could feel the heat of their passion in the words on the page. Their story, like others featured in the novel, flicks back and forth in time, revealing more about their histories and futures gradually.
Throughout the novel, the characters’ cross paths in subtle, effective ways that tie their stories together. Veronica Henry seems to do this effortlessly, so the meetings seem natural and not forced ways of propelling the story forwards. Each character leaves the Orient Express irreversibly altered after having experienced some kind of epiphany, whether that is that they are in love or that any barriers to happiness can be overcome.
The novel is full of unexpected romance and tender moments. There are 349 pages in total but the novel is surprisingly ‘tardis-like,’ with so much happening in such a short space of time. For me, this was the perfect summer read, full of glamour and intrigue. I couldn’t help but talk about the book, recommending that all my friends buy it and pack it in their suitcases!
Veronica Henry has a new fan!
9/10