A Night on the Orient Express by Veronica Henry: Book Review

The first book I picked up for April 2021 was A Night on the Orient Express by Veronica Henry. I chose this book as part of the Uncorked Reading Challenge 2021: Read Around the World over at The Uncorked Librarian. For April, we were to read a book set on a train. In my opinion, there’s no train more famous than the Orient Express.

A Night on the Orient Express was first published in July 2013 by Orion. It was named the Romantic Novel of the Year in 2014.

Synopsis

Four couples climb aboard one of the most famous trains in the world, each with its own story and history. Each with its own story. One is on the trip as a promise to a friend. Another is on a mysterious trip. One is a yearly tradition. The other is to help establish a relationship. As they travel from Victoria Station in London to Santa Lucia Station in Venice, their stories are told, growing and learning more about the other. What will happen upon their arrival in Venice?

Positives

The train’s description and the excitement each passenger felt made me wish I could take the journey. And yes, it is still a possibility; it is very much a luxury.

I enjoyed seeing into each passenger’s life for a brief snap shot of time.

Negatives

There are too many stories to follow, and because of that, nothing really grabs hold and draws you in all the way. There are Archie and Emmie, such a quiet couple with so much potential. Next, you have Riley and Sylvie, who have loved each other for over 50 years, but never really said it. Then there is Stephanie, who is new to a relationship with Simon and his two teenagers. And then there’s Imogen, who’s in love with childhood bad boy Danny. Oh, and who can forget Adele and Jack, who were once lovers but became strangers.

My Opinions

One of my bucket list items has been to take a trip on the Orient Express. This book certainly reignited that desire. So much so, I actually decided to research the trip the characters take in the book. I will say it will remain a bucket list item for a while longer. For more information about the trip, visit the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express website.

While I enjoyed the chance to escape my current situation and dream more of the Orient Express and Venice, this book was not enjoyable. It’s hard to get pulled into the story and really care about what is happening when you are pulled from one couple to another every chapter. Just as you start to care about what’s happening, you are suddenly faced with a new couple and their issues. It may even be multiple chapters before you get back to the one you do care about. If this book had been written as a series or just focused on one or two couples, it would have been better.

A Night on the Orient Express is a quick read. Even though it is over 350 pages, you could easily read this in a weekend. There are not a lot of twists and turns, other than the flip-flop on character focus. It’s a great piece of escapism.

Looking for some more books to read? Check out my other book reviews and my monthly reading wrap-ups.