Review of "Confessions on the 7:45: A Novel of Suspense" by Lisa Unger

 

Working mom Selena Murphy commutes to her New York City job by train.....

.....leaving her two young boys in the care of a 25-year-old nanny called Geneva. Geneva is a wonderful caregiver - fun, capable and nurturing - and the boys love her in return.



Selena was very satisfied with the children's caregiver until last week, when Geneva was caught on the nanny cam, having sex with Selena's husband Graham.



Selena's unsure what to do. Graham's never been the ideal husband but he's a good father.



Moreover, the kids are very attached to Geneva, and would be bewildered and upset by her sudden departure.

Selena's mulling this over in her mind when she boards the 7:45 train to return home from her work in the city. Selena's seatmate, an attractive woman who introduces herself as Martha, strikes up a conversation, and confesses she's sleeping with her married boss.



Selena gets the urge to reciprocate confidences, and admits she suspects her husband is being unfaithful with the nanny.

Martha produces some mini-bottles of vodka, and she and Selena drink and chat as they travel home.



Before the women part Martha makes an odd remark. Referring to Selena's nanny, Martha says, “Maybe she’ll disappear and you can just pretend it never happened." Selena is discomfited by the comment, and - though she didn't divulge the ACTUAL situation at home - wishes she hadn't said anything to the stranger.



In any case, Selena has other things on her mind. After further thought, Selena confronts Graham with the evidence of his adultery. She tells him he has to fire Geneva and leave the home until she decides on her next steps.



The next day, even before she's fired, Geneva doesn't show up for work. Before long detectives arrive at Selena and Graham's front door, saying Geneva's sister reported her missing.



Selena tries to rationalize this, thinking maybe Geneva went off with a man she just met. Nevertheless, Selena is VERY uneasy, and her anxiety is exacerbated when she starts getting friendly little texts from Martha, though she never gave Martha her phone number.

The detectives' return to question Selena and Graham again and again, and Selena finds herself melting down with worry.



Selena adores her sons, loves Graham despite his faults, and wants everything to 'go away.' But that's easier said than done.

There are several important women in the book, whose connection becomes clear as the story unfolds. The women include Anne - an investment firm employee who's having an affair with her boss;



Pearl - a 15-year-old girl who wears thick glasses, likes to read, and helps out in her mother's bookstore;



and Selena's mother - who stayed with her cheating husband too long, for the sake of the children.



The book is an imaginative page turner featuring murder, blackmail, wicked men, deceitful women, helpful friends, caring mothers, and more. Highly recommended to fans of suspense novels.

Rating: 4 stars