“The Lost Passenger” by Frances Quinn is a gripping historical novel that intertwines themes of love, loss, and the search for identity. Set against the backdrop of the early 20th century, the story follows a young woman’s journey aboard a transatlantic ship, where secrets unravel and relationships are tested. Quinn’s vivid prose brings the era to life, immersing readers in the atmosphere and struggles of the time. The characters are well-developed, each grappling with their own dilemmas, which adds depth to the narrative. The book effectively explores the impact of societal norms on personal choices, making it both an engaging and thought-provoking read. Overall, it’s a beautifully crafted tale that will resonate with fans of historical fiction.

This is an interesting historical novel. The author tells a vivid story rich with detail. The authors writing keeps you on the edge of your seat, with twists and turns that make it impossible to put the book down. This novel is a must-read for anyone who loves historical fiction. I wasn’t able to stop turning the pages until I reached the end

I am drawn to historical fiction and novels written around an event in history, this fit that category.
At first I thought that the beginning was slow going and a bit more background than was needed but continued on. I was so drawn into the story of Elinor becoming Molly.
Her life that she is trying to build was so uch fun following her and her courage and bravery to take risks. I was scared for her when Tommy was blackmailing her. Cheering when she confronted Lissy. I enjoyed the book very much

I absolutely loved this story. It was hard to put this book down. I am always intrigued by stories about the Titanic and that era. I would give this book 5 stars for the unique story it told.

This is riches to rags story. A woman goes from a life of luxury to a poor life to escape a family she married into and to protect her son. It is also about British class structure. Well written and entertaining.

I love the titanic and all things (except submarines) regarding it. This was so good, and the author describes the era and scene perfectly. Definitely nice to read something besides the point of view of rose and jack

A great book about the decisions we make and how we can pull ourselves up from great loss and tragedy to lead a wonderful life full of happiness.

I love historical fiction and this book pulled me in immediately with a wealthy woman about to be married to a person she thought was her soul mate. This book takes you through all the emotions from betrayal to despair, despair to hope, and hope to determination and finally a happy life. The characters were great and well developed. This story is not so much about the Titanic as it is the relationships and decisions we make that shape our lives.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves historical fiction. You won't be disappointed.

I want to thank Meg Whalen, Penguin and NetGalley for allowing me to read and review The Lost Passenger by author Frances Quinn.
We all know the story of the Titanic and it’s unimaginable ending. This novel, although fiction, really represents what life was like for thousands of immigrants living on the lower east side of New York City.
“I know you’re not who you say you are.”
Elinor is sailing on the maiden voyage of the Titanic with her father, her husband and son and 2 servants. Many lives are lost and Elinor decides that this is her chance to change the future for herself and her son. She goes from riches to rags! She becomes her ladies maid, Molly Mortimer but always fears that someday someone from her past will find her.
Life in the tenements is hard.
Will the family that think she is Molly find her out? What kind of life will she live?
This is so real. The characters are very special.
The Lost Passenger publishes 02/25/2025.

What a great story! I could feel the desperation surrounding Elinor and her primal need to protect her son Teddy. She had an opportunity to reinvent herself as Molly and start over, and she took it. This was a well-written and engaging story.
This book was provided to me by the publisher but all opinions are my own.

Review: The Lost Passenger
Thanks to Random House and Net Galley for an advance copy of The Lost Passenger by Frances Quinn.
I really enjoyed this dramatic historical novel based on a few passengers on the ill-fated Titanic. I have not read anything written by Frances Quinn, but might look for her again.
I tend to like dramatic stories that do not dwell on romance but rather are character driven. This novel fit my interests perfectly. It was a drama, not a romance, and told a story of family. The setting was mainly in New York, and I felt like the author did a fine creation of what life must have been like during the time period. The characters were so well created that by the end of the story I was cheering for the young woman who had chosen to remove herself from a life of ease to take on the identity of a passenger who had perished.
There was a well written and satisfying ending to a story that had tragic potential ending.
#RandomHouse, #NetGalley, # FrancesQuinn

This was my first experience reading a novel by Frances Quinn and I absolutely loved every page.

Elinor and Molly are both characters that are easy to fall in love with. Women from different backgrounds who take bold risks in order to take charge of their futures.

With the backdrop of the Titanic tragedy and the chasm between both Elinor and her father - an ambitious businessman and his equally ambitious daughter coming to terms with the reality that her gender will forever keep her from following in her father’s “cotton king” footsteps and her husband, who is in love with another woman while marrying Elinor solely for her father’s money.

Her chance meeting with Molly, newly pregnant with a married man’s child, inspires Elinor to borrow Molly’s bravery (and name) when Molly is tragically among those lost in the sinking of the Titanic.

I was not sure what to expect from this book, but the story from start to finish was a very pleasant surprise.

Thank you to the publisher for this gifted PHENOMENAL novel. I will be looking for more by this author.
The subject about a missing passenger from the Titanic, drew me in.
Elinor Coombes marries into an aristocratic English family and believes she is in love. She soon realizes that all is not what it seems and is disillusioned with her husband, life and what is expected of her and her child.
She gets an opportunity to set sail on the Titanic. As well all know the Titanic sinks, but she survives and takes on the role of another passenger. Her life is completely changed.
Suddenly she is living a drastically different life and is hoping not to be discovered.
I loved the authors writing and I was completely drawn to Elinor and her life story. I will buy a physical copy, because I will want to read this one again.

I was asked to read “The Lost Passenger” by Frances Quinn but I am always delighted to read any novel that focuses on the sinking of the Titanic and its aftermath. Because so much fiction has been devoted to the Titanic’s maiden and incomplete voyage, the expectations are high that this book has a unique perspective. Though I enjoyed reading yet another narrative of the ship’s sinking, what I found most enjoyable about this novel was the choices the protagonist, Elinor’s, makes after the ship’s sinking. In particular, she assumes a new identity in New York, raising herself and her son in less than favorable conditions.

I found Elinor’s persistence and determination admirable. You sympathize with her, even though she fakes both her death and her son’s to have a second chance at life where she gets to the make the choices versus living a life controlled by her father and husband. I also appreciated learning more about New York at this time in history.

Four and a half out of five stars.

My thanks to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for this great read.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher! I really enjoyed this and was hooked early on. I do wish the first half was a little shorter so the part after the Titanic could have been more.

Really enjoyed!

This was a fast read with a feel good story. I enjoyed the historical setting and the descriptions of the Titanic. I also appreciated the depiction of life in New York City for the working poor. I was glad it did not turn into a romance novel! Overall a good read.

I was intrigued by the potential of this novel. There have many stories about the Titanic but this held the possibility of an untold tale. How many survivors might not have been who they said they were? Unfortunately, this narrative wasted the first half of the book dwelling on a tale told many times over. A marriage entered under false premises, the misery of the protagonist, and tragic sinking of the Titanic. All of this is framed in class.

It didn’t start getting interesting until the protagonist, Elinor, actually became the lost passenger. The last half of the book was absorbing and fresh. But, it could have been much better developed if it had the space. I loved this immigrant family and wanted Molly/Elinor’s deception explored. A woman of her station who admittedly didn’t know how to do a thing for herself adapted seamlessly while shellshocked from her tragic experience. No, I don’t think so. Once she got her footing, I wanted more of the pushcart world and the launch of spunky resourcesfulness wound more fully into this woman’s story.

Many thanks to Netgalley and Penguin for the opportunity to review this advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest review.

I could not put this book down- Stayed up half the night to Finnish it!! The story is captivating and the characters seem real. There are a lot of twists and turns that makes it interesting and a mystery.

The Lost Passenger by Francis Quinn was a surprisingly engaging read. I don't always love reading books where a tragedy, like the sinking of the Titanic in this case, is involved, but this story kept me up reading past my bedtime.

This is a tale of Elinor, who is a naïve but intelligent and accomplished 19-year old. She finds herself in a loveless and controlling marriage that she's desperate to escape, especially for the sake of her son. When Elinor's father gifts her and her husband tickets on the Titanic, Elinor's chance to start over comes in the midst of tragedy.

I very much enjoyed Elinor's changes and growth throughout this story. She starts out as a strong and admirable female main character, loses herself along the way, and comes back even stronger, shrewder, and more independent by the end of the book. Her experiences and how they alter her are believable, and I found myself sympathizing with her even though I didn't always agree with her outlook and choices.

As an American, I enjoyed this glimpse into the British aristocracy. I thought the portrayal of the sinking of the Titanic was handled well, without overdoing it. And, I loved the descriptions of New York city in the 1910's. To me, this was a fascinating time in American history, and the author's depiction of the city made it feel really immersive.

4/5 stars. Recommended for anyone who enjoys a strong woman lead, or who enjoys engrossing historical fiction.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This is how I know a historical novel is well written- when I finish it in two days! Such a great story. Poor Elinor lied to by a man (shock!) and his family. Boarding the Titanic was so interesting and well done. Her idea of freedom is fragile. Great ending- love this one!

In THE LOST PASSENGER, Elinor Coombes is trapped in a marriage to an aristocrat whose family wants to control every aspect of her life, including how much time she can spend with her infant son Teddy. The family have also assured that guardianship of Teddy will be given to her in-laws should her husband die. So, when the family sails on the Titanic, and her husband indeed perishes, Elinor makes the bold decision to assume the identity of the young Molly Mortimer, who had been helping care for Teddy aboard the ship.

Elinor’s life as “Molly” is the polar opposite of the life she knew, as the real Molly’s family lives in a lower East Side tenement where she and Teddy must sleep on the kitchen floor. Elinor must learn to do all the things she has never had to do— cooking, cleaning, sewing, and indeed learning how to care for her own child, since she was previously only permitted twenty minutes a day with her son. Although the adjustment is difficult, Elinor comes to love her new life, as well as her newfound family of Molly’s relatives. But, when she is recognized, the new life Elinor has built on a lie may be exposed and she is in danger of losing everything.

THE LOST PASSENGER is a thoroughly entertaining read featuring an instantly likable heroine. Definitely recommended for people who enjoy DOWNTON ABBEY, THE GILDED AGE, and other tales of class differences featuring strong women.