[arc review]
Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for providing an arc in exchange for an honest review.
6:40 to Montreal releases September 23, 2025

If I had a dollar for every locked-room murder mystery I’ve read that happened to be published by Poisoned Pen Press in 2025, set on a train, while also featuring an author with cancer writing their sophomore novel, then I’d have two dollars!
All that to say, I couldn’t help but compare the two.

Though Jurczyk’s differed by having a Canadian setting, I found it to be <I>way</I> less compelling.
The plot, which lacked in every aspect, dragged on for more than it needed, and I fear that structuring this as a novella wouldn’t have even helped the narrative.

Agatha was a pretty unlikeable character from the get-go, and the supporting characters weren’t much better.
The multiple mentions of her itchy vulva (verbatim) and incorporating a dick pic into the plot while other passengers were having medical emergencies was extremely jarring. I’m not sure if that was the author’s attempt at comedic relief, but it certainly didn’t land well.
To put it bluntly, I have no sympathy for cheaters, even if they happen to be dying of cancer.

Nothing made sense! Of all things, why a spider that isn’t even native to North America?
Why was there so much blood in the bathroom if all he did was burn off his fingerprint?
What were the true motivations behind the train attendant choosing not to override the locking mechanisms? Because I find it hard to believe she’d jeopardize so many lives just to hoard the food and drinks.

Jurczyk’s meaningful carpe diem angle loses its intentionality when written through the superficiality of the male gaze — to go through all of that just for sex?! Come on. What a one-track mind.

The level of disbelief you have to suspend is not worth it.

I was intrigued by the premise of this book, but was disappointed overall. Suspicions arose throughout the book, but then there was a hard plot twist/turn, and an implausible conclusion occurred. The plot and ending were grossly underdeveloped.

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

I was very interested in reading this novel, as a train-enthusiast, Canadian and fan of Eva Jurcyzk, despite having not yet read any of her other books. This book was a delight. The familiar setting on a path that I know, mixed with mystery and intrigue had me quickly turning pages until I reached the novels final conclusion. Highly recommend.

The book had a promising concept, but I found it fell short by the end. I couldn’t really find any clues leading to the murderer, so the reveal felt confusing. The story could’ve used a few more chapters to explain the murderer’s actions, but instead, it felt rushed with too many unanswered questions. While not the worst book I’ve read, it left me wanting more clarity.

This was just not for me. I had a hard time getting into it, it picked up a little then the twists kind of lost me and felt really far fetched. I did love the setting though and the premise

I liked it, but I wouldn’t call it amazing. It was a good read with an engaging mystery, but the ending felt random and underdeveloped. Addie’s realization that her husband was the culprit didn’t make much sense, her suspicion seemed to come out of nowhere, based on nothing more than a boot. There wasn’t enough buildup to make the twist feel earned, which left the conclusion feeling rushed and unsatisfying.

Despite this, the book was still enjoyable overall. The writing was solid, and the suspense kept me interested, but the ending could have been stronger.

Reading this felt like a movie! The mystery was so fun, and the ending wasn't predictable. It's very atmospheric and well-written.

Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for an early copy of this book!

Agatha’s husband buys her a train ticket to Montreal to visit her friend, and use the scenic train ride as a writing retreat so Agatha can make some progress on her next novel. Shortly after their ride to Montreal begins, they encounter a blizzard in the Canadian wilderness, losing electricity, cell service, and access to all other train cars or help.

I really liked the premise of this book when I first started reading it, but unfortunately to book as a whole seemed all over the place to me. There were so many plot twists throughout the story, I honestly couldn’t keep up with most of them, and still am not too sure what actually happened on the train ride.

I wish I liked this book more, but I was just left really confused and honestly kind of frustrated with the amount of plot twists.

Thank you to NetGalley and to Poisoned Pen Press for an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

It’s like Clue on a train. I had fun with this one. A real whodunit! And can we talk about how beautiful this cover is??

Thanks Netgalley!

My favorite line from this book was "There was no time to be afraid but so much to be afraid of." So says Agatha who was sent on a long distance train ride as sort of a writer's retreat by her husband Teddy. They had been through so much recently and she really deserved the space to write her next bestseller somewhere where should wouldn't be disturbed. Unfortunately once on the train things almost immediately start to go wrong. This re-telling of a Agatha Christie novel crossed with commentary on modern life is perfect for those first cold, dark nights of winter.

This is going to be a bestseller, and I sure hope it becomes a movie. I was hooked from the start trying to figure out what was going to happen next. I could feel the emotions of Agatha, the main character, and could vividly picture what was happening as the book went on. Agatha's fears and intrusive thoughts were all so real. A thriller of a book that takes place on a train, but not like anything you've read before!

I just finished 6:40 to Montreal by Eva Jurczyk, and I have to say it was a captivating mystery that kept me on my toes the entire time. The story follows Miriam, a woman traveling from Toronto to Montreal for a family visit, when she encounters a stranger on the train—a man who turns out to have a very dangerous secret. What begins as a seemingly ordinary trip quickly unravels into something much more complex and thrilling.

What really drew me into this book was Jurczyk's ability to create such a tense, claustrophobic atmosphere. The train setting, with its confined space and steady motion, works perfectly to heighten the sense of unease as Miriam uncovers unsettling truths. The pace was just right, building suspense without dragging, and every new piece of information left me eager to keep reading.

The characters were well-developed, particularly Miriam, who is both relatable and complex. Her inner turmoil and quiet strength made her a compelling protagonist. I also appreciated the way the story explored themes like trust, isolation, and the complexities of human behavior, which added depth to the suspense.

Overall, 6:40 to Montreal is a fast-paced, suspenseful read that blends psychological tension with a well-crafted mystery. Eva Jurczyk’s writing pulls you in from the very first page, and I couldn’t put it down until I had uncovered the truth. If you enjoy a good, atmospheric thriller, this one is definitely worth picking up.

Very repetitive (we know… you’re stuck on a train and someone is lying and someone is dead, repeat, repeat) and it drags on a bit in the middle. But 3.5 starts rounded up to 4 for the twist I didn’t see coming and the chef’s kiss ending.

Absolutely loved this book! It is an atmospheric thriller. It certainly helps that I recently was on this train for a work trip.

Agatha is a best selling novelist who needs to come up with her next big novel. Unfortunately she has been a bit stuck for ideas of what her next thrilled should be. Her husband bought her a train ticket from Toronto to Montreal so that she can have a mini writing retreat in business class. There will be no distractions from family responsibilities or wifi. When she boards the train she is unfortunately seated next to a rude passenger who is having a loud conversation on his phone regarding a very unpleasant divorce. Not the way she had hoped to start the journey. Soon her trip will take a turn for the worse as the train gets stuck in a snow storm and a passenger in the carriage turns up dead.

I enjoyed the "locked train carriage" mystery and Agatha's internal dialogue as she tried to manage her own personal issues, the stress of not being able to write, and the drama unfolding around her with her stranded travel companions. The characters are well written. Along with Agatha, you slowly learn about each of the people stranded in the carriage. A peak inside who they are but knowing that each of them holds some secret.

Definitely recommended, especially if you are taking a train journey and looking for a read along the way as you are "trapped" for the next few hours.

Thanks to the author, publisher and Netgalley for the e-ARC.

This was a book I really enjoyed! The writing style was engaging and seems to me to be very unique. The twists and turns were wild. I really did not know where things were going at times and that was part of the fun. I also really enjoyed the premise of being on a train, and of course of the main character being an author. This book weaves in trust issues, question marks, judging a person based on little to no knowledge, and then turns it all upside down. I would definitely read more from this author!

I just loved this title - what a wild twist ending! The more I reflect on the book, the more I enjoyed the plot, the characters, and the writing overall.

Agatha is on a writing retreat – six hours on a train with no wi-fi. There are only a few characters in the first-class cabin, mostly annoying and unsympathetic. Agatha is also an unlikable woman, off to have an affair because her husband is actually nice to her, she is not a good mother and she might die from cancer. She’s complicated and has writer’s block. The train stops, snowed in, and a man is found dead. Lots of complications follow, lies and misdirection, followed by an unsatisfactory ending.

Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for this DRC.
#640toMontreal #NetGalley

I was hopeful for this book but in the end it fell a bit flat for me. It took me a while to really get into the characters, and that the main character was unlikeable (which was fine). The plot felt really rushed near the end, though the suspense of the whodunnit was well done. I wasn't as satisfied with the conclusion, more so it felt like there weren't enough "clues" or a neat bow so to speak about one of the subplots. Overall I did like the premise of the book.

⭐️: 3.75 of 5

ARC received from Netgalley for an honest opinion; thank you to the author for the opportunity to review!

Jurczyk's 6:40 is reminiscent of a Christie novel - and certainly feels like it should be, with the nod to the author herself in the main character's name. Agatha is given the gift of uninterrupted time, a whole six hours of it, in the form of a train from Toronto to Montreal. She hopes to finish her book on it. Instead, the train breaks down, a passenger is found dead, and everyone is a suspect.

Agatha's character was interesting to me, and as more of the story unraveled, you find yourself wondering what, exactly, is going on. The suspense is good, but not amazing, and there's a few places you have to suspend disbelief in, but they're easily written over in favor of a fun story. Overall, the book was enjoyable and one I'd definitely read again.

SPOILER BELOW

I was really excited to read 6:40 to Montreal, and for most of the book, it had me hooked. The twists in the middle threw me around emotionally in the best way, keeping me engaged and guessing. But when the big reveal finally came—almost on the last page—I was left feeling underwhelmed. I wanted a bigger, more satisfying ending. The last twist didn’t land as well as the others, and the major question lingering in my mind—who were the spiders for?—was never answered. It was a gripping ride, but the conclusion left me wanting more.