For sheer enjoyment, this would have been a five star. As I’ve come to expect as a fan of The Smallest Man and That Bonesetter Woman, Frances Quinn has delivered a story filled with warmth. I love her writing style and as a child of the Titanic movie generation, I did develop an obsession with the doomed liner and so this could not have been more up my street if it tried. I’ve only knocked off .25 because I had expected it to be based on someone who actually lived, but it seems it was fiction. Unfair perhaps., but I did feel a frisson of disappointment when I discovered this. However, a wonderful read!

I looooooove Frances' books, so much!

In fact The Smallest Man - Frances' first book - was one of the first reviews I ever posted on this blog. The Smallest Man is set in the 1600s, and her follow-up, That Bonesetter Woman, was set in the 1700s. This book, whilst still historical, is set in a more recognisable and familiar age of the 1900s.

We all know about the Titanic and what happened, but we rarely give a lot of thought to the individuals on the ship, those who died and those who survived. We tend to see them as a number, those 1,500+ that perished, rather than see them as each individual people, as mums and dads, brothers and sisters, husbands and wives and children. And so it was interesting for Frances to pick that as a focus.

Frances has a knack of picking the underdog, or the person who doesn't fit into society's place for them, and making them the star of their own life, and this is no differencee.

The Titanic doesn't really comes into it until about 30% of the way through, which at first I thought was too late. I'd have liked a bit more set on the Titanic, but that's just personal taste. But in hindsight I'd say it feels about right, as it gives us a good amount of time to get to the know the characters, which in turn makes the rest of the story feel deeper. And this isn't a story about the Titanic, not really, it's more about what happened to the people after rather than during.

It has a lot of well-developed characters in it - as I've come to expect from Frances' work. Elinor is a beautiful protagonist and has such a real voice and a presence about her. I really felt for her. It would have been quite easy to depict her as this little rich girl who complains about being rich and have no sympathy for her but I really felt like her friend. There are many other characters, some good and some bad, some in it more or less than others. But there isn't a wasted one amongst them, and they really helped develop Elinor's story.

It's not the easiest book to read, and not just because of the obvious sad Titanic parts. But the bits about Elinor's life beforehand, what she has sacrificed, what she's willing to do to protect her son. It really does pull at the heartstrings.

It's like two different stories - one set before the Titanic and one after - and usually I would say I didn't like that because they often don't join up, but I liked it with this book. It gave us a clear divide and made for an interesting read to see just how much had changed after the incident.

I suppose the one thing I would have liked is if we'd had more about what was happening in England at the time Elinor was in New York. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed what was there, but part of me was wanting to see what had happened to those she'd left behind.

It is a very well researched book and it's clear Frances has a real passion for the characters and the story she was telling.

It's like a Cinderella story in reverse, in a way. A girl born into wealth, but man-made wealth rather than inherited, who marries into peerage and has everything she could possibly want, who then, seemingly overnight, finds herself in a situation where she has to share a toilet with 20 strangers. It's a riches to rag story. But she finds a different kind of riches amongst the people in New York.

Even amongst all the death and grief, hardships, hatred, anger, lies and fear, this book has so much love and joy and more importantly, so much hope about it, it really is very heartwarming.

Frances Quinn writes great historical fiction and "The Lost Passenger" is equally compelling as her other books. Set in 1910 we follow Elinor into a loveless marriage and realise that her son is not going to have the life that she would wish for him. Her father then buys her, her husband and son passage on the Titanic's maiden voyage to New York. With a chanced meeting with Molly and tragedy that unfolds around the sinking of the Titanic, we see how life in New York can give anyone, who works hard enough, new opportunities. A touching story and you will be rooting for Elinor's new life.

I DNF'd this book about a 1/3 of the way through. The female main character just seemed to be whinging all the time and it was grating on me... at some point it has to be seen that she is the issue right! I couldn't get on with her.

I adored That Bonesetter Woman and The Smallest Man and was beyond excited to get a copy of The Lost Passenger on Netgalley.

After being tricked into a loveless marriage, and separated from her loving, businessman father, Elinor is slowly sucked into the life of country nobility where women have no power or influence. After the birth of her son Teddy, she unwillingly does what is asked of her so she can’t be deemed mentally incapacitated, but leaving him in the care of a cold nanny, with only a twenty minute visit to Elinor each day and the threat of him being sent to boarding school at age seven, is too much to bear. When Elinor is invited on the maiden voyage of the Titanic, she is determined to enjoy every minute with her son. When the ship sinks, Elinor makes a decision not to go back to her old life.

It was everything I hoped for and more. I, like many others am fascinated by tales of the Titanic and Frances Quinn tells of its opulence beautifully, and the horror of its sinking, but without letting it engulf the story.

In New York she stays with Anna, Ruth and Per, who although poor, are rich with love which they offer willingly to Elinor.

There’s no great romance in this book, no knight in shining armour, just a strong independent woman with a desire to make a better life for her and Teddy, and it’s perfect

If you’ve not read a book by Frances Quinn, go and buy one now, and pre-order this at the same time.

Thanks to Netgalley and Simon & Schuster for the opportunity to read this wonderful book.

Thank you NetGalley and Simon & Schuster UK for this eCopy to review

The Lost Passenger is a compelling read, rich in historical detail, and emotional depth, it was an unforgettable experience.

The story centres around Elinor Coombes, a young mother trapped in a loveless marriage with a British aristocrat. Her life is stifled by the rigid social norms of Edwardian England, and she finds herself isolated and unhappy. A gift from her father—tickets for the maiden voyage of the Titanic—offers a glimmer of hope and a chance to spend time with her young son, Teddy.

When the Titanic tragically sinks, Elinor seizes the opportunity to start anew. She fakes their deaths and assumes a new identity, hoping to build a better life in New York City. The novel vividly portrays her struggles and triumphs as she navigates this brash new world, far removed from the oppressive confines of her previous life.

Quinn masterfully weaves historical events with personal drama, creating a gripping tale of survival and reinvention. The tension escalates when a fellow survivor recognizes Elinor and threatens to expose her secret, adding a layer of suspense to the narrative. Then once she believes they are safe she is spotted by a friend from her past? Can Elinor and Teddy escape detection? Will she be forgiven for her lies?

The characters are well-developed, and Elinor's journey is both heart-wrenching and inspiring. Her resilience and determination to protect her son and carve out a new life for them are truly moving. The book also explores themes of identity, freedom, and the lengths a mother will go to for her child.

Overall, The Lost Passenger is a beautifully written and emotionally resonant novel that I highly recommend. It's a story of hope, courage, and the enduring bond between mother and child. If you enjoy historical fiction with strong, relatable characters and a touch of mystery, this book is a must-read.

I have loved Frances Quinn’s work since I read her first book “The Smallest Man” and this, her third book is another brilliant historical fiction read!!! That said, Lost Passenger is a bit different from her previous work.

It tells the story of Elinor Coombes, who escapes an unhappy marriage after surviving the Titanic disaster. Taking a new identity, she starts fresh in New York with her son Teddy, I found it to be an inspiring and compelling read.

If like me, you enjoy historical fiction, especially those with strong female characters then this is going to be right up your street!! A great choice for your 2025 TBR list

As someone who adores Frances Quinn's stories I am truly sad to tell that I was a bit disappointed with this book. I mean, it was perhaps not a bad book, but compared to the two previous books "The Lost Passenger" felt superficial and lukewarm. I had a feeling the author sped through the story, it felt so rushed and all the periods in Elinor's life were touched upon but were - for me - not explored enough. The story focuses much more about her life in America, though I would so love to hear more about the Titanic trip itself. Then all the situations were solved in such a quick and in such a favourable way that it made me sigh with frustration - no real drama or climax here, to be honest.

Nevertheless, the book had its strong points of course, especially the writing that was steady and sure. It was also though - over very well and meticulously planned and researched, filled with brilliant descriptions and truly interesting facts from this period of time. I really liked how independent and strong - minded Frances Quinn has made her main character and how women power shines through the pages. Sadly, just like I said, I can't not compare this book with the author's previous ones, which were on another level of greatness. Nevertheless, already looking forward to a new Frances Quinn novel.

Oh my goodness, I absolutely loved The Lost Passenger by Frances Quinn. I won’t precis the plot, plenty of other reviewers have done that, but I will say I adored the writing style, the characterisation and the gripping storyline to the extent that I couldn’t wait to get to the end whilst really not wanting it to end. Anyone who has enjoyed watching Titanic will be enthralled by this brilliant book.

The cover is stunning - I don't know if it is by Holly Dunn, but it has that 'look' and is gorgeous ❤️

This is an unusual book. I really liked the voice of the writing - it was irreverent and agile. 'The Lost Passenger' feels a bit like a fairy-tale, and one which upends Cinderella expectations. I've had 'The Smallest Man' and 'That Bonesetter Woman' on my TBR for ages, and look forward to catching up with those earlier stories.

Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the advance copy.

DNFed at 30%. Unfortunately this book wasn't for me. Historical fiction is one of my favourite genres so I thiught I would really enjoy this, as the main character seem to be a strong woman in development. However for me this book is very slow and some of the language doesn't fit in for the time where is setted. I found myseñf skimming through, which is not a good sign. I might be in the minority here. I have never read anything by this author before so I can't compare it to previous works.

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster UK for this ARC.

Elinor Coombes is 19 when she marries into English aristocracy in 1910. Unfortunately, her husband only married her for her father's money, and an heir, whose life she would have had no say in. But then comes the maiden voyage of the Titanic, and her life changes forever.

I loved this book. It was well-paced and each part was interesting and felt well-researched. First we get the life on a cold, crumbling aristocratic estate with cold, unsympathetic people, then the fateful voyage on the Titanic, followed by Ellie's attempt on a new life with young son Teddy, impersonating her deceased maid Molly Mortimer and finding a new start with her lovely relatives - Ruth, Per, Anna and the kids Micke and Lena.

Elinor/Molly has a lot of spirit and get up and go which was suppressed in England but serves her well in New York. The life she had in England was one of tradition and being stuck in the past but now she can look forward to better times. However, she does suffer from PTSD - and then the past comes back to haunt her and threaten her new life.

I enjoyed the writing style immensely and loved our heroine. There are a few repetitions where the author is making the same point over and over in the same words but I was engrossed to the end and read it in one go until late into the night. The beautiful cover adds to the atmosphere of the story.

This is historical fiction but the Titanic and its fate is merely the backdrop for this mesmerising immigrant story of second chances and beginning again. Read it if you love strong women making their way in a new world. I will certainly read more from this author!

I thoroughly enjoyed this novel from Frances Quinn. The heroine changed her life completely when she was a survivor from the sinking of the Titanic and I do like a woman who wins over in difficult circumstances! Like other readers I felt this really got going in the second half of the novel with evocative descriptions of 1912s New York and an interesting story about immigrant experiences in a young country. The early part of the novel was essentially a scene setter with some fairly unsympathetic characters though almost certainly in keeping with their class.

There were some good moments of peril and uncertainty for the heroine but she overcame it all to survive. Fittingly it felt a little ‘a woman of substance’ for me ( in the week that Barbara Bradford Taylor died) and I enjoyed it very much as a lighter historical novel. I read it very quickly and stayed up far too late to finish it!

I didn’t feel it had the depth of ‘the smallest man’ which will forever be one of my favourite historical novels of all time but it is highly recommended by me.

Thank you for the early read. Fran’s previous books were 5 star reads for me.

I enjoyed this story - felt sorry as Ellie became trapped in a loveless marriage in an ancient house and was separated from her child.

Would she really be able to make a fresh start?

Fran’s previous books had felt unique - hadn’t read any similar books with a similar theme. Whereas hundreds of books have been set around the sinking of the Titanic.

However this is an enjoyable read as you find yourself wishing for her to succeed in making a life.

4.5

This was such a beautifully written book. We start off with upper class English society and how completely disregard women's feelings during this time. They get used for other people's advantages in the marriage mart. We see Elinor taking control and getting on board the Titanic's maiden voyage, and well, we all know how that ended up. Elinor, having survived, takes her young son and assumes the identity of one of the deceased passengers to escape the clutches of her in-law's in England. Then, we see how Elinor navigates her new life in New York. I loved this part the most, we see how Elinor gains confidence and becomes the best version of herself in order to give her and her son the life they deserve. The family aspect was so lovely and I could of read about Elinor's life in New York forever.

When Elinor, the daughter of the Cotton King, marries Frederick, she dreams of the love she’s read about in novels. When the marriage turns out to be simply a business transaction on her husband’s side, Elinor’s life is turned upside down. Living away from her loving father and with a cold aristocratic family, she’s miserable, and made even more so when her son Teddy is born and she learns of the life in store for him.

When passage on the Titanic ends in disaster, Elinor seizes the opportunity to begin a new life in New York, where no one knows who she is.

Having loved Frances Quinn’s writing before, I was so excited to pick up her latest historical fiction novel, especially with the link to the Titanic! It was such an easy read that I flew through, with characters I absolutely hated (all of the upper class English characters) and characters I loved (Elinor’s father and Molly’s family).

It seemed to be a book of two halves for me. The first half made me angry for various reasons (mostly the restrictions of the time - no fault of the author’s!) but I struggled to feel as much sympathy for the MC as I’d have liked. At 19, one could argue her simply naive but I think some of the annoyance from that was down to the sheer obviousness of the plot points - as a reader you know what’s happening chapters before her and I’d have liked a little more subtlety in the reveals and discovered things in real time, with her.

The second half was much more enjoyable for me. I fell in love with Elinor’s new life and with Molly’s family. I was rooting for her to come out the other side and thrive in her new environment. The ending was lovely and heartwarming.

I’d recommend this to lovers of the author’s previous works, as well as anyone with a fascination with the Titanic, along with historical fiction fans.

Huge thanks to the publisher for allowing me early access to the book. I’ll definitely be picking up a copy upon publication and I’m obsessed with the cover!

Possible spoilers

An enjoyable tale, that takes a story most of us already know, but doesn't make it the main focus.
Our main character goes from meek and mild , to coming into her own and fighting for what's right for her.
It had some good characters, I especially liked Elinors father, but some great acceptance from Mollys family.
Enjoyable

when the titanic sinks to it's watery grave Elinor Coombes sees this as a way of escaping.. she has a troubled marriage and with her son Teddy she embarks on a new life.

I adored this read. It is a tale of love and fresh starts but has equal amouts of drama and tension.

The writing is beautiful and the plot is just divine. I loved how it unfolded.

This is a book that I will recommend and re read. It would be a brilliant book club choice and jusy perfect to cosy up with.. I wished it never ended..

Absolutely beautiful brilliant book! Perfect for fans of the Titanic! Loved every minute Perfect for book club

As someone who adores all things Titanic the is sorry of starting over and embracing a new life is so inspiring to me and I’m sure many other readers. I love the protective mother instinct and was on pins and needles over whether her secret could be kept. Absolutely fantastic! One of my favorite books of the year