The Paris Express

by Emma Donoghue
The Paris Express cover
Good Books rating 3.67
Historical Fiction
Buy online
Waterstones
Paperback • £9.99 Hardback • £16.99
Amazon
Format/Price Check
Technical
  • ID: 3653
  • Added: 2025-10-18
  • Updated: 2025-10-19
  • ISBN: 9781035057252
  • Publisher: Pan Macmillan
  • Published: 2025-03-20
  • Formats: 2
  • Reviews: 3

In the heart of Paris, 1895, a city on the brink of change, a young woman boards the Granville express with a dangerous plan. As the train speeds towards the City of Light, the lives of its passengers—including a railway crew with everything to lose, a lonely little boy traveling alone, an elderly statesman, and a homesick artist—become intertwined in explosive ways. The Paris Express is a masterclass in suspense, where every moment ratchets up the tension, hurtling readers towards a future that will change everything. Emma Donoghue, the Sunday Times bestselling author of Room, delivers a riveting historical thriller that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. Praised for its heart-pounding pace and intricate plotting, The Paris Express is a testament to Donoghue's skill in crafting unforgettable stories that blend history with thrilling suspense.

Reviews
Well Read Tart · 2025-06-23
ambitious 3.00

The reviewer finds the attempt to shed light on the 1895 Montparnasse Derailment commendable but feels the story is overtold from too many perspectives.

The reviewer appreciates the ambition behind the novel's attempt to explore the 1895 Montparnasse Derailment from multiple angles. They believe the historical context is intriguing and adds a layer of authenticity to the story. However, they feel that the narrative suffers from having too many points of view, which can be overwhelming and dilute the impact of the central event. Despite this, they acknowledge the effort to bring a lesser-known historical event to life.

Quick quotes

    The Paris Express tries to shed light on the 1895 Montparnasse Derailment but only succeeds in overtelling the story from too many POVs.

    It's an immersive book if you can allow yourself to go with the narrative, switching between people and carriages frequently.

    Each and every beautifully written word counts in The Paris Express, Emma Donoghue's thrilling, thought-provoking historical novel inspired by a real-life event.

The Guardian · 2025-03-22
thrilling 3.50

The reviewer appreciates the Agatha Christie-like thrill and the depiction of fin-de-siècle France, but finds the pacing a bit too fast.

The reviewer highlights the zippy, Agatha Christie-like thriller elements that make the book engaging. They particularly enjoy the vivid portrayal of life in fin-de-siècle France, which adds depth to the story. However, they note that the fast-paced narrative might leave some readers wanting more development in certain areas. Overall, it's a thrilling read that captures the essence of the era and the tension of the impending disaster.

Quick quotes

    A train on a fateful trajectory is the location for a zippy Agatha Christie-like thriller giving a taste of life in fin-de-siècle France.

    The Paris Express conjures up really lovely flashes of the French countryside and the scenes depicting the train and how it all works are very evocative.

    The pacing was slow at times, but the plot and characters were intriguing. The resolution was mostly satisfying, if a tad anticlimactic.

BookPage · 2025-03-17
captivating 4.50

The reviewer is captivated by the beautifully written narrative and finds the novel both thrilling and thought-provoking.

The reviewer is deeply impressed by the prose and the way the story is crafted. They find the novel to be a thrilling and thought-provoking exploration of a real-life historical event. The reviewer particularly enjoys the way the narrative builds tension and keeps the reader engaged throughout. They also appreciate the historical accuracy and the depth of the characters, which add to the overall richness of the story. This is a book that stays with the reader long after the last page is turned.

Quick quotes

    Each and every beautifully written word counts in The Paris Express, Emma Donoghue's thrilling, thought-provoking historical novel inspired by a real-life event.

    The pacing was slow at times, but the plot and characters were intriguing.

    The resolution was mostly satisfying, if a tad anticlimactic.

Appears in Lists