Dec 15, 2017 08:01 PM
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(Updated Dec 15, 2017 08:06 PM)
Tom is on a train journey at a time that is merry and bright,
He is trudging along, his soul is heavy and his demeanor not light,
He’s in search of ideas for a book that he’s going to write,
Despite the Yuletide spirit in ‘The Christmas Train’, will there be a battle to fight?
About the author- David Baldacci: This esteemed and respected author of the fiction literature world needs no introduction. His best selling thrillers featuring protagonists like detective Decker, Jane,
Maxwell, Robie and many more make him the story weaving magician revered by many fans.
The first thing that strikes me when I pick any book by David Baldacci is the vivid and bright, yet enigmatic cover picture. It is so irresistible and mystical that each book screams out to be read. Who wouldn’t like to find out the hidden meaning of the cover page? Although it is said that we shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, I find myself groping for mystery in the cover pictures.
Plot: Langdon boards The Christmas Train to travel from Washington D.C. to L.A. He has been banned from air travel due to an unfortunate occurrence. However, he is excited to make the best of it since he wants to write a book on train travels. Many passengers on board are excited to have an author amidst them and are eager to contribute their own experience in hopes of reading them at a future date in print. A popular motion filmmaker Max Powers is also a passenger along with his little film crew. Eleanor Carter is a scriptwriter in his group. However, it turns out Tom and Eleanor were lovers once upon a time. After a rather brusque break-up which left Tom rather shattered, they never met or stayed in touch for years. After an awkward meeting in this train as a sheer coincidence, Eleanor very clearly wants to stay away from Tom. As the train journey progresses, Tom wonders if miracles are at work during this time of the year. It’s Christmas and a time for love! Is it possible that fate has landed them with a second chance?
Baldacci is an ace suspense author, so how can this love story be devoid of any mystery? Many valuable items are disappearing from passengers’ belongings without a clue as to who could be behind this. The shadow of suspicion is cast over an elderly lady called Anges Joe. Tom tries to investigate on his own. Is he lurking in the shadow of danger?
To add more spice to this decently interesting recipe, a dangerous avalanche threatens to squash the train and bury all the passengers alive. Amidst the continuously falling snow, the freezing weather and the rapidly decreasing fuel in the train, will the passengers ever reach their loved ones at their destinations safely?
My Opinion: This was an interesting read, not very fast paced. A few of the incidents in the story were quite hard to believe. I would have given it 2 stars since I was on the verge of giving it up more than twice during the course of my reading. But a couple of twists in the very surprising climax earned it a bit more. 3 stars for this one.
