Frances Quinn’s That Bonesetter Woman was one of my books of the year in 2022 and I didn’t really expect her new one, The Lost Passenger, to live up to it. Well, I’m pleased to say that I thought it was even better!
The novel begins in England in 1910. Nineteen-year-old Elinor Hayward is the daughter of a wealthy Manchester mill owner known as ‘the cotton king’, but when she marries Frederick Coombes, the son and heir of Lord and Lady Storton, she finds herself being looked down upon by her aristocratic in-laws. It seems that nothing she says or does is good enough for them and although Frederick himself is not unkind, it quickly becomes obvious that he doesn’t love her and it’s not going to be the happy marriage she had dreamed about. Worse still, when their first child, Teddy, is born, he is immediately taken away to be raised by a nanny and it is made clear to Elinor that she’s to have very little involvement in his upbringing.
After two unhappy years, Elinor is thrilled when her father buys tickets for the Titanic and invites her to join him on the ship’s maiden voyage, along with Frederick and Teddy. It’s a chance to see more of the world, but also to finally spend some precious time with her little boy. Of course, the voyage ends in tragedy but Elinor and Teddy are lucky enough to be rescued after the ship goes down. When asked for her name so a list of survivors can be compiled, it occurs to Elinor that this is the only opportunity she’s ever going to have to escape from her old life. Before she has time to really think about the consequences, she finds herself giving another woman’s name and taking on a fake identity. But will she be able to avoid being caught – and will the new life she builds for herself in New York be worth the deception?
Frances Quinn has a real gift for creating characters the reader can get behind and root for. I liked Elinor from the beginning and she had my full sympathy in having to deal with the vicious snobbery of Lady Storton and the disappointment of a loveless marriage. Her life with Frederick and his family is so stifling and unhappy that even though the decision she makes after the sinking of the Titanic is questionable, it’s also very understandable. Although this first section of the novel is quite slow, I think it was necessary for Quinn to spend plenty of time showing us how trapped Elinor felt and how desperate she had become.
Many books have been written about the Titanic, but this one is different. The Titanic is not the main focus of the story but is a starting point to explore how Elinor makes the most of the second chance she has been given. However, I still felt that Quinn handles the disaster sensitively and with respect for the victims. She writes about the failings of the evacuation process, the conditions experienced by those who make it into a lifeboat and the realisation that there’s no hope for the hundreds left on board, but she doesn’t go into too much detail on any of these things. Instead of concentrating on the disaster itself, she focuses more on the survivors and how they try to cope with the trauma they’ve suffered and move forward with their lives.
The second half of the book is devoted to Elinor’s arrival in New York and how she goes about trying to build a happier future for herself and Teddy. I’m deliberately not saying much more because I want you to enjoy discovering the rest of Elinor’s story for yourself (everything else I’ve talked about so far is already touched on in the publisher’s blurb for the book). It’s both fascinating and inspirational to see how Elinor is able to create a whole new life out of the ruins of her old one, but at the same time there’s always the risk that someone who knew her before could see her and give her away her secret.
I loved this book and as I haven’t read her first one, The Smallest Man, yet, I still have something to look forward to!
Thanks to Simon and Schuster UK for providing a copy of this book for review via NetGalley.
She Reads Novels 
Really fancy this one. I love books related to Titanic!
It’s a great book. The Titanic is quite a small part of the story, but it’s very moving.
Cool! I’m interested in any books based around the Titanic disaster. I’ll check it out.
The Titanic part doesn’t start until nearly halfway through the book, but it’s worth waiting for. I loved the way she explored the long-term effects on the survivors as well.
This does sound good and a new author for me, thanks!
Yes, it’s great. I can highly recommend both this and That Bonesetter Woman!
Years ago, probably in 1980 back when it was published, I read Amanda Miranda by Richard Peck. Also a novel about the Titanic and thought it good (interesting to read it now and see if I still think so). But your recommendation sounds very interesting. I once sailed on the Queen Mary, a similar interior to the Titanic. We are soon to holiday in Alnwick at a hotel that has all the first class dining fittings from the sister ship to the Tianic, The Olympic. I can’t wait!
This sounds really good, thanks!
Hmm, it sort of sounds like Quinn stole her idea from the end of the movie Titanic, by who cares about that! We could call it her inspiration.
Maybe you’re right!
I love the idea of her taking that chance to build a different life for herself and her son after such a tragedy. That’s a leap of faith. Can’t wait to check this one out. 😀
Yes, I loved seeing how she rebuilt her life in New York. It was very inspiring. I hope you’re able to read it soon too.
I’m not sure why as I find the Titanic fascinating (although I know that’s not the focus of the story) but I was more drawn to That Bonesetter Woman in general. Hearing that you enjoyed this even more is wonderful though so I’ll have to make a note to check this out too. I hope you enjoy the other book by the author on your TBR too.
That Bonesetter Woman is great as well and has a very likeable heroine. I found this one a more emotional book and I loved the New York setting in the second half, but otherwise there’s not much to choose between the two. I highly recommend both.
First book I’ve seen that doesn’t focus on the Titanic ship itself. But interesting characters always make a good story.
Harvee https://harvee44.blogspot.com/2025/03/march-publications-romance-family-drama.html
Yes, the Titanic part was interesting, but it was a great book because of the characters, particularly Elinor.
Thank you for recommending this book and author! I really enjoyed all three sections. It is hard to write about a book like this without spoilers but, as you said, the publisher gives a lot away (even the title) and I wonder how the author feels about that.
Sometimes I am critical of authors who throw so much drama into one slender book but the unfolding of Elinor’s life and decisions seems very plausible (and as I often say, a talented writer can convince you improbable things *could* all take place). There is a big Titanic artifacts exhibit taking place in Boston currently but I can’t bring myself to spend $40. I tried to go to the museum in Halifax, Nova Scotia on my way to Prince Edward Island about 11 years ago and it was shut the day we were there due to (so they said) high winds!
Yes, I think maybe it would have been better to have gone into this book not knowing about the ‘lost passenger’ part, particularly as it doesn’t happen until halfway through. Anyway, I’m pleased you enjoyed it!
Thanks for reading and reviewing this one Helen! I had seen it out there a lot and wondered if it was good. Anything Titanic related is always a draw 🙂
I hope you’re able to read it too, Shellie. The Titanic section is great, although not really a big part of the book.
Thank you for the review Helen! I will be adding this book to my TBR. 😊📚
I hope you enjoy it, Isabella Ann. I think it’s a great book.
If this one is even better than her previous one I’m very much looking forward to reading it! And I also still have the smallest man on my shelves.
I loved both books but I found this one more emotional. I hope you enjoy it – and The Smallest Man, which I also need to read soon!
I was intrigued by this one as soon as I read the outline!
Thank you for sharing this review with the Historical Fiction Reading Challenge.
It’s one of my favourite books of the year so far.