The Lost Passenger by Frances Quinn

March 12, 2025

The Lost Passenger by Frances Quinn

Elinor is a young woman from a very wealthy Manchester manufacturing family. So she is surprised when she and her father are invited to attend an elegant ball given by one of the local aristocrats that they barely know. At the ball, Elinor meets a charming young man who turns out to be the heir to a title and an estate. After a whirlwind courtship, they marry and move to his family's home, where Elinor quickly learns that her real attraction was her father's money to save their crumbling estate. Furthermore, she is told that people of the upper classes don't marry for love and to learn to "rub along" with the husband she now detests. But a few years after her marriage, Elinor is delighted when her father purchases tickets for himself, Elinor, her husband, their son, and Elinor's maid on the maiden voyage a grand new ship: The Titanic.

Have you heard the old saying "marry in haste, repent in leisure?" Yeah, that's this story. When the opportunity arises, the main character Elinor makes a brave decision to take control of her life. I love a good Titanic book and while the Titanic is the setting, the most compelling part of the story is Elinor's struggle to build a new life in New York as she deals with the constant fear of discovery of her deception as well as survivor's guilt. Years ago, I read a terrific book called Amanda/Miranda by Richard Pec, also set on the Titanic. Unfortunately that book has been diluted down to a short novel for young adults, but if you can find a copy of the original novel, I highly recommend it.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an eARC for review.

RMS Titanic, probably the most famous ship in the world