I’ve enjoyed Lisa Unger books in the past, and was in the mood for a solid DAY of escape from pandemic and election frenzy. Confessions of the 7:45 is perfect for that, and I am grateful to Harlequin/Park Row and NetGalley for providing a copy in exchange for this honest review. 

Selena Murphy is on the commuter train headed home when the train stalls out on the tracks. (reminded me of being stuck on a BART train UNDER San Francisco Bay – eeek!) Selena strikes up a conversation with a woman in the next seat, who introduces herself as Martha then instantly goes all TMI and tells Selena about being stuck in an affair with her boss. Selena, also TMI, tells this perfect stranger that she thinks her husband is sleeping with the nanny. I immediately thought “aha! Martha is Selena’s nanny!” which makes no sense because of course she would have MET her nanny previously. Good example of how terrible I am at figuring out mysteries. Fortunately, this one doesn’t require that much thinking, just a willingness to go along for the ride and enjoy the story. 

A few days later, Selena’s nanny disappears, then things start to get weird. Who the heck is Martha, anyway? What happened to the nanny? Did Selena really see what she thought she saw when she logged on to view  the live nanny cam at home? And what is going on with Selena’s marriage?

Excellent plotting makes this one really stand out. It is somewhat reminiscent of Strangers on a Train, but it’s a more traditional thriller that also makes the reader consider “who can I really trust with my secrets?” (For me, the answer is “well, for sure NOT a complete stranger on your commute train!”) Four stars.