Lisa Unger is a New York Times and internationally bestselling author. With books published in twenty-six languages and millions of copies sold worldwide, she is widely regarded as a master of suspense. Her new release is Confessions On The 7:45.
Confessions On The 7:45
Selena Murphy is commuting home from her job in the city when the train stalls out on the tracks. She strikes up a conversation with a beautiful stranger in the next seat, and their connection is fast and easy. The woman introduces herself as Martha and confesses that she’s been stuck in an affair with her boss. Selena, in turn, confesses that she suspects her husband is sleeping with the nanny. When the train arrives at Selena’s station, the two women part ways, presumably never to meet again.
But days later, Selena’s nanny disappears. And soon Selena begins to wonder, who was Martha really? But she is hardly prepared for what she’ll discover.
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My review
Smart, textured and unsettling, Confessions on the 7:45 may just be my favorite Lisa Unger book yet. With a deep dive into human psychology and a fascinating character study, this one explores the gritty behind the gorgeous, the human behind the façade, and I was totally here for it!
Author’s Corner – Interview with Lisa Unger
Thank you so much for being on Author’s Corner again! Where do you get your writing ideas from? Do you keep notes throughout the day, or just start at the beginning and go?
The idea for a novel can come from anywhere. It might be a news story, a line of poetry, a photograph – in one case it was even a piece of junk mail. Usually when this happens, I find myself obsessed with a particular topic or subject matter and start researching it. The best way I can describe it is that if all the research connects with something else going on inside me, I start to hear a voice or voices. And I follow those voices through the narrative.
Outside of writing, what do you like to do? How do you relax after a day of intense thriller writing?
I practice yoga and meditate. I love spending time in nature, so lots of beach walks, hiking when I can, kayaking. Time with family and friends has become so special during the pandemic, so we really value the things we can do together – mostly outdoors.
What was the very first thing—ever—that you remember writing?
Lots of really bad, angsty poetry.
As a thriller author, what scares you? Do you ever find yourself scared by what you’ve written, or is it usually external things?
If I’m scared of something, I’m writing about it. The page is where I metabolize all my fears and demons – external and internal. I’m never frightened by what I write. In fact, I feel braver after writing because, in a sense, I’ve wrestled my fears onto the page and therefore have conquered them. At least for the moment!
Who is your favorite crime hero or detective?
Hands down: Batman. Formed in trauma, he is dark, layered, tortured and always walking that very thin line between hero and villain.
What are some of the book(s) that you’ve read and loved recently?
Turn Of The Key by Ruth Ware was smart and textured with a bruiser of an ending. To Tell You The Truth by Gilly Macmillan was unsettling and completely riveting, diving deep into one of my favorite topics: imaginary friends. Blacktop Wasteland by S.A. Cosby was gorgeous, gritty, human, and moving.
If you could invite five people (dead or alive) to a dinner party, who would they be and why?
I wish I could tap my friend Kate White to answer this question because she is the queen of dinner parties. But off the top of my head: Oprah Winfrey because she uses her power for good. Stephen King because he is my all-time favorite writer. Charlotte, Emily, and Ann Bronte because they defied convention to be true to themselves.
Thinking back over all the books you’ve written, which character do you identify with most, and why?
Ha, there is no way to answer that question. Each character holds a special place in my heart, and represents what I was dealing with, trying to understand, afraid of, hopeful for, or wrestling at the time of its writing.
Writing Confessions On The 7:45
Let’s talk about your book Confessions On The 7:45. Can you tell my readers a little about it? Where the idea for it came from?
After an awful day, young mom Selena Murphy meets a mysterious stranger during her commute home. The beautiful young woman strikes up a conversation with a confession, leading Selena to share a dark secret of her own. Afterwards, Selena is embarrassed. As she goes back to her life, she hopes she’ll never see the stranger from the train ever again. But, of course, she will.
How did you first meet your main character, Selena? Did she appear to you fully-formed, or did she grow and evolve as you wrote?
All characters appear fully formed, and then evolve as I write. Like any relationship, my characters reveal themselves in layers. So I think of them as people that I meet, and get to know on the page. They come fully formed, but I have to discover all the things they’re hiding.
One of my favorite things about your work is how well-researched the psychology of your characters is. Can you tell us a little about how that character psychology shows up in Confessions On The 7:45?
The key to writing authentic characters is empathy, feeling compassion for each person on the page – no matter how damaged or twisted she might be. My research into human psychology is multi-fold, but the biggest part is just living, learning, paying attention. Each character in Confessions is essentially wearing a mask – we all do. And beneath the masks are layers of secrets and lies – lies they’re telling to each other and to themselves. Sifting through those layers of self and character psyche, trying to uncover the truth, is one of the main things that drive my fiction.
Describe Confessions On The 7:45 in three words.
Layered, dark, mysterious. Haha – like Batman!
What do you think readers will love about Confessions On The 7:45?
Hmm, I wouldn’t presume to say. I hope they’ll be up all night reading because they’re gripped by the plot, but that they’ll still be thinking about the characters after the book is closed.
What’s next for Lisa Unger?
Are you working on a new book? Can you tell my readers a little about it, a blurb, potential release date, etc? Where did you get the idea?
Nice try! I never talk about my next project until it’s getting ready to hit the shelves. But I will say I am editing the next manuscript and – stay tuned!
Get In Touch
Lisa loves connecting with readers. You can get in touch with her at:
Loved the interview. And nice to hear meditation and walks are her escape as they are mine too!
Thank you so much, Heather! 🙂
Thank you fit the chance! This sounds fantastic!
I love all these authors. The books are fantastic.
I read THE NIGHT OLIVIA FEEL and gave it 5*. In my reviews. I’ve just started reading TRUTH I NEVER TOLDL YOU and feel that it will a 5* book too. I’m so anxious to read CONFESSIONS ON THE 7:45. I’m hoping it’s an equally good book to read.
Thank you so much, Donna! I’m thrilled you loved The Night Olivia Fell! Lisa is such a pro at storytelling – I’m sure you’ll love Confessions on the 7:45!
This sounds like a stay awake all night book! Can’t wait to read!
I haven’t read your books but after reading this interview i will definitely check out
I’m so happy to hear that, Bridget! I’m sure you’ll love any of Lisa’s books!
I love your books. Looking forward to this one!
Love a good mystery books sounds great. Great interview.
Great interview! What is your favorite Stephen King book?
Sounds like very hard to put down kind of book
This books sounds very mysterious and very interesting, hope to read this book soon. I unfortunately never read this author but I think this one would definitely start me in the right direction.
Cant wait to read! Thanks for the chance!
Sounds like another must-have addition to my library!
I really enjoyed this interview. You asked some really great questions. I look forward to reading Confessions on the 7:45.
Thank you so much, Annette! I’m so happy you enjoyed this interview! 🙂
I always like to know how the idea came about.
Great interview.
Thank you! 🙂
I cannot wait for this book to be available.
I always like to know how the idea came about.
LOL on Batman.
Great interview.
OOPS…sorry for two comments.
Confessions sounds really intriguing and scary! Great interview!
I have been wanting so badly to read this book. Fingers crossed!
Sounds great. Can hardly wait to read it!
This book looks amazing
This is exciting I have really wanted to read . Thank you
looks very good cant wait to read
Amazing authors!
I’ve been wanting to read “Confessions on the 7:45”, so I’m keeping my 🤞🏻-lol. It sounds like the type of book I love to read, and now that I’ve read the synopsis and interview, I’m even more excited about it than I was before! Thanks so much for the great interview and the chance to win!
I’m so happy you loved the interview, Patricia! Thank you!
Excited to read these books!
Sounds like a page-turner!
So looking forward to this book, can’t wait
I can’t wait to read this one. I keep seeing it posted all over Instagram/Bookstagram with rave reviews.
You are a new author to Me. This book sounds amazing!
This is very interesting! I love the refence to Batman! I am excited about this book!
This is definitely on my tbr!
Would love to win a copy! Sounds like an amazing book to curl up and read!
I would love this book! Her books are so good!
I am so anxious to read another Lisa Unger book.
Both very interesting and intelligent !! Cannot wait to read the books !!! Avid reader , always 👍
Excited for new authors to read !! Hope i win !!
Sounds really interesting. I have read The Night Olivia Fell and enjoyed it very much.
Thank you so much, Shelley, I’m thrilled you enjoyed The Night Olivia Fell! ! That means the world to me!
This sounds awesome
Can’t wait to read it
It sounds really good, I read the night Olivia fell and loved it.
I would love this book. Although it might keep me awake all night. Lol.
This book sounds really good been on my tbr list! Great interview also
I so want to read this book! Thank you!
Can’t wait to get this book.
I am very intrigued. Adding this to my must read list!
I am a big fan of Lisa’s as is my granddaughter. We became fans after reading Crazy Love You. We have read several others. Can’t wait for this one. Fingers crossed
I would love to read it
Your book sounds so intriguing. Thank you for sharing. How has the pandemic effected your writing? I saw that you are very close to your family. With the colder temperatures, do you have a game plan in place for being able to be with them?
Sounds like a good, interesting read.
I feel like a lot of authors who write thrillers and mysteries start off writing angst poetry. It must help develop insight. Her new book sounds exciting and I cannot wait to read it.
Sounds my kind of book!
Looking forward to reading this one!
I love Lisa Unger’s writing – and I remember I found her once when she was doing an interview with Alafair Burke who is by far one of my favorite authors ! I am so so wanting to read Confessions on the 7:45!! It 7 me of the days I took the 7:45 into Manhattan!
I can’t wait to read this book it sound like a book that I will start and not put down until the last page, The cover is very interesting I sit here and look at I can’t go on.
Now I *really* want to read this one!!
This one sounds really good.
I have added this one to my TBR list!
Thank you so much for the opportunity
I just got this in the mail and can not wait to read it!! But would love a copy to send my book buddy/sister-in-law Kristie!
Yaye !! BATMAN is my favorite as well !!
Great interview.
This sounds intriguing – would love to read it.
I would love to win this book!
Thanks for the chance , it sounds a good read , and I loved the interview
Really good interview. It’s nice to understand a little about how the author puts a book together.
So glad you enjoyed it, Ruth, thank you! 🙂
I can’t wait to read this one! Love her books!❤️
Great interview! Lisa writes outstanding thrillers, Crazy Love You & Blackout were fantastic. So looking forward to this one.