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Cover of The Girl on the Train

Thriller · Mystery

The Girl on the Train

by Paula Hawkins

Bestseller: about 23 million copies (estimate)

3.5 out of 5, from 2,119 ratings from Hardcover readers

Rachel, a woman struggling with drinking and a collapsed marriage, watches the same house from her commuter train every day. When a woman from that house goes missing, she becomes convinced she saw something.

Facts last checked 2026-10-16

First published
2015
Pace
Fast
Length
Medium
Pages
325
Format
Standalone
Borrow free with Libby Compare prices Save to my shelf

Read this if you like twisty domestic thrillers with narrators you can't fully trust.

Skip this if you want likeable characters or a calm read.

The feel

Content warnings

  • Abuse
  • Domestic violence
  • Addiction
  • Infidelity
  • Manipulation
  • Death

Also reported by Hardcover readers:

  • Alcoholism
  • Violence
  • Domestic abuse
  • Gaslighting
  • Murder
  • Pregnancy
  • Panic attacks/disorders
  • Emotional abuse

Quick answers about The Girl on the Train

What is The Girl on the Train about?
Rachel, a woman struggling with drinking and a collapsed marriage, watches the same house from her commuter train every day. When a woman from that house goes missing, she becomes convinced she saw something.
Who should read The Girl on the Train?
Read it if you like twisty domestic thrillers with narrators you can't fully trust. Skip it if you want likeable characters or a calm read.
How long and how fast is The Girl on the Train?
It is a fast-paced, medium read of about 325 pages, first published in 2015.
Does The Girl on the Train have content warnings?
Content we flag: Abuse, Domestic violence, Addiction, Infidelity, Manipulation, Death.
Can I borrow The Girl on the Train for free?
Often, yes. Check Libby (OverDrive) to see whether your library lends The Girl on the Train; the borrow button above searches it for you.
What should I read after The Girl on the Train?
Readers who liked it often move on to Gone Girl, The Woman in the Window, Before I Go to Sleep.

Where to get it

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