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Uma Noite no Expresso do Oriente
Há uma nova vida apenas a um bilhete de distância.
O Expresso Oriente. Luxo. Mistério. Romance.
Para o grupo de passageiros que se instala nos seus lugares e bebe os primeiros goles de champanhe, a viagem de Londres até Veneza é mais do que a viagem de uma vida.
Uma missão misteriosa; uma promessa feita a um amigo moribundo; uma proposta inesperada; um segredo que remonta a vida inteira... Enquanto o comboio segue viagem, revelações, confissões e encontros amorosos têm lugar no cenário mais romântico e infame do mundo.
Prepare-se para a viagem de uma vida
O Expresso Oriente. Luxo. Mistério. Romance.
Para o grupo de passageiros que se instala nos seus lugares e bebe os primeiros goles de champanhe, a viagem de Londres até Veneza é mais do que a viagem de uma vida.
Uma missão misteriosa; uma promessa feita a um amigo moribundo; uma proposta inesperada; um segredo que remonta a vida inteira... Enquanto o comboio segue viagem, revelações, confissões e encontros amorosos têm lugar no cenário mais romântico e infame do mundo.
Prepare-se para a viagem de uma vida
336 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 2013
196 people are currently reading
1881 people want to read
About the author
Veronica Henry
68 books1,591 followersVeronica Henry was a television script writer before turning her hand to fiction. She has published sixteen novels which she describes as realistic escapism - her setting are gorgeous, but her characters have problems and dilemmas everyone can identify with.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 363 reviews
July 30, 2022
Three and a half stars
Through a competition, the matchmaking service Not On the Shelf pairs up a man and woman for a trip on the Orient Express. The winning couple is Emmie Dixon and Archie Harbinson. The thing is Archie never entered the competition. His best mate Jay entered him. Archie never expected to win but he is bound by a promise to Jay to go on the trip. This is one couple. There are also Simon and Stephanie, who has moved in with him, and his two teenagers from Simon’s marriage to Tanya. Another couple is Sylvie, an aged well known screen star and Riley a famed photographer. Then there is Adele and Jack, the couple who started their love affair years earlier. For her granddaughter Imogene’s 30th birthday Adele gives her a ticket for the Orient Express, and a painting that has played a meaningful part in the story of Jack and Adele. Meanwhile Imogen is involved in a secret relationship with Danny who has a prison past and who is not the type her friends would approve of. What will the future hold for Imogen?
These characters make up the stories in this book. It makes entertaining reading. I loved Emmie. She was a breath of fresh air and Stephanie was also a sweetie. Characters on the whole are well developed. My biggest problem was the past love affair between Adele and Jack. Jack was absolutely selfish and Adele too stupid for too long. Maybe their affair just did not convince me. The other problem was these past events were all written in italics and I find reading too much in italics annoying. Those points aside it was a good read with a great setting, though the chapters in Venice had less impact for me than those on the train. Not perfect, but still a really good read that I enjoyed over all. A good bit of light escapism and sometimes that’s all I want as a reader.
Through a competition, the matchmaking service Not On the Shelf pairs up a man and woman for a trip on the Orient Express. The winning couple is Emmie Dixon and Archie Harbinson. The thing is Archie never entered the competition. His best mate Jay entered him. Archie never expected to win but he is bound by a promise to Jay to go on the trip. This is one couple. There are also Simon and Stephanie, who has moved in with him, and his two teenagers from Simon’s marriage to Tanya. Another couple is Sylvie, an aged well known screen star and Riley a famed photographer. Then there is Adele and Jack, the couple who started their love affair years earlier. For her granddaughter Imogene’s 30th birthday Adele gives her a ticket for the Orient Express, and a painting that has played a meaningful part in the story of Jack and Adele. Meanwhile Imogen is involved in a secret relationship with Danny who has a prison past and who is not the type her friends would approve of. What will the future hold for Imogen?
These characters make up the stories in this book. It makes entertaining reading. I loved Emmie. She was a breath of fresh air and Stephanie was also a sweetie. Characters on the whole are well developed. My biggest problem was the past love affair between Adele and Jack. Jack was absolutely selfish and Adele too stupid for too long. Maybe their affair just did not convince me. The other problem was these past events were all written in italics and I find reading too much in italics annoying. Those points aside it was a good read with a great setting, though the chapters in Venice had less impact for me than those on the train. Not perfect, but still a really good read that I enjoyed over all. A good bit of light escapism and sometimes that’s all I want as a reader.
September 18, 2015
Priznajem da me ova knjiga privukla naslovnicom i naslovom.. Nisam imala neka jako velika očekivanja, a kad ono- iznenađenje! Odlična je! Osim naslovom, i strukturom malo podsjeća na Agathu Christie jer je nekoliko početnih poglavlja posvećena likovima koji se, svaki sa svojom pričom, i sa svojim razlozima, spremaju na putovanje Orient Expressom od Londona do Venecije. Ipak, ovaj puta nema umorstva, samo ljubav ... Ljubav u raznim oblicima, raznim životnim dobima, raznim zapletima i raspletima ((ipak, ovo nije klasičan "ljubić", daleko od toga).. A sve smješteno u ambijent luksuznog Orient Expressa koji je prekrasno opisan; od boja, tekstura, hrane, posluge..Zaista imate dojam da i vi sjedite u nekom kupeu i likove promatrate uživo, a ne samo kroz slova na papiru.. A onda iz klasične elegancije Orient Expressa silazimo u bajkovitu Veneciju.. Koja je opet opisana na izvrstan način, da gotovo osjetite ljuljuškanje vode na kojoj grad stoji, kao što ste do malo prije osjetili podrhtavanje tračnica tijekom vožnje vlakom... Ovo je baš prava, opuštajuća knjiga koja nam, zanimljivom pričom i odličnom opisima, nudi "putovanje" na neka druga, daleka mjesta.. Idealna za trenutke kada malo poželimo pobjeći od svakodnevice.. A sigurna sam da nam je to svima, ponekad, potrebno..
September 5, 2013
I think I said it all when I reviewed The Long Weekend on Goodreads and Amazon last year really, but I don’t think there’s any harm in saying it again. There are a few kinds of novels I always know I'll enjoy. With a small few exceptions, I usually enjoy dual-time narratives, so long as the links aren't too clunky. And I enjoy books set in exotic places - unless the stories are a disappointment. Then there are the books – think of the late Maeve Binchy – where you take one location and introduce a cast of characters, all with their own stories, each of which is satisfyingly concluded by the end of the book. This book ticks all the boxes, and in wonderful style – set before, during and after a trip of a lifetime on the Orient Express, with a fascinating cast of characters.
We have the earlier story of Adele, who escapes her routine life and routine marriage by opening an art gallery in the annex of her home with the support of an enigmatic stranger she meets at an auction. Her granddaughter Imogen is making the trip to Italy to escape a difficult relationship and to collect a painting she is to be given for her birthday. Riley is an aging and successful photographer, who makes the trip regularly with the woman he has long loved at a distance. Archie and Emmie, both with recent tragedy in their lives, have been brought together by a dating website for the trip. Stephanie has recently moved in with Simon, and is building a relationship with him and his two teenage children: together on the train, their problems threaten to ruin the trip.
Veronica Henry again picks up all the threads, and weaves them into a wonderful story with a magical setting that absolutely enthralls. I read it in one sitting, totally escaping from reality and really not wanting it to end – but being thoroughly satisfied when it does. The last time I described a Veronica Henry book I drew comparisons with Maeve Binchy – this one reminded me of a Richard Curtis film, and left me with the same warm fuzzy feeling. Fabulous stuff – if you have a romantic bone anywhere in your body, and enjoy a well told story, you must read this one.
We have the earlier story of Adele, who escapes her routine life and routine marriage by opening an art gallery in the annex of her home with the support of an enigmatic stranger she meets at an auction. Her granddaughter Imogen is making the trip to Italy to escape a difficult relationship and to collect a painting she is to be given for her birthday. Riley is an aging and successful photographer, who makes the trip regularly with the woman he has long loved at a distance. Archie and Emmie, both with recent tragedy in their lives, have been brought together by a dating website for the trip. Stephanie has recently moved in with Simon, and is building a relationship with him and his two teenage children: together on the train, their problems threaten to ruin the trip.
Veronica Henry again picks up all the threads, and weaves them into a wonderful story with a magical setting that absolutely enthralls. I read it in one sitting, totally escaping from reality and really not wanting it to end – but being thoroughly satisfied when it does. The last time I described a Veronica Henry book I drew comparisons with Maeve Binchy – this one reminded me of a Richard Curtis film, and left me with the same warm fuzzy feeling. Fabulous stuff – if you have a romantic bone anywhere in your body, and enjoy a well told story, you must read this one.
February 6, 2017
A trip to Venice on the Orient Express is now added to my list. This was pure escapism at its best.
April 10, 2025
Книгата по жанр е романтика и пътешествие. В нея се срещаме с много герои и различни любовни истории. Пътуването с Ориент Експрес до Венеция променя живота на хората, качили се на влака.
Отделено беше най-много внимание на извънбрачната любов на Адел и това не ми хареса.
С по-голямо удоволствие четох останалите четири любовни истории, които се осъществяват във влака. Много сладки бяха Еми и Арчи, а Стефани беше добра и мъдра. Именно тя сплоти разпадащото се семейство.
Авторката описва подробно преживяването в луксозния влак. Пътешестваме из Венеция и се возим на гондоли.
Стилът на писане е лек и се чете бързо. Отнема време да разбереш кой герой какъв е и да запомниш всички описани хора. Това и изневярата на Адел не ми бяха по сърце. Книгата стана интересна от средата нататък.
Бих я препоръчала, ако желаете да посетите Венеция или да се повозите на Ориент Експрес чрез въображението на авторката.
Отделено беше най-много внимание на извънбрачната любов на Адел и това не ми хареса.
С по-голямо удоволствие четох останалите четири любовни истории, които се осъществяват във влака. Много сладки бяха Еми и Арчи, а Стефани беше добра и мъдра. Именно тя сплоти разпадащото се семейство.
Авторката описва подробно преживяването в луксозния влак. Пътешестваме из Венеция и се возим на гондоли.
Стилът на писане е лек и се чете бързо. Отнема време да разбереш кой герой какъв е и да запомниш всички описани хора. Това и изневярата на Адел не ми бяха по сърце. Книгата стана интересна от средата нататък.
Бих я препоръчала, ако желаете да посетите Венеция или да се повозите на Ориент Експрес чрез въображението на авторката.
April 2, 2014
If I had £1 for every time I read a book about ‘rich people complaining about how rich they are’, I’d have about £3. Mainly because I DO NOT read this kind of trash (unless forced to do so for a book club). The Georgette Heyer and Jane Austen books were somehow excusable due the fact that they are period pieces/actually set in the past. But Veronica Henry? Oh, she can just cock off!
That being said, I REALLY, REALLY, REALLY want to go on the Orient Express. So much so, that I actually looked online to see what the prices were like. I nearly fainted. The £2,000 fare cannot merely be to cover bed & board but is more likely designed to keep out the riff-raff, such as myself.
So, that dream is over. It would probably have been full of toffs anyway. The toffs in this story are something else!
Oh it must be so tough being a housewife whose little ones have flown the nest to the poshest boarding school on the planet. So incredibly hard. With nothing in this world to do except lounge around the house, pamper oneself and spend all the husband’s money. Or to be offered a place at Oxford and to not want to take it. Or to be able to just scrape £2,000 out of the bottom of your fur-coat pocket to send your granddaughter to Venice to pick up a rare piece of art… but not packed in to an Easyjet economy flight, no… In the comfortable luxury of the Orient Express. My heart positively BLEEDS for these people. What a life.
Which got me thinking… Who are these novels aimed at? They just make people like me feel alienated, bitter and angry. So then are they written for the upper middle classes? I’m not being funny or anything but I’m sure these people have better things to do with their time than to read tacky Veronica Henry paperbacks. Sozard.
The only reason I give this book 2 stars instead of 1, is that it was reasonably short and easy to read. It was never boring, just sickeningly pompous & self-important. I hope to God I never have to read a piece of crap like this again.
This is not just chick-lit. This is ostentatious chick-lit. *Vom*.
That being said, I REALLY, REALLY, REALLY want to go on the Orient Express. So much so, that I actually looked online to see what the prices were like. I nearly fainted. The £2,000 fare cannot merely be to cover bed & board but is more likely designed to keep out the riff-raff, such as myself.
So, that dream is over. It would probably have been full of toffs anyway. The toffs in this story are something else!
Oh it must be so tough being a housewife whose little ones have flown the nest to the poshest boarding school on the planet. So incredibly hard. With nothing in this world to do except lounge around the house, pamper oneself and spend all the husband’s money. Or to be offered a place at Oxford and to not want to take it. Or to be able to just scrape £2,000 out of the bottom of your fur-coat pocket to send your granddaughter to Venice to pick up a rare piece of art… but not packed in to an Easyjet economy flight, no… In the comfortable luxury of the Orient Express. My heart positively BLEEDS for these people. What a life.
Which got me thinking… Who are these novels aimed at? They just make people like me feel alienated, bitter and angry. So then are they written for the upper middle classes? I’m not being funny or anything but I’m sure these people have better things to do with their time than to read tacky Veronica Henry paperbacks. Sozard.
The only reason I give this book 2 stars instead of 1, is that it was reasonably short and easy to read. It was never boring, just sickeningly pompous & self-important. I hope to God I never have to read a piece of crap like this again.
This is not just chick-lit. This is ostentatious chick-lit. *Vom*.
June 28, 2019
Якщо вам, як і мені, влітку хочеться чогось легкого і романтичного, то ця книжка ідеальна! Саме тому я ставлю їй 5, вона зовсім не розчарувала моїх очікувань. Поїзд "Північний Експрес", Венеція, картини і капелюшки - це все було медом для моєї душі. І наступна книга буде, мабуть, теж Вероніки Генрі.
June 24, 2018
Simpatični likovi, zanimljive priče, lako i brzo se čita, dovoljno za vrlo dobar roman!
September 11, 2013
I wish the title was " Several Nights on the Orient Express" - or at the very least "A Return Journey...." Like all Veronica Henry novels I've read, this did not disappoint. Loved the start with the 'Not On The Shelf' profiles of two characters. This is a book full of promise and happy, uplifting endings for all the characters. Loved it, can recommend it if you are looking for a positive, life affirming story.
August 20, 2019
VH's writing can tug the heart despite myself. Extra star for the depiction of the legendary train journey. The flattering details of the world's so-called most ravishing city did not not endear Venice to me
June 12, 2020
Loved it. Easy read. Read it in one day.
Given it to my sister now, she loves Venice, another sister gave me the book in the first place.
Loved reading about the Orient Express, I would LOVE a trip on it, always fancied one.
Loved reading about Venice too, been there 3 times.
Given it to my sister now, she loves Venice, another sister gave me the book in the first place.
Loved reading about the Orient Express, I would LOVE a trip on it, always fancied one.
Loved reading about Venice too, been there 3 times.
February 6, 2018
Começou de forma aborrecida mas depois melhorou. Gostei muito dos 4 casais, mas acho que cada história merecia mais desenvolvimento, foi um livro muito curto para 4 casais. Ainda por cima, a autora também ocupou espaço a mais com a história do passado de Adele e Jack que, no fundo, não passou de um caso temporário de adultério para passadas tantas décadas ainda precisar de alguns capítulos longos de descrição.
O meu casal preferido foi, sem dúvida, Imogene e Danny, credo, apaixonei-me por Danny tão depressa, mesmo quando era descrito apenas como um ladrão que já esteve na prisão.
Também gostei muito de Emmie e Archie; ao início achei estranha a forma como ela se vestia e ao uso de chapéus mas depois comecei a achar-lhe piada e foi o que a destacou, pela positiva.
Já a Sylvia e Riley não achei muita piada, mas pronto. Simon e Stephanie estiveram bem, mas senti a falta de mais desenvolvimentos sobre a situação da filha dele, Beth.
Depois desta viagem através do livro, tinha mesmo de procurar imagens no Google do Expresso do Oriente, realmente que luxo e beleza!
O meu casal preferido foi, sem dúvida, Imogene e Danny, credo, apaixonei-me por Danny tão depressa, mesmo quando era descrito apenas como um ladrão que já esteve na prisão.
Também gostei muito de Emmie e Archie; ao início achei estranha a forma como ela se vestia e ao uso de chapéus mas depois comecei a achar-lhe piada e foi o que a destacou, pela positiva.
Já a Sylvia e Riley não achei muita piada, mas pronto. Simon e Stephanie estiveram bem, mas senti a falta de mais desenvolvimentos sobre a situação da filha dele, Beth.
Depois desta viagem através do livro, tinha mesmo de procurar imagens no Google do Expresso do Oriente, realmente que luxo e beleza!
July 7, 2020
Enjoyed this story. Would love to do the trip on the Orient Express to Venice.
June 25, 2024
Strangers on a trip to Venice aboard the Orient Express, each with a different story. Veronica Henry, as always, a light read but never twee or cheesy like some romantic fiction. Good for a summer read.
July 29, 2020
This is the first Veronica Henry book I've read and I was drawn to it, I imagine like many readers, by it's glorious setting - the romantic, classic and glamorous Orient Express. Set on board the train's famous journey from London to Paris it was beautifully atmospheric and a wonderful setting for a novel.
The setting for the book was not it's only charm however, this novel followed a number of different stories. Emmie & Archie who have won their trip courtesy of a matchmaking website competition, Sylvie & Riley who have been lovers for years but are reaching their twilight years and long for stability, the blended family with two troubled teens and Imogen who is travelling to Venice to collect a painting on behalf of her grandmother Adele from a mysterious friend Jack. The way in which their stories intertwine are beautiful. We bob backwards and forwards between present day and Adele's past looking into each story intertwined.
Occasionally in books like this where authors try to pack in lots of intertwined stories you can sometimes feel you are granted only snapshots or that some characters are given less time. Henry though does a remarkable job of ensuring each story is defined in it's own right and that each is concluded. It is an extremely well written story, it evokes real atmosphere of travelling on board the world famous train and of it's destination Venice. It made me yearn for the chance to one day experience this famous journey and the Hotel Ciprianni.
I would love to spend more time reading Veronica Henry if all her books are of this calibre.
The setting for the book was not it's only charm however, this novel followed a number of different stories. Emmie & Archie who have won their trip courtesy of a matchmaking website competition, Sylvie & Riley who have been lovers for years but are reaching their twilight years and long for stability, the blended family with two troubled teens and Imogen who is travelling to Venice to collect a painting on behalf of her grandmother Adele from a mysterious friend Jack. The way in which their stories intertwine are beautiful. We bob backwards and forwards between present day and Adele's past looking into each story intertwined.
Occasionally in books like this where authors try to pack in lots of intertwined stories you can sometimes feel you are granted only snapshots or that some characters are given less time. Henry though does a remarkable job of ensuring each story is defined in it's own right and that each is concluded. It is an extremely well written story, it evokes real atmosphere of travelling on board the world famous train and of it's destination Venice. It made me yearn for the chance to one day experience this famous journey and the Hotel Ciprianni.
I would love to spend more time reading Veronica Henry if all her books are of this calibre.
June 7, 2022
Ovo je jedna od onih knjiga od kojin nisam očekivala posebnu zanimaciju. Kupila sam je sestri i uzela je iz čiste dosade da "ohladim" glavu da pročitam. Znajući da je verovatno romanitika očekicala sam da mi se u potpunosti ne dopadne, međutim ova priča je za nekog ko je sanjar (poput mene lično) odlična. Nekoliko priča isprepletanih u jednoj knjizi sve se dodoruju a opet su sve indivdualne, obožavam slikovite opise i to je ono što mi se dopalo ovde, pojela sam je za dva dana jer nije teška ali jako zanimljiva. Jedna od boljih u domenu lakšeg štiva koja zapravo nema bljuvotina i too much opisa u sebi
November 11, 2016
Que romance simples, despretencioso e bonito, tão bom rever Veneza, podia ter viajado um bocadinho mais no Expresso do Oriente, e não envolver tanto a história da Adele.
January 4, 2022
Não foi bem o que eu estava à espera...
Achei que havia demasiados personagens e por isso os capítulos íam alternando contando a história de cada um e quando começava a ficar interessante passava para outro e isso deixava-me levemente irritada. Como se não bastasse, há ainda a história da vida de Adele, que nos vai sendo desenvolvida gradualmente ao longo de todo o livro e por isso transporta-nos para o passado sendo mais uma distração em relação ao que se passa (no presente) a bordo do Expresso do Oriente.
Os romances de cada casal são bonitinhos, cada qual à sua maneira, mas muito breves pelas razões que designei acima. Ficou contudo, a vontade de fazer uma viagem no Expresso do Oriente! :)
Achei que havia demasiados personagens e por isso os capítulos íam alternando contando a história de cada um e quando começava a ficar interessante passava para outro e isso deixava-me levemente irritada. Como se não bastasse, há ainda a história da vida de Adele, que nos vai sendo desenvolvida gradualmente ao longo de todo o livro e por isso transporta-nos para o passado sendo mais uma distração em relação ao que se passa (no presente) a bordo do Expresso do Oriente.
Os romances de cada casal são bonitinhos, cada qual à sua maneira, mas muito breves pelas razões que designei acima. Ficou contudo, a vontade de fazer uma viagem no Expresso do Oriente! :)
July 10, 2014
My mum lent this book to me because she knew I was in need of something quick and light before my birthday. She told me this was "easy to read in a few nights and guaranteed to make you smile". So, I took her advice and read it and it was exactly as she said it was. It was a lovely light read and I really enjoyed it. I can be quite picky when it comes to romance because I like things to be cute and I'm prone to a few clichés, but the second that romance crosses the line into soppiness then I lose interest. I was kind of worried that this would be one of those soppy books, but it actually wasn't. There were about five different romances covered in detail of various levels of subtlety and I enjoyed all of them. They all had their flaws and none of them had that "I love you so much and I can't live without you" stuff that I can't stand. Some of the love stories were a tiny bit cliché, but when there are five different couples in one book you'd expect at least one of them to be even just slightly predictable so I don't mind. Plus, as I said, I don't mind a few clichés from time to time. Overall, I think this was just what I needed during a busy exam period while waiting for new books to arrive for my birthday. A perfectly enjoyable light read.
I don't want to go into details about characters because there were so many of them, but as a whole the characterisation was very good. This is marketed as an adult novel and as a teenage girl I was slightly worried about whether some characters would be too-old for me and therefore hard for me to connect to, but that wasn't a problem. The five main romances spanned many generations, from a young couple in their 20s meeting onboard the train to an older woman reminiscing about a man she loved when she was younger. There were even some teenage characters included so I had no problem connecting at all. What I really liked about this novel was that everyone was different - no two couples acted the same way and I really appreciated that. Overall, it was a good ensemble.
As for the setting, ohhhhhhh. I would absolutely love to go on the Orient Express. Since I'm an unemployed 17 year old then that's probably not going to happen for a long long time if ever, but it's a dream of mine and that's one of the reasons why I wanted to read this book. I have, however, been to Venice and I was equally interested in reading this to remind myself of my trip to Venice last year. I went on an August day right in the middle of tourist season last year when it was 40 degrees centigrade and I still found Venice to be magical, and I think that says a lot about it. It was so lovely to read about it and reminisce about a place that I've actually been lucky enough to visit. The descriptions of both Venice and the Orient Express were beautiful and it made me want to book a trip right now... which given my non-existent financial situation probably isn't a good thing.
Overall, this was the perfect light read. Cute, funny and romantic with gorgeous descriptions of a gorgeous city. If you're the type of person to prefer hard-hitting and dramatic novels then this probably isn't for you, but it catered perfectly to my current needs and I definitely enjoyed it. Now, if someone could buy me a ticket for the Orient Express I'd very much appreciate it...
I don't want to go into details about characters because there were so many of them, but as a whole the characterisation was very good. This is marketed as an adult novel and as a teenage girl I was slightly worried about whether some characters would be too-old for me and therefore hard for me to connect to, but that wasn't a problem. The five main romances spanned many generations, from a young couple in their 20s meeting onboard the train to an older woman reminiscing about a man she loved when she was younger. There were even some teenage characters included so I had no problem connecting at all. What I really liked about this novel was that everyone was different - no two couples acted the same way and I really appreciated that. Overall, it was a good ensemble.
As for the setting, ohhhhhhh. I would absolutely love to go on the Orient Express. Since I'm an unemployed 17 year old then that's probably not going to happen for a long long time if ever, but it's a dream of mine and that's one of the reasons why I wanted to read this book. I have, however, been to Venice and I was equally interested in reading this to remind myself of my trip to Venice last year. I went on an August day right in the middle of tourist season last year when it was 40 degrees centigrade and I still found Venice to be magical, and I think that says a lot about it. It was so lovely to read about it and reminisce about a place that I've actually been lucky enough to visit. The descriptions of both Venice and the Orient Express were beautiful and it made me want to book a trip right now... which given my non-existent financial situation probably isn't a good thing.
Overall, this was the perfect light read. Cute, funny and romantic with gorgeous descriptions of a gorgeous city. If you're the type of person to prefer hard-hitting and dramatic novels then this probably isn't for you, but it catered perfectly to my current needs and I definitely enjoyed it. Now, if someone could buy me a ticket for the Orient Express I'd very much appreciate it...
December 23, 2014
After reading The Long Weekend by Veronica Henry I grabbed the next book of hers with two hands. I loved the style of her writing, the characterisation and the way all of the stories interlinked.
A Night on the Orient Express is about, unsurprisingly, the events that take place just before, during, and just after a journey on the Orient Express. This book focuses on several different characters, Imogen, off to Venice to pick up a painting that belonged to her grandmother Adele, who has a story of her own; Simon and Stephanie and his troubled children Jamie and Beth; Robert, the guard on the train; Emmie and Archie, thrown together by a match-making company; and Riley, a famous photographer and Sylvie, his muse and an actress.
Veronica Henry describes the Orient Express with exquisite detail and love. She has clearly travelled this way and I believe she talks from experience. For me, travelling on the Orient Express is nothing but a dream and to me it sounded wonderful and magical. I have been to Venice, and she described that beautifully too.
For me, these books are all about the characters, and unfortunately that's where I was let down. I enjoyed Imogen's story, but Adele's was much more intriguing. I felt like Imogen and her bad boy Danny were too caught up in what others thought and what 'kind' of people they were. I wanted to scream at her to 'just get over it'. Simon, Stephanie, Jamie and Beth had lots of interesting twists and turns, but I would have liked to know more about Simon and his ex-wife. I didn't particularly find him very sympathetic. I would have liked to know much more about Robert, like we did with Angelica in The Long Weekend, while Emmie and Archie were very predictable. Riley and Sylvie seemed to go on and on about how they were 'famous' and being recognised, although, as a keen photographer I did find his insight sometimes interesting.
I suppose the thing that irritates me, as it did with the last book, is that Veronica Henry seems to be obsessed with label, and material things. All of her characters are wealthy, upper class people (with the exception of just one) and seem to be able to throw money at everything. Staying on in Venice for a few more days, on a whim, is no problem.
But this won't stop me from reading more of her books, and I do race through them, turning each page with excitement, looking forward to the stories unfolding.
A Night on the Orient Express is about, unsurprisingly, the events that take place just before, during, and just after a journey on the Orient Express. This book focuses on several different characters, Imogen, off to Venice to pick up a painting that belonged to her grandmother Adele, who has a story of her own; Simon and Stephanie and his troubled children Jamie and Beth; Robert, the guard on the train; Emmie and Archie, thrown together by a match-making company; and Riley, a famous photographer and Sylvie, his muse and an actress.
Veronica Henry describes the Orient Express with exquisite detail and love. She has clearly travelled this way and I believe she talks from experience. For me, travelling on the Orient Express is nothing but a dream and to me it sounded wonderful and magical. I have been to Venice, and she described that beautifully too.
For me, these books are all about the characters, and unfortunately that's where I was let down. I enjoyed Imogen's story, but Adele's was much more intriguing. I felt like Imogen and her bad boy Danny were too caught up in what others thought and what 'kind' of people they were. I wanted to scream at her to 'just get over it'. Simon, Stephanie, Jamie and Beth had lots of interesting twists and turns, but I would have liked to know more about Simon and his ex-wife. I didn't particularly find him very sympathetic. I would have liked to know much more about Robert, like we did with Angelica in The Long Weekend, while Emmie and Archie were very predictable. Riley and Sylvie seemed to go on and on about how they were 'famous' and being recognised, although, as a keen photographer I did find his insight sometimes interesting.
I suppose the thing that irritates me, as it did with the last book, is that Veronica Henry seems to be obsessed with label, and material things. All of her characters are wealthy, upper class people (with the exception of just one) and seem to be able to throw money at everything. Staying on in Venice for a few more days, on a whim, is no problem.
But this won't stop me from reading more of her books, and I do race through them, turning each page with excitement, looking forward to the stories unfolding.
August 23, 2023
2.5 stars. Too confusing, too many people, several stories (five couples), jumping from one to another, by the time I started reading about one couple I had lost all interest on them and forgotten most of their issues, and once I started being invested again, it changed to another and there we go all over again (who are these people, what was their problem...), so it didn't keep my interest and most of the time I couldn't care less.
"The two of them looked as if they wished they were anywhere else on the planet, which was the kiss of death for a fotograph".
"I love my own company. I don't want to clutter up my life with another person".
"No one, after all, is really what they portray to the outside world".
"You can't expect fidelity in a relationship based on infidelity".
"The two of them looked as if they wished they were anywhere else on the planet, which was the kiss of death for a fotograph".
"I love my own company. I don't want to clutter up my life with another person".
"No one, after all, is really what they portray to the outside world".
"You can't expect fidelity in a relationship based on infidelity".
October 17, 2020
For quite a while I didn’t know how I felt about this book, pending conclusion of what seemed a really lengthy build up... with characters that were all mostly annoying. Expectations: escapism; I love Venice and am fascinated by Orient express! I was able to enjoy at least that part fully - and even the characters become more interesting (although not until 2nd half...)
Then in the end everything just turned to soppiness galore 🙄
A 2 bumped up to 3 for the iconic backdrop of Orient express and Venice.
Then in the end everything just turned to soppiness galore 🙄
A 2 bumped up to 3 for the iconic backdrop of Orient express and Venice.
June 25, 2023
I’m not normally very keen on the concept of jumping between several different characters back stories. It can be confusing as to which characters you’re now relating back to and although at times I did have to remind myself of who belonged to who this book was reasonably easy to follow. The main tale of Adele and Jack wove through the whole book and all the sub stories were interesting, had believable twists and resolutions.
July 19, 2017
I loved the book, but I would've liked more Archie and Emmie and less Jack and Adele. I thought Stephanie and Simon were sweet, but not really necessary. I thought there were enough characters already. I would've been pleased with a book about Sylvie's and Emmie's romance
December 9, 2018
I adore Veronica Henry! This was the perfect romantic read.
June 5, 2020
No real story and very predictable.
November 12, 2022
Un apapacho al corazón. 6 historias entrañables. Un libro fresco y muy bello
September 16, 2013
In the prologue, the train is silent and empty, waiting for its passengers. The passengers are waiting on the platform.
Next, we read an advert. A dating agency is running a competition to win a night on the Orient Express. We get to read the profiles of two people.
Before the journey, we spend time with our characters. Widow 84 year old Adele who sends her granddaughter, Imogen, on the mysterious errand; Imogen herself who has run the art gallery with her grandmother and is now at a crossroads; Riley, a photographer who is still in demand despite his age. He journeys on the Orient Express on the same date each year; Archie, a farmer, and his best friend Jay; Stephanie who has been in a relationship with Simon for three months and finding where she fits in the family with his two children, Beth and Jamie.
Amidst the opulence and pampering on the journey from Victoria to Calais, issues and conflict build but also new relationships are formed. At Calais, two more characters join in the journey. One expected and one a surprise for the woman waiting inside the train.
Venice works its magic on our characters with some very intense scenes.
The author’s descriptions of the Orient Express and Venice let my imagination believe I was there on the train and experiencing the beauty of Venice.
A Night on the Orient Express is beautifully written. I loved being involved in the lives of the characters. Through our characters we experience love in all its different hues. There’s passion, a soul bonding that could have been destructive; new love between younger characters; enduring love; the love for a best friend and familial love. There is just so much to hold your attention with real life issues. I love a book that engages the emotions totally and this really is an emotional ride (forgive the pun!).
This book slid into my online Tesco shop :)
Next, we read an advert. A dating agency is running a competition to win a night on the Orient Express. We get to read the profiles of two people.
Before the journey, we spend time with our characters. Widow 84 year old Adele who sends her granddaughter, Imogen, on the mysterious errand; Imogen herself who has run the art gallery with her grandmother and is now at a crossroads; Riley, a photographer who is still in demand despite his age. He journeys on the Orient Express on the same date each year; Archie, a farmer, and his best friend Jay; Stephanie who has been in a relationship with Simon for three months and finding where she fits in the family with his two children, Beth and Jamie.
Amidst the opulence and pampering on the journey from Victoria to Calais, issues and conflict build but also new relationships are formed. At Calais, two more characters join in the journey. One expected and one a surprise for the woman waiting inside the train.
Venice works its magic on our characters with some very intense scenes.
The author’s descriptions of the Orient Express and Venice let my imagination believe I was there on the train and experiencing the beauty of Venice.
A Night on the Orient Express is beautifully written. I loved being involved in the lives of the characters. Through our characters we experience love in all its different hues. There’s passion, a soul bonding that could have been destructive; new love between younger characters; enduring love; the love for a best friend and familial love. There is just so much to hold your attention with real life issues. I love a book that engages the emotions totally and this really is an emotional ride (forgive the pun!).
This book slid into my online Tesco shop :)
July 8, 2013
This is a lovely feel good read following five groups of travellers on their journeys from London to Venice on the Orient Express. We follow each set through their preparations for the journey, the travelling itself and then their time in Venice. Running in the background, throughout the book, there is also a sixth story – a very romantic love story spanning 50 years and which provides the reason for one traveller, Imogen, making the journey now. It does seem at first that there are a lot of characters to keep track off, but you soon get used to it and with each story being so unique you don’t seem to get muddled at all.
The descriptions of the train are wonderful, you can really feel the luxury and get the whole sense of being pampered by the stewards and staff on the train. You almost feel as if you are sitting in the bar car yourself, sipping a cocktail just watching the characters. Venice itself is also described beautifully, very evocative and again you could almost be sitting in a gondola outside “The Cyp” watching everyone else on their holidays.
It really is the perfect book for people watching as you really do feel like a fly on the wall on the journey and in Venice. An easy to read story which is very romantic in places that you don’t have to think about but which is very enjoyable. An excellent sun lounger read.
The descriptions of the train are wonderful, you can really feel the luxury and get the whole sense of being pampered by the stewards and staff on the train. You almost feel as if you are sitting in the bar car yourself, sipping a cocktail just watching the characters. Venice itself is also described beautifully, very evocative and again you could almost be sitting in a gondola outside “The Cyp” watching everyone else on their holidays.
It really is the perfect book for people watching as you really do feel like a fly on the wall on the journey and in Venice. An easy to read story which is very romantic in places that you don’t have to think about but which is very enjoyable. An excellent sun lounger read.
September 30, 2015
Veronica Henry had a special talent in creating settings that are so evocative, the reader is transported to places that are wonderfully special, accompanied by characters who are interesting and colourful.
An eclectic group of people are all setting out for a night on the Orient Express. There's Imogen who is travelling to Venice to collect a mysterious birthday parcel. Riley, the photographer who realises that he is not invincible after all, and is determined to make sure that his one true love will be by his side for ever. Archie and Emma are there by chance, neither of them are sure what to expect, but both of them are in for a life-changing night. Stephanie is travelling with her lover Simon and his two grown up children, a baptism of fire as their new stepmother, with all the problems and family squabbles that are bound to happen.
Alongside the modern day story is the story of Imogen's grandmother Adele. A beautifully told tale of decadence and intrigue, of glamour and deceit.
A Night on the Orient Express was the perfect read to end my holiday with, I was swept along with all of the wonderfully drawn passengers to an exotic location.
An eclectic group of people are all setting out for a night on the Orient Express. There's Imogen who is travelling to Venice to collect a mysterious birthday parcel. Riley, the photographer who realises that he is not invincible after all, and is determined to make sure that his one true love will be by his side for ever. Archie and Emma are there by chance, neither of them are sure what to expect, but both of them are in for a life-changing night. Stephanie is travelling with her lover Simon and his two grown up children, a baptism of fire as their new stepmother, with all the problems and family squabbles that are bound to happen.
Alongside the modern day story is the story of Imogen's grandmother Adele. A beautifully told tale of decadence and intrigue, of glamour and deceit.
A Night on the Orient Express was the perfect read to end my holiday with, I was swept along with all of the wonderfully drawn passengers to an exotic location.
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