What do you think?
Rate this book
The Woman in Coach D
“Let the fear set you free, Jenny.”
It’s been sixteen years since Susie Patterson last told me those words. Sixteen years since our ever-escalating dares and challenges finally went too far, and my best friend plunged into the icy waters of Hangman’s Cave never to be seen again.
I’ve spent every moment since trying to come to terms with what happened - and recover the memories I lost the night my best friend died. I’ve been a wreck - tormented by panic attacks, treated like a pariah, and never quite certain that all the terrible things people whisper about me behind my back aren’t true.
All I know for certain is that the night Susie died, the person I used to be died as well.
Except suddenly, I’ve discovered that Susie’s not dead. I saw her again just now, getting off the same train as me at Manchester Piccadilly station. I looked into her eyes, and they were exactly the same as the eyes I used to stare into back when we were teenagers.
It shouldn’t be possible. I thought my fractured mind was playing tricks on me. There’s no way Susie could still be alive all these years later…
Then, the letter arrives. An envelope containing pages from the diary I wrote back when I was just seven years old, accompanied by a handwritten note.
Susie is alive, and she's asking me a
“Are you ready to play our game again?”
The Woman in Coach D is an intense and addictive psychological suspense by bestselling author Sarah A. Denzil, the “mistress of twists.” It’s a must-read for fans of Gillian Flynn, Frieda McFadden, and Paula Hawkins.
"Sarah Denzil writes clever and original plots, and The Woman in Coach D is one of her finest yet." -- Miranda Rijks, bestselling author of The Visitors and Make Her Pay
"It will haunt you for a long while after you close the book." -- Goodreads reviewer
It’s been sixteen years since Susie Patterson last told me those words. Sixteen years since our ever-escalating dares and challenges finally went too far, and my best friend plunged into the icy waters of Hangman’s Cave never to be seen again.
I’ve spent every moment since trying to come to terms with what happened - and recover the memories I lost the night my best friend died. I’ve been a wreck - tormented by panic attacks, treated like a pariah, and never quite certain that all the terrible things people whisper about me behind my back aren’t true.
All I know for certain is that the night Susie died, the person I used to be died as well.
Except suddenly, I’ve discovered that Susie’s not dead. I saw her again just now, getting off the same train as me at Manchester Piccadilly station. I looked into her eyes, and they were exactly the same as the eyes I used to stare into back when we were teenagers.
It shouldn’t be possible. I thought my fractured mind was playing tricks on me. There’s no way Susie could still be alive all these years later…
Then, the letter arrives. An envelope containing pages from the diary I wrote back when I was just seven years old, accompanied by a handwritten note.
Susie is alive, and she's asking me a
“Are you ready to play our game again?”
The Woman in Coach D is an intense and addictive psychological suspense by bestselling author Sarah A. Denzil, the “mistress of twists.” It’s a must-read for fans of Gillian Flynn, Frieda McFadden, and Paula Hawkins.
"Sarah Denzil writes clever and original plots, and The Woman in Coach D is one of her finest yet." -- Miranda Rijks, bestselling author of The Visitors and Make Her Pay
"It will haunt you for a long while after you close the book." -- Goodreads reviewer
Audible Audio
Published October 10, 2024
1102 people are currently reading
5912 people want to read
About the author
Sarah A. Denzil
46 books2,499 followersSarah A. Denzil is a Wall Street Journal bestselling suspense writer. She is also known as young adult author Sarah Dalton.
Sarah lives in Yorkshire with her partner, enjoying the scenic countryside and rather unpredictable weather.
She is the author of international bestselling psychological thriller SILENT CHILD, which topped the bestseller lists on Amazon in the US, UK and Australia.
You can read now read AIDEN'S STORY, a short story and sequel to SILENT CHILD. It's completely free here: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/n7lb74chp3
Find out more at: http://www.sarahdenzil.com/
Join the newsletter for updates: http://eepurl.com/cwAmZD
Follow her on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sarahadenzil
Check out her Instagram page:
https://www.instagram.com/sarahadenzil/
Email: sarah@sarahdenzil.com
Sarah lives in Yorkshire with her partner, enjoying the scenic countryside and rather unpredictable weather.
She is the author of international bestselling psychological thriller SILENT CHILD, which topped the bestseller lists on Amazon in the US, UK and Australia.
You can read now read AIDEN'S STORY, a short story and sequel to SILENT CHILD. It's completely free here: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/n7lb74chp3
Find out more at: http://www.sarahdenzil.com/
Join the newsletter for updates: http://eepurl.com/cwAmZD
Follow her on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sarahadenzil
Check out her Instagram page:
https://www.instagram.com/sarahadenzil/
Email: sarah@sarahdenzil.com
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 689 reviews
November 4, 2024
It was too drawn out and it could've wrapped up sooner. Overall it was okay
August 24, 2025
The memory loss trope has been done ✅ time & time again only listened to three hours that was enough very boring 🥱 in my opinion.
November 20, 2024
2.5
An hour in, i hated it. Typical amnesia and lost memories type of book. So I almost gave it up. THEN, wild goose chase, following letter instructions and super crazy shit. So I liked it. FINALLY, I hate it again haha. I feel like it tried to be the type of book with twists and turns but failed horribly. It also had very questionable and dumb moments.
I read it because it was free on audible. I finished it because the middle of the story caught my attention and I had to know what happened. I dont regret reading it because, whatever haha.
An hour in, i hated it. Typical amnesia and lost memories type of book. So I almost gave it up. THEN, wild goose chase, following letter instructions and super crazy shit. So I liked it. FINALLY, I hate it again haha. I feel like it tried to be the type of book with twists and turns but failed horribly. It also had very questionable and dumb moments.
I read it because it was free on audible. I finished it because the middle of the story caught my attention and I had to know what happened. I dont regret reading it because, whatever haha.
November 7, 2024
Utter garbage.
Not badly written, but I hated every character and the plot was unbelievably ridiculous.
Not badly written, but I hated every character and the plot was unbelievably ridiculous.
November 15, 2024
This entire story rests on the FMC not being able to tell the difference between her best friend and her lover. Does she have prosopagnosia?
The plot was pretty ludicrous. A teenage sociopath is so in love with the teenaged girlfriend she dated for a hot minute, she murders the best friend. Realising she'd go to jail if she doesn't hightail it out of there, she goes on the run, takes on the dead/missing girls identity and starts a cult. sisteen years later, on learning that she's dying of cancer, decides to recruit the love of her life into the cult so she can run the cult after she dies.
WTF???
The plot was pretty ludicrous. A teenage sociopath is so in love with the teenaged girlfriend she dated for a hot minute, she murders the best friend. Realising she'd go to jail if she doesn't hightail it out of there, she goes on the run, takes on the dead/missing girls identity and starts a cult. sisteen years later, on learning that she's dying of cancer, decides to recruit the love of her life into the cult so she can run the cult after she dies.
WTF???
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 4, 2024
That was… well… longer than needed (could easily cut in about half) and the writing is bad, immature and repetitive. Oh if I see one more time “my best friend in this entire world” or “it makes my stomach churns” or “but she’s my best friend”… seriously. The plot is somewhat not bad but not well developed. I don’t know why I do this to myself, I should have just given up!
December 10, 2024
I took advantage of the free version of this book on audiobooks. One thing which stood out from the beginning and made me want to scream; there were just too many 'says' all through the book. There are countless synonyms for 'say' or 'said,' surely the writer could have used a Thesaurus to assist and improve her writing? Not only is 'says' repeated numerous times, but the speaker pronounces 'says' to rhyme with 'days' something I found SO irritating .. The plot was rather far fetched, but on the other hand the many unexpected twists helped the story move forward and made me want to read on and not give up before the end.
November 1, 2024
Turned out right in the end but the author please note there are so many more words for said then says or said! Maybe next time you write a book look at the thesaurus? Characters okay, main character completely frustrating did some really stupid things made you want to scream but then without all that the book wouldn’t exist. Some good twists in the story, and, I listened to this on Audible really liked the narration
December 7, 2024
I can hardly express what an unpleasant book this was to read. I persevered and made it through by skipping huge chunks of it. It says something that I could skip a chapter or two at a time and not be lost. The main character is wholly frustrating.she is stupid and weak-willed. The lengthy, self-indulgent inner monologues are maddening and do nothing to move the plot forward. Even when she’s trapped under ice in a freezing lake, about to drown, she pauses to have a lengthy conversation with herself. Even worse, the details in the plot get more violent and sick as the book goes on. right up to the end. Save yourself the frustration and skip this one
October 15, 2024
This was another great book that dealt with the psychological nature of humans.
Themes such as friendship, manipulation, relationships, mistrust, loyalty and disloyalty, control, illness and sanity /insanity dominate the story.
The characters suited the plot and I liked the first-person narrative because it gave truth and depth to the tale. The tension was palpable as was the suspense...the mysterious quality was expertly done.
An engaging and disturbing read, which I would highly recommend.
Themes such as friendship, manipulation, relationships, mistrust, loyalty and disloyalty, control, illness and sanity /insanity dominate the story.
The characters suited the plot and I liked the first-person narrative because it gave truth and depth to the tale. The tension was palpable as was the suspense...the mysterious quality was expertly done.
An engaging and disturbing read, which I would highly recommend.
December 11, 2024
Without a doubt one of the silliest books I’ve come across. If I head that stupid rhyme “1,2,3 dare you dare me” one more time, I was going to dare myself to give up on the book. The stupid rhyme thing is also in another book by Denzil “1,2 now you”. Get a new thing Denzil, this one is crap. The plot like was so stupidly unbelievable I just hated this and want my time back. Not one thing positive to say about it.
November 30, 2024
I started it, so I finished it. It wasn’t the worst book I’ve read is probably the nicest thing I can say about it.
The dialogue was very basic, and whilst the twists were surprising, I didn’t really care enough about the characters to be interested enough in them. And the whole cult thing? Nope.
The dialogue was very basic, and whilst the twists were surprising, I didn’t really care enough about the characters to be interested enough in them. And the whole cult thing? Nope.
December 5, 2024
Too many repetitive points every chapter. Could have been 20% shorter. Jenny is hard to cheer for. Overall good concept but never gelled. Pity.
November 13, 2024
I did not enjoy this book. I felt like the author was stretching to find a close. The plot took a strange turn and just didn’t seem to have a good flow. I found myself questioning what I was reading several times.
January 23, 2025
3.5
The book didn’t engulf me like some others but it definitely was a slow burn. It got very good towards the end & for once I didn’t have the SLIGHTEST clue about the plot. I had 5 guesses and thought it was one and no. I don’t think anyone could conjure up the plot. 10/10 for the plot absolutely.
The book didn’t engulf me like some others but it definitely was a slow burn. It got very good towards the end & for once I didn’t have the SLIGHTEST clue about the plot. I had 5 guesses and thought it was one and no. I don’t think anyone could conjure up the plot. 10/10 for the plot absolutely.
November 16, 2024
Bad. I can’t believe I even finished it. Unrealistic and not in a good way.
July 22, 2025
Trauma and what one goes through can evolve into much more. This one was emotional one. My first by this author. There is usually a BEFORE and AFTER.
November 22, 2024
4.5⭐️
Well, um, I'm not sure how I feel right now... 🤯😵💫🤯
This book was ALOT more than I expected and definitely had a lot more twists and turns than I could ever have anticipated. I actually find it difficult to fault very much with this, to be honest!
Safe to say this was well and truly mind-blowing in the sense the synopsis did not give away anything from what you may think is going to happen in this...
This leaves you pondering so many things I don't want to go into too much detail as it would potentially spoil it for others but I'd recommend this one as it is a well narrated audiobook and all I'd say is expect the unexpected once you get into the story then you will see the pattern most likely. However, until then, it's so well written that you just don't see it all transpire as it does!
Currently included with audiable 🎧
Well, um, I'm not sure how I feel right now... 🤯😵💫🤯
This book was ALOT more than I expected and definitely had a lot more twists and turns than I could ever have anticipated. I actually find it difficult to fault very much with this, to be honest!
Safe to say this was well and truly mind-blowing in the sense the synopsis did not give away anything from what you may think is going to happen in this...
This leaves you pondering so many things I don't want to go into too much detail as it would potentially spoil it for others but I'd recommend this one as it is a well narrated audiobook and all I'd say is expect the unexpected once you get into the story then you will see the pattern most likely. However, until then, it's so well written that you just don't see it all transpire as it does!
Currently included with audiable 🎧
March 20, 2025
A good, solid suspense story that took a little longer than it might have done to get from the intriguing setup to a great final 25-30% climax.
Very well narrated by Katie Clarkson-Hill, who really embodied the MC Jenny. I would say I enjoyed the story all more because of her performance :).
Very well narrated by Katie Clarkson-Hill, who really embodied the MC Jenny. I would say I enjoyed the story all more because of her performance :).
January 24, 2025
The woman in coach D, autorė Sarah A. Denzil. Psichologinis trileris. Ką galiu pasakyti, kai knygą vertini pagal tai jog ne visiška nesąmonė, kurią esi skaičius, tai turbūt irgi nieko gero? 😄
Tad ką čia rasim? Jenny, niekaip neatsikrato kaltės jausmo, kad ji išgyveno, o jos geriausia draugė dingusi, o gal net negyva. Prieš 16 metų, tada dar paauglės jos susigalvojo iššūkių žaidimą. Vienas tų iššūkių baigėsi tragedija. Jenny gavo sunkią galvos traumą ir dalis jos jaunystės prisiminimų dingo iš atminties, kartu ir su tos lemtingos nakties įvykiais. Bet visai netikėtai vieną dieną ji pamato savo geriausią draugę Susie traukinyje. Tada pasipila paslaptingi laiškai. Jenny nori žut būt išsiaiškinti, kas gi nutiko tą lemtingąją naktį ir kodėl Susie tiek laiko slapstėsi. Padedam detektyvo ji įsitraukia į pavojingą žaidimą.
O visumoje per daug ištęsta. Galejo būt 100psl trumpesnė, ir turbūt būtų tą patį papasakojus. Nėra blogiausią, ką esu skaičiusi, bet kažkodėl nekabino. Gal tas siužetas visas pritrūko šiek tiek logikos vietom. Ypač į pabaigą, kulminacija sužaista pagrindinės herojos patirta smegenų trauma ir atminties trikdžiais. Kas verčia galvoti jog visas siužetas balansuoja ant tokio atsitiktinumo labiau.
Viena iš tų knygų kurią perskaičius nesukėlė per daug emocijų. Paskaitei, padėjai ir pamiršai. Tai tiek.
Tad ką čia rasim? Jenny, niekaip neatsikrato kaltės jausmo, kad ji išgyveno, o jos geriausia draugė dingusi, o gal net negyva. Prieš 16 metų, tada dar paauglės jos susigalvojo iššūkių žaidimą. Vienas tų iššūkių baigėsi tragedija. Jenny gavo sunkią galvos traumą ir dalis jos jaunystės prisiminimų dingo iš atminties, kartu ir su tos lemtingos nakties įvykiais. Bet visai netikėtai vieną dieną ji pamato savo geriausią draugę Susie traukinyje. Tada pasipila paslaptingi laiškai. Jenny nori žut būt išsiaiškinti, kas gi nutiko tą lemtingąją naktį ir kodėl Susie tiek laiko slapstėsi. Padedam detektyvo ji įsitraukia į pavojingą žaidimą.
O visumoje per daug ištęsta. Galejo būt 100psl trumpesnė, ir turbūt būtų tą patį papasakojus. Nėra blogiausią, ką esu skaičiusi, bet kažkodėl nekabino. Gal tas siužetas visas pritrūko šiek tiek logikos vietom. Ypač į pabaigą, kulminacija sužaista pagrindinės herojos patirta smegenų trauma ir atminties trikdžiais. Kas verčia galvoti jog visas siužetas balansuoja ant tokio atsitiktinumo labiau.
Viena iš tų knygų kurią perskaičius nesukėlė per daug emocijų. Paskaitei, padėjai ir pamiršai. Tai tiek.
January 8, 2025
Thank f- that's over. (Spoiler) If I was a 15 year old girl I would have probably loved it. It's so ridiculous.
So long , to many "she says, he says, I says , he says , she says" IF I NEVER HEAR SHE THEY THEM HE HIM SAYS EVER AGAIN IT WILL BE TOO SOON!
Every twist I shock my head and thought.. really? the next twist REALLY?? the next twist ..... OH COME ON NOW!! it starts out fairly solid and just gets silly.
I didn't hate it , but I wouldn't recommend it, nor would I read it again.
here is the plot incase you are wondering - girls friend susie is missing, she thinks she's seen susie on a train but not sure as its been 16 years and she's got a brain injury after they jumped off a cliff (yeah, ok). Turns out susie is still alive and heading a cult, turns out susie is dead and our protagonist forgot she had a girlfriend that was jel of her best friend susie so the gf killed the bestie and stole her identity (while staying under the radar but building a worldwide cult), the gf now is dying of cancer and is a millionaire (lol right). The old gf leaves the cult to our protagonist, and she takes down the whole thing by sending details to her wishful thinking boyfriend, who's a copper.. she then escapes and fucks off to Singapore with the millions, so she's found out what happened to the Bestie, taken down a cult and now a millionaire on holiday forever.
So long , to many "she says, he says, I says , he says , she says" IF I NEVER HEAR SHE THEY THEM HE HIM SAYS EVER AGAIN IT WILL BE TOO SOON!
Every twist I shock my head and thought.. really? the next twist REALLY?? the next twist ..... OH COME ON NOW!! it starts out fairly solid and just gets silly.
I didn't hate it , but I wouldn't recommend it, nor would I read it again.
here is the plot incase you are wondering - girls friend susie is missing, she thinks she's seen susie on a train but not sure as its been 16 years and she's got a brain injury after they jumped off a cliff (yeah, ok). Turns out susie is still alive and heading a cult, turns out susie is dead and our protagonist forgot she had a girlfriend that was jel of her best friend susie so the gf killed the bestie and stole her identity (while staying under the radar but building a worldwide cult), the gf now is dying of cancer and is a millionaire (lol right). The old gf leaves the cult to our protagonist, and she takes down the whole thing by sending details to her wishful thinking boyfriend, who's a copper.. she then escapes and fucks off to Singapore with the millions, so she's found out what happened to the Bestie, taken down a cult and now a millionaire on holiday forever.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 28, 2025
Just totted up that this is the 20th book I have read of this author. I have given several 5 star reviews, too. So it pains me to give this one such a low rating.
It was so far removed from her normally great crafted plots. Unlikeable characters, some unlikely police procedures. It was just so implausible and absurd. I couldn't recommend this to anyone unless you like cult themed books.
This is going in my bottom 5 of worst books for 2025, a decision I don't usually take until the end of December.
Please don't let this review put you off this author's other books.
I now need to have a fantastic book to pull me back up. David Nicholls, don't let me down!
It was so far removed from her normally great crafted plots. Unlikeable characters, some unlikely police procedures. It was just so implausible and absurd. I couldn't recommend this to anyone unless you like cult themed books.
This is going in my bottom 5 of worst books for 2025, a decision I don't usually take until the end of December.
Please don't let this review put you off this author's other books.
I now need to have a fantastic book to pull me back up. David Nicholls, don't let me down!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 9, 2025
I will start by saying, my review is my opinion, and I still urge others to give it a try because you may love it!!
For me, this book had a good story line and intriguing, yet it didn’t keep me interested sadly. I did get confused a couple of times and so did a couple of other ladies in our BC.
My star ratings are : 1 star is a DNF, 2 stars , I can see why others liked it but not my cup of tea. 3 stars I may recommend it if others like this genre.
2.5 (rounded to 3 for GR) because I would have stopped reading but it was for my book club that I run, so I had to push through. Again, my rating is purely my opinion, and I know others that read it and LOVED it!
For me, this book had a good story line and intriguing, yet it didn’t keep me interested sadly. I did get confused a couple of times and so did a couple of other ladies in our BC.
My star ratings are : 1 star is a DNF, 2 stars , I can see why others liked it but not my cup of tea. 3 stars I may recommend it if others like this genre.
2.5 (rounded to 3 for GR) because I would have stopped reading but it was for my book club that I run, so I had to push through. Again, my rating is purely my opinion, and I know others that read it and LOVED it!
October 31, 2025
This book was insane on a different level!!
If you’d like books about cults this is definitely the book for you, it is suspenseful and dark.
If you’d like books about cults this is definitely the book for you, it is suspenseful and dark.
December 7, 2024
Too drawn out and long at times. I was disappointed with this as I LOVE Denzil. I've read all her other works, devoured them and they have been 4 or 5 stars for me. This was a 2 star, bumped up to 3 for the reveal and twist at the end.
December 17, 2024
Meh
Got fed up of hearing let the fear set you free.
Didn't love but I did finish
Got fed up of hearing let the fear set you free.
Didn't love but I did finish
January 25, 2025
This book really needed an editor. A lot of grammar mess ups and like everyone said the CONSTANT use of “says” is annoying. I found irregularities as well. Why is the car conditioning on in the car in the middle of winter?. Page 195, 1st paragraph “but then it wouldn’t be a challenge if it wasn’t easy, would it?” I think you meant to write, “but then it wouldn’t be a challenge if it was easy, wouldn’t it?” Uhg! I would have stopped reading but it was for a book club.
November 28, 2024
The survivor is blamed for the disappearance of her friend. Two daredevils take their final dare, but only one comes out the other side.
Years later a familiar face on a train launches a reopening in the case of a missing woman. So many questions are fighting for answers. But the answers are going to open many more investigations.
Years later a familiar face on a train launches a reopening in the case of a missing woman. So many questions are fighting for answers. But the answers are going to open many more investigations.
November 7, 2024
A great mystery containing layers and twists. Very simple read. The ending left me unfulfilled.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 689 reviews