The Lost Passenger: the most big-hearted story you'll read this year

In the chaos of that terrible night, her secret went down with the Titanic. But secrets have a way of floating to the surface…

Trapped in an unhappy aristocratic marriage, Elinor Coombes sees only lonely days ahead of her. So a present from her father - tickets for the maiden voyage of a huge, luxurious new ship called the Titanic – offers a welcome escape from the cold, controlling atmosphere of her husband’s ancestral home, and some precious time with her little son, Teddy.

When the ship goes down, Elinor realises the disaster has given her a chance to take Teddy and start a new life – but only if they can disappear completely, listed as among the dead. Penniless and using another woman’s name, she has to learn to survive in a world that couldn’t be more different from her own, and keep their secret safe.

An uplifting story about grabbing your chances with both hands, and being brave enough to find out who you really are.

‘A thoroughly enjoyable novel about being brave enough to grab hold of a second chance and make the most of it’ Louise Hare

‘An acutely observed account of one woman’s struggle to escape the shackles of an aristocratic marriage, and the desperate decisions she has to make after the sinking of the Titanic. You’ll be rooting for Elinor Coombes all the way in this compelling, heart-warming novel’ Gill Paul

‘A brilliant, big-hearted book with a brave and complex heroine struggling to make a new life for herself and her son after the wreckage of the Titanic. A powerful and inspiring story about finding strength in the face of insurmountable odds’ Anna Mazzola ‘Excoriates the British aristocracy who put dynastic ambitions above love and happiness. A beautifully written page-turner of the highest order. We are with Elinor on her riches to rags adventure every step of the way’ Lila Cain

‘I was swept away by this story of bravery and resilience in a life of changing fortunes. Utterly compelling’ Essie Fox

‘Through her wonderfully imagined character of Elinor Coombes, Frances Quinn shapes a powerful, immersive and intriguing narrative of the Titanic tragedy. I walked every step of that journey with Elinor and Teddy, and still think about them long after turning the final page. Brilliant historical drama’ Hazel Gaynor ‘A vivid, compelling and immaculately researched story with a protagonist in Elinor you can’t help but root for’ Lucy Barker ‘I absolutely loved The Lost Passenger. I adored the writing style, the characterization and the gripping storyline to the extent that I couldn’t wait to get to the end whilst really not wanting it to end. Bliss!’ Jill Mansell

© 2025 Simon & Schuster Audio UK (Audiobook): 9781398520721

Release date

Audiobook: 27 February 2025