Strangers on a Train
by Patricia Highsmith
Strangers on a Train by Patricia Highsmith holds a well received rating of 3.82 out of 5, based on 9.8K reader ratings. First published in 1950. The book spans 281 pages.
About Strangers on a Train
The world of Patricia Highsmith has always been filled with ordinary people, all of whom are capable of very ordinary crimes. This theme was present from the beginning, when her debut novel, Strangers on a Train, galvanized the reading public. Here we encounter Guy Haines and Charles Anthony Bruno, passengers on the same train. But while Guy is a successful architect in the midst of a divorce, Bruno turns out to be a sadistic psychopath who manipulates Guy into swapping murders with him. “Some people are better off dead,” Bruno remarks, “like your wife and my father, for instance.” As Bruno carries out his twisted plan, Guy is trapped in Highsmith’s perilous world, where, under the right circumstances, anybody is capable of murder.The inspiration for Alfred Hitchcock’s classic 1951 film, Strangers on a Train launched Highsmith on a prolific career of noir fiction, proving her a master at depicting the unsettling forces that tremble beneath the surface of everyday contemporary life.
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Author | Patricia Highsmith |
| Published | 1950 |
| Pages | 281 |
| Genres | Fiction, Mystery & Thriller, Mystery & Thriller, Mystery & Thriller, Classics |
| Average Rating | 3.82 / 5.00 |
| Total Ratings | 9,788 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What genre is Strangers on a Train?
Strangers on a Train is categorized as Fiction, Mystery & Thriller, Mystery & Thriller, Mystery & Thriller. Its primary genre classification is Mystery & Thriller.
Is Strangers on a Train worth reading?
Based on 9.8K reader ratings, Strangers on a Train has an average score of 3.82 out of 5.00, which is considered "Well Received."
How many pages is Strangers on a Train?
Strangers on a Train has 281 pages.
Who wrote Strangers on a Train?
Strangers on a Train was written by Patricia Highsmith. It was first published in 1950.
What is the ISBN for Strangers on a Train?
The ISBN-13 for Strangers on a Train is 9780393321980.0.
Data sourced from community book ratings and reviews. Last updated: April 15, 2026
