Title: THE TRAIN FROM PLATFORM 2
Author: Stephanie Steel
ISBN: 9780008735227
Publisher: Avon
Pages: 317
Source: Private Copy
You’re trapped underground. There’s no way out. And there’s a killer on the loose…
When former Detective Inspector Jess boards the London Underground, it should be just a few short stops home. But as the tube barrels towards Baker Street, it’s brought to an abrupt stop, and they’re plunged into the darkness.
And then she hears the screeching.
Jess pushes through into the driver’s cabin. There, she finds his lifeless body, and stab wounds in his neck, still bleeding. But if nobody could get into the cabin from the outside, and nobody else could get into Jess’s carriage, the realization strikes there’s a murderer among the passengers.
With no escape from the train, and in the pitch black, Jess is thrust into a deadly game. Every commuter becomes a potential threat, and time is ticking on relentlessly. In a race against the unknown murderer, Jess must unravel the sinister truth before the killer strikes again…
Official Summary
11 March 2025
A locked-room mystery set in the dark, claustrophobic tunnels of the London Underground? Count me in! Stephanie Steel’s The Train from Platform 2 takes a familiar concept—strangers trapped together with a killer in their midst—and breathes fresh life into it with pulse-pounding suspense and a tense, atmospheric setting.
From the moment former DI Jess steps onto the tube, the book hurtles forward like a runaway train (pun intended). What should have been an ordinary ride turns into a nightmare when the train grinds to a halt and the driver is found murdered. With no way out and the darkness pressing in, Jess is forced back into detective mode, knowing that the killer is right there with her, hidden among the passengers.
Steel does a fantastic job of setting the scene—the oppressive underground setting adds a layer of unease that never lets up. The complete lack of escape routes, combined with the uncertainty of who to trust, keeps the tension razor-sharp. Every interaction between the characters is charged with paranoia, and I loved how the author built suspense through small, unsettling details.
Jess is a compelling protagonist, and I appreciated how her past as a detective played into her instincts and deductions. She’s smart and determined, but not invincible—her fear feels real, and her vulnerability adds to the tension. The passengers she’s trapped with are also well-drawn, each with their own quirks and secrets that keep you guessing about their true motives.
The pacing is brisk, and the story keeps you on edge with well-timed twists. While I had a few suspicions about the culprit, the book kept me second-guessing right up until the final reveal. If I had one minor gripe, it would be that some moments felt a little rushed—I would have loved even more psychological mind games and deeper character exploration. But The Train from Platform 2 delivers exactly what it promises: a thrilling, high-stakes mystery with a gripping premise and a setting that amplifies every moment of fear.
If you love locked-room mysteries, books with a suffocating atmosphere, or stories that make you wary of your next train ride, this one is definitely worth picking up.
About the Author
Author bio from the author’s site
Stephanie Steel lives in Manchester, where she was born and raised. After spending her twenties down in London and some time in Sydney, Australia, she moved back home, where she’s been settled ever since with her partner and dog, Butter. When not writing she works for a food consultancy, putting her years as a chef to good use, and in her spare time can usually be found reading, hassling the dog, and watching Law & Order and reality TV.
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