The Christmas Train: A Thrilling, Heart-warming Festive Tale

David Baldacci

May 2011 · Pan Macmillan

About this ebook

In equal parts hilarious, poignant, suspenseful and thrilling, The Christmas Train by David Baldacci is a delightful journey filled with memorable characters who have packed their bags with as much wisdom as mischief . . .

Disillusioned journalist Tom Langdon must get from Washington to LA in time for Christmas. Forced to take the train across the country because of a slight 'misunderstanding' at airport security, he begins a journey of self-discovery and rude awakenings, mysterious goings-on and thrilling adventures, screwball escapades and holiday magic.

He has no idea that the locomotives pulling him across America will actually take him into the rugged terrain of his own heart, where he will rediscover people's essential goodness and someone very special he believed he had lost.

The Christmas Train Hallmark Hall of Fame movie starred Dermot Mulroney, Danny Glover, Joan Cusack and Kimberly Williams-Paisley.

Ratings and reviews

saw this as a film at Christmas (2018) didn't know it was a book first. story is much better in the book ........ but then to my mind they always are.

We all knew David Baldacci was more than capable of penning a thriller but recently he has stretched his wings by adding a new genre to his repertoire. I quickly fell in love with his new style when I read "One Summer". "The Christmas Train" reinforced my belief that he is multi-talented. I’ve been surprised at the mixed reviews of this book. I believe readers have stereotyped Baldacci and are unwilling to accept changes in his repertoire. "The Christmas Train" is written in a style that will take readers to the past; they will think of Mark Twain and his humorous tales. In is story we join Tom Langdon as he sets out on a cross-country train trip right before Christmas. The trip was his father’s last request, but for many years Tom put off the long and revealing journey. He boards the train in Washington DC and plans to debark in Los Angeles. Along the way he meets a variety of interesting people. He talks with each one and manages to get them to share their story. Steve and Julie is a young couple planning to be married on board despite their parents’ disapproval. In one capacity or another Tom touches the lives of each rider. Tom’s own life is drastically changed when he is reunited with Eleanor, a woman from his past. David Baldacci caught my heart in this book. I want to read more books like this one. "The Christmas Train" captures the good in people. Baldacci includes romance, a bit of mystery, more than a little humor, adventure and characters that are unforgettable. If Mark Twain were still with us he’d pat Mr. Baldacci on the back and say well done. I’ve always wanted to take a cross country train trip and now that Mr. Baldacci has teased me with this tale, my resolve is even stronger to ride the rail.

Love the twist at the end. I didn't see it coming at all.

About the author

David Baldacci is a worldwide bestselling novelist of titles such as The Fix, No Man's Land and End Game. With over 130 million copies in print, his books are published in over eighty territories and forty-five languages, and have been adapted for both feature-film and television. He has established links to government sources, giving his books added authenticity. David is also the co-founder, along with his wife, of the Wish You Well Foundation®, a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting literacy efforts across the US.

Trust him to take you to the action.