This book, the inspiration for the classic Hitchcock film of the same name, begins with a chance meeting on a train. Guy Haines, an architect whose career is on the verge of blossoming into greatness, is traveling to meet his wife and negotiate a divorce so he can marry the woman of his dreams. Charles Bruno is a spoiled rich kid who also happens to be an alcoholic psychopath. They share drinks, and then confidences. Haines speaks of his wife, a serial cheater who refuses to cooperate about the divorce. Bruno speaks of his father, who (according to Bruno) refuses to give him access to the money that is rightfully his. The suspense builds from this encounter as Bruno and his madness insinuate themselves into Haines' life with tragic and inevitable results. As with many stories that stand the test of time, this one prompts a few existential questions. Are there good people and evil people or is there good and evil in everyone? And specific to this story, is anyone -- any "Guy" -- capable of murder given the right circumstances? Can a person be driven to madness by another's madness? Before you say certainly not I -- give this classic thriller a read. You may change your mind.
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