6:40 to Montreal
- Judith D Collins
- Sep 9
- 8 min read
Updated: Sep 9
By: Eva Jurczyk
Narrator: Allyson Morgan
Recorded Books
ISBN: 9781728295725
Publisher: Poisoned Pen Press
Publication Date: 10/28/2025
Format: Paperback
My Rating: 5 Stars (ARC)
No WiFi, no distractions.
No way out…
Agatha's husband has bought her a first-class ticket on the scenic six-hour train from Toronto to Montreal as a gift—a one-day writing retreat so she can get some serious work done on her new book, a highly-anticipated follow-up to Agatha's runaway bestseller debut novel. The first-class car is the perfect place to be productive, with only a handful of other passengers, plenty of snacks and drinks, and beautiful views flying by outside the window.
But Agatha has other plans for her day out… plans that are unexpectedly derailed when the train breaks down in the middle of the frigid Canadian woods and one of Agatha's fellow passengers dies quietly in his seat. Soon, a pleasant morning in transit turns into a fight for survival against an unknown and unseen enemy. Will Agatha—or any of the passengers—make it out alive?
From international bestselling author Eva Jurczyk, 6:40 to Montreal is a claustrophobic, deceivingly bloody thriller that twists and turns until the very last page.
About the Author
Eva is a novelist and a librarian. She lives and works in Toronto, Canada.
Eva Jurczyk was born in a mining town in Poland and wound up halfway around the world in a Canadian city that often masquerades as New York in the movies. As her day job, she buys books, building library collections for the University of Toronto Libraries. She travels to Paris whenever the wind is good but currently lives with her husband, son, and collections of books in Toronto, Canada. WEBSITE
Exceptional Authors.
Standout Books. Elevator Talk.
Behind the Book & the Author
INTRIGUING QUESTIONS. INQUIRING READERS WANT TO KNOW.
Welcome to the September 2025 #AuthorElevatorSeries and #LitLiftMiniAuthorChats with special guest author Eva Jurczyk and her dazzling knockout debut novel, 6:40 TO MONTREAL. Out, October 28, 2025.
From international bestselling author Eva Jurczyk, 6:40 to Montreal is a claustrophobic, deceivingly bloody thriller that twists and turns until the very last page.
Join us as Eva shares some fascinating behind-the-scenes exclusives from the book and up-close and personal fun moments from this talented author.
Welcome, Eva!
Behind the Book
Q. Give us your best ELEVATOR PITCH for 6:40 TO MONTREAL.
A mystery novelist with writer's block boards a train to Montreal. A snowstorm leaves the train stranded on the tracks and she gets more inspiration for her bloody next book than she bargained for.
Q. DESCRIBE your novel in three words or less.
Snowbound. Satirical. Savage.
Q. TOPICS: Name 1-3 topics or themes addressed in the novel?
The novel addresses the relationship of the muse to the writer, and what the writer might owe (or not owe!) their muse. It also addresses the things we're willing to do for the people we love and how love, or the fear or the loss of it, can make a person crazy.
Q. SETTING: Place, area, season where the book is set.
Like many of my favourite mystery novels, this book is set entirely on a train. Specifically in the business class car of a train travelling between Toronto and Montreal in the depths of winter.
Q. DID YOU KNOW? Name 3-5 things that readers may (or may not) know about your book or not included in the book.
1. In December 2022 a terrible winter storm stranded passengers on the track between Toronto and Montreal for up to eighteen hours with limited food and without working toilets! Eventually some of the passengers staged a coup and busted out of the train, only to find they were a short walk from a nearby home, where they went for help (presumably, for snacks and to use the loo).
2. Canadian children's writer Kenneth Oppel regularly takes the train between Toronto and Montreal and then back again, all in one day, as a self-styled writing retreat. I stole the idea from him and still do this whenever I can, though not when snow is in the forecast.
3. The business class service on Via Rail trains includes a VERY generous drinks service, so if you're not careful, you'll emerge from the train walking sideways.
Q. UPCOMING: Can you share what you are currently working on or what is next in ten words or less (or more)?
A perfect Parisian love story, until one of the lovers disappears.
Behind the Author
Q. DID YOU KNOW? Name 3-5 things that readers may (or may not) know about YOU, the author.
1. I write novels by night (and in the wee hours of the morning) but by day I'm a librarian, purchasing humanities collections for the University of Toronto.
2. I immigrated to Canada as a child, and mostly learned to speak English from television. So you might get a hint of Tony Danza in my accent.
3. I often eavesdrop on the conversations of strangers - on the subway, in coffeeshops, and write down snippets in my Notes app. They often find their way into my books. It's why I love living in a city. People live their lives out in public and as a deeply nosy person, I love to sneak a peek.
4. I write my first drafts by hand, with a Muji 0.38 dark blue pen and a large format Moleskine softcover notebook with gridded pages instead of lines. I share this information as often as possible in hopes that Moleskine or Muji will send me some notebooks or pens!
Q. BOOK RECS: A book you would recommend.
Just one book is so hard! Recently I loved Piglet, by Lottie Hazel. Like the protagonist, my wedding cake was a Croquembouche that collapsed in a spectacular fashion.
Fascinating! Thank you, Eva, for spending time with us today.
Praise
"Kudos to Jurczyk for providing a closed circle mystery that avoids the tropes of the subgenre while still offering some charming nods to closed trains of the past." ―firstCLUE
"6:40 to Montreal has everything you want in a can’t-put-it-down story: clever characters, plot twists, nail-biting pace―but Eva Jurczyk doesn’t stop there―she adds the claustrophobia of a broken-down train, a brutal snowstorm, a dead body, and no way out. A true master of simmering tension, Eva has solidified herself as one of my favorite writers of the genre."
― Ashley Tate, international bestselling author of Twenty-Seven Minutes
"An intense, claustrophobic nod to the Christie classic Murder on the Orient Express."
―Library Journal
My Review
Eva Jurczyk's enthralling twisty new novel, 6:40 TO MONTREAL, immerses readers in a claustrophobic and spine-chilling atmosphere aboard a snowbound train traversing the Canadian wilderness. The setting is not just a backdrop; it becomes a character in itself, amplifying the tension and intrigue.
This masterful and clever locked-room mystery brims with suspense and clever misdirection, drawing readers into a web of deception and unexpected twists.
Jurczyk populates her narrative with vibrant, engaging characters, each adding their own layer to the enigmatic puzzle. Prepare for an exhilarating ride in this atmospheric whodunit that keeps you guessing until the very last page.
About...
Agatha's husband, with a heart full of affection, had carefully selected tickets for an enchanting scenic train ride as a cherished Christmas gift for his beloved wife, the esteemed crime writer Agatha St. John. This thoughtful gesture was inspired by the captivating tales of a legendary author who made a monthly pilgrimage from the vibrant streets of Toronto to the quaint charm of Montreal, only to return home by nightfall. It was more than just a journey; it was a self-crafted sanctuary for a writer—a soothing six-hour expedition through breathtaking landscapes that promised to rekindle her creative spirit.
Though her debut novel had soared to bestseller status, Agatha found herself mired in a creative drought since its release. As she boarded the train, a sense of anticipation hung in the air—would this mesmerizing voyage awaken the dormant ideas swirling in her mind, and spark the inspiration she so desperately sought for her next novel?
As the train ventured into the wilderness, it would leave behind the distractions of modern life; there would be no WiFi or cell service once the urban landscape faded into the enchanting embrace of the Canadian woods. Teddy knew this isolation would serve as a perfect backdrop for Agatha, who desperately needed to carve out time to focus on her book.
Despite the allure of the journey, Agatha couldn't shake her skepticism. Six hours, she mused, hardly seemed sufficient to inspire the depth of thought she'd hoped for. She longed for two weeks enveloped by nature, but willing to appease her husband, she decided to give this brief adventure a chance.
As the clock struck 6:35 AM, Agatha settled into her cozy seat 1D, surrounded by a low hum of anticipation. The ticket agent, a sprightly woman named Dorcas, greeted her with a smile that felt like warmth against the chill of winter air. Surveying her surroundings, Agatha noticed only four fellow passengers scattered throughout the carriage, their faces a mix of eagerness and indifference.
Just as she began to adjust to the rhythm of the train, a newcomer stepped aboard. It was the time between Christmas and New Year’s, a time when the spirit of festivity lingered, yet a sense of uncertainty hung in the air.
However, her plans for a serene escape soon spiraled into chaos. The train ground to a halt in the heart of the vast, frigid Canadian woods, surrounded by an endless expanse of snow-dusted trees. As muffled whispers of confusion filled the air, Agatha's world was suddenly shattered when one of her fellow passengers succumbed, quietly slipping away in his seat.
What had begun as an enchanting morning of travel soon transformed into a battle for survival against an unseen and unknown threat. In the stillness of the icy landscape, Agatha faced the harrowing question: would she, or any of her fellow travelers, emerge from this nightmare alive?
My thoughts...
Atmospheric and spine-chilling, 6:40 TO MONTREAL envelops you in its gripping narrative, capturing your imagination as it unfolds this enigmatic train journey.
Agatha carries her own secrets, as do the other intriguing passengers inhabiting her first-class cabin. When the train unexpectedly screeches to a halt, throwing the group—and their attentive car attendant—into an abyss of uncertainty, they find themselves trapped in darkness. With the chilling specter of death looming, the question hangs in the air: MURDER? The tension is palpable, heart-pounding, and the claustrophobic setting magnifies every whispered conversation and furtive glance.
Agatha’s character is a richly woven tapestry of complexity. Married to Teddy for two decades, she also juggles the responsibilities of motherhood to her young son, Freddie. While she is celebrated as a writer, she is grappling with the heavy weight of a cancer diagnosis that casts a long shadow over her life. Little does she know, the harrowing events unfolding on the train will provide far more inspiration for her next book than she ever anticipated.
Time is precious, she will learn.
Inspiration...
I truly valued the Author's Note, which offered a delightful glimpse into the inspiration behind the novel. The inclusion of the Reading Group Guide for book clubs was a wonderful touch, as it fosters deeper discussions and connections among readers. Additionally, the captivating Conversation with the Author provided intriguing insights that further enhanced my appreciation of the book.
Interview...
Get ready for an exciting glimpse behind the curtain with my upcoming #LitLiftMiniAuthorChat, a special segment of the #AuthorElevatorSeries! Join us for an engaging Q&A session where we dive into the creative process of the book and explore the fascinating journey of the talented author behind it—pub day, Oct 28 on my blog.
Recs...
6:40 TO MONTREAL is a brilliantly crafted twist on the classic locked room mystery, weaving an intricate narrative that echoes the timeless style of Agatha Christie's Murder on the Orient Express, Patricia Highsmith's Strangers on a Train, and Paula Hawkins' The Girl on the Train.
Fans of authors such as Carol Goodman, Ruth Ware, Lucy Foley, and Alice Feeney will find themselves captivated by its suspenseful atmosphere and cleverly executed plot. The story invites readers into a world brimming with intrigue and unexpected revelations, making it a must-read for those who appreciate intricate mysteries that keep you guessing until the very last page.
Thanks to Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley for providing a gifted digital advanced review copy for my honest thoughts.
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 5 Stars
Pub Date: Oct 28, 2025
