Strangers on a Train characters

Appears from the start

A young architect traveling to see his estranged wife, Miriam, in hopes of securing a divorce so he can marry Anne Faulkner. Serious, ambitious, and concerned with acting honorably, he is unsettled by the intrusive stranger who draws him into conversation on the train.

Also known as Bruno

Appears from the start

A wealthy, idle young man Guy meets during a train journey. Talkative, observant, and already drinking heavily, he quickly presses for intimate details of Guy's life and describes his own hatred of his father. He treats an outrageous idea about exchanging murders as if it were a practical bargain between new friends.

First appears in chapter 2

Guy's estranged wife, who is pregnant by another man but resists giving Guy the uncomplicated divorce he wants. Her changing demands and readiness to interfere with his future make his private frustration easy for Bruno to exploit.

First appears in chapter 3

The woman Guy hopes to marry after his divorce. She comes from a secure, affectionate family and believes in Guy's talent and character. Her confidence in their shared future heightens his fear that Bruno's conduct could reach into every part of his life.

First appears in chapter 4

Bruno's indulgent mother, with whom he has an intensely close and childish bond. She excuses his drinking, idleness, and volatility while sharing his taste for luxury and diversion.

First appears in chapter 4

Bruno's wealthy father. He disapproves of his son's habits and wants him to become responsible, a conflict Bruno interprets as persecution and repeatedly describes in violent terms.

First appears in chapter 14

A private detective retained after Miriam's death. Patient and methodical, he studies the people connected with the case and becomes increasingly interested in the unlikely link between Guy and Bruno.

First appears in chapter 15

Anne's father, a prosperous man whose family welcomes Guy. His trust and social standing represent the stable adult life Guy hopes to enter through his marriage and architectural career.

First appears in chapter 30

A friend in Guy and Anne's social circle who notices Bruno's excessive interest in Guy. He sees more clearly than most that Bruno's appearances are neither casual nor harmless.

First appears in chapter 47

The man with whom Miriam had been involved. Guy eventually seeks him out while trying to speak honestly about the chain of violence that began around Miriam, making him an unintended witness to Guy's need to confess.