52 pages 1 hour read

Michael Crichton

The Great Train Robbery

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1975

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Before You Read

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Super Short Summary

Set in Victorian England, Michael Crichton's The Great Train Robbery follows criminal mastermind Edward Pierce and his team as they meticulously plan and execute the theft of £12,000 of gold from a highly secured train bound for the Crimean War efforts. The novel explores the intersection of crime and technological progress amidst a rapidly industrializing society. Note: The book includes descriptions of child exploitation and racial slurs.

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

Michael Crichton's The Great Train Robbery captivates with its detailed historical setting and intense pacing. Reviewers praise its meticulous research and engaging narrative. However, some find character development lacking and the plot occasionally predictable. Overall, it's lauded for its vivid depiction of a real-life heist and suspenseful storytelling.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The Great Train Robbery?

Fans of historical thrillers will find The Great Train Robbery by Michael Crichton captivating. Readers who enjoyed The Alienist by Caleb Carr or The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown will appreciate the blend of fast-paced intrigue, meticulous historical detail, and rich Victorian-era setting.

Recommended

Reading Age

16+years

Lexile Level

1060L

Book Details

Genre

Mystery / Crime Fiction

Historical Fiction

Horror / Thriller / Suspense Fiction

Themes

Relationships: Teams

Society: Class

Society: Colonialism

Topics

History: World