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52 pages 1 hour read

The Great Train Robbery

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1975

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Book Brief

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Michael Crichton

The Great Train Robbery

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1975
Book Details
Pages

300

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

England • 1850s

Publication Year

1975

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

16+ years

Lexile Level

1060L

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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.

Suspenseful

Mysterious

Gritty

Adventurous

Challenging

Reviews & Readership

4.2

35,870 ratings

70%

Loved it

24%

Mixed feelings

6%

Not a fan

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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.

4.2

35,870 ratings

70%

Loved it

24%

Mixed feelings

6%

Not a fan

Character List

Edward Pierce (a.k.a. John Simms)

A clever and charming confidence man, he is the mastermind behind a bold gold heist, known for his ability to seamlessly blend into various social circles and adapt his persona to suit his schemes.

A skilled screwsman and key specialist, he joins Pierce's heist plot with his nimble fingers and lock-picking expertise, motivated by the prospect of improving his difficult circumstances.

An inside man for the railway heist, he works as a guard and plays a key role in the execution of the plan by providing security information and cooperating with Pierce's team under financial pressure.

A talented actress and Pierce's lover, she uses her gifts in disguise and social maneuverability to assist in the heist, playing crucial roles in various cons while leveraging societal biases to remain unnoticed.

A police official tasked with investigating Pierce's activities, he serves as the antagonist with an overinflated sense of intelligence, pursuing the co-conspirators with zeal.

Book Details
Pages

300

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

England • 1850s

Publication Year

1975

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

16+ years

Lexile Level

1060L

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