52 pages • 1 hour read
A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
300
Novel • Fiction
England • 1850s
1975
Adult
16+ years
1060L
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
35,870 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
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.
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.
35,870 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Robert Agar
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.
Richard Burgess
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.
Miss Miriam
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.
Edward Harranby
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.
300
Novel • Fiction
England • 1850s
1975
Adult
16+ years
1060L
Continue your reading experience
Subscribe now to unlock the rest of this Study Guide plus our full library, which features expert-written summaries and analyses of 8,000+ additional titles.