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.

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.

Michael Crichton

Adult

Novel

Fiction

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The Great Train Robbery Summary

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The Great Train Robbery Background

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Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Part 1: “Preparations: May-October 1854”

Introduction-Part 1, Chapter 8

The Great Train Robbery Introduction-Part 1, Chapter 8 Summary & Analysis

Part 1, Chapters 9-16

The Great Train Robbery Part 1, Chapters 9-16 Summary & Analysis

Part 2: “The Keys: November 1854-February 1855”

Part 2 The Great Train Robbery Part 2 Summary & Analysis

Part 3: “Delays and Difficulties: March-May 1855”

Part 3, Chapters 29-38

The Great Train Robbery Part 3, Chapters 29-38 Summary & Analysis

Part 3: “Delays and Difficulties: March-May 1855” - Part 4: “The Great Train Robbery, May 1855”

Part 3, Chapter 39-Part 4

The Great Train Robbery Part 3, Chapter 39-Part 4 Summary & Analysis

Part 5: “Arrest and Trial, November 1856-August 1857”

Part 5 The Great Train Robbery Part 5 Summary & Analysis

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The Great Train Robbery Character Analysis

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The Great Train Robbery

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