A review by rosalind_barden
The Great Train Robbery by Michael Crichton

5.0

“The Great Train Robbery” by Michael Crichton shows why Mr. Crichton is such a popular author. Originally published in 1975, it holds up as a fast-paced and fascinating dive into the criminal underworld of Victorian London. Inspired by true events, Mr. Crichton tells the story of a charming, well-dressed gentleman rogue who masterfully plans the heist of the century: stealing a large quantity of gold bars from a moving train. The historical research the author did shows, and the author masterfully weaves the history with the characters and plot to create an unforgettable story. I read the paperback several years ago and decided to “re-read” it by listening to the audiobook. Some of the Victorian criminal slang may be harder to follow in the audio version, but the delightful narration by Michael Kitchen more than makes up for this. Mr. Kitchen makes the scenes and characters come to life.