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Bullet Train

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Bullet Train

By: Kotaro Isaka, Sam Malissa
Narrated by: Adam Sims
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About this listen

Brought to you by Penguin.

Five killers. One train journey. But who will survive? An original and propulsive thriller from a massive Japanese bestseller.

A major motion picture starring Brad Pitt and Sandra Bullock.

Satoshi looks like an innocent schoolboy but he is really a viciously cunning psychopath. Kimura's young son is in a coma thanks to him, and Kimura has tracked him onto the bullet train heading from Tokyo to Morioka to exact his revenge. But Kimura soon discovers that they are not the only dangerous passengers onboard.

Nanao, the self-proclaimed 'unluckiest assassin in the world', and the deadly partnership of Tangerine and Lemon are also travelling to Morioka. A suitcase full of money leads others to show their hands. Why are they all on the same train, and who will get off alive at the last station?

Bullet Train was originally published in Japan with the title Maria Beetle.

©2021 Kotaro Isaka (P)2021 Penguin Audio Crime Thrillers Historical Fiction Suspense Thriller Thriller & Suspense World Literature Fiction Crime

Critic Reviews

"A locked-room crime drama played out at 200mph" (The Times)
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This book is essentially if Quentin Tarantino wrote a Japanese crime caper. Each underworld character is as eccentric as they are dangerous and will take the time to monologue or internally reminisce about the past in ways that colour their character rather than necessarily drive the plot forward.
It’s a story that relishes in life’s ironies and turns in fortune more than the calculations of it’s characters so if you aren’t willing to surrender yourself to the whimsical elements then you may be frustrated.
The narrator takes some getting used to, his voices of each character are excellent but his “Narrator Voice” is a bit monotone by comparison. It isn’t too much of an issue as you soon get used to it and this is written in a fairly dialogue heavy style.
Recommended to those looking for a multiple perspective, twisting and action heavy story.

Lots of fun

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So much interwoven goodness in this small package. Enjoyed the movie so decided to give the book a shot and I’m glad I did. The movie did do the book justice but both are equally good stories in their own ways. Not sure which I prefer.

Loved every moment

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I saw the movie before I read the book. I definitely prefer the movie, I think the changes to the story in the film and the way things work out for the characters was better and more satisfying.

However, the book too was also very enjoyable. And it had some additional characters, scenes and details that were really great. Well worth a credit, and I will probably listen to it again.

Completely different to the movie but still quite good.

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Another great book by this guy. What a champ. Highly recommended. I hear the movie is horrible, but this book is terrific.

Mwahaha. That was awesome.

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Such a great adventure and unique pacing with a brush of comedy and wit.
All the characters are solidly structured and fleshed out where you just must keep page turning. You will enjoy this read.

Brilliantly fast paced and comedic.

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Oh hell I was so looking forward to this and ended up not finishing it. What a shame it’s me I think I don’t understand this sort of writing blar is all I can say.

Blar blar

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Struggled to finish this. An interesting premise thrown off by poor pacing and silly characters and a far too convenient plot structure. It is like chekovs gun was taken to a silly extreme.

If this wasn't an audio book I would just skip ahead chapters to get to the ending.

Long and dragged out.

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This book just didn’t go anywhere! All twists and turns but then no real ending.

Utterly pointless story

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