Bullet Train cover art

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 Exciting Scary Witty

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Critic reviews

"A locked-room crime drama played out at 200mph" (The Times)
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I’m in two minds about Bullet Train. I’ve not seen the Brad Pitt film, as I didn’t want to do so without reading the book first, and I’m glad that I did so.

The story is interesting, if improbable. If the Japanese wrote “capers”, this is probably close to what it would look like. So don’t expect realism. It’s not going to happen. Nonetheless, it’s an entertaining enough premise and plot.

The performance is OK. I’m not that keen on the casting, because the vocal range of the actor in delivering different voices for the characters is not amazing. But as the book progressed and my ear became accustomed to the voice, it was at least possible to tell within a given scene who was talking, so it didn’t impact my comprehension.

Overall, I think I was hoping for something that was just that bit more polished all round. This is OK. Perfectly competent. But it won’t be going on this year’s top ten for me.

A bit silly, but good fun

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Tarantino-esque hitman dark comedy. Twists and turns throughout with a thoughtful setting and villain.

Mystery Train

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A well paced plot with great characters and a good pace throughout.
Can see why they made it into a movie and may watch it when it hits the streaming platforms.
Easy listening and entertaining

Great characterisation and plot

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This was great fun, albeit rather gory in parts. There was a good twist in the end. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Great fun!

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Gripping a small thrilling story that has you on a knife edge and with an amazing end. Expertly narrated by Adam Sims who understands and breathe life into the story.

A must listen!

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Having seen the film before reading the book it proved to be an excellent adaptation and the book was a great read.

Excellent story and entertaining to the end

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really enjoyed this book, the narrator did a great job, looking forward to seeing the movie now.

Great story and characters

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Loved this book. Really fun listen with great characters. And very stylishly written! But warning! It’s a part of a series. Read Three Assassins first!

Excellent piece of genre fiction

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That is to say, the actions sequences, with only a few changes, but each version is enjoyable in their own right, which is unusual.
Its great that Bullet Train is set in the same world as Three Assassins, but can also stand alone. Reading Assassins first will give context to some of the background references, so Kotaro Isako has done a great job world building.
I really enjoyed his discussions and opinions on human nature and behaviours, even though its was through the ywwisted mind of a 14 year old sociopsychopath who doesn't realise he is aa very very unwell child.
Adam Sims gives a second outstanding vocal performance consistent with the first. I hope he's all set for the third installment, The Mantis, also set in this world due out in November. It will also probably be able to stand alone, but I wonder if Mr Suzuki will turn up in it as an I cidental character again.....
Refreshing, engaging, great stuff!

The film takes the best elements...

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I couldn't finish it. The narrator's voice was like nails on a chalkboard. Not for me.

I'll stick with the movie.

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