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.

Suspenseful / Mysterious / Gritty / Adventurous / Challenging

- Michael Crichton wrote The Great Train Robbery in 1975, blending historical facts with fiction to bring the 1855 heist in Victorian England to life.
- The novel was adapted into a successful film in 1979, directed by Michael Crichton himself and starring Sean Connery and Donald Sutherland.

**Edward Pierce (a.k.a. John Simms)**  
A clever and charming confidence man, he is the mastermind behind a bold gold heist, known for his ability to seamlessly blend into various social circles and adapt his persona to suit his schemes.

**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.

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