The Heist of the Century

The Great Train Robbery by Michael Crichton
Reviewed by Will Mittendorf

This book is about the devious plan of one Edward Pierce. He is a mysterious man who is in his 20s to 30s. He might have grown up in London no one really knows. But he pulls off the most daring robbery of the century. It envolves two safes and four keys. Him and his band of thugs get the keys by means of trickery and decivment. The book takes place in London, 1855. Edward pierce is charming and smart and that is what he used to get the keys. He made friends and enemies in the book. He broke laws left and right but never directly got caught. He made good friends with the two very people he was stealing from. They never would have expected him. Even after the pull he was still making friendly. Until somebody turned him in he was home free.

I thought the book was very cleverly written. Michael Crichton has written many books that have been written the same way. He has a very unique style of writing, I think this is his best so far. I loved the language he used in this book. The late 19th century talk. The words were weird, many confusing things and "codes" the character used but Michael Crichton explained everything. Without directly telling you. Michael Crichton talked about some history too, the Victorian houses and the underground dog fights. He explained the poor areas perfectly. With all the Thugs, Crushers, Pick pockets, cut-purses, and dolly mops. Some of the book was a little confusing but after reading it again or reading on it all fell into place. The book was in detail, nothing was left as a question. The end of the book was very fitting. I suggest everybody reads this book.

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