Review: Bullet Train by Kotaro Isaka

Kimura’s world fell apart when his son was pushed from a roof. But having a son in a coma has allowed the former assassin to do two important things; get sober and seek revenge. When he finds out that the person responsible for pushing his boy is on a train, he decides to take matters into his own hands and ensure that the culprit never reaches his stop. But there’s a catch. The person he’s hunting is just a fourteen-year-old boy, and he’s not the only hitman on the train. Five professional killers boarded the train, but not everyone will make it to their stop alive.

As Kimura’s plans fail, he realizes that the young psychopath he’s tracking is embroiled in something far bigger than he could have expected, and that he has no idea who is really orchestrating the elaborate plan that requires so much death. The only question now is who will make it to the end of the line, and at what cost?

Bullet Train is full of surprises. After a slow and jerky start, the narrative picks up momentum that is delicious and hypnotic. Slowly, the various threads woven by Isaka come together to form a complex tapestry that’s as mesmerizing as it is clever. Truly, Bullet Train is an unexpected gem that’s pure adventure and a great ride. Train puns aside, this book is marvelous – the plot is intricate and carefully thought out, with a cast of amazing characters that win you over even in their darkest moments.

Not only does Isaka tease the dark nature of humanity and the inevitable downfall of pride and rage, but he makes us question traditional storytelling and characters – with a juvenile mastermind and deaths left, right and centre, Bullet Train is more than just a clever whodunnit – it’s an exercise in predicting the unexpected, and not being distracted by the many twists and red herrings. And it’s wonderful.

Bullet Train has a little bit of everything – action, comedy, suspense, a dash of the macabre, and most importantly, elegant prose that creates a delightful juxtaposition to the criminal nature of its contents. What more could you want?

Bullet Train by Kotaro Isaka is published by Harvill Secker, an imprint of Vintage; a Penguin Random House company.