Translated by Sam Malissa (Harvill Secker, April 2021; Aug. 3, 2021 in US)
Review by Renae Lucas-Hall
Shenanigans on the Shinkansen
Bullet Train by Kōtarō Isaka is an action-packed thriller with mature themes exploring the nature of evil, loyalty, mankind’s weaknesses and the morality of killing. On the first page, the reader is transported straight into the organised chaos of Tokyo Station. The plot thickens at a furious pace as the Shinkansen bullet train bound for Morioka departs with five killers on board. The power of the Shinkansen and its speed coincides with the high-octane level of violence throughout the story and the dangerous intentions of its villains. More…