Title: Night Train
Author: Martin Amis
First published October 2, 1997
176 pages, Paperback
ISBN: 9780375701146 (ISBN10: 0375701141)
Rating: 3.24
Overview
Mike Hoolihan is a seasoned detective. She has solved complex cases in the past but this one is different.
It’s personal. When her close friend and colleague, Detective John, is found dead, everyone assumes it’s suicide.
Everyone except Mike. She knows John, he wouldn’t take his own life.
Determined to uncover the truth, she begins an investigation that leads her down a dark and dangerous path. As she delves deeper, she realizes that there are secrets lurking beneath the surface of her community.
Nothing is as it seems and no one can be trusted. With brilliant prose and a keen eye for detail, Martin Amis takes us on a gripping journey of suspense and intrigue that will keep you guessing until the very end.
About the Author
Martin Amis is a talented writer from England who has penned many novels, essays, and short stories. His notable works include Money, London Fields, and The Information.
According to The Guardian, Amis’s writing style is remarkably vivid, a trait that his father Kingsley Amis had criticized. The younger Amis demonstrates his mastery of the English language with a constant display of his linguistic prowess.
His unique style is unmistakable, and it permeates every piece he writes.
Amis’s writing is often inspired by the absurdity of the postmodern era, which is characterized by grotesque caricatures. He has been hailed as a master of what some refer to as “the new unpleasantness.”
Editoral Review
Night Train by Martin Amis is a daring and captivating murder mystery novel that was first published in October 1997. Martin Amis is a British writer and novelist whose works have been described as darkly satirical, featuring iconic characters and controversial themes.
Night Train depicts a young detective named Detective Mike Hoolihan who has been tasked with investigating the mysterious death of a renowned astrophysicist named Jennifer Rockwell. Hoolihan delves deep into the world of Rockwell’s colleagues, family and romantic affairs to uncover the truth behind her untimely demise.
Set in an industrial Midwestern city in United States, Night Train provides a solemn albeit eerie atmosphere, which is perfectly suited to the crime thriller genre. With its short and crisp chapters, the novel’s emotionally charged narrative is delivered with unyielding intensity that leaves the reader wanting more.
The author’s stylistic writing works in perfect harmony with the book’s central themes of identity, betrayal, and the fine line between sanity and madness. The reliability of the characters is masterfully crafted, particularly that of Detective Hoolihan, whose internal demons and challenging past manifests throughout the novel.
Along with a bold narrative, Night Train touches upon social maladies and the modern-day cynicism that we face today. Amis takes his exploration of identity and trauma to new levels throughout the book, highlighting compelling questions that are both unsettling and riveting at the same time.
The novel has a few flaws, particularly when it comes to the pacing of the story. At times, the narrative seems slow and loses its momentum, testing the reader’s patience.
However, these moments are rare and are overcome with the captivating nature of the prose, which the author uses throughout. Overall, Night Train is a captivating and thought-provoking novel that will keep readers on the edge of their seats.
Its deft handling of style and storytelling make it a standout among other murder mysteries. It is most certainly a must-read for fans of the crime thriller genre, and lovers of quality fiction in general.
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars.
