FESTIVAL 2025

Bullet Train

by Kōtarō Isaka

Blackstone Publishing

FESTIVAL 2025

Bullet Train

by Kōtarō Isaka

Blackstone Publishing

Synopsis

Bullet Train is an original and propulsive thriller that fizzes with incredible energy through a series of double-crosses and twists. “Fueled by a seductively explosive premise, it’s fast, deadly, and loads of fun.” (NPR’s Fresh Air)

An international bestseller and the basis for the major motion picture starring Brad Pitt.

​Kimura’s young son is in a coma thanks to the Prince, and Kimura has tracked him onto a bullet train heading from Tokyo to Morioka to exact his revenge. But Kimura soon discovers that they are not the only dangerous passengers on board.

Satoshi—the Prince—looks like an innocent schoolboy but is really a stylish and devious assassin. Risk fuels him, as does a good philosophical debate, such as questioning: Is killing really wrong?

Nanao, nicknamed Ladybug, the self-proclaimed “unluckiest assassin in the world,” is put on the bullet train by his boss, a mysterious young woman called Maria, to steal a suitcase full of money and get off at the first stop.

The lethal duo of Tangerine and Lemon are also traveling to Morioka, and the suitcase leads others to show their hands.

Why are they all on the same train, and who will make it off alive?

About the Author

Kōtarō Isaka is the internationally-acclaimed Japanese author of Bullet Train (Japanese title Maria Beetle, 2010). One of the most consistently bestselling authors of contemporary Japanese fiction, Isaka is known for works that straddle the literary and entertainment genres. His novels include Audubon's Prayer (2000, Shincho Mystery Club Award), Lush Life (2002), Three Assassins (Japanese title Grasshopper, 2004), The Precision of the Agent of Death (2005, Mystery Writers of Japan Award), Shumatsu no Fool (2006), Golden Slumber (2007, Yamamoto Shugoro Award and Japan Booksellers' Award), The Mantis (Japanese title AX, 2017), and Gyaku Socrates (2020, Shibata Renzaburo Award). His latest novel is 777 (2023). Isaka’s books have been translated into over 20 languages worldwide. Bullet Train was the basis of the eponymous movie from Sony Pictures (2022), directed by David Leitch and starring Brad Pitt. Isaka's appearance is supported by The Japan Foundation, Toronto

Read more about Kōtarō Isaka

Credit Munemasa Takahashi

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