The Great Train Robbery has long been a fascination of mine and I have read many of the books associated with it, including Piers Paul Read's "The Train Robbers" and Bruce Reynolds "Autobiography Of A Thief". Being well versed in the actuality I therefore approached Robert Ryan's book with some trepidation. I need not have worried, Ryan has cleverly woven fact with imagination and a gripping and authentic story has emerged. For anyone familiar with the crime all the main players are present, from mastermind Reynolds and chief henchmen Wilson, Goody and Edwards to lesser known characters such as White, Hussey and Brian Field. I was particular pleased to see the emphasis given to Roy James, a sad lost to motorsport, and to the Police investigation, which had the feeling of 60's authenticism about it. The characters from Ryan's imagination are well drawn and help to tell the story. To anyone who has never heard of the Great Train Robbery

Anyone who enjoyed Jake Arnott's "The Long Firm" will enjoy this one, perhaps even moreso as it is to a greater extent steeped in reality. Fan's of previous Ryan offerings such as the excellent "Early One Morning" should also be satisfied.

Peter Yates 1967 movie "Robbery" starring Stanley Baker was loosely based on the robbery and remains the best on-screen interpretation available. The robbery is such a great story with such high drama and is such a great story, maybe someone will take Ryan's book and write a screenplay?