Book Review: Night Train to Rangoon

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

Night Train to Rangoon     Amazon US PB Amazon Canada PB
Paul Rosner
Class/Genre:   Mystery
Iuniverse, 2001, $11.95, 190 pp.

In 1974 Burmese soldiers hijack Air France Flight 194 after it left Bombay. They want to land in Rangoon, but fog forces them to go to Mogok. The military arrests internationally acclaimed director Sarajini Rama for delivering two and a half million rubles to the revolutionaries as a courier. Since the plane is too big to lift off from Mogok, the plan for the other hostages is to escort their "guests" by train to Rangoon where everyone will board a plane and continue on to their destinations.

When Sarajini tries to escape, the soldiers open fire and kill him. However, the bullet that murdered Sarajini did not go through his back, which is where the soldiers were aiming. Instead, it came through his chest meaning one of the guests killed the movie great. Could it be the two elderly odd Minnesota women or the Russian? Or perhaps the hippie couple? The teen movie star, her mother, her lover, or the diplomat? The Burmese do not care though they wonder where the stash is.

Fans of an exciting historical Asian who-done-it will fully relish the NIGHT TRAIN TO RANGOON. Paul Rosner takes his time developing the key cast members in this ensemble tale (reminiscent of Christie), but once the dysfunctional and loving relationships are established, the story line goes into hyperspeed. Readers will enjoy this engaging political crime thriller.

Harriet Klausner

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner