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Death on the Bullet Train
It’s her first time on the bullet train. What could possibly go wrong?
When Kat, a journalism student, boards the bullet train from Osaka to Tokyo, she is fulfilling a lifelong dream.
During the journey, she meets Satoshi, a Tokyo nightclub host. But events take a sinister turn when he ends up dead before they reach their destination, and Kat may be the only person who knows what really happened.
Arriving in Tokyo, she sets out to find the three people from the train who may be connected to his death, embarking on a path that takes her into the shadowy world of Kabukicho, the city’s red-light district.
Seeing an opportunity for a career-making story, Kat’s investigations start to uncover a much darker mystery—one someone is desperate to keep buried—thrusting her into a high-stakes game in which solving the murder might be her only ticket to survival.
Perfect for fans of Kotaro Isaka’s Bullet Train, Keigo Higashino’s The Devotion of Suspect X, and Ruth Ware’s The Woman in Cabin 10. Get ready for twists and turns in this unputdownable mystery thriller from award-winning author S.J. Cullen.
When Kat, a journalism student, boards the bullet train from Osaka to Tokyo, she is fulfilling a lifelong dream.
During the journey, she meets Satoshi, a Tokyo nightclub host. But events take a sinister turn when he ends up dead before they reach their destination, and Kat may be the only person who knows what really happened.
Arriving in Tokyo, she sets out to find the three people from the train who may be connected to his death, embarking on a path that takes her into the shadowy world of Kabukicho, the city’s red-light district.
Seeing an opportunity for a career-making story, Kat’s investigations start to uncover a much darker mystery—one someone is desperate to keep buried—thrusting her into a high-stakes game in which solving the murder might be her only ticket to survival.
Perfect for fans of Kotaro Isaka’s Bullet Train, Keigo Higashino’s The Devotion of Suspect X, and Ruth Ware’s The Woman in Cabin 10. Get ready for twists and turns in this unputdownable mystery thriller from award-winning author S.J. Cullen.
163 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 27, 2025
8 people are currently reading
15 people want to read
About the author
S.J. Cullen
5 books35 followersS.J. Cullen has never murdered anyone, nor has he ever solved a real-life crime. He has, however, been an international schoolteacher in Asia, so his stories about Hunter and Higashi, a crime-solving duo who attend a British school in Japan, are not completely pulled out of thin air.
He is originally from the North of England, though now lives in Stellenbosch, a lovely historical town in South Africa. The Hunter and Higashi Mystery series represents an attempt to combine his experiences teaching abroad with a love of thrillers and mysteries.
You can learn more and receive a free mystery thriller at www.SJCullen.com
Be sure to follow S.J. on Bookbub for news on the latest releases https://bit.ly/4dBv02U
He is originally from the North of England, though now lives in Stellenbosch, a lovely historical town in South Africa. The Hunter and Higashi Mystery series represents an attempt to combine his experiences teaching abroad with a love of thrillers and mysteries.
You can learn more and receive a free mystery thriller at www.SJCullen.com
Be sure to follow S.J. on Bookbub for news on the latest releases https://bit.ly/4dBv02U
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
December 24, 2025
⭐️ A fun little novella thriller set in Tokyo ⭐️ The story follows Kat, a solo female traveler, exploring Japan. She’s on a bullet train from Osaka to Tokyo when she witnesses a man dying of anaphylactic shock. But few seemingly innocuous occurrences now are making her question if this was actually a murder.
I had a fun time reading this book and loved the Tokyo setting. And even though it’s short the author made room for a few good twists, but FMC did make a couple of frustrating choices that had me yelling at her in my mind. If you are looking for a quick, fast paced thriller this would be a great choice.
Thank you to NetGalley and Xpresso Book Tours | Hadeda Press for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I had a fun time reading this book and loved the Tokyo setting. And even though it’s short the author made room for a few good twists, but FMC did make a couple of frustrating choices that had me yelling at her in my mind. If you are looking for a quick, fast paced thriller this would be a great choice.
Thank you to NetGalley and Xpresso Book Tours | Hadeda Press for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
December 23, 2025
This was one of those reads that immediately pulled me in with its setting alone — a murder mystery unfolding on Japan’s iconic bullet train? Yes please. The sense of movement, urgency, and claustrophobia added an extra layer of tension that made it really hard to put down.
I loved how fast-paced this story was without feeling rushed. It’s a shorter read, but every chapter felt purposeful, keeping the suspense ticking along as Kat tries to make sense of what she’s witnessed. I found her a very easy protagonist to root for — curious, determined, and clearly in over her head in the most human way.
The mystery itself kept me guessing, and while there were a few familiar thriller beats, the execution was strong enough that it didn’t take away from my enjoyment. I especially enjoyed the atmospheric shift once the story moved beyond the train — it added depth and a slightly darker edge that elevated the tension.
Overall, Death on the Bullet Train was a gripping, quick read that delivered exactly what I was in the mood for: intrigue, momentum, and a setting that did a lot of the heavy lifting in the best way. A solid 4-star mystery that I’d happily recommend if you’re after a sharp, travel-tinged thriller you can devour in one sitting 🚄✨
I loved how fast-paced this story was without feeling rushed. It’s a shorter read, but every chapter felt purposeful, keeping the suspense ticking along as Kat tries to make sense of what she’s witnessed. I found her a very easy protagonist to root for — curious, determined, and clearly in over her head in the most human way.
The mystery itself kept me guessing, and while there were a few familiar thriller beats, the execution was strong enough that it didn’t take away from my enjoyment. I especially enjoyed the atmospheric shift once the story moved beyond the train — it added depth and a slightly darker edge that elevated the tension.
Overall, Death on the Bullet Train was a gripping, quick read that delivered exactly what I was in the mood for: intrigue, momentum, and a setting that did a lot of the heavy lifting in the best way. A solid 4-star mystery that I’d happily recommend if you’re after a sharp, travel-tinged thriller you can devour in one sitting 🚄✨
December 28, 2025
A Gripping Thriller Where Morality and Justice Collide
A dream-come-true journey on the titular bullet train takes a dark turn as Kat's co-passenger ends up dead, and something about his untimely passing does not let her move on. Acting on a journalist's instinct, she sets out to uncover the truth, not knowing some answers come at a price.
Death on the Bullet Train is a fast-paced novella with very well-executed twists that keep the reader engaged. The protagonist gets enough backstory to make her a relatable lead character, without excessive details that would hinder the pace of a novella format. It is the characters she meets on her journey that make the story so entertaining. Additionally, it is these very characters that make Kat question the concepts of justice and morality.
The Author likes to play with the reader, deliberately misleading them into a sense of "I pretty much see where this is going". While I was able to see through some elements of the puzzle, the great majority of twists and turns took me by surprise, only adding to the overall fun.
The writing style is what I also appreciated a lot. Vivid descriptions of the setting and interesting tidbits about Japanese culture show the Author's nice turn of phrase, which serves well in compelling storytelling.
Overall, this is an easily recommendable story for everybody craving the thrill of a good mystery. A standalone title you can devour in one sitting, which will leave you with a feeling of time well spent.
A dream-come-true journey on the titular bullet train takes a dark turn as Kat's co-passenger ends up dead, and something about his untimely passing does not let her move on. Acting on a journalist's instinct, she sets out to uncover the truth, not knowing some answers come at a price.
Death on the Bullet Train is a fast-paced novella with very well-executed twists that keep the reader engaged. The protagonist gets enough backstory to make her a relatable lead character, without excessive details that would hinder the pace of a novella format. It is the characters she meets on her journey that make the story so entertaining. Additionally, it is these very characters that make Kat question the concepts of justice and morality.
The Author likes to play with the reader, deliberately misleading them into a sense of "I pretty much see where this is going". While I was able to see through some elements of the puzzle, the great majority of twists and turns took me by surprise, only adding to the overall fun.
The writing style is what I also appreciated a lot. Vivid descriptions of the setting and interesting tidbits about Japanese culture show the Author's nice turn of phrase, which serves well in compelling storytelling.
Overall, this is an easily recommendable story for everybody craving the thrill of a good mystery. A standalone title you can devour in one sitting, which will leave you with a feeling of time well spent.
December 30, 2025
(read on net galley)
If you're just in the mood for a quick, vibey murder mystery, this book is for you. It was fast paced, well developed, and wrapped up nicely which was very nice. Unfortunately for this book, I was in a more analytical mood when I read it and so I noticed a bunch of plot holes/obvious plot points.
Again, this wasn't a bad book if you're just here for the vibes. It's just if you think too much about it that it starts to turn into Swiss cheese.
If you're just in the mood for a quick, vibey murder mystery, this book is for you. It was fast paced, well developed, and wrapped up nicely which was very nice. Unfortunately for this book, I was in a more analytical mood when I read it and so I noticed a bunch of plot holes/obvious plot points.
Again, this wasn't a bad book if you're just here for the vibes. It's just if you think too much about it that it starts to turn into Swiss cheese.
December 30, 2025
A crime story with the words Bullet Train in the title invites a comparison to Kotaro Isaka's Bullet Train, a very slick crime novel in which the reader is constantly guessing how many assassins are on this train. As a location, the bullet train is a good one for a crime story as it's effectively a "secluded" location where only those on the train could have done it.
This novella is very different from Isaka's Bullet Train. There's only one murder for starters and only our heroine Kat witnesses sufficient of the carriage shenanigans to identify that something's gone on. Whilst the killer is revealed around the mid point, the full set of twists carries the story through the remainder. Kat is somewhat naive in her behaviour, frequently throwing caution to the wind despite being a solo traveller on a first visit to a country where she doesn't speak the language - making this mistake once is human but continuing to act like this loses my sympathy for the character.
If you're a fast reader, this is a story for an evening. With swearing. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This novella is very different from Isaka's Bullet Train. There's only one murder for starters and only our heroine Kat witnesses sufficient of the carriage shenanigans to identify that something's gone on. Whilst the killer is revealed around the mid point, the full set of twists carries the story through the remainder. Kat is somewhat naive in her behaviour, frequently throwing caution to the wind despite being a solo traveller on a first visit to a country where she doesn't speak the language - making this mistake once is human but continuing to act like this loses my sympathy for the character.
If you're a fast reader, this is a story for an evening. With swearing. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
January 9, 2026
Death on the Bullet Train is a fast paced and atmospheric mystery that immediately draws readers into its high stakes premise. S.J. Cullen brings the journey from Osaka to Tokyo vividly to life, blending the excitement of travel with a growing sense of unease. Kat is a compelling protagonist whose curiosity and determination make her easy to root for, and the mystery surrounding the death on the train unfolds with steady tension and intrigue.
As the story moves into Tokyo’s shadowy underworld, the plot deepens with unexpected twists and escalating danger. The novel balances suspense, setting, and character development beautifully, making it difficult to put down. With its sharp pacing and immersive backdrop, Death on the Bullet Train is a thrilling and satisfying read for fans of international crime fiction and modern mystery thrillers.
As the story moves into Tokyo’s shadowy underworld, the plot deepens with unexpected twists and escalating danger. The novel balances suspense, setting, and character development beautifully, making it difficult to put down. With its sharp pacing and immersive backdrop, Death on the Bullet Train is a thrilling and satisfying read for fans of international crime fiction and modern mystery thrillers.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Kat is excited to be in Japan and finally get to take a trip on the bullet train. However, she witnesses a death that seems to be murder. Her journalistic instincts kick in, and she finds herself investigating to find out what happened.
I thought this would be more mystery than it was. There was a little at the start, but then it was more like a spy/action book. It was strange and felt overly complicated to me. I wish there had been more actual investigating/sleuthing by Kat. It was at least short and easy to read as a novella.
I received my copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I thought this would be more mystery than it was. There was a little at the start, but then it was more like a spy/action book. It was strange and felt overly complicated to me. I wish there had been more actual investigating/sleuthing by Kat. It was at least short and easy to read as a novella.
I received my copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
December 28, 2025
Death on the Bullet Train by S.J. Cullen is a fast-paced mystery that makes great use of its setting. I received a copy from Xpresso Book Tours via Netgalley.
The story kicks off aboard Japan’s iconic high-speed train, and I really enjoyed how the confined space heightens the tension as the protagonist, Kat, finds herself drawn into an investigation after a passenger dies.
The main character is likable and curious, and the plot twists are engaging, even if a few developments feel a bit rushed due to the novella’s short length. I would've loved for it to be a complete novel.
3,75/5 ⭐️
The story kicks off aboard Japan’s iconic high-speed train, and I really enjoyed how the confined space heightens the tension as the protagonist, Kat, finds herself drawn into an investigation after a passenger dies.
The main character is likable and curious, and the plot twists are engaging, even if a few developments feel a bit rushed due to the novella’s short length. I would've loved for it to be a complete novel.
3,75/5 ⭐️
January 3, 2026
Hey, hey, my favorites 😁💚. #annieethebookiee is back with another book review.
📘 Death on a Bullet Train by S.J. Cullen
⭐ 3/5 stars
This was an okay read for me. The fast-paced setting and mystery concept kept things moving, and the confined environment added some tension. While the story had potential, it didn’t fully pull me in, and I found myself wanting more depth and stronger twists.
Overall, it’s a decent, easy mystery that works if you’re looking for something quick and straightforward, this is the one for you...
📘 Death on a Bullet Train by S.J. Cullen
⭐ 3/5 stars
This was an okay read for me. The fast-paced setting and mystery concept kept things moving, and the confined environment added some tension. While the story had potential, it didn’t fully pull me in, and I found myself wanting more depth and stronger twists.
Overall, it’s a decent, easy mystery that works if you’re looking for something quick and straightforward, this is the one for you...
January 7, 2026
This was an easy to read crime novel that provided plenty of suspense and action and a taste of Japan as a bonus. The main character was easy to like and empathise with, while the other characters varied from morally ambiguous to downright evil and conniving. I would actually enjoy more books with this main character. Perhaps she could travel to other countries and wind up accidentally involved in more crimes.
I received this arc from netgalley in exchange for my honest review.
I received this arc from netgalley in exchange for my honest review.
January 8, 2026
A new stand-alone novel by Cullen had me from the start! Kat is visiting Japan and has always wanted to ride the original bullet train from Osaka to Tokyo. When she witnesses a man die and 3 strangers acting off, it begins a cat and mouse game across Tokyo. Plenty of twists and turns along the way until the vey last page!
December 29, 2025
What a thrill! A dream trip to Japan turns into something Kat was definitely not expecting. I loved the twists and turns along with a peak into Japanese culture and life. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!
January 2, 2026
Death on the bullet train
My first book by this author and my first 2026 book I really enjoyed it it kept me interested and engaged and read it in one day did not want to put it down
My first book by this author and my first 2026 book I really enjoyed it it kept me interested and engaged and read it in one day did not want to put it down
January 6, 2026
an absolutely wild ride throughout. I feel like it could have used a little more length but how it is still worked really well. 5 stars. tysm for the arc.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews