Don't be put off if you find it difficult to get into this - from the middle of the book it goes into a totally different gear and becomes an un-put-downable thriller.
Extract
Taller and less distinct than ever, Malcolm loomed over Biralbo, swaying, stretching his huge hands towards his neck...Biralbo saw him wave his arms like the wings of a bird, saw a look of astonishment and entreaty on Malcolm's face when the train jerked as if it might overturn and Biralbo fell to the metal-plate floor: he heard a long, piercing scream that echoed the screeching of the brakes, and he closed his eyes, as if the voluntary darkness could save him from hearing it any more.