In Russell’s mystery novel, one-armed railroad detective Hook Runyan is tasked with transporting fifty dangerous inmates across the country after their insane asylum burns down. With no local security team in place, the seasoned detective assembles a crew of homeless WW II vets to assist him.
A series of unexplained deaths follow as he tries to safeguard the patients as well as Hook’s own team, while he searches for answers. But insanity is just the beginning as a killer is determined to finish what he has started.

An intelligent addition to the A Hook Runyon Mystery series. ( )

This is my kind of book. Quirky, quirky, quirky! 'The Insane Train’ will have a special place on my bookshelf. I know that I will re-read it in the future.

Yard Dog Hoot Runyon lives in a caboose that teeters from his passion of rare books. You can see his experiences written across his face. He also has a weird type of philosophy. His dog, Mixer loves to chew whatever he chooses, man or creature destroyed or he is stopped by Hoot. Yet he is gentle too.

Andrea Rose is sweet nurse who had wanted to be a doctor but that dream did not come true. She deeply cares about the inmates of the Baldwin Insane Asylum. The people she cares for all so memorable. From the lady who loves to eat bugs to the ultra-dangerous arsonist, you will be entertained.

The rest of the staff will not fade from your memory either, especially the assistant who plays Frankie Lane records all day long. Another group of characters, yes that description fits in more than one way are the hobos living under the bridge who decide to help with the mission given to Hook.

The asylum catches fire and the inmates can no longer live there. The patients need to be moved to their new living quarters. Come ride the Insane Train to find out what happens along the way!

I highly recommend this book to people who love quirkiness, humor and mystery. Don't miss this train! ( )

This is the second in the Hook Runyan series. Hook is a one-armed train detective or "bull" hired for railroad security in the 1920s. He is an immensely likable and intriguing character who doesn't always follow the rules, and is ready to help out the hobos he is supposed to be defending the railroad against. In this book he has to get a trainload of mentally ill and criminally insane people to a new location after the asylum is destroyed in a suspicious fire. If you like character-driven and intriguing mysteries, this is the series for you. ( )

A different, albeit interesting, kind of thriller. Background is aboard a train and the problems that arise by carrying mentally ill patients. I really enjoyed this book! ( )