Book Review: ‘The Last Train To Key West: A Novel’ By Channel Cleeton

A hurricane hits Key West on Labor Day weekend in 1935 and three women’s lives will never be the same again. Based on the real life hurricane that hit there and may have been one of the worst storms ever.

Helen is married to Tom and 9 months pregnant. He’s abusive and she hopes that one day when he’s out on his boat working he will be taken by the sea. She works at Ruby’s Diner, home of the best Key Lime pie. It’s there that she meets John and he will change her life.

Mirta is from Havana and has married Anthony and they are headed to New York. They have a layover in Key West and she hopes to learn more about him. She can tell he has a dangerous side.

Elizabeth has come to Key West to escape her fiancee, a man she knows is dangerous as well. She’s looking for her brother, a war veteran she hasn’t seen in many years. On the train she meets Sam.

All three of these women meet at Ruby’s before going on their own ways. John helps Helen take off from Tom. Sam helps Elizabeth look for her brother. And Mirta and Anthony are at his beachfront house for a few days. They’re all near each other. Then the storm hits and they all have to fight for their lives.

The Storm Hits…..

Helen goes into labor, Elizabeth and Sam grow close but she learns a secret about him and as they get on a train to try and escape tragedy hits and a hit-man has turned up at Mirta and Anthony’s house. Shocking secrets and who survives all lead to a thrilling conclusion.

I love Chanel’s books. They always have well-written historical fiction stories and I always learn something from reading them. There are twists and turns you don’t see coming and her books are always so enjoyable.

You can pick up The Last Train To Key West in stores now from Berkley.