The Last Train to Key West

By: Chanel Cleeton

Narrated by: Kyla Garcia, Rachel L. Jacobs, Karissa Vacker

Length: 9 hrs and 16 mins

Publisher's summary

Instant New York Times Best Seller

One of Bustle’s Most Anticipated Books of Summer 2020

“The perfect riveting summer read!” (BookBub)

In 1935 three women are forever changed when one of the most powerful hurricanes in history barrels toward the Florida Keys.

For the tourists traveling on Henry Flagler’s legendary Overseas Railroad, Labor Day weekend is an opportunity to forget the economic depression gripping the nation. But one person’s paradise can be another’s prison, and Key West-native Helen Berner yearns to escape.

After the Cuban Revolution of 1933 leaves Mirta Perez’s family in a precarious position, she agrees to an arranged marriage with a notorious American. Following her wedding in Havana, Mirta arrives in the Keys on her honeymoon. While she can’t deny the growing attraction to her new husband, his illicit business interests may threaten not only her relationship, but her life.

Elizabeth Preston's trip to Key West is a chance to save her once-wealthy family from their troubles after the Wall Street crash. Her quest takes her to the camps occupied by veterans of the Great War and pairs her with an unlikely ally on a treacherous hunt of his own.

Over the course of the holiday weekend, the women’s paths cross unexpectedly, and the danger swirling around them is matched only by the terrifying force of the deadly storm threatening the Keys.

©2020 Chanel Cleeton (P)2020 Penguin Audio

Delicate interweaving of characters!

Loved! Loved! Loved this story. I skipped over it a few times when looking for books to listen to but decided to try it because I love the Keys and I live in Florida. I was immediately taken into the story in the first 3 chapters. I love how the author weaves the story together and how it is a happy ending overall. The narration was wonderful in all 3 of the characters and enjoyable to listen to their reading. This was a pleasant break from my usual thrillers and mysteries.

Interesting story

This was an interesting read especially since the US is experiencing hurricanes Laura and Marco at this time. However, using only female narrators for the male parts was ineffective and annoying. The fake male voices detracted from the story line.

Fabulous writing

I loved Next Year in Havana. In some ways this one was even better. Fascinating backdrop. Interesting plot twists.

Enjoyed it

I really enjoyed this and I wish I could’ve given it five stars, but I just couldn’t.

I lived in Key West for a short time in the 1960s and yet I’ve never heard about this dreadful hurricane. It was very interesting. I thought the characters were good, too. I thought that Mirtha sounded too old, but it was good that her voice was so different from the others.

I recommend it to anybody who wants a book that’s a little bit different, but a comfortable book to listen too – and enlightening too.

My first by the author and really enjoyed it.

It was time for a new audiobook and the sound of hurricane season in Key West in 1935 seemed like a perfect choice for a summer listen. I really enjoyed the three different stories of the women and how their lives touched. Definitely a great wrap up at the end of them all. I thought narration of all The characters was great. Will be reading or listening to more of this authors books.

A little predictable, but great characters

This book was a little predictable, but the three narrators kept me interested. I love books from multiple points of view, but having three different voices for those characters is very rare. Overall, I’d say it’s the perfect summer read.

Fascinating true life backdrop

I loved how the story-lines of three female fictional characters were woven together during the time of a real hurricane that destroyed so much of the Florida Keys. I was vaguely aware of the history but this novel brought it to life in harrowing detail, including the veterans' camps (which was new to me). The three narrators did an excellent performance of the three female characters.

Great Historical Fiction!!!

Loved the characters and how their paths intersect. Great performance by all artists. Truly appreciate learning of the veteran' s camps and the 1935 Labor Day Hurricane. Valued a number of life's revelations and lessons that the author highlighted.

Historical and strong women

Chanel Cleeton has become one of my favorite authors. Her strong female characters, her choice of narrators and visual sense of her stories. Keep me wanting more of her books.

Great Book!

I loved this historical fiction story and all of the characters. The narrators were wonderful too.