I have a few reviews to catch you all up on. Today I am sharing my review of The Last Train to Key West by Chanel Cleeton. This was my book club pick for December.
Synopsis
In 1935 three women are forever changed when one of the most powerful hurricanes in history barrels toward the Florida Keys in New York Times bestselling author Chanel Cleeton’s captivating new novel.
Everyone journeys to Key West searching for something. 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.
The Cuban Revolution of 1933 left Mirta Perez’s family in a precarious position. After an arranged wedding in Havana, Mirta arrives in the Keys on her honeymoon. While she can’t deny the growing attraction to the stranger she’s married, her new husband’s illicit business interests may threaten not only her relationship, but her life.
Elizabeth Preston’s trip from New York to Key West is a chance to save her once-wealthy family from their troubles as a result of 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.
Why I Decided to Read this Book
This was my book club pick for December. I have read Chanel Cleeton’s previous two books (Next Year in Havana and When we left Cuba) and loved them both so I was very excited to read this one.
Rating
3.5 Stars (I Liked it!)
My Thoughts
I forgot how much I liked Chanel Cleeton’s writing! She has a way of transporting you to a place and period of time while at the same time making it easy to read, I felt like I was in Key West in the 1930s. The book is split into 3 different stories of 3 women and somehow they all connected which I really loved. I learned a lot about Key West during the aftermath of the war and depression and the book was very easy to read (I read it in like 2 days).
My main critique is that I think this book could have been longer. I think more character development and backstory on the 3 main characters would have helped with the reader’s connection to the story, I wanted more from all three women. I also felt that some of the connections between the women were a little forced and the book’s ending was too tied up. Even with these minor criticism about the book I am glad I read it and it was an enjoyable read.
Overall I think this was a good book club pick and most of us liked it and agreed that we wished it was longer. I recommend it and all of Chanel Cleeton’s books. Of her books Next Year in Havana is my favorite. She has another book coming out this year and I’m excited to read it as well.
Content Warnings
Domestic abuse, murder, detailed descriptions of people hurt/dying in hurricane aftermath
Who I Recommend this Book to
If you like historical fiction and Chanel Cleeton books you’ll enjoy this one. You don’t have to read the first two books in order to read this one. It is a stand alone book.
Get the Book!
Did this review of The Last Train to Key West convince you to read it? Check out the links below to get it from Bookshop.org or Libro.fm. Please consider ordering it from a Black owned independent bookstore. This list of Black owned independent bookstores accepts online ordering.
If you’ve read this book let me know your thoughts in the comments!
Yay book club book! I definitely agree with your review and can’t wait to read more of Chanel Cleeton!