Last Train to Freedom

by Deborah Swift

Overview

'A thrilling, immersive and beautifully written historical novel that will resonate long after the last page is turned. Highly recommended' MARIUS GABRIEL

'Taut, compelling and beautifully written – I loved it!’ DAISY WOOD

'I seldom give books of this type five stars, but this one fully deserves it for bringing something new and refreshing to the genre.' Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

A moving, page-turning story about a little-known chapter of World War II. Perfect for fans of Kate Quinn and Anna Stuart.

1940. As Soviet forces storm Lithuania, Zofia and her brother Jacek must flee to survive.

A lifeline appears when Japanese consul Sugihara offers them visas on one condition: they must deliver a parcel to Tokyo. Inside lies intelligence on Nazi atrocities, evidence so explosive that Nazi and Soviet agents will stop at nothing to possess it.

Pursued across Siberia on the Trans-Siberian Express, Zofia faces danger at every turn, racing to expose the truth as Japan edges closer to allying with the Nazis. With the fate of countless lives hanging in the balance, can she complete her mission before time runs out?

Readers love Last Train to Freedom:

'I loved it. The book is fast-paced and page turning, and at times has the quality of a thriller.' ANN BENNETT

'Tense and thought-provoking' CATHERINE LAW

'A fascinating and original read' CATHERINE HOKIN

'Real history in the raw, heart-pounding drama, bone-chilling danger, intrigue, romance, and characters to love and fear…Last Train to Freedom has it all. Don’t miss the ride!' LANCASHIRE POST

'This is the kind of book that keeps you up until the middle of the night, or that you fall asleep reading, because you just can’t put it down… One of the best books I have read this year.' Reader review

'An epic journey across the Siberian wilderness that will keep you guessing until the end. Readers interested in the less well known events of World War II will find this book captivating and unforgettable' Reader review⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'Ms Swift is a talented writer… Captivating and compulsive reading' Reader review⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'What a fantastic read this was' Reader review⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'Another stunning achievement in historical fiction from Deborah Swift' Reader review⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'Grips you from the beginning and does not let go until the end' Reader review⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780008739683
Publisher:	HarperCollins Publishers
Publication date:	05/08/2025
Sold by:	HarperCollins Publishers
Format:	eBook
Pages:	336
File size:	2 MB

About the Author

I write historical fiction, a genre I love. I loved the Victorian classics such as Jane Eyre, Little Women, Lorna Doone and Wuthering Heights. As I child I loved to read and when I had read my own library books, I used to borrow my mother's library copies of Anya Seton and Daphne du Maurier. I have loved reading historical novels ever since; though I'm a bookaholic and I read widely – contemporary and classic fiction as well as historicals.

In the past I used to work as a set and costume designer for theatre and TV, so I enjoy the research aspect of creating historical fiction, something I loved doing as a scenographer. Each book takes about six months of research before I am ready to begin writing. More details of my research and writing process can be found on my website. I like to write about extraordinary characters set against the background of real historical events.

Editorial Reviews

Praise for Deborah Swift:

'Real history in the raw, heart-pounding drama, bone-chilling danger, intrigue, romance, and characters to love and fear…Last Train to Freedom has it all. Don’t miss the ride!' LANCASHIRE POST

'A thrilling, immersive and beautifully written historical novel that will resonate long after the last page is turned. Highly recommended' MARIUS GABRIEL

'This impeccably researched wartime thriller had me gripped from the opening pages – I loved it. My pulse was racing and at times my heart broke as Nancy's intelligence operation in The Hague grew more dangerous by the day' ELIZA GRAHAM

'Taut, compelling and beautifully written – I loved it!’ DAISY WOOD

'A fast-paced, exciting read … kept me reading late on several nights. Will appeal to all lovers of both romance and wartime novels' KATHLEEN McGURL

'Had me gripped from beginning to end … Swift portrays the last desperate months of the war in Holland so vividly I found it hard to put Operation Tulip down' EVA GLYN

'I loved it. The book is fast-paced and page turning, and at times has the quality of a thriller.' ANN BENNETT

'A nail-biting read from start to finish. Edge-of-your-seat action and a desperate romance make this a must for WW2 fiction fans' TESSA HARRIS

'Tense and thought-provoking' CATHERINE LAW

'A fascinating and original read. Swift's research is, as always, impeccable' CATHERINE HOKIN

From the Publisher