The Last Train Home: A gripping psychological thriller that keeps you guessing until the very last page

by Sherry Hostler

Where am I?

How did I get here?

These are the questions that Molly asks when she wakes up in unfamiliar clothes on a dark, empty train docked in the middle of nowhere. She has no memory of how she got there, no means of escape, and worst of all, she isn’t sure if she’s alone.

Molly must confront the ghosts of her past, and find her voice, to make sure she has a future.
—
Christmas. A time for peace and goodwill. Well, that depends if you’ve been naughty or nice.


The latest book from the author of the best selling ‘Hypnotic’ and ‘Free Fall’ once again keeps readers guessing until the very end.

333 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 3, 2025

About the author

Sherry is the author of the psychological thrillers ‘Hypnotic’, 'Free Fall' and 'The Last Train Home'  Before this she spent many years ‘living the dream’ in various jobs which have given her plenty to write about.

Sherry enjoys a bit of 90’s dance music and thinks she does her best writing (and dancing) after a few glasses of Rioja but this is possibly not the case.  She loves her home in the rural south east of England with her husband and dog, but often hankers for the sunny beaches of Australia where she used to live.
 
Her short fiction and non-fiction articles have been featured in Writers Forum, Hertfordshire Life, Vale Life, Dogs Monthly and various Cake magazines.   

For more info and to follow her blog visit https://sherryhostler.com

Facebook: @sherryhostlerwriter
Insta: @adropofsherry
Twitter: @sherryhostler

Reviews

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Imagine going to your works Christmas do,having a bit to drink and then waking up on an unmoving train,alone…..not having a clue where you are or how you got there…

And then the train’s tannoy system crackles and someone speaks….it seems you are not alone after all

This exciting read is split into alternating chapters,before waking up on the train and then in real time as Molly tries to work out what has happened to her

We meet some good ( although some are bad ) characters inc Tyler her current boyfriend,Dylan her best mate and Kim her nastier than nasty boss and they all fit well into the story especially the lead up to the main event and pretty much all could be involved ( on that will say no more ) there is also ongoing stories re her Mum and Dad and clients she meets via her work in a local Estate Agent,also a drunk aggressive man seems to be always hot on her heels causing her problems

I didn’t guess right at all and am pleased with that as the book drew me in and made me think who it was and then think again and yet again and I still got it wrong

Debut author for me and very enjoyable read it was and will be looking out for more of the authors books

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable read from a new author for me. Molly was a great character and the way the story was set with alternating timelines gave real insight into her childhood and subsequent damaged relationship. The train scenes were eerie and atmospheric and the Christmas setting was a good backdrop. Well written with a some good twists -I didn't guess the outcome so always a bonus. A good one to read at this time of year and a solid 4⭐️

[Zelda FeatzReviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Random Things Tours for inviting me to participate in this blog tour.
The Last Train Home is a haunting and atmospheric read that pulls you in from the very first line. Sherry Hostler crafts an eerie, claustrophobic setting—an empty train in the middle of nowhere—that instantly sets your nerves on edge. When Molly wakes with no memory, no explanation, and no way out, the tension builds beautifully. You feel her confusion, her fear, and that unsettling sense that she may not be as alone as she hopes. This is every woman’s nightmare brought to life.
What I appreciated most is how the story blends psychological suspense with emotional depth. As Molly begins confronting the pieces of her past, the narrative becomes just as much about self-discovery as it is about survival. Hostler handles Molly’s internal struggles with care, letting the truth unravel slowly while keeping you hooked with an undercurrent of dread.
The Christmas backdrop is cleverly used—not for cosy, festive cheer, but to highlight a darker, more reflective side of the season. The contrast between the idea of goodwill and the notion of being judged “naughty or nice” adds an almost moral, folklore-like feel to the suspense.
Mysterious, atmospheric, and surprisingly moving, The Last Train Home is a gripping story about memory, guilt, and finding your voice when it matters most. If you enjoy psychological thrillers with an eerie twist and a strong emotional core, this one is well worth picking up.
https://featzreviews.com/the-last-tra...

[Arvin Dhillon · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great book. A totally unique and never done before plot. I loved reading it and the plight of Molly.

[Nadine-Sue Sargent · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sad, tense, eventful!!

Molly doesn't have the best people around her and she's essentially a doormat for people in her personal and professional life. It's tough reading when all you want to do is either shake some sense into her or tell people around her to be less spiteful.

Dylan seems to be working on her and it's nice that she has some light amongst a whole load of darkness. I think she knows what she has to do but she's got a lifetime of issues to work through in order to get there.

The train journey is rough but somewhat exciting and suspenseful ( for thriller readers not Molly). It's hard to tell if it's real or if it's someone toying with her and you don't really get to know until the very end which keeps you hooked!

There's a lot of detail in this and a lot about Molly that makes her feel very real and very vulnerable. You almost want her to get mad and get even but she's a good person so things work out a little differently than that. 🙂

[Maddie Weeks · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. The premise was interesting and something I’ve not come across before. It’s a fast paced, psychological thriller that will haunt you.

All I can say is poor Molly, she’s really going through it and now she’s stuck on a dark, empty train in the middle of nowhere being taunted by the ghosts of her past!

I did guess the twist from quite an early point but I will say that I didn’t know why/the reasoning. The last part and the ending are great, you’re left on such a cliffhanger!

Ps.. What do you call the game you used to play when you’d knock on people’s doors and run away? I call it Knock Knock Ginger but it’s called Knock Down Ginger in the book so I’m curious!

If you have any content triggers, I advise you to read any trigger warnings beforehand.

I recommend this to anyone who enjoys a gripping, haunting psychological thriller.

Thank you Random Things Tours and Sherry for letting me be a part of this tour!

I give this 4 stars!

[cosylittlereadingcorner · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a dual timeline story, albeit the two timelines are very close. In the present, Molly wakes on an empty train in total darkness, feeling unwell and unsure how she got there. But as she tries to find a way off, the speaker on her carriage crackles and suddenly someone is talking to her. And that someone seems to know everything about her, truths she has hardly ever told anyone. And that someone is keeping Molly hostage with threats. The other timeline is shortly before the present, the day before Molly boarded that last train home. Between the two timelines we start to build a picture of Molly’s life, from childhood to present and in the end, we do find out what happened and I have to admit I did not guess the ending.

The book touches upon a number of issues, some of which, such as domestic violence and coercive control, may be triggers for some readers so please be aware. There is also mention of bullying behaviour outside the home and at the workplace.

[Naturalbri (Bri Wignall) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked the blurb for this book and the overall premise it gave the read, and thought it would be a very interesting and thought provoking book. I am glad I dove into it as it really was intriguing and offered a unique journey with the perspectives.
The main character, Molly, is very interesting to get to know, well we get to know her as she gets to know a lot as well. The scary thought of waking up somewhere and not knowing anything about the before it, the how's and why and where's is just really a stomach turning thought. I found the two timelines we got really played into this, as we got to be with her as she tried to piece it all together and things took dramatic turns, and then we also got to be with her in the past to see what her life was like, and if that gives any clues to answer the questions she has now.
I liked the writing style and the pace was good, leading to a good read.

[Kelly Hollingworth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book begins with Molly waking up on a train in the darkness, confused, afraid, hand cuffed and in unfamiliar clothes. I had goose bumps from the start!

I liked the structure of each chapter alternating between the train (One Way Ticket) and the lead up (Return Journey). It built momentum and felt like the rhythm of a moving train. Molly is in a toxic relationship and this plays out throughout the book with many twists and turns along the way. The setting of the train depicting a metal prison and the mental torture of being trapped was really well written and compelling. The book kept the tension heightened and me guessing to the end.

This is the first book I have read by this author. I was engaged throughout and couldn’t wait to pick it up and read some more. I would definitely seek out her two other books.

[Staceywh_17 · Rating 4 out of 5]

OMG this was red flag Central! Molly had me shouting at the book - in my head - many times!

We all love a good works do, but in this day and age is it really safe to be drinking so much that you end up in such an uncomfortable situation?

It's one of those books that has so many layers waiting to be peeled back by the unsuspecting reader. The pace is fast, the plot clever and so so gripping.

It's the third book I've read from Hostler and definitely my favourite!

[Lisa reads alot Hamer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was quite an eerie read at time and it certainly kept me guessing as to what was going to happen.
A great plot with a strong psychological theme through it, it was hard to put down and really got you thinking, as well as thrilling it also held quite a bit of emotion too.
A great read and I hope I never wake up on an empty train anytime soon 😱

@adropofsherry @randomthingstours #thelasttrainhome

[Tara Sulsh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic!!

Thank you for this story, it was so gripping but also sad and harrowing in parts....
But this didn't make the whole subject less interesting as I thought the concept of the book was unusual which attracted me...
I would definitely recommend this book to family and friends!!
Thank you!!!😊

[Louise · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.75

[Nicola · Rating 4 out of 5]

enjoyable book with a great ending