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A Long Way Home
A heartbreaking and inspiring World War 2 novel based on a true story of survival, courage, and the search for belonging.
January 1945. As Auschwitz falls, Rachael Kisch joins the death march toward Dachau, freezing, starving, and clinging to one desperate to find her brother Hannes. When she is forced to work in a Nazi print shop forging false identities for escaping officers, she risks her life again to sabotage their plans and save others.
Liberation brings new struggles. The war may be over, but returning home to the Netherlands means facing famine, loss, and a nation that has forgotten its Jews. Yet through grief and resilience, Rachael refuses to surrender her will to live or her determination to remember.
From Auschwitz to Dachau to Amsterdam, A Long Way Home is the unforgettable conclusion to the Rachael Kisch Trilogy. Perfect for readers of The Nightingale , My Daughter's Keeper , and The Frozen River.
January 1945. As Auschwitz falls, Rachael Kisch joins the death march toward Dachau, freezing, starving, and clinging to one desperate to find her brother Hannes. When she is forced to work in a Nazi print shop forging false identities for escaping officers, she risks her life again to sabotage their plans and save others.
Liberation brings new struggles. The war may be over, but returning home to the Netherlands means facing famine, loss, and a nation that has forgotten its Jews. Yet through grief and resilience, Rachael refuses to surrender her will to live or her determination to remember.
From Auschwitz to Dachau to Amsterdam, A Long Way Home is the unforgettable conclusion to the Rachael Kisch Trilogy. Perfect for readers of The Nightingale , My Daughter's Keeper , and The Frozen River.
328 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
January 5, 2026
I struggled with the first part of this book and didn’t think I would continue. I’m certainly glad I did. I even plan to read more by this new to me author. My favorite time period besides Biblical is WWII. Though I’ve read countless of books during this time frame, I still learned quite a bit. I loved the character of Rachel. Her grit and perseverance are remarkable. This novel was well researched and paced perfectly. Highly recommend.
I was blessed with an ARC. Thank you NetGalley. The opinions expressed are my own and unbiased.
I was blessed with an ARC. Thank you NetGalley. The opinions expressed are my own and unbiased.
July 8, 2026
A comprehensive ending to this trilogy.
What happened to the Jews of the Netherlands during WW II
What happened to the Jews of the Netherlands during WW II
January 4, 2026
In the third book of the Rachael Kisch Trilogy we find the Russians approaching Auschwitz, and Rachael along with thousands of other prisoners being taken on a deathly forced March from Poland all the way to Dachau in Germany. A march that thousands would not live to see the end of, although Rachael feels an element of hope in the march as she hopes it will take her to her brother who she thinks is in Dachau, if still alive. Despite their dying days the Nazis in the book show no end to their depravity and inhumanity in the ways they treated the Jews and other prisoners, if anything it seems to heighten these.
As with any books covering this theme the book is far from easy to read but it is so important that these books are read so that the millions of lives brought to a merciless early end are not forgotten. The inhuman treatment of fellow humans just beggars belief and if we see current world events it seems to go on and on even in today’s world and this is the depressive element when reading these books. We do not seem to be learning from history and seem to be repeating mistakes.
What I loved most about this book is the way that it not only covers the march and their time in the new camp, but also the rescue by American forces and the impact it had on them, as well as the impact it had on prisoners after they were ‘freed’ from the concentration camps. Whilst they may have been out of the concentration camp their suffering went on both psychologically and in real terms, especially in the way they were treated for example by society and by people who had taken over their houses.
I felt the end of the book was superbly written and there is much too we can learn from these events. It was made even more meaningful by the reference to the author’s linked family, who all were killed in 1942 and 1943.
This book can be read as a standalone but is much better read following the other books in the trilogy. I do highly recommend the whole trilogy which was very well written overall.
As with any books covering this theme the book is far from easy to read but it is so important that these books are read so that the millions of lives brought to a merciless early end are not forgotten. The inhuman treatment of fellow humans just beggars belief and if we see current world events it seems to go on and on even in today’s world and this is the depressive element when reading these books. We do not seem to be learning from history and seem to be repeating mistakes.
What I loved most about this book is the way that it not only covers the march and their time in the new camp, but also the rescue by American forces and the impact it had on them, as well as the impact it had on prisoners after they were ‘freed’ from the concentration camps. Whilst they may have been out of the concentration camp their suffering went on both psychologically and in real terms, especially in the way they were treated for example by society and by people who had taken over their houses.
I felt the end of the book was superbly written and there is much too we can learn from these events. It was made even more meaningful by the reference to the author’s linked family, who all were killed in 1942 and 1943.
This book can be read as a standalone but is much better read following the other books in the trilogy. I do highly recommend the whole trilogy which was very well written overall.
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January 12, 2026What a heartwrenching story. A family trying to stay together during the way. I had read alot about the war in Germany, hut not much about Amsterdam. It's a fascinating story. A must read on your list!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
“A Long Way Home” is the last book in Mark DeMeza’s enthralling Rachael Kisch Trilogy and the second one I have had the pleasure to read, having been given an advanced reader’s digital copy by NetGalley. Although this book, like its predecessor, can be read on its own, it was nice to have read “The Heroine of Auschwitz” prior. Mr. DeMeza does a nice job in the first few chapters reacquainting the reader with, or introducing new readers to, Auschwitz’s heroine Rachael, and reminding returning readers of Rachael’s beloved Ludwig and his nemesis SS officer Moll. Shortly thereafter, Rachael’s good friend from Auschwitz, Zuzana, becomes integral to the third book, as does Rachael’s search for her young brother Hannes. My review of this book is completely voluntary.
This aspect of Rachael’s story details the horrors imposed upon the prisoners forced to leave the Auschwitz-Birkenau death camp network in the last days of World War II as the Allies were within reach of liberating it and endure grueling days of travel during the dead of winter in inhumane conditions by train and on foot to reach even further unimaginable conditions awaiting them at the Dachau network of concentration camps. Of approximately 56,000 prisoners who endured this experience, it’s estimated that 15,000 died en route, and while the main camp at Dachau was meant to hold 6,000 prisoners, there were well over five times as many by the time it was liberated on April 29, 1945. Between January and April 29, over 7,000 prisoners died from illness and starvation and another 2,000 died soon after liberation.
Just as in “The Heroine of Auschwitz” Mr. DeMeza’s writing in “A Long Way Home” is superb! The prose is propulsive and compelling; Rachael’s heart wrenching story is captivating from its first page to its last. There literally is never a dull moment to be found between the covers of this book, and Mr. DeMeza never shies away from describing the barbarity and depravity of the Nazi killing machine and the attitudes of the people who carried out the atrocities, from glee to utter indifference.
This aspect of Rachael’s story details the horrors imposed upon the prisoners forced to leave the Auschwitz-Birkenau death camp network in the last days of World War II as the Allies were within reach of liberating it and endure grueling days of travel during the dead of winter in inhumane conditions by train and on foot to reach even further unimaginable conditions awaiting them at the Dachau network of concentration camps. Of approximately 56,000 prisoners who endured this experience, it’s estimated that 15,000 died en route, and while the main camp at Dachau was meant to hold 6,000 prisoners, there were well over five times as many by the time it was liberated on April 29, 1945. Between January and April 29, over 7,000 prisoners died from illness and starvation and another 2,000 died soon after liberation.
Just as in “The Heroine of Auschwitz” Mr. DeMeza’s writing in “A Long Way Home” is superb! The prose is propulsive and compelling; Rachael’s heart wrenching story is captivating from its first page to its last. There literally is never a dull moment to be found between the covers of this book, and Mr. DeMeza never shies away from describing the barbarity and depravity of the Nazi killing machine and the attitudes of the people who carried out the atrocities, from glee to utter indifference.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
A Long Way Home by Mark deMeza is the last in the phenomenal Rachael Kisch trilogy, one of the most memorable and moving series I have ever read. Based on the true story of the author's family members who were murdered by the Nazis during World War II, the story is full of tragedy, anguish, unspeakable despair and hopelessness. Yet the resilience of of survivors is incomprehensible.
Rachael Kisch has survived death many times during the war, including extreme camp conditions, cattle train horrors, agonizing death marches and murder all around her. As she had experience in printing, she was forced to create fake ID cards for officers shortly before liberation. Dachau is plays a big role in the story and was the template for subsequent concentration camps. Extermination camp Auschwitz finally falls in 1945 and the remaining prisoners were forced on death marches during the winter with no food or water. Though surrounded by snow, scooping it up resulted in certain death. However, a few used their spoons surreptitiously to gather precious snow from the person ahead of them. Rachael did everything she could to help her ill friend. When American liberators reached Aushwitz, they could not grasp what they were seeing. Photographers and journalists documented in a state of shock. "Walking dead" shuffled, hardly the eagerness liberators expected.
Rachael and others were taken to the American Red Cross followed by a transit house before returning to Amsterdam which, after the war, was still a terrible place for Jews.
The author makes it clear that testimonies and witnesses were absolutely critical to bring some (comparatively few) torturers and killers to justice. I am grateful that stories like this are written and kept alive for this and subsequent generations. The afterword and author's afterword are fascinating and heartbreaking with personal poignancy.
This powerful book is beyond words. Every reader ought to read it and reflect.
Rachael Kisch has survived death many times during the war, including extreme camp conditions, cattle train horrors, agonizing death marches and murder all around her. As she had experience in printing, she was forced to create fake ID cards for officers shortly before liberation. Dachau is plays a big role in the story and was the template for subsequent concentration camps. Extermination camp Auschwitz finally falls in 1945 and the remaining prisoners were forced on death marches during the winter with no food or water. Though surrounded by snow, scooping it up resulted in certain death. However, a few used their spoons surreptitiously to gather precious snow from the person ahead of them. Rachael did everything she could to help her ill friend. When American liberators reached Aushwitz, they could not grasp what they were seeing. Photographers and journalists documented in a state of shock. "Walking dead" shuffled, hardly the eagerness liberators expected.
Rachael and others were taken to the American Red Cross followed by a transit house before returning to Amsterdam which, after the war, was still a terrible place for Jews.
The author makes it clear that testimonies and witnesses were absolutely critical to bring some (comparatively few) torturers and killers to justice. I am grateful that stories like this are written and kept alive for this and subsequent generations. The afterword and author's afterword are fascinating and heartbreaking with personal poignancy.
This powerful book is beyond words. Every reader ought to read it and reflect.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
A Long Way home is the amazing conclusion the The Rachel Kisch Trilogy. The series was filled with details, including graphic descriptions of the horrors that Rachel and those around her experienced. World War Two was a very challenging time for the Jewish community. I was excited for A Long Way Home when they would all be free.
The story details Rachel's journey on the March from Auchwitz to Dachau. The author's details had me believing I was there. The smells, the torture, the illness, the lack of sanitation, the gun shots and the loss of life tore at my soul. I can't remember reading another Historcal Fiction story recently that had me transported to the horrors that when I closed the book the concept remained. I was given a miniscule glimpse of what the prisoners must have experienced their whole lives even when they were supposed to be free.
I realized that at the end of the war they were not free. The Allies may have stepped on the grounds of the extermination and concentration camps but the Jewish people and other prisoners were not free. The were controlled my hunger and disease. They were not free. They were soon controlled by the demands for order as the allies sending them home. They were not free. They returned to a town they didn't not recognize and left to stand in long lines. They were not free. They went home to the place they grew up in, only to find someone else lived in their home. They were not free to enter their home. It was up to previously interned to prove ownership, that took time, with no shelter to call home. They were free.
Read The Rachael Kisch Trilogy. Obsorb The Rachael Kisch Trilogy. Remember The Rachael Kisch Trilogy. Never forget The Rachael Kisch Trilogy and so many stories like it. It cannot be repeated.
The story details Rachel's journey on the March from Auchwitz to Dachau. The author's details had me believing I was there. The smells, the torture, the illness, the lack of sanitation, the gun shots and the loss of life tore at my soul. I can't remember reading another Historcal Fiction story recently that had me transported to the horrors that when I closed the book the concept remained. I was given a miniscule glimpse of what the prisoners must have experienced their whole lives even when they were supposed to be free.
I realized that at the end of the war they were not free. The Allies may have stepped on the grounds of the extermination and concentration camps but the Jewish people and other prisoners were not free. The were controlled my hunger and disease. They were not free. They were soon controlled by the demands for order as the allies sending them home. They were not free. They returned to a town they didn't not recognize and left to stand in long lines. They were not free. They went home to the place they grew up in, only to find someone else lived in their home. They were not free to enter their home. It was up to previously interned to prove ownership, that took time, with no shelter to call home. They were free.
Read The Rachael Kisch Trilogy. Obsorb The Rachael Kisch Trilogy. Remember The Rachael Kisch Trilogy. Never forget The Rachael Kisch Trilogy and so many stories like it. It cannot be repeated.
February 12, 2026
In The Long Way Home, the final installment of the Rachael Kirsch trilogy, Mark deMeza presents an impactful yet devastating portrayal of survival. Beyond liberation, this series is a carefully researched account of the limits and resilience of the human spirit.
DeMeza vividly depicts the infamous Death March from Auschwitz to Dachau, detailing the relentless, cold, and casual brutality of the SS, along with the physical and emotional suffering of the prisoners as they face ongoing uncertainty. The portrayal of Dachau just before the arrival of the American forces is equally harrowing, focusing on the typhus-infected barracks and the haunting "Death Train." The liberation is depicted with raw honesty, emphasizing the shock of the GIs as they step into a living nightmare.
True to his style, deMeza introduces minor characters whose stories are abruptly cut short or left unfinished. This serves as a powerful, sobering parallel to the chaos of the Holocaust, where millions were consumed by dehumanizing forces, leaving no trace of their identity or final moments.
The story doesn't end at the camp gates. The book also courageously explores the bitter reality of survivors returning to a homeland that’s unwelcoming—facing neighbors who have taken over their houses and a world eager to forget or ignore their unrelenting trauma. The ending is satisfying yet bittersweet, offering no easy comfort.
Like the first two books in the series, this is a five-star historical novel that blends facts with a compelling story. While this book stands strongly on its own, I highly recommend reading the entire trilogy to fully appreciate the scope of deMeza’s research and the complete, transformative journey of these characters.
DeMeza vividly depicts the infamous Death March from Auschwitz to Dachau, detailing the relentless, cold, and casual brutality of the SS, along with the physical and emotional suffering of the prisoners as they face ongoing uncertainty. The portrayal of Dachau just before the arrival of the American forces is equally harrowing, focusing on the typhus-infected barracks and the haunting "Death Train." The liberation is depicted with raw honesty, emphasizing the shock of the GIs as they step into a living nightmare.
True to his style, deMeza introduces minor characters whose stories are abruptly cut short or left unfinished. This serves as a powerful, sobering parallel to the chaos of the Holocaust, where millions were consumed by dehumanizing forces, leaving no trace of their identity or final moments.
The story doesn't end at the camp gates. The book also courageously explores the bitter reality of survivors returning to a homeland that’s unwelcoming—facing neighbors who have taken over their houses and a world eager to forget or ignore their unrelenting trauma. The ending is satisfying yet bittersweet, offering no easy comfort.
Like the first two books in the series, this is a five-star historical novel that blends facts with a compelling story. While this book stands strongly on its own, I highly recommend reading the entire trilogy to fully appreciate the scope of deMeza’s research and the complete, transformative journey of these characters.
January 11, 2026
A Long Way Home is a powerful and emotional conclusion to the Rachael Kisch Trilogy by Mark deMeza. While the novel portrays the brutal realities of World War II, what stood out most to me was Rachael’s resilience and determination to survive when everything around her was designed to strip her of hope.
Set in the aftermath of Auschwitz’s liberation, the story follows Rachael as she is forced onto the death march to Dachau as the Allies advance. Despite her physical weakness and emotional trauma, Rachael’s inner strength never fades. Her will to live, her hope, and her refusal to lose her humanity are what truly drive this story.
One aspect I found especially compelling was the focus on life after liberation. This book does not end when the camps are freed. Instead, it explores the lasting trauma survivors carried with them and the immense struggle of trying to rebuild a life after unimaginable loss. Rachael’s journey shows that survival is not just about staying alive, but about learning how to live again.
Mark deMeza’s research is evident throughout, and the story refuses to let the reader remain emotionally detached. This novel is a reminder that behind every statistic was a real person with a story worth remembering.
Heartbreaking yet hopeful, A Long Way Home is a story of resilience, survival, and the enduring strength of the human spirit.
Thank you to NetGalley for giving me this opportunity to read this DRC. All my thoughts are honest and my own.
Set in the aftermath of Auschwitz’s liberation, the story follows Rachael as she is forced onto the death march to Dachau as the Allies advance. Despite her physical weakness and emotional trauma, Rachael’s inner strength never fades. Her will to live, her hope, and her refusal to lose her humanity are what truly drive this story.
One aspect I found especially compelling was the focus on life after liberation. This book does not end when the camps are freed. Instead, it explores the lasting trauma survivors carried with them and the immense struggle of trying to rebuild a life after unimaginable loss. Rachael’s journey shows that survival is not just about staying alive, but about learning how to live again.
Mark deMeza’s research is evident throughout, and the story refuses to let the reader remain emotionally detached. This novel is a reminder that behind every statistic was a real person with a story worth remembering.
Heartbreaking yet hopeful, A Long Way Home is a story of resilience, survival, and the enduring strength of the human spirit.
Thank you to NetGalley for giving me this opportunity to read this DRC. All my thoughts are honest and my own.
January 8, 2026
A Long Way Home by Mark deMeza is the third book in the Rachael Kisch trilogy. As the war is coming to an end, we find the US and Russians coming very close to liberating the German camps. We find the Nazis scrambling to hide the atrocities they have committed by moving or exterminating those being held captive.
Rachael and her family, being Jewish, were captured and sent from the Netherlands to camps in Poland and elsewhere. Rachael was in Auchwitz and is forced to march to Dachau as the Nazis try to avoid their capture. She had been separated from her brother Hannes early on and believes he is in Dachau. She is a very strong and determined women and was in hopes of locating her brother when she arrives there.
The book goes into great detail of the harsh and inhuman treatment of the prisoners in the camps. It also goes into detail about their treatment when being moved from Auchwitz to Dachau, and the march they are forced to take as the liberators come very close. At times it is very distressing to read the descriptions of what they endured. I also found it interesting to read about their further endurance at the hands of the US once liberated. There are many books written about treatment of prisoners during WWII but not much about what happens to them afterward.
I felt that the book was well written and provided a good deal of information about the aftermath of captivity. I have not read the first 2 books but did not feel it was a hindrance reading this one first. Thank you Net Galley and The Book Whisperer for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC.
Rachael and her family, being Jewish, were captured and sent from the Netherlands to camps in Poland and elsewhere. Rachael was in Auchwitz and is forced to march to Dachau as the Nazis try to avoid their capture. She had been separated from her brother Hannes early on and believes he is in Dachau. She is a very strong and determined women and was in hopes of locating her brother when she arrives there.
The book goes into great detail of the harsh and inhuman treatment of the prisoners in the camps. It also goes into detail about their treatment when being moved from Auchwitz to Dachau, and the march they are forced to take as the liberators come very close. At times it is very distressing to read the descriptions of what they endured. I also found it interesting to read about their further endurance at the hands of the US once liberated. There are many books written about treatment of prisoners during WWII but not much about what happens to them afterward.
I felt that the book was well written and provided a good deal of information about the aftermath of captivity. I have not read the first 2 books but did not feel it was a hindrance reading this one first. Thank you Net Galley and The Book Whisperer for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
"A Long Way Home" is the final book in the "Rachael Kisch Trilogy" by Mark deMeza. This book is WWII historical fiction, somewhat based on Mr. deMeza's own family history. This book follows Rachael during 1945 - the final year in WWII. Things are rough for both the Germans (many seem to see the handwriting on the wall) but, more importantly, for those in the concentration camps. Mr. deMeza, I think, handled the horrors in the camps in a very humane, yet accurate, manner. There are horrors explained, but they're not gratuitously described. What I liked a lot in this story was the history after the war ended - life didn't just "go back to normal" for those in the camps - they were now displaced people, back in society, but not quite "back" in society. I thought that section was described very well. What I wasn't as much a fan about was some of the historical (or historical-based) people's sections - I got a number of the SS people confused, especially in the middle and while I think it gave the overall story balance, at times it felt detracting from Rachael's story, which I found more interesting. However, this book nicely finished the trilogy, so this book was a satisfying ending. I wish to thank the author and publisher for the advanced eARC, made available from NetGalley.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
What a story! I have followed this series from the beginning of the "Rachael Kisch Trilogy" by Mark deMeza. You can read them out of order, they are free standing. This book takes the reader on a journey of emotional ups and downs. Even if the reader is familiar with the whole story of the Holocaust, Mark guides the reader through the novel tastefully and accurately. Thank you for that. It is a story of hardships, endurance and resilience. Rachel risks everything to make sure that those responsible are brought to justice - her sacrifice is inspiring.
When I began reading it was difficult, once again, to put the book down. As the reader, I felt that I was there living through this journey too. The story is fast paced and slow paced, just as the journey would have been. The characters are real and their situation believable and strong. I am so glad to have shared this journey and I am sure that everyone who takes the time to read this will feel the same. Thank you for writing this story. I look forward to reading more of your stories.
I have enjoyed this series and would fully recommend that you read this trilogy. Thank you Mark deMeza for writing this awesome book, Thank you to Book Whisperer and NetGalley for the ARC. The views expressed are all mine, freely given.
When I began reading it was difficult, once again, to put the book down. As the reader, I felt that I was there living through this journey too. The story is fast paced and slow paced, just as the journey would have been. The characters are real and their situation believable and strong. I am so glad to have shared this journey and I am sure that everyone who takes the time to read this will feel the same. Thank you for writing this story. I look forward to reading more of your stories.
I have enjoyed this series and would fully recommend that you read this trilogy. Thank you Mark deMeza for writing this awesome book, Thank you to Book Whisperer and NetGalley for the ARC. The views expressed are all mine, freely given.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I wasn't aware that this is the 3rd book in a series (I tend not to look up ARC books to avoid bias), so I went into reading without any context or background knowledge.
What a book....It is most definitely not for cosy afternoons and for times when you are not emotionally strong and steady. As someone else said it in a review, I too had to stop sometimes just to clear my head and process the book.
Most books I've read about the Holocaust usually cut the story when the narrator / main character dies or at the liberation, I don't think I've ever read a book that discussed life of the survivora after they returned home.
And honestly, what kind of life you can have after the horrors of a concentration camp? Is there anything that you can salvage of your original self? Is there a way to piece together any kind of normalcy? This story is heartbreaking, it makes you think very hard about the fragility of life, about the resilience that these people did not chose but having no other choice, their survival depended on it.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who is strong enough to endure it but be prepared you will need recovery after reading it.
Thank you NetGalley and the author for an ARC.
What a book....It is most definitely not for cosy afternoons and for times when you are not emotionally strong and steady. As someone else said it in a review, I too had to stop sometimes just to clear my head and process the book.
Most books I've read about the Holocaust usually cut the story when the narrator / main character dies or at the liberation, I don't think I've ever read a book that discussed life of the survivora after they returned home.
And honestly, what kind of life you can have after the horrors of a concentration camp? Is there anything that you can salvage of your original self? Is there a way to piece together any kind of normalcy? This story is heartbreaking, it makes you think very hard about the fragility of life, about the resilience that these people did not chose but having no other choice, their survival depended on it.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who is strong enough to endure it but be prepared you will need recovery after reading it.
Thank you NetGalley and the author for an ARC.
April 3, 2026
***THIS REVIEW IS BASED ON AN ARC COPY FROM NETGALLEY. THEREFORE IT MENTIONS ERRORS THAT MAY HAVE BEEN CORRECTED.***
The final book in the Rachael Kisch trilogy, and once again i can't fault the historical accuracy. I did notice that Moll's name changed from Otto to Oswald between books 2 and 3, and also during the course of book 3. Hopefully an error that was picked up on pre-publication.
Whilst I've read many many books set in the camps, I've read far less based on the death marches, but this one matched up to previous books. Rachael continues to be incredibly brave and determined. Determined to survive. To find her brother. To get home. I think Demeza also did a really good job of capturing how it must have felt for survivors, returning home to find they have no homes. No friends. No family. It must have been a bewildering and sobering time. The scene between Rachael and the other survivors
discussing who they were, or weren't, waiting for contained a pain that was palpable. I could feel
it in my chest. I don't know how anyone felt able to go on living, knowing they'd lost everything.
And yet, the book overall was a story of hope and love. In the end, love and light always win.
The final book in the Rachael Kisch trilogy, and once again i can't fault the historical accuracy. I did notice that Moll's name changed from Otto to Oswald between books 2 and 3, and also during the course of book 3. Hopefully an error that was picked up on pre-publication.
Whilst I've read many many books set in the camps, I've read far less based on the death marches, but this one matched up to previous books. Rachael continues to be incredibly brave and determined. Determined to survive. To find her brother. To get home. I think Demeza also did a really good job of capturing how it must have felt for survivors, returning home to find they have no homes. No friends. No family. It must have been a bewildering and sobering time. The scene between Rachael and the other survivors
discussing who they were, or weren't, waiting for contained a pain that was palpable. I could feel
it in my chest. I don't know how anyone felt able to go on living, knowing they'd lost everything.
And yet, the book overall was a story of hope and love. In the end, love and light always win.
April 3, 2026
In the third and final book in this emotional World War II historical fiction series, readers follow Rachael Kisch as she leaves Auschwitz in January 1945 as part of the death march to Dachau in search of her brother Hannes. Forced to work in a Nazi print shop and forge false identities for officers escaping justice, she risks her life once more to sabotage their plans and save other people’s lives. The end of the war forces her to return to the Netherlands, where famine, loss, and forgetfulness reign, and Rachael will not give up her will to live, her desire to find Hannes, or her ability to remember everything she lived through. The characters are the stars of the book, and readers will love the emotional intensity of Rachael’s story and the rewarding conclusion to the trilogy. The historical setting is incredibly detailed and accurate, while the shift from the war and death camps to the postwar confusion hits readers hard. DeMeza does not shy away from the brutal realities of the war (consistent through the series), so the emotional beats of the story will really hit readers as Rachael’s story draws to a close in this powerfully written and detailed novel.
Thanks to NetGalley and Book Whisperer for the advance copy.
Thanks to NetGalley and Book Whisperer for the advance copy.
December 25, 2025
This book was intense! It’s short enough that I could have finished it in a day, but I had to take a bit of a brain break because it was so heavy. It’s the third in a series but it’s not necessary to have the backstory to be honest, it works well as a self contained story. (I’ve read book two but still haven’t read book one!)
The first part is basically a day by day account of the match from Auschwitz to Dachau, and then when we reach the camp it’s a very detailed account of the finale few weeks. I liked how we saw both the prisoners’ and the guards’ sides, and especially seeing the guards scrambling to cover their tracks and get themselves false IDs for the future, and how the prisoners work quietly to thwart this. And it’s also very interesting to see what happened to everyone immediately after liberation and how “going home” isn’t really that straightforward.
The first part is basically a day by day account of the match from Auschwitz to Dachau, and then when we reach the camp it’s a very detailed account of the finale few weeks. I liked how we saw both the prisoners’ and the guards’ sides, and especially seeing the guards scrambling to cover their tracks and get themselves false IDs for the future, and how the prisoners work quietly to thwart this. And it’s also very interesting to see what happened to everyone immediately after liberation and how “going home” isn’t really that straightforward.
January 16, 2026
This is book 3 in the Rachael Kisch Trilogy and can be read as a standalone like I have but if you want more of Rachael’s story then I suggest reading the first two books first. It is set in 1945, it is all about the Death March where the Jews did not know where they were being led and what would happen to them. In such awful conditions it makes you appreciate what you have. I did feel very sad for them all and it was also sad to read the statistics that are covered at the end of this very powerful read. You just cannot ever imagine what these poor people went through. It is such an emotional and heavy read that I had to read it in chunks. It was a lot to take in. It follows Rachael and we see where her journey goes and I was really hoping as she is such a strong woman that she would survive. A good story with a powerful ending.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This novel tells an interesting story, not so much written about. Indeed, set at the very end of the Second World War, the focus is put on what happens to "displaced persons", that is people who have survived concentration camps. The reader gets a powerful insight of their striving towards their freedom. This was not straight forward: first, more camps with medical assistance, food... Then, their long journey home while constantly seeking for family members (did they survive?). When they do get home, other questions arise: what happened to their house, where are they going to live, as well as how do they deal with their ferocious past?
A great read based on real facts.
I received a digital copy of this novel from NetGalley and I have voluntarily written an honest review.
A great read based on real facts.
I received a digital copy of this novel from NetGalley and I have voluntarily written an honest review.
March 26, 2026
I felt like I was there!!!!
This is the fourth series of books regarding the horrors of the suffering and pain the Jews suffered at the hands of the SS.
All four series are by different authors, but they have all achieved the same result.
They draw you in so much, with such detail you feel like you are going through the same horrific experience. I feel the same emotions as the character's. I have had tears in my eyes. Tears of emotional fear, tears of joy.
I recommend this series,the same as I recommended the previous series written by Michael Reit and others.
You may be upset by what you read, but real life can be upsetting no matter when or where it happened.
This is the fourth series of books regarding the horrors of the suffering and pain the Jews suffered at the hands of the SS.
All four series are by different authors, but they have all achieved the same result.
They draw you in so much, with such detail you feel like you are going through the same horrific experience. I feel the same emotions as the character's. I have had tears in my eyes. Tears of emotional fear, tears of joy.
I recommend this series,the same as I recommended the previous series written by Michael Reit and others.
You may be upset by what you read, but real life can be upsetting no matter when or where it happened.
July 4, 2026
A Long Way Home written by Mark DeMeza. An amazing and unforgettable WW2 novel, inspired by a true story. This book is the final book of the 3 book series of The Rachael Kisch Trilogy. We follow the hardships of Rachael Kisch as she marches from Auschwitz to Dachau. The death march took many lives but Rachel must hang on to find her brother Hannes. She is forced to work for the enemy printing false ID cards so that the murderers can escape justice. Will the Allied troops arrive before its too late? Will she find her brother? Find out by reading this well thought out series. #historicalfiction #wwii #worldwartwobooks #kindle #readersofinstagram
January 26, 2026
A Long Way Home is a heartbreaking and inspiring conclusion to the Rachael Kisch Trilogy. Rachael’s journey from Auschwitz, through Dachau, and back to the Netherlands is told with immense care and emotional depth.
The novel captures the horrors of war, the challenges of liberation, and the personal cost of survival with authenticity and grace. Yet amid the grief and loss, there is a persistent thread of hope and resilience that makes Rachael’s story unforgettable.
For anyone who appreciates WWII historical fiction that is both powerful and deeply human, this is a must-read.
The novel captures the horrors of war, the challenges of liberation, and the personal cost of survival with authenticity and grace. Yet amid the grief and loss, there is a persistent thread of hope and resilience that makes Rachael’s story unforgettable.
For anyone who appreciates WWII historical fiction that is both powerful and deeply human, this is a must-read.
February 12, 2026
I am always humbled when I read a Holocaust survivor’s story. The experiences they have survived are remarkable and incredibly heartbreaking. In A Long Way Home, Mark DeMeza brings Rachel’s story to life with powerful and beautiful writing. The book takes readers through a wide range of emotions — from sorrow and fear to hope and resilience. It is both gut-wrenching and inspiring.
Stories like this remind us why we must never forget the past. The events of the Holocaust should always be remembered, and A Long Way Home ensures that the voices of those who survived are not lost or forgotten.
Stories like this remind us why we must never forget the past. The events of the Holocaust should always be remembered, and A Long Way Home ensures that the voices of those who survived are not lost or forgotten.
January 8, 2026
Having read many books with a holocaust theme, I found this book only mildly interesting. There was nothing new in the depiction of the rides in boxcars, treatment by guards, life in barracks, starvation, etc. Of course, the book had a happy ending since the timeline was in 1945 as the war was coming to an end. I thank NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read the conclusion of Mr. DeMeza’s trilogy in exchange for an hour review.
January 25, 2026
Moving and Unforgettable Journey.
A Long Way Home.
This book was emotional, and heartbreaking at times, but the book is also filled with strength and hope. I felt deeply connected to the main character and found myself rooting for her survival every step of the way. The journey was intense and powerful, and it reminds you how strong the human spirit can be even in the darkest moments. A truly moving read that I won’t forget anytime soon. Thanks to WildBlue Press and to the publishers of this book for giving me a free advance copy of the book to preview and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
A Long Way Home.
This book was emotional, and heartbreaking at times, but the book is also filled with strength and hope. I felt deeply connected to the main character and found myself rooting for her survival every step of the way. The journey was intense and powerful, and it reminds you how strong the human spirit can be even in the darkest moments. A truly moving read that I won’t forget anytime soon. Thanks to WildBlue Press and to the publishers of this book for giving me a free advance copy of the book to preview and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
January 27, 2026
Incredible
I have read many WWII books, both fiction and non-fiction. This series was very detailed, very well-written. It is the first I've read of the logistics of camp management. It lends a lot of complexity and credibility to the story. I will be looking for more by this author!
I have read many WWII books, both fiction and non-fiction. This series was very detailed, very well-written. It is the first I've read of the logistics of camp management. It lends a lot of complexity and credibility to the story. I will be looking for more by this author!
September 4, 2026
THE STEPS HOME…
NO WORDS FOR THE TIME IN WW2 THAT JEWISH PEOPLE WERE FORCED TO ENDURE. NO WORDS TO DESCRIBE IT, NO WAY TO TRULY UNDERSTAND WHAT THEY LIVED THROUGH. THEY ARE THE ONES WITH WISDOM, STRENGTH AND THE ABILITY TO OVERCOME WHAT THE NAZI’S TRIED AT ALL TIMES TO AFFECT THEM WITH. ALL SAID AOUT THEM IS WORTH EVERY WORD TO READ…..
NO WORDS FOR THE TIME IN WW2 THAT JEWISH PEOPLE WERE FORCED TO ENDURE. NO WORDS TO DESCRIBE IT, NO WAY TO TRULY UNDERSTAND WHAT THEY LIVED THROUGH. THEY ARE THE ONES WITH WISDOM, STRENGTH AND THE ABILITY TO OVERCOME WHAT THE NAZI’S TRIED AT ALL TIMES TO AFFECT THEM WITH. ALL SAID AOUT THEM IS WORTH EVERY WORD TO READ…..
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
My thanks to Net Galley, Book Whisperer, and the personal invitation I received to review this arc.
This is the continuation of the journey of Rachel Kisch from Auschwitz to Dachau to find het brother Hannes.
Excellent and well written. Held my interest. Highly recommend.
This is the continuation of the journey of Rachel Kisch from Auschwitz to Dachau to find het brother Hannes.
Excellent and well written. Held my interest. Highly recommend.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Wow, the final book of Rachael Kisch and everything that she has had to endure during WWII is just beyond heart wrenching. This book was really good. I stayed up way too late to make sure I could finish this book. The author did a fantastic job with this book series.
Review of advance copy
This was a very well written conclusion to the trilogy and it was so well written and researched. It concentrated on areas that I really did not know much about (given that I live with an amateur ww2 historian that is saying something). Yes it is not an easy read but a necessary read.
March 10, 2026
The horrors of the death march at the end of WW11 is unbelievable reading. The cruelty of the Nazis and the abuse they inflicted on another human being is and always will be unforgivable . Their journey and their determination to survive is amazing. The story is engrossing and well written.
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