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The Last Train Home: An emotional and totally unputdownable World War Two historical novel
Not yet published
Expected 9 Mar 26Germany, 1940. Roxy ducked behind the rusted train carriage in the darkness. She’d walked all night alone. She just needed to make it across the railyard and onto the final carriage of the train slowly pulling into the station ahead. Then she’d be safe. At least for a little while…
Cared for by her aunt and extended family since losing her parents as a little girl, Roxy Popa has always felt like an outsider. She hates to follow the strict rules her family hold her to. When the whole clan is forced from their land and their beloved, beautifully ornate caravans and treasured horses are taken away by the Nazi authorities, Roxy refuses to be broken.
Deported to a labour camp hundreds of miles from home, Roxy plans daring escape after daring escape. Each time she is thwarted or re-captured. But she never loses her courage. Then she meets Marek Wesel, drowning in grief at the loss of his young son. The fierce spark in Roxy reignites the hope in him that the war has long since snuffed out.
Reluctantly, the two form a powerful a lost young girl who trusts no-one and a broken man desperate for something to believe in. Can they work together to reach the train station and save themselves?
But the worst is to come, when betrayal comes from the most unexpected and devastating place…
Fans of The Nightingale, All the Light We Cannot See and The Midwife of Auschwitz will be totally swept away by this emotional and gripping page-turner about the experiences of Sinti and Roma people during the Holocaust.
What readers are saying about Marion
“Incredible… Addictive… My heart ached for them… Heartbreaking… I can’t recommend this enough… had me holding my breath as I raced to the end.” Celebrating Authors, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Wow… So amazingly captivating. I devoured this book in one sitting… I had to read through, non-stop to the end. I loved it… exciting, breath-taking… one unforgettable read. I wish I could give ten stars… Phenomenal.” PageTurners Blog, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Wonderful, wonderful… I was blown away by this book. I couldn't put it down. I ignored everything and everyone until I finished it.” Nicki's Book Blog, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Wow… completely unputdownable… I completely lost track of time as I was pulled into this story, flipping through the pages at such a rapid speed that I couldn’t stop. My heart beat was faster and faster while waiting to read what was going to happen next… A phenomenal read.” Page Turners, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Heartbreaking and riveting. I was up until wee hours of the morning reading it. It couldn't put it down.” Goodreads Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“So emotional, heartbreaking… I couldn't even put this book down and I got so engrossed into the book that I didn't even realize until I came to the end!&
Cared for by her aunt and extended family since losing her parents as a little girl, Roxy Popa has always felt like an outsider. She hates to follow the strict rules her family hold her to. When the whole clan is forced from their land and their beloved, beautifully ornate caravans and treasured horses are taken away by the Nazi authorities, Roxy refuses to be broken.
Deported to a labour camp hundreds of miles from home, Roxy plans daring escape after daring escape. Each time she is thwarted or re-captured. But she never loses her courage. Then she meets Marek Wesel, drowning in grief at the loss of his young son. The fierce spark in Roxy reignites the hope in him that the war has long since snuffed out.
Reluctantly, the two form a powerful a lost young girl who trusts no-one and a broken man desperate for something to believe in. Can they work together to reach the train station and save themselves?
But the worst is to come, when betrayal comes from the most unexpected and devastating place…
Fans of The Nightingale, All the Light We Cannot See and The Midwife of Auschwitz will be totally swept away by this emotional and gripping page-turner about the experiences of Sinti and Roma people during the Holocaust.
What readers are saying about Marion
“Incredible… Addictive… My heart ached for them… Heartbreaking… I can’t recommend this enough… had me holding my breath as I raced to the end.” Celebrating Authors, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Wow… So amazingly captivating. I devoured this book in one sitting… I had to read through, non-stop to the end. I loved it… exciting, breath-taking… one unforgettable read. I wish I could give ten stars… Phenomenal.” PageTurners Blog, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Wonderful, wonderful… I was blown away by this book. I couldn't put it down. I ignored everything and everyone until I finished it.” Nicki's Book Blog, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Wow… completely unputdownable… I completely lost track of time as I was pulled into this story, flipping through the pages at such a rapid speed that I couldn’t stop. My heart beat was faster and faster while waiting to read what was going to happen next… A phenomenal read.” Page Turners, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Heartbreaking and riveting. I was up until wee hours of the morning reading it. It couldn't put it down.” Goodreads Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“So emotional, heartbreaking… I couldn't even put this book down and I got so engrossed into the book that I didn't even realize until I came to the end!&
- GenresHistorical Fiction
Kindle Edition
Expected publication March 9, 2026
21 people want to read
About the author
Marion Kummerow
125 books433 followersMarion Kummerow was born and raised in Germany, before she set out to "discover the world" and lived in various countries. In 1999 she returned to Germany and settled down in Munich where she's now living with her family.
After dipping her toes with non-fiction books, she finally tackled the project dear to her heart. UNRELENTING is the story about her grandparents, who belonged to the German resistance and fought against the Nazi regime.
It's a book about resilience, love and the courage to stand up and do the right thing.
After dipping her toes with non-fiction books, she finally tackled the project dear to her heart. UNRELENTING is the story about her grandparents, who belonged to the German resistance and fought against the Nazi regime.
It's a book about resilience, love and the courage to stand up and do the right thing.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Always an Historical Fiction reader, I enjoy having the opportunity to read a great novel about a different group persecuted by the evil Hitler during WWII.
Meet Roxy, a young gypsy growing up in the early 1940s. She is described many times as an escape artist, and that ability saves her life on numerous occasions.
Roxy is essentially an orphan, but has grown up in a large clan who has traveled around a lot. However, the SS has decried they register and stay in place in an small area, not unlike other "unfavorables". Although Roxy's clan follows orders, she runs free, putting her entire clan at risk until her own adopted father tattles on her to gain favor with the Germans. Roxy is beaten and imprisoned.
Once again, Roxy is forced to use her exceptional talents and meets a new friend Marek in the process.
Marek has been in a most heartbreaking situation. Only Roxy is able to cheer him somewhat through their escapes from the Nazis.
But Nazi rule in Europe is strong and little can be done to escape. The ending is heartbreaking, and in an effort to get to the end of the book and thus the war, I stayed up way YYYY too late. I'll leave it up to you to figure out the title.
My opinion: a well-written Historical Fiction novel has a lot of well-researched references. And it brings a lot of readers to righteous anger and/or tears. It is with that I grant this book 5🌟. If this is your genre, add it to your TBR.
Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in return for my honest review.
Meet Roxy, a young gypsy growing up in the early 1940s. She is described many times as an escape artist, and that ability saves her life on numerous occasions.
Roxy is essentially an orphan, but has grown up in a large clan who has traveled around a lot. However, the SS has decried they register and stay in place in an small area, not unlike other "unfavorables". Although Roxy's clan follows orders, she runs free, putting her entire clan at risk until her own adopted father tattles on her to gain favor with the Germans. Roxy is beaten and imprisoned.
Once again, Roxy is forced to use her exceptional talents and meets a new friend Marek in the process.
Marek has been in a most heartbreaking situation. Only Roxy is able to cheer him somewhat through their escapes from the Nazis.
But Nazi rule in Europe is strong and little can be done to escape. The ending is heartbreaking, and in an effort to get to the end of the book and thus the war, I stayed up way YYYY too late. I'll leave it up to you to figure out the title.
My opinion: a well-written Historical Fiction novel has a lot of well-researched references. And it brings a lot of readers to righteous anger and/or tears. It is with that I grant this book 5🌟. If this is your genre, add it to your TBR.
Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in return for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The Last Train Home is a multi-POV historical novel centered on the treatment of the Sinti and Roma people in Germany and Austria under the Nazi Regime. The three narrators are Tibor, Roxy, and Marek. Tibor and Roxy are cousins, both Roma, raised by Tibor’s parents after the death of Roxy’s father. Tibor is a rule-follower, listening attentively to any instructions given by his father, the leader of their clan. Roxy is an outcast with a habit of making herself scarce, spurned by her aunt, with an unerring sense of when things are going to go wrong (as they tend to do). Marek is a Sinti horse trader living with his wife and youngest son in Vienna when he’s arrested and sent to a camp. Tibor and Roxy’s clan are forced to endure worse and worse camps until they end up living with Marek. Roxy, intent on escaping, befriends Marek as they work out a plan together. This is a touching story about making connections in terrible times, and the cost of hope in the wake of endless war and death.
I found this to be an interesting read– I had no idea of the story of the Roma or the Sinti during the war, nor did I really have a concrete idea on what their peacetime culture was like. Through both explicit representation and longing for bygone days, this book described both. However, I wish that we got more about what I found to be the most intriguing part of the whole novel: the abandonment of Krychow, one of the camps our main characters end up at. According to the author’s note, this truly happened, for reasons lost to history. Further exploration of such a mystery, in both the narrative and the reality, would have really improved the story in my eyes.
I absolutely adored Roxy. I wasn’t surprised to find, upon completing the book, that she was a character that already existed in some of Kummerow’s other works (and I look forward to reading those, for no other reason than to track Roxy on her life’s journey)– that was how well-rounded and complete she felt to me. Marek was also compelling. I found him to be probably the most accurate representation of a person’s reaction to enduring the events of WWII. Tibor annoyed me. He felt like half a character, put there to waste time I could be spending with Marek or Roxy. I think his character would’ve been enhanced by removing his POV chapters, leaving us just alternating between Roxy and Marek.
This gets a 3.5/5 from me. It’s a very quick read, with short, snappy chapters. The emotional weight is a lot to bear, as with any WWII book, and this doesn’t really end on a happy note. I found myself often wanting this book to pump the brakes, but I’m realizing that I just tend to prefer slower-paced books, as I think this is my third consecutive review wishing that a book would take its time with its plot. Full review here: https://dowdymusings.wordpress.com/20...
I found this to be an interesting read– I had no idea of the story of the Roma or the Sinti during the war, nor did I really have a concrete idea on what their peacetime culture was like. Through both explicit representation and longing for bygone days, this book described both. However, I wish that we got more about what I found to be the most intriguing part of the whole novel: the abandonment of Krychow, one of the camps our main characters end up at. According to the author’s note, this truly happened, for reasons lost to history. Further exploration of such a mystery, in both the narrative and the reality, would have really improved the story in my eyes.
I absolutely adored Roxy. I wasn’t surprised to find, upon completing the book, that she was a character that already existed in some of Kummerow’s other works (and I look forward to reading those, for no other reason than to track Roxy on her life’s journey)– that was how well-rounded and complete she felt to me. Marek was also compelling. I found him to be probably the most accurate representation of a person’s reaction to enduring the events of WWII. Tibor annoyed me. He felt like half a character, put there to waste time I could be spending with Marek or Roxy. I think his character would’ve been enhanced by removing his POV chapters, leaving us just alternating between Roxy and Marek.
This gets a 3.5/5 from me. It’s a very quick read, with short, snappy chapters. The emotional weight is a lot to bear, as with any WWII book, and this doesn’t really end on a happy note. I found myself often wanting this book to pump the brakes, but I’m realizing that I just tend to prefer slower-paced books, as I think this is my third consecutive review wishing that a book would take its time with its plot. Full review here: https://dowdymusings.wordpress.com/20...
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The Last Train Home by Marion Kummerow is a powerful historical novel that consumed me from the start.
The action is set in Germany at the start of World War II. This book is all about the disgusting treatment of the Roma people following on from the Nuremburg race laws of 1938. The “gypsy had lost their citizenship and had effectively become a people without civil rights.”
We follow two characters from two different families. One is an orphaned teenage girl, and the other is a father separated from his wife and son by war. Bit by bit their civil liberties are eroded – and still, there are characters who are believing that something better will happen next.
There were some very difficult to read scenes, especially where the Roma were being ‘examined’ by the doctors who were brutal. “The doctors… rose like lions circling their prey.” The people felt vulnerable and exposed.
Eventually the Roma end up in the camps. Every action by the Nazis is designed for maximum cruelty. Newcomers are given a “survival strategy: avoid trouble, don’t stand out, don’t be remembered, and never be in the wrong place at the wrong time.”
In order to survive, luck was needed, as well as determination. “How can you bear it?”… “You don’t bear it… You survive it. That’s all we can do. Survive so that one day we can tell the world about it.”
All the characters were well drawn and believable. We see the importance of family. Family does not have to be blood related. Family is those who look out for each other and love each other. The bond formed between the young girl and the father figure was beautiful to see. Both were gruff, loyal and wanted to survive.
Marion Kummerow has captured both the horror, and also the depth of love that bonds can create. We ‘feel’ the pain when characters are torn apart.
The Last Train Home is a powerful read about a truly horrific time. It must be read in memory of those who perished, and of those who survived.
I received a free copy for a blog tour. A favourable review was not required. All opinions are my own.
The action is set in Germany at the start of World War II. This book is all about the disgusting treatment of the Roma people following on from the Nuremburg race laws of 1938. The “gypsy had lost their citizenship and had effectively become a people without civil rights.”
We follow two characters from two different families. One is an orphaned teenage girl, and the other is a father separated from his wife and son by war. Bit by bit their civil liberties are eroded – and still, there are characters who are believing that something better will happen next.
There were some very difficult to read scenes, especially where the Roma were being ‘examined’ by the doctors who were brutal. “The doctors… rose like lions circling their prey.” The people felt vulnerable and exposed.
Eventually the Roma end up in the camps. Every action by the Nazis is designed for maximum cruelty. Newcomers are given a “survival strategy: avoid trouble, don’t stand out, don’t be remembered, and never be in the wrong place at the wrong time.”
In order to survive, luck was needed, as well as determination. “How can you bear it?”… “You don’t bear it… You survive it. That’s all we can do. Survive so that one day we can tell the world about it.”
All the characters were well drawn and believable. We see the importance of family. Family does not have to be blood related. Family is those who look out for each other and love each other. The bond formed between the young girl and the father figure was beautiful to see. Both were gruff, loyal and wanted to survive.
Marion Kummerow has captured both the horror, and also the depth of love that bonds can create. We ‘feel’ the pain when characters are torn apart.
The Last Train Home is a powerful read about a truly horrific time. It must be read in memory of those who perished, and of those who survived.
I received a free copy for a blog tour. A favourable review was not required. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The Last Train Home captivates your full attention from the first to the last page.
It's WWWII and the Nazi's are out to purge not only the Jews but they are also persecuting the Gypsies.
We meet Roxy who is being raised in a Gypsy camp by her aunt and uncle. The essentials are there for her to thrive but she does not feel part of the family and is always wandering away to escape reality.
Tibor her cousin is her best friend and where Roxy goes he goes.
When the Nazi's deem the Gypsies to be "unfavourable" and they are moved from camp to camp until it becomes a prison camp Roxy is determined to escape.
Its in the last camp she meets Marek who has met the same fate and lost his entire family . Together they survive and together they plan to escape.
The story is told in three POV's: Roxy (who you just have to admire), Tibor, and Marek.
The tension mounts as the trio try to escape and I was holding my breath and crossing my fingers they would make it to the other side safely.
The Last Train Home will have you binge reading from beginning to end , it's that good.
Marion Kummerow always writes a fantastic historical fiction novel where I never fail to learn something and I clear my schedule so I can read to the last page.
Grab your copy of The Last Train Home and settle in for a heart stopping read.
Thanks to Net Galley and Bookouture for the privilege of reading and reviewing The Last Train Home.
It's WWWII and the Nazi's are out to purge not only the Jews but they are also persecuting the Gypsies.
We meet Roxy who is being raised in a Gypsy camp by her aunt and uncle. The essentials are there for her to thrive but she does not feel part of the family and is always wandering away to escape reality.
Tibor her cousin is her best friend and where Roxy goes he goes.
When the Nazi's deem the Gypsies to be "unfavourable" and they are moved from camp to camp until it becomes a prison camp Roxy is determined to escape.
Its in the last camp she meets Marek who has met the same fate and lost his entire family . Together they survive and together they plan to escape.
The story is told in three POV's: Roxy (who you just have to admire), Tibor, and Marek.
The tension mounts as the trio try to escape and I was holding my breath and crossing my fingers they would make it to the other side safely.
The Last Train Home will have you binge reading from beginning to end , it's that good.
Marion Kummerow always writes a fantastic historical fiction novel where I never fail to learn something and I clear my schedule so I can read to the last page.
Grab your copy of The Last Train Home and settle in for a heart stopping read.
Thanks to Net Galley and Bookouture for the privilege of reading and reviewing The Last Train Home.
February 16, 2026
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC! The Last Train Home by Marion Kummerow is a story about fear, loneliness and courage. When Roxy was orphaned her aunt and uncle took her in but she never really felt like part of the clan. So, when the Nazis came after the Roma, she didn’t feel compelled to remain part of the family. When Marek, a Sinti, is arrested following an unfortunate incident, he vows to never trust anyone again. That sentiment remained until his path crossed Roxy’s in a camp. Over the course of several months the two form a bond which is both comforting but also dangerous. Caring for others during the German occupation of Poland could quickly turn out to be a mistake but humans have always needed each other for survival. Overall, a good story but I was, however, disappointed by the ending. That said, I would still recommend to others. I’m also quite interested in reading more about how the Roma and Sinti people lived through the Second World War.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I will never pass a World War 2 historical novel and not want to read it. As always, I was not disappointed at all. This book was a view from this terrible time from a different group of people from the normal books I have read. It follows the treatment and experience of the Roma & Sinti people. It was educational for me and I appreciated a different prospective. A true story of loss after loss but highlighted by the mere defiance to live. This book follows a young woman throughout world war 2 and how she defied all the odds of survival. It shows even a broken heart can care for others again. Now I will say the ending was not my favorite but I am excited to read the next book and I look forward to seeing more history through this authors eyes. Thank you to NetGalley & Bookouture for this ARC!!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This was a very quick read and I see it seems to be the start of a new series, which I will definitely continue with! I do like this author a lot but I felt like this book was a little short and rushed and simplistic at times. I would have liked a lot more! It felt almost as though it was written for a younger audience and wasn’t as deep as it could have been. (However it is still quite dark and honest in that a lot of people die, it’s not all happy endings!)
Gottfried is a nasty piece of work! A good example of how people can turn on their own kind just for an extra ration of food or a thicker blanket…
Interesting to read about the plight of the Roma and Sinti folk during the war too, not a group I have encountered as much!
Gottfried is a nasty piece of work! A good example of how people can turn on their own kind just for an extra ration of food or a thicker blanket…
Interesting to read about the plight of the Roma and Sinti folk during the war too, not a group I have encountered as much!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Another well research historically accurate book. The characters are believable and each one a individual. Loved the idea of a back story about Roxy from the beginning highlighting all that she has been through by the time she appears in other earlier books. Look forward to reading about her adventures after the war. I enjoined this so much it took less than 24 hours to read.
Thank you Marion from writing this story, Bookouture for publishing and also NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance copy. In exchange for this review containing my own thoughts given freely and willingly.
Thank you Marion from writing this story, Bookouture for publishing and also NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance copy. In exchange for this review containing my own thoughts given freely and willingly.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
intense and effective historical fiction WW2 book with some fantastic characters. the interplay is really effective and I found this book to be in general quite effective. 5 stars. tysm for the arc.
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Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Phenomenal, powerful tale of courage and resilience. Roxy is a capable and independent young girl and Marek is a broken but determined man. Together they do the unthinkable and try to escape. I enjoyed this book so much even though it broke my heart. I truly can't understand how humans could treat each other so atrociously. I was in awe of the characters in the story and I cried so many ugly tears I am completely wrung out. It's a breathtakingly devestating, beautiful book full of emotion.
March 3, 2026
Such a gripping book! The determination of Roxy and the steadiness of Marek made them the perfect duo, and I loved every second of their escape attempts.
When I read this, I had no idea that the Roxy in this book was the same Roxy hiding in the train cars in the German Wives series! I love how this book is a total standalone novel, but also connects in small ways to other books by this author.
Another amazing book from Marion Kummerow.
4.5 stars out of 5 ⭐️
When I read this, I had no idea that the Roxy in this book was the same Roxy hiding in the train cars in the German Wives series! I love how this book is a total standalone novel, but also connects in small ways to other books by this author.
Another amazing book from Marion Kummerow.
4.5 stars out of 5 ⭐️
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews