Publisher: HQ Digital
Release date: 8 May 2025
Back cover blurb: 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?
1940, Lithuania. Zofia and her twin brother Jacek must flee to survive the approaching Soviet forces.
Already having fled one country, they have nowhere to go, and no one left except each other.
When it seems that all is lost, they are thrown a lifeline the form of the Japanese consulate. They are giving away visas, against their country's wishes, as Consul Sugihara cannot bear to see the people suffering.
Zofia and Jacek are the last of a lucky few to receive these visas, which come with a price.
They must deliver a very important package to Tokyo.
When Zofia learns what is inside the package she agrees almost immediately, and adds her own testimony to those already inside. For what Sugihara is asking, could potentially change everything.
The package is full of eye witness accounts, including photographs of the Nazi's atrocities across Europe.
The journey to Tokyo from Lithuania is long and dangerous, with multiple sources wanting to get their hands of the package that Zofia and her Brother must deliver.
This is another brilliantly written and researched book by Deborah Swift, and I look forward to the author's next.
Last Train to Freedom is available now via Amazon online and all good book shops.
Thank You to the publishers who approved my request via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.