Book details

  • Genre:fiction
  • Sub-genre:Thrillers / Suspense
  • Language:English
  • Pages:368
  • eBook ISBN:9798317810283
  • Paperback ISBN:9798350999754

THE LAST TRAIN

By John Cline

Overview

"The Last Train" is a harrowing journey seen through the eyes of a thirteen-year-old girl as she flees New York in a time of chaos and violent anarchy in America. With undying will and courage, she sets out to make it to the far north where trains have been ferrying people to safe zones. Helped by some, hunted by others, she endures a series of shattering events as the world dissolves into social disorder. "The Last Train" is a thrilling story that captures the zeitgeist of our times.
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Description

"The Last Train" is a harrowing journey seen through the eyes of a thirteen-year-old girl as she flees New York in a time of chaos and violent anarchy in America. Her undying will and incredible courage propel her on a journey north up the Hudson River Valley, hoping to find trains that have been ferrying people to safe zones. Helped by some, hunted by others, buffeted by a series of shattering events, she remains determined to make it -- against increasingly dangerous odds. As she does she is haunted by flashbacks, both poignant and horrifying, of her family enduring the unraveling of their life, and as the world around them dissolved into social disorder. "The Last Train" is a thrilling story that captures the zeitgeist of our times.
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About The Author

John Cline is a long-standing executive producer in the world of advertising and film, having produced hundreds of commercials over the years. He directed an award-winning short, "A Letter to Jonathan," which The New York Times described as "exquisite." Additionally, he has written novels and screenplays throughout his life. His first novel, "The Forever Beast," was published by EP Dutton. A new and exciting series of mystery novels is pending release. John lives in the New York City area.
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Book Reviews

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Arthur S.
The Last Train Few novels manage to combine dystopian tension with emotional intimacy as effectively as this one. The perspective of a young protagonist creates a striking contrast between innocence and brutality, allowing the reader to experience societal collapse in a uniquely powerful way. Her voice is courageous, vulnerable, and profoundly believable. The journey itself becomes symbolic, a movement not only toward physical safety, but toward emotional survival and identity. The Hudson River Valley setting adds atmosphere and realism, transforming geography into part of the narrative’s emotional structure. Every step forward feels earned. The storytelling is disciplined and precise. Nothing feels exaggerated, yet the stakes are always high. The quiet moments are just as powerful as the dangerous ones, creating a rhythm that sustains tension without exhausting the reader. This is a novel about endurance, hope, and inner strength in the face of chaos. It is beautifully written, emotionally intelligent, and narratively compelling. The Last Train is the kind of book that defines its genre rather than imitates it. Read more
Brittany L.
Last Train The Last Train is a haunting, emotionally charged novel that captures both the fragility and resilience of the human spirit in times of societal collapse. Told through the eyes of a thirteen-year-old girl, the story immediately establishes a powerful emotional core, grounding large-scale chaos in deeply personal experience. The narrative voice feels authentic, vulnerable, and remarkably strong, allowing the reader to connect intimately with the protagonist’s fear, courage, and determination. The journey north through the Hudson River Valley is rendered with cinematic clarity and tension. Every encounter, whether with helpers or predators, feels purposeful, shaping the character’s evolution while reinforcing the constant uncertainty of survival. The pacing is steady and compelling, never rushed, and never indulgent, allowing each moment of danger and hope to resonate fully. The use of flashbacks is especially effective, weaving emotional memory into physical survival. These moments of family, loss, and unraveling civilization deepen the story’s psychological weight and elevate it beyond dystopian adventure into meaningful literary fiction. The contrast between innocence and violence is handled with restraint and maturity. This is not simply a survival story, it is a meditation on courage, endurance, and the will to live. The Last Train stands as a powerful, timely, and unforgettable novel that stays with the reader long after the final page. Read more
Nadia R
Amazing The Last Train carries a sense of inevitability that makes every decision feel heavy. From early on, you understand that there are no perfect outcomes, only the choice to keep going. This understanding creates a constant undercurrent of tension that feels both emotional and moral. The author’s prose is measured and thoughtful, allowing moments of reflection to breathe. The characters’ inner lives are rendered with compassion, and their fears feel earned rather than manufactured. I found myself caring deeply not because the story demanded it, but because the characters felt real. When the story ended, I didn’t feel closure in the traditional sense. Instead, I felt a quiet reverence for what I had read. The Last Train honors resilience without glorifying suffering, and that balance is what makes it such a meaningful and memorable read. Read more
Teresa S.
Interesting Novel At its heart, The Last Train is a love letter to endurance, not the loud, heroic kind, but the slow, painful kind that happens one breath at a time. The young narrator doesn’t conquer the world; she simply refuses to let it crush her. I was deeply moved by how the story honors her fear instead of dismissing it. She is scared often, and rightly so. Yet she continues, learning when to trust, when to hide, and when to hope. That learning process feels incredibly human. This book reminded me that survival is not about becoming hardened. It’s about remaining soft enough to care, even when caring hurts. That message stayed with me long after I turned the last page. Read more
Emily
Amazing Book Reading The Last Train felt like walking beside someone who is quietly terrified but refuses to stop moving. The young protagonist’s journey unfolds step by step, and each step carries emotional weight. I felt her fear, her exhaustion, and her determination as if they were my own. What makes this story so powerful is its restraint. The author never forces emotion; he allows it to surface naturally through small choices, fleeting memories, and moments of hesitation. The girl’s inner voice feels honest, tender, and deeply believable. This book doesn’t just tell you about survival, it makes you feel what survival costs. By the end, I felt immense respect for the quiet strength it takes to keep going when the world has fallen apart. Read more
Connie N
Last train The Last Train stands out in a landscape filled with bold fighters and loud revolutions by centering its story on a heroine who moves quietly through the world. She does not command attention through violence or rhetoric; instead, she carries herself with a gentle resilience that feels both fragile and unbreakable. Her strength lies in the simple choices she makes and the persistence to keep going when everything around her feels impossible. What lingered with me most were the connections she forms along the way. Each meeting feels intimate and revealing, offering glimpses of fear, longing, and trust that shape her path and enrich the narrative. These moments build a portrait of survival that feels deeply human. By the time the story closes, she remains with you, not because she shouts her presence, but because she whispers it with honesty. She is a quiet force, a reminder that compassion can be as powerful as any battle. Read more
Kimberly P.
The last Train What moved me most in The Last Train was how gently the author handles a brutal world. Through the eyes of a thirteen-year-old girl, we see the collapse of society not as an action spectacle but as a personal tragedy, quiet, terrifying, and intimate. Her vulnerability made every page ache. There’s a tenderness in the way she observes the world: broken buildings, abandoned tracks, scattered belongings of vanished families. Even in devastation, she still notices beauty, still clings to memories, still searches for someone to trust. That emotional honesty made the story feel heartbreakingly real. Watching her navigate danger with trembling bravery reminded me that courage isn’t loud, it’s surviving when you have every reason to give up. She is a light flickering in the ruins, and her presence gives the novel its soul. Read more