Der Verlag bewirbt das Buch wie folgt: „(…) the spellbinding escapist historical Richard & Judy Book Club pick from the No.1 Sunday Times bestseller (…)“ – und als Auswahlbuch bei besagtem Buchclub sind das schon ganz gute Vorschusslorbeeren. Dinah Jefferies ist eine meiner Lieblingsautorinnen, und daher war ich sehr gespannt auf ihr neuestes Buch.
Der englische Klappentext ist kurz und knapp:
‘The desert hides dark secrets…’
MARRAKECH 1966
Vicky Baudin steps onto a train winding through Morocco, looking for the grandmother she has never met.
It’s an epic journey that’ll take her to the edge of Atlas Mountains – and closer to the answers she’s been craving all her life.
But dark secrets whisper amongst the dunes. And in unlocking the mystery of Clemence’s past, Vicky will unearth great danger too . . .“
Das beschreibt die Ausgangssituation: die junge Französin Vicky erreicht 1966 Marrakesch. Zum einen zieht es die Nachwuchsdesignerin dorthin, weil sie ihr Idol Yves Saint Laurent dort treffen will, zum anderen will sie ihre dort ansässige Großmutter Clemence kennenlernen, von deren Existenz sie bis vor kurzem noch gar nichts wusste. 2 Fliegen mit einer klappe sozusagen, und außerdem soll ein paar Tage später Kusine Bea nachkommen, und gefühlt liegt ein Partysommer vor den Mädels….. Es kommt dann allerdings alles ganz anders. Jegliches Feiern nimmt ein abruptes Ende, als die beiden einen Mord beobachten, und Schutz in der Kasbah von Clemence suchen. Clemence selbst hat allerdings so einige dunkle und traumatische Punkte in ihrer Vergangenheit, und in diesem Sommer soll noch so einiges passieren, bis sowohl der Mord als auch die Geister der Vergangenheit aufgeklärt und aufgearbeitet sind.
Viel mehr zum Inhalt will ich gar nicht verraten; wer Ms Jefferies Bücher kennt, weiß, sie schreibt spannend, bildhaft, mitreißend, super emotional und voller Mitgefühl für ihre Protagonisten, und vor allem sind ihre historischen Romane immer sehr genau recherchiert. Und zwar sowohl im zeitgeschichtlichen Kontext als auch im landestypischen Setting. Genau das habe ich erwartet und bekommen 😊. Ein spannender Krimi in den 60er Jahren in Marokko; garniert mit einem Familiendrama und einer Lovestory – perfekt!
Ich mag ja auch den Stil von Ms Jefferies sehr gerne; bei aller Spannung und Action ist das hier stilistisch ein wenig anspruchsvoller als der Mainstream. Hier kann sich jemand eloquent ausdrücken, ich liebe das. Trotz aller Kultiviertheit ist die Sprache / der Text sehr flüssig lesbar, auch für mich als Nicht-Muttersprachlerin. Das ist übrigens ein Punkt, weshalb ich diese Autorin lieber im Original als in deutscher Übersetzung lese; es scheint eine Kunst zu sein, geistreich, „sophisticated“, zu schreiben und trotzdem mitreißend zu bleiben. Im Deutschen gelingt der Spagat gefühlt nicht so richtig.
Also ja, es ist eine sprachliche Freude gewesen, diesen Roman zu lesen.
Wir haben hier übrigens den 3. Teil einer Serie, aber das ist überhaupt kein Problem, man kann auch mit diesem Band einsteigen – ich habe die anderen beiden Teile auch noch nicht gelesen. Es dreht sich hier zwar im groben um eine Familie, aber wenn ich das richtig verstanden habe, hat jede Generation ihren eigenen Band bekommen, und die Hauptdarstellerinnen aus Teil 1 aus dem Jahr 1944 tauchen hier 1966 auch wieder auf, sind aber mittlerweile keine jungen Mädchen mehr, sondern die Mamas von Bea und Vicky. Der Kreis schließt sich, aber dieser Band zumindest ist eigenständig lesbar.
Mein Fazit: das war ein wunderschönes Buch, eine tolle Mischung aus Thriller, Familiensaga und Lovestory, und das vor dem faszinierenden exotischen Hintergrund des Marrakeschs der 60er Jahre. Ich fand es toll, und empfehle es gerne weiter!
Herzlichen Dank an Netgalley und den Verlag für das Rezensionsexemplar!

Vicky and her estranged grandmother Clemence go on an emotional and evocative journey. Danger, family secrets and tragedy define this tale. I love the depth of characterisation. It's easy to visualise them, and I was invested in what happened to Vicky, Bea and Clemence. Clemence's tragic past and dark secrets are at the heart of this and make it an emotional read. The gentle romance between Clemence and Theo is written with insight and reflects what they once were to each other. Vicky is a complex and lonely woman who finds the support she craves from her grandmother and friends. The story flows beautifully with vivid sensory imagery, bringing the events and setting to life. The historical detail authenticates the story. The connection with the two previous books in the series is nuanced but impactful. I enjoyed the emotion, the sense of menace and the vibrant setting of this historical fiction.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

I wouldn't have started reading Night Train to Marrakech if I'd known it was the third book of a trilogy. But then I would have missed a really good read. Take an evocative and emotional trip with author Dinah Jefferies back to 1966. Vicky, a fashion-design student searching for her family history, journeys to Marrakech seeking out a grandmother she has never met to ask questions her mother and grandfather would never answer (and to meet her idol Yves St Laurent who also lives in Marrakech). Dark secrets and danger swirl through the desert dunes as the tensions rise as the family's painful and tragic past comes to light.

Thank you to Netflicks and Harper Collins UK for the digital advance reader copy provided in exchange for an honest review. This is another thorough researched and beautifully written saga from Ms. Jefferies. It reads well as a stand-alone book, but I'm going back now to read the first two books in the series. After that, I look forward to reading Night Train to Marrakech again once I have more backstory.

I thought that night Train to Marrakech by Dinah Jefferies was a vividly descriptive story, full of evocative sights, sounds and smells all beautifully described by the author. The colours in this book are painted so perfectly that I was able to actually “see” them, and “feel” the textures of the gorgeous fabrics so beautifully described. The story centres around Vicky Baudin and her grandmother Clemence Petier, and many family secrets and lies are uncovered as the story unfolds. A lot happens in this book, as Vicky hurtles from one scenario to another, and Clemence is forced to face her personal demons. I was totally transfixed by Clemence and her journey, and found myself absorbed by her story. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and loved the description of Morocco so much that I now want to go there! Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC that I received.

A fabulous finish to a wonderful trilogy. You really have to read the first two, to understand this one which is full to bursting with descriptions of Marrakech and the people. A lovely book. My thanks to netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

MARRAKECH 1966 & Vicky Baudin steps onto a train winding through Morocco, looking for the grandmother she has never met hoping to find the answers she’s been craving all her life. But dark secrets whisper amongst the dunes. And in unlocking the mystery of Clemence’s past, Vicky will unearth great danger too
The third & final book in the trilogy & whilst it’s easily read on its own to fully appreciate it I’d recommend reading in order as the books are very good. It’s different as it follows Vicki who is Elise’s daughter. An action pact, fast paced book that often had me on the edge of my seat & I devoured it in two sittings. Strong characters who on the whole were likeable. An engrossing, interesting book
My review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

This was an enthralling read. It features the children of two of the sisters from Book 2, Vicky and her cousin, Bea. Vicky has come to Marrakech to meet her grandmother, Clemence. However, there are many secrets to be uncovered and these are slowly revealed. The story is set in 1966, a dangerous time to be in Morocco. The author certainly gave me a taste of the sights and smells of the place and the underlying tension, that gradually built up towards the ending. Once started, it was difficult to put down. I had read the second book in the trilogy but this could easily be read as a stand-alone. I received a copy and have voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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Night Train to Marrakech is the third and last part of the Daughters of War trilogy. Vicky, the daughter of Elise and Victor travels to Morocco in the hope to meet her grandmother Clemence and learn more about her past. She studied to be a fashion designer and she hopes to meet Yves Saint Laurent, who spends some of his time in Marrakech. She succeeds in meeting both of them but unleashes a complicated series of events which will bring back the past and shape her future.
Clemence is an intriguing central character and, slowly, we discover why she is so guarded and mysterious. Her past is painful and tragic. Her story is distilled in little touches and the stories of Florence, Helene and Elise are brought back in the same way until it all comes together. And Theo, a former boyfriend of Clemence, turns out as a major character too. It is complex and the reader must be patient because a story of pain can only be told in that way. And we really feel for all these women who have in common to have been so deeply hurt in their lives.
Dinah Jefferies always researches well the locations of her novels and this one is another immersive experience. Morocco is brought to life with its colours, scents, flowers, culinary experiences, its markets and sceneries. We enjoy the way of life in the kasbha of Clemence, far from the noise and bustle of Marrakech.
I really enjoyed this novel and for me it was a page turner, slowly bringing all three novels together in a capstone for all the characters. And at a time where Morocco is suffering the consequences of the recent major earthquake, this book is also the reminder that pain and hardship can be overcome and life can return, different but also full of hope for the future.

Well a rather unfortunate title due to the latest horrendous news! However, having been to Marrakesh a few years ago, I could entirely relate to this story! I felt it took a while to get the story started as the author needed to set the scene after her previous stories regarding this family. However, once we were there I loved it! Vicky is visiting her unknown Grandmother in Marrakesh and is hoping to be able to meet Yves Saint Lauren, the fashion designer who lives there - this is where she would like her career to go and he could help! Her grandmother Clemence is an unknown entity with a history that even she is afraid to recall. Vicky’s cousin Bea comes out to join her and the pair meet up with Jimmy and Tom. Jimmy takes them both to a party in Marrakesh and this is where all the troubles begin. An old friend Of Clemence’s arrives on the scene and she feels the need to offload her dreadful history to him but when and how! Bea goes missing and the family is in turmoil! You can actually smell the herbs and spices of Marrakesh as you read and feel that atmosphere in the souks! Beautifully written and I was in tears towards the end. I read the first story in this trilogy but missed out on the second! I need to rectify that asap!

Vicky Baudin had caught the night train to Marrakech, where she would meet her grandmere, Clemence Petier, the mother of her father, both whom she had never met. Vicky's mother Elise was against her coming to Marrakech, but Vicky had neglected to tell her the real reason. Clemence, her home in a beautiful kasbah up in the Atlas Mountains, not far from Marrakech, was aloof and unsmiling when she met her granddaughter, a girl of whom she was completely unaware. Vicky stayed in a small apartment in the town with Clemence's friend, Etta, as she was waiting for her cousin Beatrice to arrive from London.

Things were not as they seemed in Marrakech with political unrest, and young people doing their best to bring the problems to a head. When Vicky and Bea met Jimmy and Tom, they were ready for a good time, party time. Meanwhile up in Clemence's kasbah, an unwelcome reminder of her long ago past arrived on her doorstep, and Clemence immediately knew there was danger surrounding him. With her ninety four year old mother, Madeline, staying with her, she needed to keep her safe. But when Vicky and Bea witnessed a murder, they felt true terror, and knew they needed to leave Marrakech immediately. Could Clemence help them? But the World Cup was imminent and no flights or train seats were available...

Night Train to Marrakech is the 3rd and final in the Daughters of War trilogy by Dinah Jefferies and I loved it! Fast paced, filled with tension, set in a place of beauty in the 1960s, it brings the lives of the sisters, Florence, Elise and Helene, who I first met in France, 1944, together again. An outstanding read by an author I admire greatly. Highly recommended.

With thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins UK for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.

Night Train To Marrakech is the third in a trilogy by Dinah Jefferies but would easily work well as a standalone read. This novel is set in 1960s Morocco when Vicky Baudin goes to visit her paternal grandmother, Clemence Petier, who she had only just heard about for the first time. Clemence lives in a Kasbah on the edge of the Atlas Mountains and clearly has some dark secrets within which we slowly find out as the book progresses.

The author is great at conjuring up the surroundings in her novels and this is no exception as the reader is treated to vivid descriptions of Moroccan scenery, cuisine and life in the souks. As with all the books in this trilogy there is a good amount of romance, jeopardy, history and strong characters. I found the historical side of what was happening in Morocco at this time very interesting.

This is a lovely book which transported me mentally to Morocco and a good plot too which kept me turned pages avidly.

With thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

The third book in the Sisters of War series does not disappoint, Dinah Jefferies always manages to capture the essence of the place she is writing about and this time she transports us to Morrocco in the 1960's, set between vibrant Marrakech and the calm Atlas Mountains we pick up the sister's story with Vicky, daughter of Elise and Victor as she sets out to meet her Grandmother who she has only just found out existed.
The twists and turns of the story keep you turning the page as you become more attached to the characters.

I think it would stand on its own as a novel without having read the first two books, but then you would have missed out on two very good books!!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for allowing me to read Night Train to Marrakech.

Just like the previous two books in this trilogy you are kept on the edge of your seat as various events lead to explosive revelations about long kept family secrets alongside trying to convince a corrupt Police Force that you & others are in dangerous. I can highly recommend this book & you could happily read & enjoy it even if you hadn't read the previous two `daughters of War' books. #NetGalley, #GoodReads, #Amazon.co.uk, #FB, #Instagram , #<img src="https://www.netgalley.com/badge/aa60c7e77cc330186f26ea1f647542df8af8326a" width="80" height="80" alt="Professional Reader" title="Professional Reader"/>, #<img src="https://www.netgalley.com/badge/8a5b541512e66ae64954bdaab137035a5b2a89d2" width="80" height="80" alt="200 Book Reviews" title="200 Book Reviews"/>, #<img src="https://www.netgalley.com/badge/ef856e6ce35e6d2d729539aa1808a5fb4326a415" width="80" height="80" alt="Reviews Published" title="Reviews Published"/>.

There's something very sad in reading about Marrakech in these days when we see images of distructions and death.
This book talks about another place, a wonderful place and tells a compelling and well plotted story.
Poignant, engrossing and well written
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Vicky’s mother, Elise, has never told her anything about her father except for the fact that he was killed during the war. Close to Elise’s friend, Jacques, who Vicky treats as an honorary Grandfather, she finds out from him that she has a grandmother, Clemence Petier, who lives in a Kasbah close to Marrakesh, and this convinces Vicky that she has two reasons to visit the city - the second being that, as a student studying Fashion and design, her wish is to meet her hero - designer, Yves St Laurent, who has a home in Marrakesh.

Clemence hides some serious secrets, does not want to be quizzed by Vicky, and soon arranges for her to move into the city where she can lodge with one of Clemence’s old friends, Etta. Vicky soon makes friends and enjoys being in the city. So much so that she invites her younger cousin, Bea, to join her. Together they go to visit Yves St Laurent but receive shirt shrift from him and quickly leave but not before Bea has had chance to pick up a folder of his latest designs. Vicky is horrified and it is agreed that, under cover of darkness they must go back to his house and somehow return the document.s. Vicky’s friend, Tom, agrees to drive them and they endeavour to gain access only to stumble on a horrific incident next door to the designer’s home. They quickly flea for fear of being discovered but on their way back they have an accident - Tom is badly injured and whilst Vicky is trying to help him Bea is kidnapped.

Reports are made to the police and very soon Vicky’s mother, her two sisters and their husbands arrive to help search for Bea. Clemence has other problems too and her past has come back to haunt her. How will it all end?

Dinah Jeffries creates a wonderful picture of Morocco, and has written another block-buster. - read and enjoy!

4.5 stars

The final instalment in the Daughters of War trilogy and it did not disappoint. This time we follow Vicky, Elise’s daughter, as she travels to Morocco in 1966 to meet her paternal grandmother.

As with Dinah Jefferies’ other novels, Morocco is exquisitely brought to life, she has such a talent for bringing a place/time in history to life. Perhaps unsurprising for a ‘60s novel this has a real espionage vibe to it.

As with the other novels in the DoW trilogy, the characters, particularly the girls, are feisty and strong. I’ll be sad to leave the Baudin family behind.

Thank you so much to netgalley and harper Collins for my review copy.

I received an ARc from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I hadn’t realised this was the third part of a trilogy and I suspect I might have enjoyed it more had I read the first two books.

It’s well written as one would expect from this author but I found it difficult to engage with the cast of characters and found the plot lines somewhat melodramatic and unbelievable.

It’s very slow with lots of repetitive descriptions. I was so looking forward to this because of the author and the enticing title - but I was rather disappointed. I suggest reading all three in order!

A few weeks ago I was given the chance to read Night Train to Marrakech by Dinah Jefferies. This is the final book in the sweeping historical series from the No.1 Sunday Times bestselling author, Dinah Jefferies. It follows The Daughters of War and The Hidden Palace which I have previously read and reviewed.

I was excited to get my hands on an advance copy of Night Train to Marrakech. I love to share historical fiction and I’m a big fan of Dinah Jefferies. It was a while since I had read the first two books in the trilogy and in a way that was good, because this book can be read on its own.

I loved the setting of Morocco and its situation in 1960. However it took me a little while to get used to the characters, as Vicky is the daughter of Elise and Victor. I was expecting the story to focus on the three sisters Elise, Florence and Helene, and it took me a while to become acquainted with Vicky and Bea, daughter of Florence and Jack.

The story is quite fast paced, set in post-war Morocco and involves murder, a disappearance and romance. At some points I thought the story was a little far fetched but it was also enjoyable and kept me guessing to the end. I’m sad that that trilogy is over and look forward to Dinah Jefferies next novel.

The last in The Daughters of War trilogy and read well as a stand-alone as I hadn’t read the previous books. Set in Morocco, in and around Marrakech, in 1966 and Vicky Baudin has travelled to meet her grandmother Clemence. She is also hoping to meet fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent. A well written and very descriptive this was an enjoyable read.

Briefly, arriving at her grandmothers kasbah Vicky is upset to find herself less than welcome and her grandmother sends her back to Marrakech to stay with a friend. Then Vicki’s cousin Bea arrives to stay with her and shortly afterward the two girls witness a shocking event.

This book is full of dark secrets and shocking truths. Very atmospheric and so descriptive you could imagine you were there in the kasbah or wandering the souks, although for me I sometimes felt it was a bit overdone in places. However the main storyline, based around the life of Clemence and the political situation in Morocco, was excellent. An epic historical story full of twists and turns, family drama, romance, murder and mystery. A good read.