This was my first novel by this author, it will not be the last. While this is the last in a trilogy it stands on it's own perfectly well. I loved the characters, and the story was engaging, full of discovery and family secrets. What I loved most were the descriptions of Morocco and surrounding area. Very evocative and made me really want to be there. While I suspect I would have loved it more if I had read the previous two (something I will now be doing), this was still a wonderfully told story that helped me disappear to another time and place for a few hours.

Night Train to Marrakech by Dinah Jefferies is an enchanting and unforgettable novel that transported me straight into the heart of Morocco. From the very first page, I was hooked by Vicky Baudin’s search for her estranged grandmother, Clemence, which takes her on an emotional and perilous journey through the stunning landscapes of Morocco, including the edge of the Atlas Mountains.

What truly stood out for me was the way Jefferies captures the magic and mystery of Morocco, blending rich descriptions of the desert, the culture, and the vibrant colours of the landscape. Vicky’s journey is as much about discovering her family’s hidden secrets as it is about self-discovery. The tension builds beautifully as Vicky uncovers unsettling truths about her grandmother's past, and the danger that shadows her quest only adds to the suspense.

The characters are richly layered, and I found myself completely invested in Vicky’s emotional journey. Her search for answers felt personal and poignant, and the twists and turns along the way kept me eager to keep reading.

Jefferies’ writing is utterly immersive, with vivid settings and a gripping plot. Night Train to Marrakech is a perfect blend of mystery, family drama, and adventure. If you enjoy tales of self-discovery set against a beautifully realised backdrop, this book is an absolute must-read. I couldn’t put it down!

Get ready to be transported to the exotic city of Marrakesh in this page turner from Dinah Jefferies. With a gripping mystery at the heart of it, this is a book to escape the grey British winter.

Entertaining, but not entertaining enough for me to be able to turn a blind eye to its many weaknesses. The plot is scant and dragged out to within an inch of its life. Certain scenes are laughably unbelievable. The dialogue is weird - characters react/respond in illogical ways. The author seems obsessed with certain odours, but these repetitive descriptions do not set the scene as vividly as she seems to think they do. The characters internal dialogue is overwrought and melodramatic. There is little emotional resonance, but lots of cheesiness and clichés. Not wholly unreadable, but not very good.

Couldn't get into this book although it is the last in the series and I enjoyed the others.
Characters didn't appeal to me and story was too long drawn

‘Night Train to Marrakech’ is last in the ‘Daughters of War’ trilogy by Dinah Jefferies and it, sort of, squares the circle. Its two years since I read the first, ‘Daughters of War,’ and I was a little rusty on the three sisters, Hélène, Élise and Florence, who lived in the Dordogne during World War Two. ‘Night Train to Marrakech’ is set in Morocco in 1966 and tells the story of fashion student Vicky Baudin, daughter of Élise, as she travels on the night train to meet her previously unknown grandmother. Oh, and to meet Yves St Laurent.
When Vicky arrives at the Kasbah du Paradis in the Atlas mountains she is puzzled by the cool welcome she receives from her grandmother Clemence. Determined to meet her fashion guru, and dismissing Clemence’s warnings to be wary of trouble, Vicky heads for the night lights. Morocco is politically unstable and while various factions fight, and foreign powers spy on the fighting, the Marrakech beautiful set including Yves St Laurent, John Paul Getty and Tabitha Pol seem to float above reality. Vicky soon sees the horrifying reality for herself and becomes entangled in situations she doesn’t understand.
Yes, Vicky and Bea, her cousin, are annoyingly naïve at times but their impulsive decisions drive the plot along and take the reader through the twists and knots of Clemence’s past and the mysteries of Vicky’s family. Reference to Victor, Vicky’s father, relate back to the first book in the trilogy. Although its possible to read ‘Night Train to Marrakech’ as a standalone novel, many back references will be missed. A foreword explaining the trilogy, including summary of action and list of characters, would help.
I admit to being more fascinated by the life of Clemence than Vicky, and wish there had been more focus on her story. The second half of the novel went quicker for me, partly because of the number of secrets revealed. Marrakech is colourfully described and the Kasbah reminded me of Mary Stewart’s ‘The Gabriel Hounds,’ set in a rundown Lebanese palace.
I enjoyed ‘Daughters of War’ most of the trilogy, perhaps a case of one good novel being stretched too far. The three books are at heart about family, the visible and hidden connections that link relatives together, and how that familial link survives through war, distress and violence. Incidentally, and disappointingly, the train of the title features only on the front cover and in the Prologue of ‘Night Train to Marrakech.’ The Kasbah du Paradis and Marrakech city have more importance to the story than the train and neither Vicky nor Clemence stand in sand dunes.
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Unusually for me, I did not finish this book. I tried several times to get into it, but it just didn't work for me. I didn't like the characters and I wasn't invested in their journey at all. Thank you for the opportunity to read this book.

Filled with melodrama, stretching credibility in various ways, I also found contradicting and easy plot strategies thatv didn't work for me; with repetitions .. but despite these flaws, for me, I can see how others might be grabbed. I didn't believe Yves St Lauren's character either (he appears!!!) and the main narrator, Vicky just seems too starry eyed, and naive .. low self esteem .. the most persuasive character is her grandmother, who she's been cut off from for years. The sisters of her parent's generation, including her mother, just never really gelled. Her cousin, good friend, never had a persuasivecrelationship with anyone .. Faux emotions abounded for me .. but it's the case romance doesn't always work for me , and that could be the problem. And this stretched my belief too much. Setting was good in Morocco.. and I think Europeans in those surroundings with money can have just this gilded life... but that did nit compensate enough for me.

Another book by this great author. Set in Marrakesh this book is the 3rd in the series but can be read without previously reading the other 2. Well written as always

3.5 stars rounded up!
I enjoyed this one and although I have read all 3 in the series now, I would say you could read this as a standalone. This was more of a thriller than Dinah Jefferies other books and I enjoyed this element. It still had the beautiful descriptions and settings that I always enjoy from her books.

I loved Clemence and her story was so heartbreaking. I had a few guesses in mind for her past and wasn’t far from the truth. I think she was more interesting a character than Vicky. I didn’t find Vicky’s storyline quite as engaging but I did enjoy seeing the sisters from the earlier books.

Overall an enjoyable read and I would recommend Dinah Jefferies books!

Thank you to Harper Collins UK and Netgalley for this e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

enjoyed this book

easy read that kept my attention throughout, look forward to more from this author

Dinah is one of my go to authors, loved this book, and was glued to the book, I read it in 3 sittings. Great twists and characters. Fully recommended.

I love Marrakech and I love Dinah Jefferies' writing, so was excited read this one. I didn't enjoy it as much as I have her other book, but it is still a worthwhile read.

Teenager Vicky travels to Marrakech to meet her grandmother, Clemence, for the first time. She isn't made to feel very welcome and is intrigued to find out what happened in their family and why she has never met Clemence before. Once the reason becomes clear, well, it's heartbreaking and emotional, to say the least.

The other main element of this story is based around Vicky's love of fashion and her desire to meet her idol, Yves Saint Laurent, who is also in Marrakech. When she witnesses a murder and her cousin disappears, this takes a back seat as Vicky desperately searches for her cousin.

3.5 ⭐️ Thanks to Netgalley, Dinah Jefferies and Harper Collins for an ARC in return for an honest review.

When VIcky travels to see her grandma in Marrakech, she has no idea what awaits her there. Clemence lives in a kasbah in the hills of Marrakech seemingly because she likes the tranquillity and not because of all the secrets haunting her. All the skeletons that have been hidden way in the cupboards for a whole generation are starting to come to the surface. Despite the twisted plot, this novel has also inspired me to travel far and wide through Morocco.

Although the third novel in the series, it can be read as standalone. Great novel and well worth the read. Thank you @netgalley and @Harpercollins for the ARC of this lovely novel.

I wanted to love this book but just couldn't. The story is interesting, the setting beautiful and evocative but for me it lacked depth and detail.

This was a very enjoyable conclusion to the Daughters of War trilogy, combining Jeffries’ trademark evocation of time and place with spirited characters and an engrossing plot. At 464 pages, it is possibly a tad drawn out, but there was enough tension in the narrative to keep me invested from start to finish.

If you’ve read the previous two instalments, you may rightly be expecting this one to continue the story of the three Baudin sisters. It doesn’t; instead focusing on Elise’s daughter Vicky, who has come to Marrakech to meet her paternal grandmother. It turns out to be a much more eventful — and perilous — visit than anticipated.

Set in 1966, in a country still wrestling with political intrigue a decade after its independence, this is a richly atmospheric tale of family secrets, danger and revenge. I loved the idea of 74-year-old Clemence’s hideaway kasbah in the Atlas Mountains. And Clemence herself was a fascinating character: feisty and fiercely protective of her ancient mother but hiding a deep sadness from her past.

Alongside the main plot, there are insights into Moroccan history and culture as well as a little bit of romance; all elements seamlessly woven together to fashion an absorbing and convincing story. And it was lovely to see the Baudin sisters happily reunited towards the end.

Although this could certainly be read as a standalone, I would still highly recommend starting the trilogy from the beginning in order to appreciate the full impact of this wonderful family saga.

This was my first time reading a book from the author but I am delighted to say I thoroughly enjoyed the story and I look forward to reading more books from the writer in the future

I was fortunate to receive an ARC of this book from NetGalley and Pigeonhole. Despite being the third in the series, it did not affect my enjoyment. Marrakech is always a city which has intrigued me and the author painted a very good picture through her writing. I would be interested to read the others in the series by this author.

A spellbinding love story combined with a thriller all in one embodiment of a great book. I was hypnotized by this magical plot.

The third book in Daughters of War series focuses on the story of Clemence and how her relationship with her child and granddaughter are affected by a dark secret in her past. Set in Marrakech, we are privy to the most stunning scenery and sumptuous descriptions of food. This story was filled with adventure, danger, and violence. It addresses abuse and the difficulties of maintaining relationships as a consequence. The women as always overcome adversity through their strength and bond. I thoroughly enjoyed the trilogy, but this could also be read as a solo book. #nighttraintomarrakech #dinagjefferies