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The Night Train
Some of the best words in the English language are "Once Upon A Time." My dad told me a bedtime story every night of my childhood, and now I’ve grown up to become an author.When I posted a few lines of a mystery/thriller under a photo of a red train making a nighttime crossing of a mountain trestle on my Facebook page in May 2014, it garnered a surprising response; readers wanted more. So for thirty-seven nights, I continued to post a few installments of the story. This e-book is a collection of those thirty-seven nights; I’ve done some editing, but kept the chapters as they were—a few paragraphs. You can decide if you want to read a bit of it each night, or all in one sitting.Go ahead, if you haven’t already, and get your jammies on. Then come back and join me for a tale of international mystery and intrigue that I call The Night Train ...Interview with the Author
Have you always wanted to be a writer? I'm an attorney and have done a lot of technical writing, but knew I wanted to write novels. I thought I'd find time when I retired. Fate stepped in, as it often does, and put me on this path sooner. I broke my neck in an auto accident and suffered from double vision for months. I couldn't read or watch TV, so I conceived the plot for my Rosemont series.
Why did you decide to write a series? I prefer television series to movies. The longer format of television allows for deeper character development. The same holds true for series fiction. I like to fall in love with a character or hate a character (but root for them to change their ways). I feel like Mma Ramotswe and Mma Makutsi from Alexander McCall Smith's Ladies' Detective Agency series are old friends. I wanted to recreate that sort of connection in the Rosemont series.
What other authors do you read or admire? I'm a fan of women's fiction, women's sagas, romantic suspense, domestic suspense, crime fiction, and romance. I love Rosamunde Pilcher's later trilogy -The Shell Seekers, Coming Home, and September. Jan Karon's Mitford series creates an enchanting world, as does Debbie Macomber's Cedar Cove. My Rosemont series is set in the current day, but I've tried to capture a feeling of camaraderie and connection (among the good guys) that takes us back to a slightly simpler time and place.
What are your favorite books? In addition to the works I've already mentioned, I adored A Man Called One, The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, and A Long Way from Chicago.
Who has had the greatest influence on your author life? My dad--without question. He told me or read me a bedtime story every night of my childhood, often adding his own twists and turns to the plots or dialogue. He had an incredible, gentle sense of humor. He also wrote novels--who-done-its--when he retired.
What are the high points of your author journey? There are 3 things I hold very 1) hearing from readers--especially newly blind adults--that my Guiding Emilyseries has given then hope and provided comfort, 2) having my novella The Christmas Club made into a Hallmark Channel movie of the same name (2019), and 3) seeing my name on the USA Today Bestseller List.
What of your own interests have you written about in the Rosemont series? I love my home and all things related to cooking, gardening, decorating, and entertaining. I lovecelebrating all of the seasons and I change my decor for Easter, 4th of July, fall, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and spring.
Have you always wanted to be a writer? I'm an attorney and have done a lot of technical writing, but knew I wanted to write novels. I thought I'd find time when I retired. Fate stepped in, as it often does, and put me on this path sooner. I broke my neck in an auto accident and suffered from double vision for months. I couldn't read or watch TV, so I conceived the plot for my Rosemont series.
Why did you decide to write a series? I prefer television series to movies. The longer format of television allows for deeper character development. The same holds true for series fiction. I like to fall in love with a character or hate a character (but root for them to change their ways). I feel like Mma Ramotswe and Mma Makutsi from Alexander McCall Smith's Ladies' Detective Agency series are old friends. I wanted to recreate that sort of connection in the Rosemont series.
What other authors do you read or admire? I'm a fan of women's fiction, women's sagas, romantic suspense, domestic suspense, crime fiction, and romance. I love Rosamunde Pilcher's later trilogy -The Shell Seekers, Coming Home, and September. Jan Karon's Mitford series creates an enchanting world, as does Debbie Macomber's Cedar Cove. My Rosemont series is set in the current day, but I've tried to capture a feeling of camaraderie and connection (among the good guys) that takes us back to a slightly simpler time and place.
What are your favorite books? In addition to the works I've already mentioned, I adored A Man Called One, The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, and A Long Way from Chicago.
Who has had the greatest influence on your author life? My dad--without question. He told me or read me a bedtime story every night of my childhood, often adding his own twists and turns to the plots or dialogue. He had an incredible, gentle sense of humor. He also wrote novels--who-done-its--when he retired.
What are the high points of your author journey? There are 3 things I hold very 1) hearing from readers--especially newly blind adults--that my Guiding Emilyseries has given then hope and provided comfort, 2) having my novella The Christmas Club made into a Hallmark Channel movie of the same name (2019), and 3) seeing my name on the USA Today Bestseller List.
What of your own interests have you written about in the Rosemont series? I love my home and all things related to cooking, gardening, decorating, and entertaining. I lovecelebrating all of the seasons and I change my decor for Easter, 4th of July, fall, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and spring.
- GenresMystery
34 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 21, 2014
175 people are currently reading
116 people want to read
About the author
Barbara Hinske
46 books1,395 followersUSA Today Bestselling Author Barbara Hinske is an attorney who recently left the practice of law to pursue her career as a full-time novelist. She inherited the fiction gene from her father who wrote mysteries when he retired and told her a story every night of her childhood. Barbara is the bestselling author of the beloved Rosemont series; the acclaimed Guiding Emily series; a collection of murder mystery thrillers in her "Who's There?" collection; and her sweet Christmas novellas The Christmas Club (adapted for the Hallmark Channel in 2019), Paws & Pastries, and No Matter How Far.
She and her husband share their own Rosemont with two adorable and spoiled dogs. She is besotted with decorating, entertaining, cooking and gardening. Now that her novel The Christmas Club has been made into a Hallmark Channel movie, she is completely star-struck and thrilled to have her work on the screen.
She and her husband share their own Rosemont with two adorable and spoiled dogs. She is besotted with decorating, entertaining, cooking and gardening. Now that her novel The Christmas Club has been made into a Hallmark Channel movie, she is completely star-struck and thrilled to have her work on the screen.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
April 22, 2018
Night Train is by Barbara Hinske. This book is a thriller with a little science fiction is in the story.
Dr. Rachel Hudson has to make this train to Vienna or she won’t be presenting at the conference in Vienna tomorrow. She jumps on the train and will sort out her ticket later. She finds a cabin and sits down quietly. The lull of the train sends her to sleep. When she wakes up, she finds herself on the floor with the man who is hurt badly. She tells him help in on the way; but he says the other train is for them to catch him. He gives her a key and tells her the bank and then to send the information to the CIA. She takes the key and his advice and hides. Someone comes on board directly to the room and takes the man out. After that train leaves, another one comes along and saves her. What is Rachel to do? Is someone following her? Can she get to the United States without being stopped by the man with a tattoo on his neck?
Dr. Rachel Hudson has to make this train to Vienna or she won’t be presenting at the conference in Vienna tomorrow. She jumps on the train and will sort out her ticket later. She finds a cabin and sits down quietly. The lull of the train sends her to sleep. When she wakes up, she finds herself on the floor with the man who is hurt badly. She tells him help in on the way; but he says the other train is for them to catch him. He gives her a key and tells her the bank and then to send the information to the CIA. She takes the key and his advice and hides. Someone comes on board directly to the room and takes the man out. After that train leaves, another one comes along and saves her. What is Rachel to do? Is someone following her? Can she get to the United States without being stopped by the man with a tattoo on his neck?
July 11, 2023
Good short story!
Short stories are not easy to write, as they require a lot of work, thinking through, and re-writes. This one is excellent in that it meets those requirements plus keeps the reader reading. I will be looking for more such writings from this amazing and talented writer. The best thing about short stories is how they leave the reader wanting to move the story along. The reader can fulfill this in any way he chooses and by so doing allows his imagination to take off in any direction he chooses to imagine. More please!
Short stories are not easy to write, as they require a lot of work, thinking through, and re-writes. This one is excellent in that it meets those requirements plus keeps the reader reading. I will be looking for more such writings from this amazing and talented writer. The best thing about short stories is how they leave the reader wanting to move the story along. The reader can fulfill this in any way he chooses and by so doing allows his imagination to take off in any direction he chooses to imagine. More please!
August 26, 2018
Couldn't put it down.
From the first paragraph I couldn't put this story down. It kept me wanting to know more and also a little leafy of every person she met.I felt like I was in her shoes.
From the first paragraph I couldn't put this story down. It kept me wanting to know more and also a little leafy of every person she met.I felt like I was in her shoes.
November 26, 2020
Very interesting
I am not one for spy thrillers but this one was short and very interesting. Exciting is probably more the word. Set in Vienna and Bern, an intensive journey to an interesting ending. This author can certainly weave a story.
I am not one for spy thrillers but this one was short and very interesting. Exciting is probably more the word. Set in Vienna and Bern, an intensive journey to an interesting ending. This author can certainly weave a story.
April 5, 2021
A surprisingly interesting story
For a bedtime short story this keep me eager to see what was ahead for this young professor on her goodwill journey. I was totally surprised .
Just the type of short bedtime reading I enjoy
For a bedtime short story this keep me eager to see what was ahead for this young professor on her goodwill journey. I was totally surprised .
Just the type of short bedtime reading I enjoy
December 2, 2021
Suspenseful in a fun way!
Barbara Hinske was emailing The Night Train to her followers, one chapter at a time. After chapter 7, I couldn't wait for chapter 8 and borrowed the book from Kindle Unlimited. It was great fun and had me going until the end! Thank you Barbara!
Barbara Hinske was emailing The Night Train to her followers, one chapter at a time. After chapter 7, I couldn't wait for chapter 8 and borrowed the book from Kindle Unlimited. It was great fun and had me going until the end! Thank you Barbara!
August 21, 2025
The Night Train
Beware of night trains. You never know what you may encounter. A mystery may occur especially when you find it empty but one man that seems to be dying. I love Barbara Hinske with her books.
Beware of night trains. You never know what you may encounter. A mystery may occur especially when you find it empty but one man that seems to be dying. I love Barbara Hinske with her books.
December 31, 2016
To short!
It was a good short story, I just wish for more details, more in depth mystery story. Where is part two?
It was a good short story, I just wish for more details, more in depth mystery story. Where is part two?
May 29, 2018
Was different.
Didn't like this has much as the other books I read. Was just ok. Didn't get into it like the other series.
Didn't like this has much as the other books I read. Was just ok. Didn't get into it like the other series.
October 5, 2018
Great short story. I hope there will be a longer mystery novel on the subject
December 2, 2019
Not what I was use too
This is not by far one of her best. I was in a state of confusion the whole time trying to figure out the plot of it all.
This is not by far one of her best. I was in a state of confusion the whole time trying to figure out the plot of it all.
June 29, 2020
Good start
I thought this was a good start to a story but not developed enough to be one of my favorites
I thought this was a good start to a story but not developed enough to be one of my favorites
August 6, 2020
A swift ride
This is a delightful story with so much detail, I could visualize every tense scene. It's a tiny spy thriller for a jolt of entertainment. A good bedtime story.
This is a delightful story with so much detail, I could visualize every tense scene. It's a tiny spy thriller for a jolt of entertainment. A good bedtime story.
June 12, 2021
A Great Read.
I chose to read' The Night Train ' because I enjoyed the Rosemont series so much. It did not disappoint! I'm still adrenaline charged.
I chose to read' The Night Train ' because I enjoyed the Rosemont series so much. It did not disappoint! I'm still adrenaline charged.
November 6, 2021
a fun quick read
It’s amazing how much of a story Barbara Hinske can pack into 27 pages! It is an intriguing story, not what I expected.
It’s amazing how much of a story Barbara Hinske can pack into 27 pages! It is an intriguing story, not what I expected.
February 14, 2022
Another great read by Barbara Hinske!
Thanks again for another great book! Please write faster...I am almost done with all your books!! ;-) Keep up the good work!!
Thanks again for another great book! Please write faster...I am almost done with all your books!! ;-) Keep up the good work!!
July 23, 2022
Great short story !!!
Needed a short story,
Would recommend to everyone I can tell about it.
Would give it more stars if I could.....
Needed a short story,
Would recommend to everyone I can tell about it.
Would give it more stars if I could.....
November 7, 2022
What a fun, quick read.
December 17, 2022
A fun, quick, improbable story.
January 31, 2017
Nice story. Somehow I missed that it was so short. I love Barbara Hinske books and was just disappointed that it was over so quickly.
April 13, 2017
It was a clever short story.
April 22, 2017
Great mystery/suspense short story, originally posted on the author, Barbara Hinske's facebook page. It was so popular, she sent it out in a series of 37 emails to her newsletter subscribers as a bedtime story (which is how I read the story), & was recently published as an ebook. It's a fun story about a woman who finds herself helping an international spy. I was really excited reading the story, wondering what was going to happen next, & I'd really love to see the story fleshed out even more, as a novella, if not a full novel. Great stuff - put your pjs on & get ready to read a fun bedtime story! :)
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews