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Last Train to Helsingør
‘A nice slice of creepy Scandi-noir’ Daily Mail
Copenhagen is a mysterious city where strange and sinister things often happen. Menacing and at times darkly humorous there are echoes of Roald Dahl and Daphne du Maurier in these stories, many of which have been specially commissioned for Radio 4.
From the commuter who bitterly regrets falling asleep on a late-night train in Last Train to Helsingør, to the mushroom hunter prepared to kill to guard her secret in The Chanterelles of Østvig.
Here, the land of ‘hygge’ becomes one of twilight and shadows, as canny antique dealers and property sharks get their comeuppance at the handsof old ladies in Conning Mrs Vinterberg, and ghosts go off-script in The
Wailing Girl.
Scandi noir at its finest.
Copenhagen is a mysterious city where strange and sinister things often happen. Menacing and at times darkly humorous there are echoes of Roald Dahl and Daphne du Maurier in these stories, many of which have been specially commissioned for Radio 4.
From the commuter who bitterly regrets falling asleep on a late-night train in Last Train to Helsingør, to the mushroom hunter prepared to kill to guard her secret in The Chanterelles of Østvig.
Here, the land of ‘hygge’ becomes one of twilight and shadows, as canny antique dealers and property sharks get their comeuppance at the handsof old ladies in Conning Mrs Vinterberg, and ghosts go off-script in The
Wailing Girl.
Scandi noir at its finest.
216 pages, Paperback
First published January 29, 2018
21 people are currently reading
138 people want to read
About the author
Heidi Amsinck
9 books47 followersHeidi Amsinck won the Danish Criminal Academy's Debut Award for My Name is Jensen (2021), the first book in a new series featuring Copenhagen reporter sleuth Jensen and her motley crew of helpers. She published her second Jensen novel, The Girl in Photo, in July 2022, and the third, Back from the Dead, in February 2024. A journalist by background, Heidi spent many years covering Britain for the Danish press, including a spell as London Correspondent for the broadsheet daily Jyllands-Posten. She has written numerous short stories for BBC Radio 4, such as the three-story sets Danish Noir, Copenhagen Confidential and Copenhagen Curios, all produced by Sweet Talk and featuring in her collection Last Train to Helsingør (2018). Heidi's work has been translated from the original English into Danish, German and Czech.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
October 29, 2020
Last Train to Helsingør is a collection of creepy and hair-raising short stories set in Denmark.
I absolutely loved each and every one of the stories.
I absolutely loved each and every one of the stories.
February 25, 2018
The title story, which opens the collection, is as though Jeremy de Quidt's 'The Wrong Train' has been rewritten for adults by someone who's recently read Robert Aickman's 'The Hospice'. It's a promising start, and many of the other tales live up to it. 'The Music Box' is a cautionary tale of a collector's lust for a cursed object; 'The Tallboy' spins an equally enjoyable scene around a similar premise. 'The Light from Dead Stars' is a crime story in which a police inspector, about to retire, is handed an unexpected clue to a a cold case that has long tortured him. 'The Bird in the Cage' is a nasty little fable like something out of Grimm. I loved the ghost stories 'The Man Upstairs', about an unseen neighbour and a 'ghastly' face at a window; 'The Night Guard', in which a man finds himself trapped in his favourite art gallery after closing time; 'The Crying', a very dark story in which an immoral and deceptive protagonist gets his comeuppance; 'Room Service', the tale of an inept chef and a strange request, which might have been my favourite. The weakest stories were a little too twee for my tastes: I wasn't keen on 'Like White Rain', 'The Ghost of Helene Jørgensen' and especially the rather smug 'Detained' for this reason. All in all, however, this is a really strong collection of noir and ghost stories with fantastic pacing and atmosphere. One to settle down with and read in a single sitting on a rainy afternoon or cold night.
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January 5, 2022
Read most of it, and in the beginning it felt like very novel to me, I thought I had discovered a brand new author no one else (except for a few) had heard about, but then the whole idea of gothic short stories begin to read like a formula, like it was being based on the same idea, the surroundings sounded like the same, the persons were all bleak, shabbily dressed in clothes from another century and so on, you probably get the idea and then I couldn't be bothered......... It is like there is no real substance, just literary fluff.
August 30, 2021
Initially I thought this was actually a novel, but it turned to be a collection of short stories, and I was happy to discover that this is one of those fine collections where there isn’t a bad story to be found. Granted two or three were maybe a little predictable and some of the same themes reappear, but let’s not get too harsh, this was a lot of fun and there is a lot of excitement and quality in these stories.
I could see pleasing echoes of the likes of Patricia Highsmith, Roald Dahl and Ray Bradbury in here. Amsinck has a good eye for the eerie and instilling atmosphere in a relatively short time, building tension and fear in a way which makes for enjoyable and at times even thrilling reading.
I could see pleasing echoes of the likes of Patricia Highsmith, Roald Dahl and Ray Bradbury in here. Amsinck has a good eye for the eerie and instilling atmosphere in a relatively short time, building tension and fear in a way which makes for enjoyable and at times even thrilling reading.
March 1, 2019
I purchased this anthology without knowing anything about the author, so I was a bit skeptical in the beginning but in the end I can say that the majority of the short stories satisfied me. You should bear in mind that I'm not an ardent fan of short crime stories as they lack the necessary plot development elements and proper characterization.
''Last Train to Helsingør'' made me invest some time in its reading and I found that some of the stories had great potential such as the titular one (the first story in the anthology), ''The Night Guard'', ''The Light from Dead Stars'', ''The Ghost of Helene Jørgensen'', ''Detained'' and some others. Almost all of the stories, which are set in Copenhagen, have a horror touch, sometimes effective, sometimes not. Heidi Amsinck is one of the new names in the Nordic Noir fiction and the first impressions are definitely not bad. I am waiting for her next writing attempts in order to evaluate properly her contribution in the ever-growing Scandi-crime genre.
''Last Train to Helsingør'' made me invest some time in its reading and I found that some of the stories had great potential such as the titular one (the first story in the anthology), ''The Night Guard'', ''The Light from Dead Stars'', ''The Ghost of Helene Jørgensen'', ''Detained'' and some others. Almost all of the stories, which are set in Copenhagen, have a horror touch, sometimes effective, sometimes not. Heidi Amsinck is one of the new names in the Nordic Noir fiction and the first impressions are definitely not bad. I am waiting for her next writing attempts in order to evaluate properly her contribution in the ever-growing Scandi-crime genre.
October 30, 2018
My first thought, and this was before I read a Q&A with Amsinck, was how much these tales reminded me of The Tales of the Unexpected (TV series from 1979 – 1988). A lot of the episodes were based on short stories written by Roald Dahl. The script writers often wrote endings or conclusions to the tales for the audience, whereas the stories they were based on were more inconclusive, open and mysterious. I grew up watching The Tales of the Unexpected, and much like the Hammer House of Horror and Graham Greene tales, the episodes were incredibly creepy and stuck in your mind for ages.
Although the author has taken inspiration from certain sources it is fair to say that she has put her very own Scandinavian Noir slant on her tales. No tale is alike except for the unusual twists and creepy factor. Now and again there is also a question of justice, morality and whether everything is always black or white.
The book includes the following tales:
Last Train to Helsingør – I bet there are plenty of people who sit on trains and wonder whether that train will end up taking them somewhere unexpected. You get a sense of lack of control, as you watch houses and fields whizz by, perhaps even more so when you can see nothing but darkness through the glass windows.
The Music Box – Sometimes a curse isn’t just a collection of rumours, hearsay or Chinese Whispers repeated over decades. Sometimes a duck is just a duck, and a curse is really a curse.
The Chanterelles of Østvig – Gudrun Holm has a conundrum. She must share her secrets with someone before she dies, and yet at the same time she has to protect said secrets from ever being found out.
The Light from Dead Stars – This is one of my favourites too. Does the truth always have to come out? Are there people who deserve their destiny even if it is forced upon them? Is it always wrong to take things into your own hands?
The Man Upstairs – Do you know a man or woman upstairs? I bet if you thought about it for a while someone would come to mind. A person who has always been there throughout time – with no explanation as to how it may be possible. In fact I might just go look in the upstairs window to see if I can get a glimpse of his face.
Conning Mrs Vinterberg – You can’t con a con-artist or trick a possible serial killer, especially ones that look like friendly little old ladies.
The Night Guard – The next time you go to an art gallery pay more attention to the details, perhaps some small element of the paintings change without you ever realising it.
The Bird in the Cage – I enjoyed this one, because it speaks to the innate greediness of man (persons). An item is only ever worth what someone is willing to pay for it. Make it more exclusive and add a tale of mystery to the item, and you just might end up paying a million pounds for a picture by an elusive artist which shreds itself as soon as said item is sold. (Nods in the direction of Banksy)
The Miracle in Dannersgarde – When is a miracle really a miracle and when is it just a coincidence? This is a story of faith being born unto the non-believer at a time when she needs it the most.
Like White Rain – Angels come in all shapes and sizes, and in this case it is an old suicidal man and an abused young girl finding comfort and the will to live by helping each other.
The Climbing Rose – This will make you wonder about the meticulous rose gardener you might know. The attention they pay to detail and the lengths they will go to to make the roses grow.
The Wailing Girl – The moral of this story is to never assume you have experienced everything in life and that karma might want to have a word if you try and screw with someone.
Room Service – When someone experiences the inexplicable the majority tend to side with the more practical and logical solution, because there is no such thing as ghosts right?
The Ghost of Helene Jørgensen – This tale is about justice, but it is also about leaving everything behind and starting a new life. Cutting all the strings, both positive and negative, that keep you attached to a life you expected to be more than just a daily struggle to survive.
The Suitcase – This tale is a bit like signing a contract with the devil, except you have no choice in the matter and your heart is dictating your actions. The stringent boundaries of OCD are skewed, which could be a good thing I suppose.
The Tallboy – This one reminded me of the kind of horror the Hammer House stories were known for. The kind of mystery you want to solve, but are really too frightened of the truth to find out.
Detained – What would make you crack? What kind of incident would make you re-evaluate your life and turn your back on everything and everyone? Do you think one scruffy man in an airport could make you think about what is really important in life?
The Crying – I guess the moral of this story is that you deserve what you get, especially if you lied to get it. I wonder if the insanity was already there buried deep inside him or whether the apartment made him do it? Do what…why kill of course.
The Last Tenant – Sometimes there is a reason a deal is a deal. A house that wants to draw you in, but doesn’t really want anyone inside at all. Once you’re in there is only one way out.
I am going to have a listen to these on audio (they have been read on BBC 4 radio). For people like me who as a child used to enjoy tuning in for The Whistler on the radio and being scared before bedtime, these tales will be perfect. It’s a collection of short tales of Scandinavian Noir with a huge dollop of spooky and a smidgen of creepy.
Although the author has taken inspiration from certain sources it is fair to say that she has put her very own Scandinavian Noir slant on her tales. No tale is alike except for the unusual twists and creepy factor. Now and again there is also a question of justice, morality and whether everything is always black or white.
The book includes the following tales:
Last Train to Helsingør – I bet there are plenty of people who sit on trains and wonder whether that train will end up taking them somewhere unexpected. You get a sense of lack of control, as you watch houses and fields whizz by, perhaps even more so when you can see nothing but darkness through the glass windows.
The Music Box – Sometimes a curse isn’t just a collection of rumours, hearsay or Chinese Whispers repeated over decades. Sometimes a duck is just a duck, and a curse is really a curse.
The Chanterelles of Østvig – Gudrun Holm has a conundrum. She must share her secrets with someone before she dies, and yet at the same time she has to protect said secrets from ever being found out.
The Light from Dead Stars – This is one of my favourites too. Does the truth always have to come out? Are there people who deserve their destiny even if it is forced upon them? Is it always wrong to take things into your own hands?
The Man Upstairs – Do you know a man or woman upstairs? I bet if you thought about it for a while someone would come to mind. A person who has always been there throughout time – with no explanation as to how it may be possible. In fact I might just go look in the upstairs window to see if I can get a glimpse of his face.
Conning Mrs Vinterberg – You can’t con a con-artist or trick a possible serial killer, especially ones that look like friendly little old ladies.
The Night Guard – The next time you go to an art gallery pay more attention to the details, perhaps some small element of the paintings change without you ever realising it.
The Bird in the Cage – I enjoyed this one, because it speaks to the innate greediness of man (persons). An item is only ever worth what someone is willing to pay for it. Make it more exclusive and add a tale of mystery to the item, and you just might end up paying a million pounds for a picture by an elusive artist which shreds itself as soon as said item is sold. (Nods in the direction of Banksy)
The Miracle in Dannersgarde – When is a miracle really a miracle and when is it just a coincidence? This is a story of faith being born unto the non-believer at a time when she needs it the most.
Like White Rain – Angels come in all shapes and sizes, and in this case it is an old suicidal man and an abused young girl finding comfort and the will to live by helping each other.
The Climbing Rose – This will make you wonder about the meticulous rose gardener you might know. The attention they pay to detail and the lengths they will go to to make the roses grow.
The Wailing Girl – The moral of this story is to never assume you have experienced everything in life and that karma might want to have a word if you try and screw with someone.
Room Service – When someone experiences the inexplicable the majority tend to side with the more practical and logical solution, because there is no such thing as ghosts right?
The Ghost of Helene Jørgensen – This tale is about justice, but it is also about leaving everything behind and starting a new life. Cutting all the strings, both positive and negative, that keep you attached to a life you expected to be more than just a daily struggle to survive.
The Suitcase – This tale is a bit like signing a contract with the devil, except you have no choice in the matter and your heart is dictating your actions. The stringent boundaries of OCD are skewed, which could be a good thing I suppose.
The Tallboy – This one reminded me of the kind of horror the Hammer House stories were known for. The kind of mystery you want to solve, but are really too frightened of the truth to find out.
Detained – What would make you crack? What kind of incident would make you re-evaluate your life and turn your back on everything and everyone? Do you think one scruffy man in an airport could make you think about what is really important in life?
The Crying – I guess the moral of this story is that you deserve what you get, especially if you lied to get it. I wonder if the insanity was already there buried deep inside him or whether the apartment made him do it? Do what…why kill of course.
The Last Tenant – Sometimes there is a reason a deal is a deal. A house that wants to draw you in, but doesn’t really want anyone inside at all. Once you’re in there is only one way out.
I am going to have a listen to these on audio (they have been read on BBC 4 radio). For people like me who as a child used to enjoy tuning in for The Whistler on the radio and being scared before bedtime, these tales will be perfect. It’s a collection of short tales of Scandinavian Noir with a huge dollop of spooky and a smidgen of creepy.
October 14, 2018
Really enjoyed it. Review to come on blog tour Oct 24th
October 23, 2018
With thanks to the publisher for the copy received. Last Train to Helsingør is a collection of short stories all set in or around Copenhagen. They all have a similar theme, they are either concerning unscrupulous or lonely people or those who’ve something to hide. They have been accurately likened to both Roald Dahl and Daphne du Maurier. All of them were very good.
I always read short stories over a few days, I find that I appreciate them more that way. There were none that I disliked and I have picked a few favourites. These were all different to each other and they were The Man Upstairs, Like White Rain and The Ghost of Helene Jorgeson. The latter reminded me more than any of the others of Dahl. Two of these were more sinister than the others, but all of the stories that feature are unsettling in varying ways.
A lovely collection, some of which has also been read on BBC Radio 4.
I always read short stories over a few days, I find that I appreciate them more that way. There were none that I disliked and I have picked a few favourites. These were all different to each other and they were The Man Upstairs, Like White Rain and The Ghost of Helene Jorgeson. The latter reminded me more than any of the others of Dahl. Two of these were more sinister than the others, but all of the stories that feature are unsettling in varying ways.
A lovely collection, some of which has also been read on BBC Radio 4.
January 17, 2021
I loved this collection of short stories. Set mostly in modern Copenhagen, they ring true in a universal, modern, nightmarish way. There are many empty locations such as the business district at night, the airport closed because of bad weather, run down abandoned places and the end of the line on a train with only one passenger.
The people are not social. The main characters are usually obsessive self centered loners who view others as blocking them from what they want. Comeuppance is often in their future, especially comeuppance by creepy old ladies.
Amsinck’s descriptions are wonderful. Much use is made of beauty and the senses. There are looming empty corridors, long long hallways and depopulated trains and buildings. Obsession is a focus. People fantasize over ways to cheat or get rid of others. In the author’s words, “if someone wants something enough, no price is too high... .” Many of her characters end up paying a very high price indeed.
The people are not social. The main characters are usually obsessive self centered loners who view others as blocking them from what they want. Comeuppance is often in their future, especially comeuppance by creepy old ladies.
Amsinck’s descriptions are wonderful. Much use is made of beauty and the senses. There are looming empty corridors, long long hallways and depopulated trains and buildings. Obsession is a focus. People fantasize over ways to cheat or get rid of others. In the author’s words, “if someone wants something enough, no price is too high... .” Many of her characters end up paying a very high price indeed.
October 7, 2019
Povídky obecně nemám tak ráda, jako celé romány, ale tohle jsou příjemné kousky. Jako vždy jsou tam lepší a horší, možná jsou si některé trochu podobné, že už na konci knížky není člověk překvapen, ale v celku se mi knížka líbí víc, než běžné povídkové soubory. Takže i mé hodnocení je "nadprůměr".
October 25, 2018
The perfect run up to Hallowe'en next week, these short stories are best dipped into a few at a time. I found them eminently readable. Set around Copenhagen, they all shared the same feeling of inevitability and slight disorientation. Something is definitely not right in each of these scenarios. Its a feeling which seems to creep up on the central characters and adds to their creepy feel. The opening story and the one which gives the collection its name, Last Train to Helsingor, is a cracker. Who hasn't fallen asleep on a train, even if only for seconds and then woken up feeling slightly unsure of where you are?
Mysterious faces at the windows and strangers who appear out of the blue. These are all features which recur within the stories. Another favourite of mine was The Chanterelles of Ostvig which had a real fairy tale feel about it. Of course, within most fairy tales there is a sinister, unexplained factor and this had that feeling. The central character, an old woman has an air of mystery and almost magic about her. The setting, and everyone she meets, seem to appear as if from nowhere.
The events in these stories are unexpected and at times menacing. The people we meet can be obsessive or seeming to have something to hide. Each of the stories is brief but economical They are packed full of atmosphere and the feeling that something unexpected is just around the corner.
In short: Short stories weave together a tapestry of an unsure and sinister world.
Thanks to the author for a copy of the book.
Mysterious faces at the windows and strangers who appear out of the blue. These are all features which recur within the stories. Another favourite of mine was The Chanterelles of Ostvig which had a real fairy tale feel about it. Of course, within most fairy tales there is a sinister, unexplained factor and this had that feeling. The central character, an old woman has an air of mystery and almost magic about her. The setting, and everyone she meets, seem to appear as if from nowhere.
The events in these stories are unexpected and at times menacing. The people we meet can be obsessive or seeming to have something to hide. Each of the stories is brief but economical They are packed full of atmosphere and the feeling that something unexpected is just around the corner.
In short: Short stories weave together a tapestry of an unsure and sinister world.
Thanks to the author for a copy of the book.
March 9, 2018
This stunning collection of short stories was devoured over the course of a single evening. So much to love in here it is difficult to know where to start.
Many of these stories are about running away, abandoning a life that is not fulfilling. In the title story a man on a train finds himself given the opportunity to leave his dull life for one where there are no cares. In 'Detained' a busy business woman takes a chance and leaves the corporate grind behind.
Yet other stories tell of obsession like 'The Chanterelles of Ostvig' and 'The Bird in the Cage'. Others tell tales of people who will stop at nothing to get what they want like 'The Miracle of Dannersgade' and 'The Climbing Rose'. There is a darkness about these tales and they are perfectly told in a few pages.
I look forward to more from Heidi Amsinck, a real find in the short story genre.
Many of these stories are about running away, abandoning a life that is not fulfilling. In the title story a man on a train finds himself given the opportunity to leave his dull life for one where there are no cares. In 'Detained' a busy business woman takes a chance and leaves the corporate grind behind.
Yet other stories tell of obsession like 'The Chanterelles of Ostvig' and 'The Bird in the Cage'. Others tell tales of people who will stop at nothing to get what they want like 'The Miracle of Dannersgade' and 'The Climbing Rose'. There is a darkness about these tales and they are perfectly told in a few pages.
I look forward to more from Heidi Amsinck, a real find in the short story genre.
February 15, 2022
Spoiler alert:
Mixed feelings as I really enjoyed the language & the delightfully spooky old places described in and around Copenhagen. This book is a collection of short stories, and having listened to the audiobook (really good voice actor) in one go, too many of the plots seem the same or at least very much alike. It's definitely better just to read (or listen to) just one story every other day.
Mixed feelings as I really enjoyed the language & the delightfully spooky old places described in and around Copenhagen. This book is a collection of short stories, and having listened to the audiobook (really good voice actor) in one go, too many of the plots seem the same or at least very much alike. It's definitely better just to read (or listen to) just one story every other day.
February 8, 2023
A wonderful selection of unnervingly dark short stories, from the very wonderful Heidi Amsinck. Subtly creepy & just the right length of take to give the reader a taste of noir that it keeps you wondering about the characters and how their fates could’ve been prevented had they not been so greedy, manipulative or so trusting.
Reminded me ever so slightly of Roald Dahl’s short stories, but with with that quintessential slice of Danish mischief. Brilliantly executed.
Reminded me ever so slightly of Roald Dahl’s short stories, but with with that quintessential slice of Danish mischief. Brilliantly executed.
August 24, 2018
I started this not really expecting to enjoy it but needing to read a Nordic noir book to finish my 2018 book challenge. I was however proved wrong and ended up not being able to put it down until I got to the last page. The short stories are an equal mixture of suspense and bone chilling tales. Best read by torch or candle light for added effect!
June 28, 2018
A wonderfully creepy short story collection set in Denmark. Really enjoyed these stories - sinister but also darkly humorous and full of fascinating characters. They are also the perfect length. Really looking forward to her next book.
October 8, 2018
Fantastic! The stories / chapters are a perfect length for a bit of bedtime reading. The author has created characters that stir up feelings of empathy and annoyance in almost equal measure. I was hoping that their naivety, greed, curiosity wouldn't get the better of them but alas...
October 20, 2018
Tales of the bleeding obvious! It's not so bad but don't expect any good twists.
November 26, 2018
I listened to three of the stories (including the Last Train to Helsingor) on BBC Radio. I very much enjoyed the three I heard. Very creepy!
#popsugarreadingchallenge (prompt #5)
#popsugarreadingchallenge (prompt #5)
January 20, 2022
A collection of pretty clever short stories, all a little bit creepy and unsettling! If you love Edgar Allan Poe or the Twilight Zone you will enjoy this book!
April 1, 2022
A wonderful collection of short stories from the imagination of Heidi Amsinck.
Sinister goings on in Copenhagen dark and sometimes humorous.
This audio book was brilliantly narrated by Tim McInnerny
Sinister goings on in Copenhagen dark and sometimes humorous.
This audio book was brilliantly narrated by Tim McInnerny
October 21, 2022
A couple of the stories were a bit similar but overall a delightfully disturbing collection. Reminded me somewhat of "Tales of the Unexpected".
December 19, 2022
I don't know why I don't read short stories more often. This collection takes place in Copenhagen. Reminded me a bit of Dahl's Tales of the unexpected. Very readable.
December 25, 2022
Dark and macabre, reminded me so much of Roald Dahl.
November 11, 2023
Loved these short stories set in Denmark. Beautifully written with twists in the plots.
November 23, 2023
Reviewing the short story alone, not the book.
I listened to the audiobook read by Tim McInnerny. It's like an appetizer; it ends with dread and I wanted to know why it happened.
I listened to the audiobook read by Tim McInnerny. It's like an appetizer; it ends with dread and I wanted to know why it happened.
December 11, 2024
repetitive and dull
April 8, 2025
Easy read - dark stories that I enjoyed. Slightly creepy and a little different being set in Denmark.
July 19, 2025
I'm not a huge fan of short stories but I like "scandi noir" so tried these. I think they were originally written for radio broadcast and would probably work better in that medium than on the page.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews