The Girl in the Photo

The Girl in the Photo is book 2 in the Scandinavian Noir series featuring Danish Reporter Viggo Jensen. In Book 1, we learned that Jensen was an intrepid reporter who has returned to Copenhagen. In Book 2, her ex-lover, the unlikeable Henrik Jungerson has discovered a clue in a photo found at the murder scene of a wealthy 9o year old woman. The daughter of the victim hires Jensen and her young assistant to solve the murder (in order to speed up her inheritance). It's a gritty slow burn. There is plenty of atmosphere that is present in the Scandi-noirs. If you like a slow burn, a prickly heroine and a well plotted mystery, then The Girl In the Photo is for you!
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Story 4 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is a slow burn but what a page turner!!! I stayed up late into the night desperately making my way through this needing just one more chapter!!

First time trying Heidi Amsinck and I was super happy to find that this is book 2 so went to the Kindle store to get My Name is Jensen. Can't wait to start that.

Thank you NetGalley and Muswell Press for the eARC.
The 2nd in this Danish series can easily be read as a standalone and is thoroughly enjoyable.
Former Dagbladet reporter Jensen and DI Henrik Jungersen are trying to stay away from each other. Henrik has been kicked out of the marital home by his wife who's furious because of his and Jensen's relationship and Henrik is miserable and bad tempered. However, an old woman has been killled, followed by the deaths of another two old women. Both Henrik and Jensen with her apprentice are investigating the cases and keep running into each other. Photos of a young girl are found at each scene and it looks like the cases are related. But what has the suicide of a young girl many years ago have to do with these murders?
I loved this atmospheric book, the location of Copenhagen and the mix of interesting characters. The mystery is excellent and complicated, right up my alley. I can't wait for no. 3 in the series, hope it doesn't take long to come out.
Highly recommended!

The Girl in the Photo is the second book in Heidi Amsinck's "Jensen" series featuring a Danish journalist and the motley band of friends, acquaintances and admirers who help her with her investigations.
When a series of brutal burglaries in Copenhagen result in fatalities Jensen's former lover ,rough diamond D.I. Jurgensen investigates and discovers photographs of a young girl at the scenes. Meanwhile the daughter of the first victim, Irene Valborg, offers Jensen money to find a valuable necklace stolen in the raid.
Facing derision from colleagues over his theories Jurgensen also finds himself frustrated with Jensen who he sees as interfering in his investigations while also struggling with his continuing strong feelings for her..
This series is great fun, Jensen appears to be a magnet for "off the wall" characters and has a small army of odd and often "difficult" characters with special skills to help her in her endeavours..
A clever and entertaining story that leaves the reader looking forward to the next in the series as many of the main characters and their relationships evolve throughout. There's also a sinister new turn in the ongoing backstory ,an investigation that brings danger literally to Jensen's door..
An excellent read and a series that has already become a favourite of mine.

I'd strongly suggest that readers who haven't already read the first in the series, "My Name is Jensen" before this one, not absolutely essential but they'll get so much more from this one if they do.

This ARC was provided to me via Kindle, from Muswell Press and #NetGalley. Thank you for the opportunity to preview and review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.

A griping, brilliant debut filled with suspense and intrigue.

A slow burning thriller that would icrease in pacing as tension in the plot increased. It kept me on the edge of my seat

THE GIRL IN THE PHOTO is my first exposure to author Heidi Amsinck. Set in Copenhagen, the novel reads more like a 50’s detective/crime novel than what I consider a modern thriller. The pace is slower with believable dialogue and a plot focused from beginning to end on solving the crimes. I appreciated the strong emphasis on the characters’ personalities and relationships, and not filled with unnecessary foul language, graphic sex or detailed descriptions of brutal crimes. The novel’s two primary characters, Jensen, a news reporter, and Henrik, the police investigator she was previously involved with for many year years, are thoroughly developed and surrounded by co-workers and family. And, there are the victims and suspects.

Since I have never traveled to Denmark, I was not familiar with many of the names, locations and references to daily life in Copenhagen, much like a first trip to a foreign city. Jensen rides her bicycle everywhere, even in the rain, because she does not own or seem to want a car. She takes a train when traveling out of the city, which many large city dwellers in the U.S. also do, but is not common or easily feasible in American suburbia.

There were several references in the novel to a prior crime solved by Jensen and Henrik. Of course, I searched online and was delighted to purchase the Kindle version of MY NAME IS JENSEN, the first novel in the Jensen thriller series, that is now on my “To Read” list. I was also pleased to buy THE LAST TRAIN TO HELSINGER, Amsinck’s collection of short stories set in Copenhagen that have been read on BBC Radio. Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read a “new to me” author.

There were several references in the novel to a prior crime solved by Jensen and Henrik. Of course, I searched online and was delighted to purchase the Kindle version of MY NAME IS JENSEN, the first novel in the Jensen thriller series, that is now on my “To Read” list. I was also pleased to buy THE LAST TRAIN TO HELSINGER, Amsinck’s collection of short stories set in Copenhagen that have been read on BBC Radio. Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read a “new to me” author.

This novel is a noir crime drama set in Denmark.

This novel follows the characters Jensen, Gustav and Henrik. I’d describe Jensen as a no nonsense, independent woman, Herik as a flawed, sad man with often poor decision making skills in his personal life and Gustav is Jensen’s angsty teenage apprentice.
The are all working together to solve the murder of an elderly woman and the disappearance of some very, very expensive jewelry.

This was slow to start but once it picked up it kept my interest and even left this series (as this is book 2) open for more books for the crime solving team open in the future with much intrigue to the reader.

3.5 stars, rounded up

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Thank You to NetGalley and Muswell Press for the E-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was a noir murder mystery. Very atmospheric and gritty. That cliche detective vibe. It wasn't for me but I know a lot of readers love that stuff and will therefore love this book.

I would like to thank Netgalley and Muswell Press for an advance copy of The Girl in the Photo, the second novel to feature journalist Jensen and DI Henrik Jungersen of the Copenhagen Police.

An old woman is found brutally murdered and Henrik get the case. When her expensive diamond necklace is found to be missing robbery is the assumed motive, but Henrik wants to know about the photo of a young girl found at the scene, especially when photos of the same girl are found at the scene of other attacks on elderly pensioners. Meanwhile Jensen, now freelance, is contracted to find the necklace.

I enjoyed The Girl in the Photo which is a lively read with a fair amount of mystery, although I felt that I should have read the previous novel first as there are many references to those events. I think it would make the emotional side of the novel clearer. It would appear that Henrik and Jensen (no first name supplied because she hates it) had an affair and now he’s dealing with the fallout and not in a good way. He seems to want to stay married and for Jensen to stay out of his way and not tempt him. Are we supposed to feel sorry for him? Quite frankly he’s obnoxious because it’s always about him. Still, I think the author is good at characterisation, being able to distill their essence into a few choice words, and at situations as the emotions all seem if not reasonable, at least understandable.

I liked the investigation or should that be investigations? with Henrik and Jensen coming at the same thing from different angles. It’s slow and steady with each making their own discoveries and not over sharing. She is the more adventurous in her thinking and investigating but hampered by her inability to access official records, whereas he is hampered by rules and regulations and his colleagues’ unwillingness to take his theories seriously. I found it interesting, absorbing and moreish. I was fascinated by the girl in the photo and what she meant, but I have to say that once she was identified they were much slower than me in identifying a suspect. Not that it mattered overly much as there are other developments to hold the interest.

The Girl in the Photo is a good read that I have no hesitation in recommending.

The Girl In The Photo is book two in A Jensen Thriller series. The story begins with an old woman having been found brutally murdered and Henrik get the case. Her very unlikeable daughter hires Jensen, a reporter, to locate the missing diamond necklace. Meanwhile, Henrik finds that there are other murders that have been deemed accidents may be linked to this one. While searching a photo of a young girl in a photo is found connecting the murders.

Henrik and Jensen had an affair which is now in the past, but has contributed to the downfall of his marriage, and he is trouble with the consequences while trying to do his job.

I liked the dual investigations by Jensen and Henrik. They each have their own different way of getting to the truth but ultimately end up at the same place. Jensen's hands are not tied nor are they hampered by a supervisor, which allows her more freedom to search for the truth.

The search for the answer to who is the girl in the photo picks up more speed and becomes the focus towards the end of the story. The topic of bullying is an uncomfortable underlying theme throughout the story. It was used well to tell this story as it affected several characters and their behavior as a result of being bullied.

Thanks to the publishers and Netgalley for an advance copy of this book in exchange for a review.

A 90 year old woman is found murdered in what appears to be a robbery gone wrong. Shortly after another two pensioners are killed. Are they connected? D I Herik Jurgensen is determined to find out. Jensen becomes involved when she is hired by the victims daughter to find an expensive necklace thought stolen during the robbery. Can they work together or will they get in each others way? An exciting thriller that I enjoyed and would recommend to others.

Loved it! I am a huge fan of Nordic Noir and The Girl in the Photo did not disappoint! I do wish that I read book one, My Name is Jensen, first but I don't think it's absolutely necessary.

Such a wonderful slow-burn, gripping mystery! Highly recommend to the detective novel / Nordic Noir fans!

This was one of my most anticipated releases this year as I thoroughly enjoyed ‘My Name Is Jensen’ and I couldn’t wait to read its follow up! It did not disappoint. ‘The Girl in the Photo’ has the atmospheric air of Copenhagen, mixed with intense and complex characters and a plot that is reminiscent of an American noir tale layered with Christie twists and turns. Basically, I loved it!

Jensen is now working as a freelance journalist with Gustav as her apprentice. She isn’t really working on anything when a woman turns up who pays them to find her mother’s diamond necklace which has been stolen. Unfortunately, her mother Irene died during the incident. Henrik has been investigating this crime and thinks that they may be linked to other crimes where the elderly have been targeted. It’s not until he realises that at each crime scene there has been a photo of the same girl left that he knows he is on the right track! But why are they being targeted and who is the girl in the photo?

Do you ever pick up a book and just instantly fall in love with the characters? For me that was Jensen and Gustav, they now live in my head and I’m not at all bothered by that. Both have flaws but they make this very unique and interesting team. They are complicated, both highly intelligent and have a determination to seek out justice as well as find their story! Gustav especially has a place in my heart. I can’t wait to see what they get up to in book 3 and I’m afraid it might take a very dark turn. Eek!

I think what I love so much about these books is that they feel more old school golden crime to me. Lots of dialogue, a slower pace, interesting and complex characters, a sense of location and lots of red herrings and they employ tropes from that era when it comes to the crime and the reasoning behind it. Love it, love it, love it. And if you hear Cherish from Bake Off the Professionals saying that last sentence then we should be friends!

I'm already very excited for book three to be released and that's when you know a series has got its hooks into you. But first I am going to revel in the afterglow of finishing this one…

An elderly woman is murdered in a suspected burglary and when her daughter Regitse visits the crime scene, she informs DI Henrik Jungersen that a priceless diamond necklace is missing from her mother's belongings. Despite not being close to her mother, Regitse is convinced that the police are not taking the case seriously enough, so she contacts Jensen and asks her to investigate.

In the meantime, Henrik is looking into another murder of an elderly man at an allotment, wondering if there might be a connection to the other death. There are similarities in the extreme level of violence for a straightforward burglary, and both victims had very little contact with their families, preferring to spend time alone. This could just be a coincidence, but after finding a photograph of a girl at both crime scenes, Henrik begins to suspect that something much more sinister is occurring in the suburbs of Copenhagen.

I love pairing up a detective and a journalist to work on a case. Both have very different styles of investigating and it's interesting to see how each job lends itself to a murder case - the DI Henrik Jungersen is bound by more rules and regulations but Jensen doesn't have the same level of access to information (especially historical cases). Bringing the two together creates the dream team, despite the fact that their personal issues have left them in a slightly awkward situation. The only downside for me reading The Girl In The Photo was that I hadn't read the first in the Jensen series, so even though the reason for the tension between Henrik and Jensen was roughly explained, I didn't fully understand what had happened, so I would suggest reading My Name Is Jensen first before moving on to this second instalment.

The investigation itself had all of the hallmarks of a traditional Nordic Noir - brutal crimes, a detailed and complex police case, links to a historical investigation, and, in this case, two troubled protagonists. I was also very intrigued by the continuing case that Jensen was looking into alongside the main storyline, it was actually quite sinister and sounds like it could make a very interesting Book 3!

The Girl In The Photo is the perfect choice for Scandi Crime fans who enjoy the journalistic angle in an investigation and it put me in mind of both The Corpse Flower by Anne Mette Hancock and the fantastic Blix & Ramm series by Thomas Enger and Jørn Lier Horst.

Absolutely brilliant thriller set in a beautiful Danish Town. Scray, thrilling yet atmospheric. Loved the second in the series very much xx

This is the second book in the Jensen/Henrick series and I for one hope there are more.

While this can be read as a stand alone, like most series, it is better read in the context of the first book, with the characters own stories and their interplay being enhanced by the bigger picture.

I enjoyed the writing style of Amsinck and found it to be a page turner, always wanting to read just that little bit more before I put it down. I was worried initially on the first book regarding a journalist/cop duo, given the similarities to the Millennium books however these stand alone and are great in their own right.

I'd encourage anyone ho enjoyed the above series or nordic noir to get in to these now.

Excellent follow up to “my name is Jensen” as Jensen and Henrik are estranged yet collaborate in parallel to find the link between three murders with the help of troubled teenager Gustav. A photograph of the same girl is left at each crime scene. Look forward to book three

A great follow on to my name is Jensen. Fantastic to watch the characters develop further. Can’t wait for book 3 with hopefully a conclusion on the Kristopher story

I received an advance reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review .

The Girl in the Photo is the second book in a Danish crime series. I haven't read book one but found this one easy to piece together parts of what happened in book one.
DI Henrik Jungersen is investigating the Murders of three elderly people with nothing to tie them together except an old photograph left at each myrder scene of seemingly the same girl. Henrik isn't sure if thus is a clue to the killer and reason for the murders or if someone is playing with him. He's made some bad moves recently and lost some respect on the force as well as been kicked out of his marital home by his wife for his involvement with a former journalist, Jenson. Jensen is also doing some investigating of her own. After being asked to find the missing million pound diamond necklace that has gone missing from one of the murder victims homes, Jensen and Henriks paths cross again, professionally and personally. Jensen is also trying to find out what happened to her apprentice Gustav leading to him getting kicked out of school and is investigating another suspected murder cover-up.
This book was a great crime thriller with a great twist towards the end. It kept me guessing all the way through and I loved the writing style and characters. Really looking forward to book 3 to find out what will happen next between Henrik and Jensen and where her other investigation leads to.

I love a Scandi crime drama and this was no exception!
I must admit it started off a bit slow so I was nervous it would keep my interest. However, it was well written and the build up added to the mystery, especially regarding the photo of the girl and her identity, which was a bit of a side story for a while. That becomes increasingly more important as the story goes on. I love the setting and the characters, especially Jensen, we still don't know her first name! I hope to find out more about her in future books 🤞
This is book two of a series and reads well on it's own but I will definitely be going back to read the first, as a lot is hinted at about Jensen and Henrik's relationship which I need to know more about.
Overall, another to add to my love of Scandi noir!

This was a good read. I really liked the police officer I this and the way the bodies were found with the pics of the girl and trying to work out what was going on. This is the second book and I will be reading the first.

This thriller drew me in with the title, the book starts with a handful of elderly murders. They all seem random except, for one thing, each crime scene has a photograph of a young girl. The same girl but different scenes. Meanwhile, Jensen is back living in Copenhagen and determined to make a career as a freelance journalist, even if it means running into Detective Henrik - someone who she had this weird relationship with. It felt like they had an affair but some moments felt like all he did was save her from a serial killer. As the book goes on, Henrik and Jensen both discover that the three victims came into money back in 1996. The identity of the girl is finally revealed and how each person played their part. I hadn't read a Nordic Noir for a while and so this was a refreshing read. The only downside was that it was a bit slow-paced and the ending frustrated me as I felt that we were let down with the sister angle. Overall, however, it was a good mystery novel and I look forward to getting back into reading some more Nordic noir. This book was good if you enjoy authors like Lars Kepler and Camilla Lackberg.

Denmark is a different setting for crimeworm, despite having read crime fiction based in all the other Scandinavian countries…

It is indeed, if my memory serves me correctly – although I have read a fair bit of crime fiction over the years, so apologies if I’m wrong! Anyway, this is a skilled and enjoyable diversion from Heidi Amsinck. It’s technically number two in the series, but don’t worry if you haven’t read book one, My Name Is Jensen, as I haven’t and I had no problem putting together the backstory.

So what is the story in this one…?

DI Henrik Jungersen’s latest case involves the deaths of three seemingly unconnected elderly women, but the clue that binds them is that a photo is left at the scene of each murder which appears to picture the same girl (hence the title.) And he also has to deal with the fact that one of the victims owned a very expensive diamond necklace…The family of this particular victim are unhappy with the progress Henrik is making, and go about hiring Jensen, a former investigative reporter, who takes on the case, along with her assistant, Gustav.

This makes things slightly awkward for Henrik, as he and Jensen had previously had an affair and he is now attempting to avoid her – something which will be difficult when they’re investigating the same case!

What did you most enjoy about this book?

The characters – particularly Jensen – are all interesting and well-developed, with reveals about their backgrounds ensuring they come across as well-rounded and believable. This isn’t a fast-paced, all-action book; more of a slow drip-drip of information, with a belter of a twist at the end. Henrik and Jensen make a great team, with an undeniable attraction between them, and ensure I will be looking out for book three, as well as catching up on the events in My Name Is Jensen by purchasing it as soon as possible.

A really promising new addition to the ScandiNoir stable – if that’s your thing (and it is certainly mine!), then this is definitely worth investing in.

Very highly recommended!

The book is set in Copenhagen in March, year unknown, continues for two weeks in March, then jumps time to April.

DI Henrik Jungersen begins work on a case involving the brutal killing of an old woman, Irene Valborg. The body is found two weeks later in an extreme state of decomposition.

Close on the heels of this murder, he comes to know of the brutal killing of another old man, and then of a near-fatal attack on a dementia patient in a care home. In all three instances, he finds the photos of a young teenage girl.

His superiors believe that there is no link between the three cases, but Jungersen strongly believes there is. The case, however, is not the only thing bothering him. He is also suffering on the home front, with his wife having asked him to leave the house on coming to know of his affair with Jensen, a journalist, who is also conducting some parallel investigations of her own.


The novel is written in the 3rd person past tense PoV of Jungersen and Jensen in alternate chapters.

I enjoyed the writing, but not the resolution of the book. It was obvious from the beginning, but neither of the main characters thought of it. I also thought the end was wrapped up too fast.

Since this is part of a series, not all the subplots find closure. The issue relating to Jungersen’s marriage is resolved, as also the subplot relating to a scandal at Gustav’s school, but the suicide of Carsten, a bankrupt man, is carried over to the next book.

What I found strange was that the series goes by Jensen’s name, but there was altogether too much information about Jungersen.