I just love a story with an immersive setting, that lets you inhabit for some time a world you normally would never visit. The Lost House is set in snowy, cold Iceland in a village called Bifrost. Everyone there has known their neighbors for a few generations. Our main character Agnes Glin has come to Iceland to take part in a podcast which will feature the infamous story of her grandfather Einar's young wife who was murdered, along with her baby, and now has cult following of crime junkies who refer to long-dead Marie and her baby Agnes as the Frozen Madonna, because their bodies were discovered frozen in a snowbank. Agnes loved her grandfather and hopes the podcast will prove him innocent. Although never charged with the crime, everyone in Bifrost thinks he killed his young wife and daughter, and then fled to America with his older son Magnus, who is Agnes's father.

True crime podcaster Nora Carver received some positive notoriety when she helped solve one of the cases she was featuring. Agnes is hopeful that Nora can find a breakthrough in the case that has haunted her family her whole life. When she arrives in Bifrost, Agnes feels strangely "at home" and attracted to this place of her ancestry. But there is a sobering factor, a young college student woman has gone missing and the whole town is looking for her. This is stirring up memories of the young woman who died there some thirty years before. As Agnes meets the older people in town who remember her grandfather, a disturbing picture begins to emerge of this man she holds in so much affection.

I really enjoyed immersing myself in Iceland, and I found Agnes a damaged but likable heroine. The ending in particular was satisfying and exciting. I listened to the audio of this, and it was extremely well narrated. Anyone who likes the world of Nordic Noir shouldn't miss this one!

Thank you to NetGalley, Melissa Larsen, and Minotaur Books for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Firstly, the cover looks exactly like the backdrop for the newest James Bond film so that's why I picked it up.

This novel brilliantly intertwines the search for truth with a tense, fast-paced investigation. Agnes, still reeling from her grandfather’s death and her own personal struggles, is thrust into a web of long-buried secrets. With Nora’s help, she digs deeper into the mysteries surrounding the crime, but the lines between truth and lies blur as the danger escalates.

The cold, unforgiving Icelandic winter serves as the perfect backdrop for the chilling twists and turns in the plot, and the writing keeps readers on edge, questioning every character's motives. The suspense builds steadily as Agnes unravels hidden truths, with shocking revelations that leave you breathless.

Readers who love darker, vibey mysteries that will keep you on your toes and emotionally drained, will enjoy this!

**Book Review: "The Lost House" - ⭐⭐⭐⭐**

In "The Lost House," Melissa Larsen crafts a chilling and immersive mystery that draws readers into the haunting landscapes of Iceland, where past and present collide in a tale of family secrets and unresolved tragedy. The novel centers on Agnes, a young woman burdened by her grandfather’s legacy, who embarks on a quest to clear his name after he passes away, following decades of suspicion surrounding a gruesome double murder that shattered her family.

Larsen deftly interweaves the history of the unsolved case—a mother and her infant daughter found dead in the snow—with Agnes's personal struggles as she grapples with her grandfather's alleged guilt. The narrative is enriched by the atmospheric setting, capturing the stark beauty of Iceland's winter landscape, which serves as a fitting backdrop to the dark themes explored within.

As Agnes joins true crime expert Nora Carver for an interview related to the case, she inadvertently stirs up old wounds when a local girl goes missing, thrusting the investigation into chaos. The author expertly builds suspense as the town's secrets unfold, with every character emerging as a possible suspect, all while highlighting the lengths to which people will go to protect their own.

While the story is filled with gripping twists and turns that keep the reader engaged, some plot points may feel slightly predictable, particularly for seasoned mystery readers. However, Larsen’s sharp writing and well-drawn characters elevate the narrative, making Agnes’s journey one of both personal redemption and suspenseful discovery.

Overall, "The Lost House" stands out as a compelling mystery that explores themes of family, guilt, and the search for truth. With its captivating plot and atmospheric setting, this novel earns a well-deserved four-star rating, ensuring readers will be left breathless and contemplating the depths of human nature long after they turn the last page.

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of The Lost House.

Fifty years ago, Agnes' grandmother and aunt were found murdered on her beloved grandfather's property. She has returned to her homeland, Iceland, to clear her grandfather's name with the help of a podcast host.

This time away is also a reprieve from the loss of her grandfather and her own personal setbacks; a harrowing injury and the slow, painful recovery of which she is still struggling with.

As she balances the pain of her personal life and conflicting emotions for her grandfather, Agnes discovers she will have to tap into an inner strength she never knew she had to realize life is worth living.

The Icelandic setting is the best part of the narrative.

I was in Iceland in March and the stark beauty and frigid wintery landscapes are stunning. Especially the cold. Wow, was it cold!

I'll never complain about East Coast winters again.

The narrative is a slow burn; nothing much happens and it's not hard to guess whodunit.

The mystery behind the tragic deaths is almost a backseat to Agnes and her troubles; a realistic, flawed, deeply damaged character whom is both deeply relatable and also deeply annoying.

We're in her head a lot and her head is nothing but the same roundabout memories; the loss of her partner, the accident that almost killed her, her fractured relationship with her dad.

I know most of us have repetitive thoughts like this all the time, stuff that keeps us bogged down in our sorrow, grief, and anger, but the pacing dragged even more as we read about Agnes droning on and on about the same old things.

Agnes is young, lonely and in extreme pain, physically and emotionally, but when you keep making lousy decisions (and we all do that) it's hard to connect with the character, much less like them.

The biggest trope that annoys me greatly besides the typical cliches (everyone is a hottie, coincidences, everyone has a bad childhood, etc.) is how there's a romance/relationship in every novel.

Characters (in books and in real life) do not need to partner up to be fulfilled.

The silly romance between Agnes and another character was unnecessary and did nothing to move the plot forward.

Maybe the point was to stress how Agnes generally makes poor decisions; the boozing and pill popping, and how this 'relationship' might jeopardize the case of a missing young woman.

Whatever the reason, a romance is not necessary in this book or any of the dozens and dozens I've read in this year alone.

Also, why do people drink so much in books?

Maybe I only notice because I don't drink but when characters are downing two bottles of wine or more at dinner or day drink, I have to wonder, "What does this say about our society? Or the author(s)?"

The climatic ending sort of redeems Agnes a bit, demonstrates she is resilient and strong, but I didn't feel she's grown much.

And that HEA-ending threw off the tone of the narrative, not that I was surprised by it.

Also, what is the lost house? Or did I miss that part?

The writing was good, but the mystery isn't the main focus of the narrative.

This is really about Agnes coming to terms with her family, her grandfather, and the choices she's made in her life.

With its rich atmosphere and haunting premise, The Lost House successfully lured me into its chill immediately. My experience with it was neither great nor terrible, though.

For the most part, it lacked the uniqueness I hope to find in stories. It’s trope heavy, and I wouldn’t say it offered a crisp change of narrative scenery. It’s full of melodramatic angst and intimate relationships that practically blossom overnight, leading to a rather inauthentic vibe.

That said, it was successfully suspenseful. I thought I knew where it was going, and my jaw cracked wide with surprise when I realized how wrong I was.

I am immensely grateful to Minotaur Books, NetGalley, and Macmillan Audio for my copies. All opinions are my own.

The Lost House by Melissa Larsen is a haunting and atmospheric psychological thriller that captivates readers with its intriguing mystery and complex characters. The novel follows a protagonist who, after a significant personal loss, is drawn into the mystery of a forgotten house and the secrets it holds. As she unravels the past, she is forced to confront her own history and the choices she has made.

Larsen’s writing is evocative and immersive, skillfully building a sense of tension and suspense. The pacing is well-balanced, with moments of quiet reflection interspersed with thrilling twists that keep the reader engaged throughout. The central mystery of the house is compelling, and the way it unfolds adds layers of complexity to the narrative.

The characters are multifaceted and interesting, particularly the protagonist, whose emotional depth and inner conflict make her journey both relatable and poignant. While the novel excels in atmosphere and character development, there are times when the plot can feel a bit predictable, and some readers may wish for a bit more unpredictability in the narrative.

I really enjoyed reading The Lost House. It was spooky and suspenseful. The deaths of a mother and her infant daughter forty years prior are brought to the forefront by a true crime podcaster who wants to uncover the mystery surrounding their deaths. The husband/father (Einar) was believed to be responsible but his alibi cleared him. Still, many people continued to suspect him, forcing him to leave his home in Iceland and move to California to raise his son. Einar's granddaughter, Agnes, agrees to take part in the podcast and hopes to clear his grandfather's name once and for all. While Agnes is in Iceland, a new mystery surfaces when a local girl goes missing. The dual timelines (old mystery/new mystery) make for an interesting read, and I found myself totally immersed in the story. Overall, a very good read.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with the opportunity to read and review this book.

With two mysteries waiting to be solved, The Lost House is an atmospheric thriller that takes place in Iceland. I received a digital copy of the book through Netgalley, and I thank the publishers and the author for my copy. Although it kept me engaged and intrigued, it isn't a Nordic Noir thriller I will recommend to someone who is new to the genre. It is a decent book to read, don't get me wrong, but it isn't as memorable as some of my all-time favorites you surely heard me rave about on booksformind.com
Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for my advanced reader's copy to read and review.

This was was a "miss" for me. I'm sorry but I just couldn't get into it. It was slow-moving and very repetitive. It felt like there was a lot more to the main character than what we're first told, but it takes way too long to learn more about her and her family's story. I really struggled with this read.

I had a really hard time connecting to the characters in this book, but I found the setting and mystery to be quite engaging.

I didn't realize until after I read the about the author section that Melissa Larsen's debut was Shutter which is actually a book I loved! I was drawn in by the cover of The Lost House and stayed for the mystery and the writing. Tension is thick throughout this entire slow burning story, and I loved that this was set in Iceland. It created a very atmospheric quality that I couldn’t help but love and I was a fan of the way the author brought the landscape to life along with the plot.

The audiobook version is a banger, and it has our talented Saskia Maarleveld at the helm. I love her narration any day, but I think she did an exceptionally good job voicing Agnes and this book as a whole. It was great to listen since the pace is on the slower side, and I would recommend going audio with this one! I don’t know if I was fully a fan of Agnes, but I loved that she was a flawed character just like us. Her hunt for the truth brought along some crazy twists and I was very satisfied with the conclusion. 🚩I would definitely make sure to check triggers before reading.🚩

Read this if you enjoy Nordic Noir, relatable characters, and podcast elements!

Audiobook Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Struggled a bit to get through this one, but glad I stuck it out to the end.

The story line gets a little muddled but basically Agnes goes back to the family home, against her father’s pleas to stay stateside, where her grandmother and aunt were found brutally murdered.

There is a secondary story happening with another character names Asa, who goes missing, but it’s hard to tell if it’s a kidnapping scenario or a runaway scenario at first.

Will Asa be found safely? Does Agnes find out who truly murdered her family?

This book was a pleasant surprise.
I thoroughly enjoyed it, as it was a quick read and a good time.

This Nordic Noir suspense novel revolves around two mysteries: a family tragedy in 1979 in which a young mother and her infant daughter are discovered dead in the snow in Bifröst, Iceland. The mother’s neck was slit. The murderer was never found. In 2019, a local girl goes missing in the same tiny village in Iceland. There are suspicions that this missing girl is somehow connected to the 40-year-old cold case. I typically enjoy noir novels, and the premise is intriguing, but this one did not pique my attention.

On the 40th anniversary of a double murder, Agnes, the American granddaughter of the presumed killer but never convicted, goes to Bifröst to participate in a podcast about the homicide. She has always believed that her grandfather is innocent, but very few agree. The author’s vivid descriptions of the harsh Icelandic landscape add an eerie element, heightening the suspense. However, I did not feel that Nora, the podcaster, or Agnes’ sexuality added anything to the story. The characters are all one-dimensional, and the plot needs more depth and complexity. I have been told that I am a tough reviewer, and you may enjoy “The Lost House” more than I did.

Forty years ago in Bifröst, Iceland, a young mother was found dead in the snow holding her infant daughter. Her throat had been cut and the baby drowned. The husband was the main suspect, but he had an alibi. Even though he was never charged, public opinion found him guilty, so he moved to California with his nine year old son, Magnus. Einar Pálsson is now dead, but his granddaughter, Agnes, wants to know what really happened. She is invited to Iceland by Nora, to participate in a podcast about "The Madonna and Child". Agnes is not in good shape. She had a serious injury and is addicted to opioids, is dealing with a breakup and now her father is not speaking to her. He also thinks his father is guilty. When she arrives, she finds out that the podcast has shifted focus. Ása, a young woman, has gone missing after a party in the old farmhouse where Einar and his wife had lived. Everyone is out looking for her, but now it seems like it might be a recovery instead of finding her alive. Will Agnes find out who killed her grandmother and aunt? Will Ása be found alive?

This was an extremely atmospheric mystery, with lots of chills along the way. Agnes meets the man who found her grandmother's body and he is sure that her grandfather didn't kill her. He was just a boy, so noone really listened to him. The more Agnes and him talk, the more information he has that causes her to question events. There is a storm raging, it is freezing and anyone left out for too long will freeze to death and another person who has returned to Bifröst is renovating her family farmhouse. I found parts of this book a bit drawn out, and I had to reel myself in a few times as I wandered while listening, but I'm glad I did. The characters were all interesting, many with flaws, but very likable. With a slow buildup, it is important to stick with the story, as the last half will take you for a ride. The mystery is solved, but not by the police. There is danger, heart pounding action and a great ending to bring the story to a satisfying conclusion. If you like an atmospheric mystery, then I recommend The Lost House.

Agnes is leaving her life in California behind to travel back to her family's native home in Iceland. This is not a normal return to ancestral roots and find yourself, though. Agnes is returning for the 40th anniversary of her grandmother and aunt's unsolved murder. To be on a podcast and to hopefully prove to herself (and everyone else) that her beloved grandfather is not the murderer as has been suspected by everyone for years. In the frigid winter of Bifrost, Anges is hit with a lot of cold, hard truths and has to learn to dig deep if she is going to set the record straight.

3.5/5

I felt the writing was a little disjointed and crudely translated maybe at times, but it didn't deter me from loving the journey this book took me on.

The chilling setting of Iceland along with an interesting plot of a woman seeking the true story of her family's past and the determination to clear her grandfather's name takes the reader on a unique journey of keeping an open mind.

The strongest points of her writing has to be the imagery she's able to create where I can completely picture the entirety of the story and find it to be truly engaging.

Highly recommend this unique thriller!

I love a Nordic #thriller, and this one I genuinely really enjoyed. Podcasts, murder mysteries, Icelandic landscapes, grief, addiction, and more – this one is heavy, but a fast paced #read that I would highly recommend.

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Agnes is a California native, whose father and grandfather were essentially exiled from their home in Iceland, following the brutal and devastating mother of her grandmother and her infant child – a crime that the community and almost everyone with knowledge of it is convinced her beloved grandfather is responsible for, evading justice with his escape to America.

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Forty years after the gruesome event, Agnes is reeling with a devastating break-up, a traumatic and brutally painful injury that has left her in the throes of addiction and barely able to function, and the recent death of her grandfather, a father figure to her that she loved deeply, despite her knowledge of what she knows the public in Iceland believe him to be capable of.

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Desperate to clear his name and to seek answers, Agnes agrees to travel back to Iceland to meet and work with a podcaster dead set on solving this decades old mystery. Upon her arrival, though, Agnes discovers another woman is missing, and the scene of the crime appears to be the same house in which her grandmother and her child lost their lives. As Agnes becomes wrapped up in the mysterious, along with the odd assortment of connections and characters she encounters on her trip home, she realizes that the truth hurts, and that her life, along with the life of the newly missing woman, may be in grave danger.

This was an enjoyable read with a really cool setting and interesting mystery. At times I felt the plot was a little slow but overall the writing was able to hold my attention.
I think this one is definitely worth reading and I'd read more from this author in the future.