Melissa Larsen’s “The Lost House” is a mesmerizing descent into a world where reality blurs and secrets lurk in every shadow. This isn’t just a story; it’s an experience, one that will pull you into its enigmatic depths and refuse to let go until the final, startling revelation. From the first page, a haunting atmosphere is established, a sense of something hidden, something just out of reach, that sets the tone for the entire novel.

The narrative unfolds like a slow, deliberate unraveling of a tightly woven mystery, each chapter revealing another layer of intrigue and deepening the sense of unease. The characters are complex and shrouded in their own secrets, making it difficult to discern their true intentions. The setting itself becomes a character, an old, isolated house that holds the key to a past that refuses to stay buried. Larsen’s writing is evocative and atmospheric, painting vivid pictures that linger in your mind, creating a world that feels both real and otherworldly.

“The Lost House” is a journey into the unknown, a thrilling exploration of memory, identity, and the secrets we keep, even from ourselves. It’s a book that will keep you guessing, questioning, and turning the pages late into the night. If you’re looking for a mystery that will truly captivate and haunt you, look no further. Melissa Larsen has crafted a story that will linger in your thoughts long after you’ve reached the final page.

Check out this teaser :

Forty years ago, a young woman and her infant daughter were found buried in the cold Icelandic snow, lying together as peacefully as though sleeping. Except the mother’s throat had been slashed and the infant drowned. The case was never solved. There were no arrests, no conviction. Just a suspicion turned into a certainty: the husband did it. When he took his son and fled halfway across the world to California, it was proof enough of his guilt.

Now, nearly half a century later and a year after his death, his granddaughter, Agnes, is ready to clear her grandfather’s name once and for all. Still recovering from his death and a devastating injury, Agnes wants nothing more than an excuse to escape the shambles of her once-stable life―which is why she so readily accepts true crime expert Nora Carver’s invitation to be interviewed for her popular podcast. Agnes packs a bag and hops on a last-minute flight to the remote town of Bifröst, Iceland, where Nora is staying, where Agnes’s father grew up, and where, supposedly, her grandfather slaughtered his wife and infant daughter.

Is it merely coincidence that a local girl goes missing the very same weekend Agnes arrives? Suddenly, Agnes and Nora’s investigation is turned upside down, and everyone in the small Icelandic town is once again a suspect. Seeking to unearth old and new truths alike, Agnes finds herself drawn into a web of secrets that threaten the redemption she is hell-bent on delivering, and even her life―discovering how far a person will go to protect their family, their safety, and their secrets.

I was just drawn into this story and I just couldn’t get enough of it. I was so disappointed to turn the last page and I immediately wanted more. I can’t wait to see what's next from this author.

:The Lost House: by Melissa Larsen is a layered and atmospheric mystery that blends true crime intrigue with psychological suspense, anchored by the harsh beauty of the Icelandic landscape and a cast of characters who each have something to hide. While the pacing leans slow at times, the payoff comes in its chilling twists.

I FINALLY got to this one!
Okay so I am very picky with thrillers, so this one wasn't entirely a hit for me, but I did enjoy it!
I love Nordic noir and the dark atmosphere, the setting of this was absolutely immaculate. I do wish I had picked this up over the winter, because this is the perfect cozy up on a cold night and scare yourself book. Overall, I really loved the dominant character and the overall vibes of this book, but felt the story could have used some more oomph. Thank you for my advance copy!

The Lost House by Melissa Lauren is a slow burn story that seemed to be more about the reader experiencing the investigation than about solving it (it seemed clear early on).

First, let me say I resist saying "I knew who did it" when the story doesn't intentionally make it absolutely clear. Most of those who say it were pretty sure, but they likely didn't "know" it. This is one that seemed to be a dead giveaway early on, but I have read some that seem that way only to have a different perspective on the same facts indicate it was someone else, so I was prepared to be tripped up. I enjoy books where I can bask in the atmosphere and enjoy the suspense of what brings about the conclusion even if I think I know what that will be. For some, if the mystery seems too easy to solve no amount of atmosphere can save the story. This might be one of those books for those readers.

I would need to go back and I just don't feel like doing that, but a lot of what struck many as simple repetition was, to me, adding elements to both understanding Agnes and understanding the mystery. Admittedly that could also be reading some of those passages having gained more information so I read them differently. Either way, I wasn't as bothered by them as some were.

I would recommend this more to readers who enjoy suspense than those who love mysteries. There is plenty here to please both readers, but the suspense and atmosphere plays a larger part in the enjoyment of the book than solving a mystery.

Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via NetGalley.

Great suspense book! Thanks so much NetGalley for letting me read before its release! Rating this one 4 stars!

Overall, this book was entertaining. The pacing was a little slow for me which made it harder to stay engaged. However, the atmosphere of Iceland and Agnes’s story kept me wanting to read more. The ending was a bit of a surprise for me, making me enjoy this book a bit more.

I really enjoyed this slow-burn atmospheric thriller.  The story takes place in Iceland, it's filled with lots of family secrets, twists and turns. This is my first book by Melissa Larsen and it won't be my last, I absolutely loved her writing.  The descriptions made me feel like I was walking in the knee deep snow and took me right into the creepy houses.  Well developed characters and a strong female protagonist made for a great story.

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press and Melissa Larsen for the advance copy of The Lost House.

In this multi generational mystery, Agnes Glin, recovering a traumatic accident, returns to her father's ancestral home in Iceland. The home she's returning to is the very one in which Agnes's grandfather was suspected of murdering his wife and infant daughter, I enjoyed The Lost House. It was twisty and atmospheric and I would definitely read another book written by Larsen.

This highly atmospheric novel left me breathless multiple times. Although some of the “twists” were a bit obvious, the overall conclusion and the journey to get there were great! The characters were realistic and relatable and the propulsive plot made me want to keep reading.

A haunting past of murder for Agnes's grandfather - a man who was like a second father to her. Did he murder his wife and child? Attempting to find the truth, Agnes returns to help with podcaster Nora. Hoping to discover that her grandfather is innocent. So much evidence leaning towards his guilt. This started out as a difficult read for me, yet i did enjoy and finish reading.

**2.5 stars rounded up for Goodreads**

Thanks to the author and Minotaur’s Books for the e-arc I received via NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.

If you’re looking for a family murder mystery set in the icy landscape of Iceland, this book is for you. The setting was interesting and the mystery was ok. The characters were a bit flat. This was just an ok read for me.

A captivating psychological thriller that keeps readers on the edge of their seats! The story follows a woman who is drawn to an old house with a mysterious past, and as she unravels its secrets, she discovers dark truths that blur the line between reality and madness. Larsen’s writing is atmospheric, and the twists are unexpected, making for a tense and gripping read. Perfect for fans of suspenseful and eerie stories.

I just finished the “The Lost House” by Melissa Larsen. It’s an Icelandic thriller investigating the 40 year old murder of a young woman and her infant daughter. Podcaster Nora invites the granddaughter of the man held responsible for the killings to join her investigation. This was a quick, twisty read.

This was a weird one for me but not in a bad way. I was really hooked in the first half and sort of lost my attention as it went on. But overall decent thriller. I loved the Iceland setting I thought it was unique. I wanted a little more from the resolution but it wrapped up nice.

I enjoyed The Lost House for the most part. I was Expecting for it to be scary but it wasn’t. The story was solid and the main character was written well. Overall not super memorable but a solid read. Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Actual Rating 3.5

I liked that this work included the podcasting element, but that the MC wasn't the podcaster. The podcast doesn't feature heavily, but instead is used to explain why the characters are playing detective. This interview process was also used as a way to provide background to the characters and the mystery, which was done well. It does mean that the plot is relatively slow, but I didn't mind this too much. 

The mystery was decent overall, and I did like the conclusion though there were a few aspects that felt a bit rushed. The setting was also interesting, and it was incorporated well throughout the book, adding to the tension and the MC's difficulties. Similarly, the atmosphere was strong and well incorporated. 

Overall, this is a decent mystery with a slower pace that was enjoyable. My thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for allowing me to read this work. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.

The Lost House is a Nordic Noir that weaves between past and present with the main character, Agnes at its center.

Hoping to clear her grandfathers name in the remote town of Bifrost, Iceland, Agnes meets podcaster, Nora there, ready to delve into the cold case. Days within her arrival, a girl goes missing. Is it a coincidence? Agnes finds herself in wrapped up in the lies and deceit of this small town.

I really enjoyed the way that Larson unveiled the story through stories of the past and how they pertained to the present – slowly unveiling a strong plot with all the right twists. Highly enjoyable!

My thanks to Minotaur Books for this gifted DRC!

A woman, Agnes, travels to Iceland after her grandfather's death. He was accused of killing his wife and infant daughter 40 years earlier, but he fled the country with his young son, Agnes's father. Everyone in the country believed her grandfather was guilty, but she is having trouble reconciling this with the man she knew.
As she investigates the story, along with a podcaster, she is put in danger.
I thought the book went on a bit too long, and was getting bored with the story going round and round. Finally, in the last few chapters, everything ratchets up and gets solved. The cold of Iceland and the landscape was a character in this book.

Melissa Larsen does an amazing job putting the reading right into the scene of the story in The Lost House. I felt like I was right alongside Agnes during her journey. The mystery and intrigue that enveloped me during the story was fantastic.

Agnes returns to the home of her family in Iceland - her first visit ever - to try and clear the name of her grandfather, who has long believed to have been responsible for the death of his wife and infant. She finds herself immersed in a present day mystery as a young woman has just gone missing from a party in the same area.

The mystery aspect was great. The relationship woes were great. The storytelling is great. I highly recommend this read!

Thank you to St Martins Press and Minotaur Books for the opportunity to review an eARC of The Lost House in exchange for an honest review. I'm grateful for the opportunity.