I am interested in Isak from the start. He lives in Småland, Sweden and is living with his girlfriend Madde. He has an estranged relationship with his father. Something has happened that explains Isak’s current problem and there are obviously secrets.

So, this being a mystery, eager to find out what happens and what makes Isak and his father so divided. He finds his father is ill with Cancer and is offered his Inheritance. Is this a Good Idea? Isak is forced into some brutal manipulations his father comes up with. It is cruel, just awful and painful. Yet, the book drags on way too long, going back and forth between Isak and his father.

The atmosphere suggests dark and painful events, and that is well done. Madde and Isak are on his father’s island and I felt the underlying tension and terror. It is clear that Isak has not been told everything he needs to know. Yet, I found the book confusing, which is done purposefully. Are certain events dreams or did they really happen? It seemed bizarre to me and just left me wondering what to make of this book. It isn’t a typical thriller, with fast paced twists. Instead, it has slow pacing and for all this horror, it still really doesn’t have much occurring. This book left me wanting. The end was intriguing, but not too hard to envision. Nothing happened that one can not predict. Ultimately, I was left wanting more from this book.

Thank you Harlequin Trade Publishing and NetGalley for a copy of this book. I always leave reviews of books I read.

My Father’s House by Ulf Kvensler

This one was a bit of a rollercoaster for me. I’ll be honest, this book took me a minute to settle into. The first half is heavy on detail, and while I can usually appreciate a slow build, I found myself wandering off here and there. But once the secrets started unraveling? Oh, it got good. The tension and angst were raw, intense, and layered in ways that made the payoff worth the wait.

The writing itself is strong, and by the back half, I was fully invested in seeing how everything played out. I listened to the audiobook, and the narration really worked for me--the punchy, abrupt delivery matched the unsettling vibe of the story perfectly.

Themes you’ll find:
Estranged father/son reunion
Remote/isolation setting
Family secrets unraveling
Psychological suspense


Would I recommend it?
Yes...with a caveat. If you’re into slow-burn suspense that takes its time before delivering the gut punch, this one’s worth the ride (and the audiobook makes it even stronger). If you need immediate thrills, you may feel a little restless in the beginning, but stick with it; the payoff is there.

Thank you to Harlequin Trade Publishing and Netgalley for allowing me to read and review.

Receiving an unexpected phone call from his dad, Isak receives an inheritance that will change his life. However, he isn’t just handed the inheritance and is instead thrown into a loop of life and death. With his life unraveling at the seems, Isak fights for what is the truth and what is a lie.

Thank you to netgalley, the publisher, and the author for this e-arc to review!

Even translated, this was very vivid and rich. The writing style was smooth and kept me easily reading. I found this to be pretty bleak and at times really dark. There was one scene I really hated because I just couldn't stomach it. I also didn't care for any of the characters, and I think that made it bleaker for me. Overall, I thought it was good and gripping, but not a new favorite. I like the authors writing style, and I already own one of his other books and can't wait to read that one as well.

My Father's House by Ulf Kvensler is nail-biting and chilling.
I was totally absorbed in the story from the first page. It is a fascinating and fast-paced book.
I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys intriguing crime thrillers.

Thank You NetGalley and Hanover Square Press for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

An atmospheric and creepy novel of manipulation, with a touch of the paranormal thrown in. Isak was more or less abandoned by his father who later became a famous artist. He's built a decent life with his girlfriend Madde and all of that is thrown up in the air when his father contacts him. The possibility of an inheritance is dangled in front of Isak through a series of tests. And then you'll realize that all is not right with Madde either. I felt for Isak even as I wanted him to just leave it all behind. No spoilers. Oh and the maid is very very odd. Thanks to the publisher for the ARC. An interesting read.

For quite awhile, I really questioned why I chose this book because things got REALLY WEIRD for awhile lol. Overall, it's an average story with some messed up stuff.

while this was good ,it wasn't my favorite. but i would definitely recommend. the description of the island is super creepy.

All the stars!!! Wow. I could not put this book down and read it in a day. I loved the suspense and the exploration of the father-son relationship. I did guess one of the main twists, but that did not take away from the book. I will be recommending this one to my book club asap!

This was a good read I will read because it’s packed with suspense and a great plot thank you for this awesome book

Ulf Kvensler's My Father's House isn't just a novel; it's a chilling immersion into a world where shadows cling to every corner, and the past refuses to stay buried. From the first page, a sense of unease settles, a premonition of the horrors that lie in wait. Kvensler masterfully crafts an atmosphere of creeping dread, a slow burn that ignites into a conflagration of suspense.

Kvensler's prose is a razor's edge, sharp and precise, cutting through the veil of normalcy to reveal the grotesque reality beneath. The narrative unfolds with a relentless, almost suffocating pace. Just when you think you've grasped the contours of the mystery, another layer of deception is peeled back, plunging you further into the abyss.

The true brilliance of My Father's House lies in its exploration of the human psyche. Kvensler delves into the darkest recesses of the mind, exposing the fragility of memory, the corrosive power of guilt, and the terrifying potential for evil that lurks within us all. The characters are not mere puppets in a macabre play; they are flawed, complex individuals grappling with their own demons, their fates inextricably bound to the sinister history of the house.

This is not a novel for the faint of heart. Kvensler doesn't shy away from the disturbing, the visceral, the truly unsettling. But for those who dare to venture into the shadows, My Father's House offers a reading experience that is both unforgettable and profoundly unsettling. It's a suspenseful masterpiece that will haunt your dreams long after you've turned the final page. Be warned: the house remembers. And it's waiting.

This was a solid thriller, but not my favorite. The atmosphere of the book was definitely on point and the writing was good. The author did a good job of conveying Isak’s anxiety and making the reader feel what he was feeling. It was a twisty story and had some weird family dynamics. Overall I liked it, but didn’t love it.

I’m still a little unsure about this book.
The premise and first section were super engaging and I was hooked right away. Then large parts of the middle sections seem to plunge off the deep end feeling somewhere between a fever dream and a popcorn thriller / horror.
I went from being invested in the characters, to really disliking most of them, and in the end not really caring what happened to anyone.
I do enjoy the author’s writing, but if this is the way his books are headed, I’ll probably pass. I loved The Couple’s Trip and would read another book like that.
If this one had been marketed as a psychological horror, I may have given it 4⭐️ for that genre. I can actually see this book being turned into a movie / mini series, and yes… I’m sure I’ll watch it, but my eyes will be closed for parts!

pretty good twisty thriller with good set-up vibes and some strong tension, although it also leaves a few dangling threads. 4 stars. tysm for the arc.

My Father's House had a great premise, but I felt it didn’t quite deliver on its full potential. Isak’s complicated relationship with his estranged father was intriguing, and the psychological tension on the remote island kept me on edge. However, I struggled to connect with the characters as much as I would have liked, and the pacing felt a little uneven at times. The twists and turns were interesting, but at times, they left me feeling more confused than captivated. It’s a solid read, but it didn’t completely hit the mark for me.

This was good but not my favorite psychological thriller. I’ve never read anything by this author but would definitely recommend it to all my thriller lovers! Thank you for this arc in exchange for an honest review!

My Father's House by Ulf Kvensler is a gripping and atmospheric psychological thriller that explores the complexities of family, forgiveness, and the chilling weight of the past. The story follows Isak, a man who has lived most of his life estranged from his father, a renowned artist who abandoned him as a child. When he receives an unexpected inheritance, but only under the condition that he reconcile with his dying father at his remote island retreat, Isak and his girlfriend, Madde, find themselves drawn into a twisted game where reality and nightmare blend together.

Kvensler masterfully builds tension, creating an eerie and claustrophobic atmosphere that keeps readers on edge. As Isak uncovers dark family secrets and confronts his father’s haunting legacy, the lines between trust and betrayal blur, and the stakes grow higher. The suspenseful plot, along with the unraveling of complex relationships, makes this a compelling read for fans of psychological thrillers.

The novel also delves deeply into the emotional and psychological toll of unresolved family conflicts, making My Father's House not just a thrilling read but also a poignant exploration of the scars left by abandonment and the struggle to make peace with the past. Kvensler’s nuanced storytelling and darkly atmospheric setting make this a must-read for anyone who enjoys thrilling, character-driven mysteries.

I never felt any real tension, and the story was predictable. The short present-day chapters kept me curious, hoping for a big twist—but it never came. The ending was underwhelming.

I really enjoyed The Couple's Trip by this author so was excited to read this one. Although I didn't enjoy it quite as much, it is still a good follow up. Isak's estranged father claims to be dying so Isak, along with his girlfriend Maddy, travels to the remote island where he lives. This is against Isak's better judgment, but Maddy talks him into it. It soon becomes apparent that Isak is being manipulated. Points for atmosphere. The descriptions of the creepy island made me feel claustrophobic and I could feel Isak's paranoia. This is a very twisty story perfect for readers who enjoy a spooky atmosphere and weird family dynamics.

Thank you to #NetGalley, Ulf Kvensler and Harlequin Trade Publishing | Hanover Square Press for this ARC. All opinions are my own.

I will post my review to Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Facebook and other retail and social media sites upon publication day of August 5, 2025.

I had a really fun time reading this!! It was My first time reading this author and will definitely read more from UK moving forward. Thank you for this arc! I’d definitely recommend this to all my thriller lovers