My first read by Larsen. I found it lacking and hard to finish. I wouldn't recommend. The Lost House by Melissa Larsen.

Every winter I find myself drawn to snowy thrillers and Gothic fiction. Perhaps this is why Melissa Larsen‘s new book, The Lost House, was so appealing to me. Set in Iceland, it delves into 40-year-old cold case, here a family drama that 27-year-old Agnes has grown up with, spurred on by a new missing person case that might be connected.

Why I Chose This Book:
I first heard about The Lost House in The Minotaur Sampler, Volume 13, which appeared on NetGalley a few months ago. I was instantly hooked and sent in my ARC request. Lately I particularly love books set in Iceland, with its harsh yet beautiful setting fully of mystery. This looked like exactly the kind of book I’d enjoy.

What I Liked:
- Setting in a rural Iceland town
- Agnes is a slightly unreliable narrator, with her addiction to pain medication
- The 40-year-old murder case isn’t just a past crime; it’s what Agnes has grown up with in her small family. What secrets have her father and grandfather been keeping all these years?
- Putting heart into a cold case. How will Agnes be affected once she knows the truth? Will it change her love of her late grandfather?
- Current missing person case paralleling the cold case
- Agnes is bisexual
- How a true crime podcast brings out the truth

Audiobook
The narrator for this The Lost House, Saskia Maarleveld, was perfectly matched for the book’s tone. She brought out the bleak outlook as well as the heart hidden underneath. Her main narration was generally low and near the edge of vocal fry, but it worked for this story.

Final Thoughts
The Lost House was exactly the kind of stark, wintery mystery I was craving at this time of year. It grapples with how well you know your loved ones, dealing with loss, overcoming life-changing accidents and addiction, and finding your place amidst the harsh realities around you. I loved the setting in Iceland and the unembellished, even cold descriptions. I only wish the ending had been a bit fuller. This was a great read, and I will look out for more books from Melissa Larsen.

I had not read anything by Melissa Larsen previously, but twisty and creepy The Lost House made me want to grab anything that she writes!!

This Nordic noir thriller set in Iceland was so creepy. A woman and her infant were found murdered in the snow four decades ago. Our FMC Agnes returns to her ancestral land and hopes to clear her accused grandfather's name. When Agnes arrives in Bifrost, a young girl goes missing at the same time. The weather added to the discomfort and the reader was kept right in the thick of the story.

Saskia Maarleveld is magical, as always. She brings such life to characters and helps to keep them separate in my head. I adore everything that she narrates, and this was no different.

This book was, ok. It felt like a not great movie that you enjoy watching with your friends while shouting at it and throwing popcorn. The decisions of the FL had me wanting to bash my head against the wall, and it seemed like everything happened too fast. It was crammed into 10 days of time, so things that would take time to build up, like trust and relationships, happened at lightning speed. I had a strong guess for who the murderer was about half way through the book, but that didn't ruin the climax. I will say that the last quarter of the book is the strongest part, once the ball really got rolling for the final confrontation things got fun and I enjoyed the ride. There were a lot of different conflicts going on, the cold case mystery, the podcast, the FL physical health and mental health issues, substance abuse, a missing girl, and then half way through a messy relationship gets added to the mix. It just felt like too much all at once.

I listened to the audiobook and have to say that the reader was really good with the voices. There were times I was almost convinced they'd changed narrators for the mens' voices. I can't say whether or not her Icelandic accent was any good, but it did differentiate the locals from the tourists. I listened to this audiobook through NetGalley.

The Lost House follows Agnes, the granddaughter of a murdered woman from 40 years ago, in which her grandfather was accused of the crime. Agnes has returned to the place where the crime occurred, determined to prove her grandfather’s innocence. Ultimately the crime was never solved, although speculations ran wild. When Agnes comes to investigate, another young lady disappears during that same week. It is hard to believe that this is a coincidence.

Narration for the audiobook was impeccable!

Overall, The Lost House is an enjoyable book if you’re a fan of slow-burn psychological dramas. It was a decent read with moments of suspense and intrigue.

Thank you Macmillan Audio for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

In the snowy cold of rural Iceland, Agnes’ grandmother and aunt were found murdered and frozen with the moniker of the Icelandic Madonna and Child. Now, thirty years later Agnes has returned when a true crime podcaster has picked up the case to prove once and for all who murdered them. Was it Agnes’ grandfather like everyone thinks, or was it someone else? To complicate things, when Agnes arrives she hears that another young woman had gone missing. This thriller will give you all the chills, just like that cold snow.

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This story follows Agnes as she travels to Iceland to see her ancestral homeland and explore the circumstances under which her late grandfather fled the country after the murder of his wife and infant daughter with his young son, Magnus, her father, in tow. Magnus has always refused to speak of the events and disapproves of her choice to travel to his previous home in Bifröst, Iceland where she will be interviewed by a true crime podcaster for the fortieth anniversary of their deaths. Shortly before Agness arrives, a young woman goes missing from a party adding more tension to the local community.

I found this to be a slow-moving mystery with a few suspenseful moments and a very atmospheric setting. I think readers who enjoy Scandinavian or Nordic Noir will really enjoy this one. It was filled with a community of suspicious and gossipy characters that made a lot of assumptions, some with secrets of their own and motives to keep those secrets to the detriment of both investigations. I thought I knew who did it from the beginning, but I was second guessing myself throughout. One of the twists had me gasping aloud and excitedly exclaiming “yes!”. The only issue I had with the story was keeping all the names straight. There were several characters with the same name or similar names that I kept getting confused.

I listened to the audiobook narrated by Saskia Maarleveld and referenced the names using a digital review copy. This is probably my favorite narrator, and I thought she did a fantastic job with the characters, names, drama and suspense. I definitely recommend this format if you’re an audiobook listener.

Thank you to Netgalley, Minotaur Books and Macmillan Audio for a copy provided for an honest review.

Thank you so much to @melissalarsenauthor & @minotaur_books for my advanced reading copy as well as @macmillan.audio for my advanced listening copy.

I first met @melissalarsenauthor at Thrillerfest last year then I got to hang out with her at Iceland Noir and I swear, all the authors that write super dark and messed up books are the absolute nicest people. So when Melissa sent me her newest book I was ECSTATIC. Then when I left Iceland she told me that her book was perfect to pick up whenever I missed Iceland and she was not wrong. Melissa does Iceland so much justice with her newest book, I honestly felt transported back with Agnes and Nora trying to figure out this cold case.

The story follows Agnes, granddaughter of Einar Pálsson (who is thought to have murdered his wife and daughter), now visiting the town of Bifröst in Iceland. She has agreed to be interviewed by Nora Carver, host of a popular true crime podcast. 40 years ago, Einar is the prime suspect when his wife and daughter are found frozen and buried in the Icelandic snow. His wife’s throat slashed and the infant drowned.

Now, a local girl has gone missing the same weekend Agnes arrives and everything changes.

Melissa absolutely killed it with the tension, suspense and atmosphere. I’ve been listening to the audiobook when I can’t have the physical book out and Saskia Maarleveld does such a wonderful job of narrating. She had the perfect voice for an Icelandic thriller (if that makes sense). This is the perfect book to curl up in front of a fireplace and be whisked away to the cold depths of Iceland.

Thanks, Minotaur Books and Macmillan Audio, for the review copies. I liked the narrator for the audiobook, but switched to the e-book in order to skim faster The story was too slow and repetitive to hold my interest. The setting was fascinating, though!

*The Lost House* by Melissa Larsen is an atmospheric, slow-burning mystery that delivers on its chilling premise. The setting in Iceland’s stark, snowy landscape was beautifully described and added to the haunting, isolated tone of the story. Agnes’s journey to uncover her family’s dark secrets, while grappling with her own losses and traumas, made for an emotionally gripping narrative.

The twists and turns kept me engaged, even if some were a bit predictable. The true crime podcast angle added a modern touch, and I enjoyed the dynamic between Agnes and Nora as their investigation unraveled more than they bargained for. The local girl’s disappearance cleverly tied the past and present mysteries together, heightening the suspense.

While the pacing was a bit uneven at times, the richly developed characters and the intricate web of secrets made it a worthwhile read. Fans of cold-case thrillers and Nordic noir will find much to love here.

The author has crafted a story so detailed that you feel fully immersed and can visualize the surroundings. Agnes desperately wants to clear her late grandfather's name of a horrific double murder that she knows in her heart he is absolutely innocent. When contacted by a podcaster and looking for a reason to escape her own life she packs a bag and heads to Iceland. It is a dark thriller. Things are not as they seem. Beautifully written with a lot of twists and turns, but at times a little too slow and the ending wasn’t terribly surprising to me. Horrific and creepy, but for me, a bit obvious. Still a good compelling dark dark read. People are never who you think they are.

I enjoyed this book. It was fast-paced and kept me guessing. I hoped for a little more details about the investigation after the twist was revealed, but overall a good book.

The Lost House
Melissa Larsen
Agnes Glin lost her precious grandfather, Elnar Palsson a year and a half ago. She loved him dearly and was still mourning him. She had a surfing accident that shattered her kneecap leaving her in great pain. Agnes is addicted to her pain medications; she attempts to avoid abusing them, but the pain is unbearable. Her life was falling apart.
Her grandfather and father were from Bifrost, Iceland. Forty years ago, Elnar’s wife, Marie and infant daughter were found murdered and buried in the snow. Marie’s throat was cut, and the infant had drowned. The Frozen Madonna case had never been officially closed. Suspicion fell on Elnar but there was no evidence. In small towns rumor and gossip can convict without proof. He was never arrested or charged. He took his son and left Iceland for California. The case was referred to as the Frozen Madonna. When Nora Carver contacted Agnes and invited her to Iceland for an interview on her true crime podcast, Agnes packed her bag and headed for the airport. She saw the opportunity to clear her grandfather’s name.
A girl is missing in Bifrost, could this be connected to her grandmother and aunt’s murder.
The Lost House is a great book to curl up with next to a cozy fire. The fire is a must because this book’s atmosphere is icy cold. In my mind I could see Agnes struggling through the knee-deep snow and the ice-covered roads. Author Melissa Larsen does a superb job of describing Iceland’s weather conditions. While I enjoyed The Lost House, I felt the pace was a bit too slow. The story is told from Agnes’ point of view.
Thank you NetGalley for the review copy.

I may be biased because I *adore* a moody, atmospheric thriller set in a remote, wintry location, but I absolutely loved The Lost House. It was an absolute knockout of a book, a perfectly woven tale of suspense and mystery. From the moment Agnes lands in the remote Icelandic town of Bifröst, the atmosphere is thick with tension and a sense of foreboding that doesn't let up until the final page. Larsen’s vivid descriptions of the Icelandic landscape—cold, harsh, and unforgiving—serve as the perfect backdrop for a story about buried secrets and the dark shadows of family history.

Agnes, a woman still grappling with the recent loss of her grandfather and her own personal trauma, is a deeply complex and relatable protagonist. Her journey to clear her grandfather’s name quickly spirals into something much more sinister when a local girl goes missing during her stay. The narrative expertly weaves between the original family mystery with the new case, keeping you on the edge of your seat.

The book has a tight, layered plot, but it’s the characters that truly make it so compelling. Agnes is flawed, determined, and deeply human—her quest for truth, while trying to piece together her fractured life, is both compelling and heartbreaking. Nora, the true crime podcaster who pulls Agnes into this investigation, is another likeable character, although I wish we'd gotten to delve deeper into her story. The twists in this story are jaw-dropping, and just when you think you’ve figured it out, the rug is pulled from beneath you. The tension builds with every turn, especially as Agnes uncovers the terrifying lengths to which people will go to protect their darkest secrets. By the end, I was in awe of how cleverly everything tied together.

I also loved the setting. The town of Bifröst and its chilling winter setting heightens the tension, adding to the story’s eerie mood. The layers of secrets and betrayal unfold beautifully, creating a completely immersive listening experience.

The Lost House is a five-star book through and through. I loved it. If you're a fan of dark, twisty mysteries with complex characters, this is an absolute must-read.

Taking place in the cold, snowy place of Iceland. This chilling mystery kept me engaged and anxious to keep listening.

Agnes Glin travels to Iceland on an invitation from a podcaster who wants to reopen the 40 year old case of the murder of her grandmother and aunt that
her grandfather was suspected of.


Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for this audio ARC copy for an honest review.

The story is set in Iceland, where a woman and her infant daughter were found buried in the snow forty years ago. The case was never solved, and the husband was suspected but never arrested. The granddaughter, Agnes, is determined to clear her grandfather's name and agrees to an interview on a true crime podcast. As she investigates in Iceland, a local girl goes missing, leading to the uncovering of old and new secrets that put Agnes's life at risk.

I am new to this author, and I found this book to be a suspenseful mystery. While the pacing was a bit slow for my liking, I was still engaged in the story. I had the opportunity to review both the eBook and the audiobook versions. I often say that if a book doesn't connect with you, trying the audiobook can be beneficial, as the narrator brings the story to life and enhances the overall experience.

The characters were well-developed over time, making them easy to follow throughout the story. The writing was strong, and I couldn't help but hope that the grandfather was innocent. I especially enjoyed the audiobook, as it helped me pronounce names and places.

If you appreciate a true crime element in your stories, enjoy mysteries that offer a chance to guess the outcome, and like the chilling atmosphere of the harsh landscape of Iceland, this book is for you. Give it a go and see if you can crack the case before the characters do!

Thank you, St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books and Macmillan Audio for the digital ARC copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I'm totally into the Iceland backdrop in this story. The visuals really transport you, and everything just fits perfectly with the vibe. The narrator had me hooked, and I was eager to find out what happened with the unsolved murder and the missing girl. However, the middle dragged a bit for me. There was a lot of history and some repetition that made me want to rush to the big reveal. Overall, I ended up liking it, but it didn't quite blow me away.

This book promised so much, yet was so very slow.

I was so excited when I saw this book. It sounded like a great way to read about a different culture, and get a murder mystery on top of it. Instead, the characters fell flat, and the story seemed to be too drawn out. Near the last 10 percent of the book, it did pick up, but by then, I was burned out.

While this book holds promise, it was too slow for me. I hope other readers love it! I had this book on audio as well as the epub version, so I was able to get a sample of both. The narrator did her best with the materials, but there were times that I felt she wasn't really into the story, so that detracted from my enjoyment.
2.5 stars for me

Rating: 4/5
I received an eARC for my honest opinion.

Agnes is on a mission to clear her grandfather’s name for once and for all. 40 years ago, her grandfather was accused of murdering his wife and infant daughter, after no arrests or conviction he left Iceland for America. When Nora, a true crime podcaster, asks her to speak up on her grandfather's unsolved case in Iceland, she jumps on the plan to see what she can do to help clear his name but when she gets there, she finds out that another girl has gone missing, and they have no leads. With the help of Nora, Agnes gets to solving this twisting and turning mystery.

I really liked this suspenseful murder mystery. I loved how the author wrote this chilling, winter book. You will feel the cold of the snow, feel the ice-covered roads. I loved that the author wrote about the different places that Agnes’s father played and where her grandfather used to live. I liked how this thriller/mystery checked all my boxes; the plot was thrilling and suspenseful, I loved that it was twisting and turning and that it felt you on the edge of your seat. I liked that the author made sure that the side characters didn’t feel like side characters to me. I found the depth of the darkness in this book to have been done right. The characters were well written, and the author writes them, they will feel like they’re people who you know and are real. I found Agnes the easiest to connect with and I loved that she was determined to the truth no matter what.

I received the audio for this book as well and I thought the narrative Saskia Maarleveld did a perfect job. She has the best voice to bring this thriller to life for the readers and will keep you on your toes/edge of the seat.

I would like to thank NetGalley, St. Martin Press and Mcmillian for the opportunity to review this book.

This book provided some good nailbiting moments. I am disappointed that it didn't show up as an LGBTQ subcategory as I would not have requested it. I do not have issues with the community, but prefer not to read details about their sexual life. The story could have been well developed without those descriptors. The fact that the lead character recovered from a suicide attempt is also a string that I feel the author could have pulled on more.