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3.56 AVERAGE
3.56 AVERAGE
Thank you, Minotaur Books and NetGalley, for my eARC of The Lost House by Melissa Larsen. All opinions expressed are solely my own.
3.5-3.75
This book was a ride, that's for sure. I'm still trying to figure out how I feel about it. I wouldn't necessarily call this a thriller; this was more of a family drama exploring a cold case of a double murder and in the meantime they're also looking into a disappearance.
This book was very atmospheric and that added to the read. At parts it was slow and I wasn't feeling it. But then as the mystery kicked up and I got more invested again. There were a number of twists in this that kept me wondering where this was going to go, and I can say I didn't see the ending coming.
I recommend this one if you're into slow-burn mysteries, atmospheric reads, Nordic Noir, or family sagas.
Thanks Minotaur!
3.5-3.75
This book was a ride, that's for sure. I'm still trying to figure out how I feel about it. I wouldn't necessarily call this a thriller; this was more of a family drama exploring a cold case of a double murder and in the meantime they're also looking into a disappearance.
This book was very atmospheric and that added to the read. At parts it was slow and I wasn't feeling it. But then as the mystery kicked up and I got more invested again. There were a number of twists in this that kept me wondering where this was going to go, and I can say I didn't see the ending coming.
I recommend this one if you're into slow-burn mysteries, atmospheric reads, Nordic Noir, or family sagas.
Thanks Minotaur!
dark
emotional
tense
slow-paced
This book wasn’t it for me. I was really excited for a twisty mystery with an immersive atmospheric setting and I was presented with the opposite. I really did not enjoy any of the characters and the romance made the story very disjointed. Unfortunately the plot just fell apart after about 20%. I am all for a DNF, but I chose to stick with it just incase something miraculous happened. It did not.
Thank you NetGalley and St Martins Press for this eArc of The Lost House.
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
It is enjoyable to read books that take place in other locations. Recently it seems, there are good ones that take place in Iceland, like this one. You can feel the cold and the isolation in the small towns that are featured. And different cultures and ways of thinking. It adds to the suspense of the novel as Agnes travels to Bifrost to find out the truth of whether the grandfather she loved killed his wife and daughter 40 years ago. Not only is this a thriller, murder mystery (both with the murder long ago and a missing woman in present times), it is a story of a young woman looking to find her roots and truth and what she wants in life after her terrible accident.
I enjoyed traveling along with Agnes and could feel her pain and emotions very easily, struggling whether to end all the suffering, or find something worthwhile to hang on to. It coincided very well with the cold and snow and storms in the small town of Bifrost where secrets, lies, and hidden truths abide. This was a good book and went by quickly as I raced to find out all the secrets and missing Asa before more death happened.
I enjoyed traveling along with Agnes and could feel her pain and emotions very easily, struggling whether to end all the suffering, or find something worthwhile to hang on to. It coincided very well with the cold and snow and storms in the small town of Bifrost where secrets, lies, and hidden truths abide. This was a good book and went by quickly as I raced to find out all the secrets and missing Asa before more death happened.
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Murder, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Confinement, Death, Toxic relationship, Dementia
Minor: Child death, Domestic abuse, Infidelity, Suicidal thoughts, Medical content, Grief, Abortion, Suicide attempt, Abandonment
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was an enjoyable slow-burn thriller! I also loved the queer romance storyline that I wasn’t expecting at all. The winter atmosphere of this small town in Iceland was fun. The twist did surprise me a bit, which is hard to do! Glad I picked this one up. I’m a sucker for a good podcast murder mystery/missing person kind of story.
⭐️⭐️.5
Book 10 of 2025 ✨
My thoughts:
Sadly this one really wasn’t for me
Book 10 of 2025 ✨
My thoughts:
Sadly this one really wasn’t for me
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes