Icelandic crime fiction has been all the rage for a number of years now. Novels by residents of the island nation continue to receive critical acclaim from around the world, so it’s only natural that non-Iceland writers are beginning to utilize the location as well. Just this week, New York City resident Melissa Larsen released her sophomore crime novel, The Lost House—this one set in Bifröst, Iceland.
The Lost House is an atmospheric slow burn suspense novel that will hook readers with its hypnotic prose and well-structured plot. There are actually two mysteries at play in The Lost House. The first is the historic Frozen Madonna and Child case—a crime all of Iceland remembers: in 1979, a woman was discovered out in the frozen landscape with her throat cut and her drowned infant daughter clutched in her arms. The second case—with unique ties to the historic case—involves a missing Icelandic woman with many believing she killed herself, some believing it was a nefarious deed, and still others thinking it was likely simply an accident in which a drunk girl left a party and wandered out into the cold.
Speaking of, The Lost House is the perfect book for cold winter evenings. Every page, nearly every word, sends shivers down the spine of readers—as though they themselves are caught out in the elements. Get that fireplace roaring and prepare a cup of hot tea because beginning this book almost guarantees a long night of reading ahead.
Our point-of-view character is Agnes Glin, the granddaughter of the Frozen Madonna. Her beloved grandfather is the prime suspect in that unsolved case and when she discovers that a popular true crime podcast is spotlighting the case for their new episodes, she decides it’s time to visit Iceland for the first time. Her grandfather took his son—Agnes’s father—and fled Iceland following the crime, when despite there not being enough evidence to convict him, the sentiment around the nation still centered around his guilt. Leaving was the only option. Now, against the wishes of her dad, Agnes wants to try to clear her grandfather’s name.
Agnes is a prickly character—she’s dealing with the passing of her grandfather, her recent break-up with her long-term girlfriend, and she’s recovering from a knee injury which has caused her to become addicted to pain pills. Agnes is definitely not an easy character to bond with, but empathetic readers will be drawn to her story, hoping she finds some level of redemption.
The investigation of the two crimes unspools in traditional manner, with Agnes and Nora (the host of the podcast) interviewing witnesses and suspects while discovering new avenues missed by the authorities. For those who like an author who plays fair, the clues are there for the reader to successfully piece together this puzzle, but it will likely only happen moments before Agnes herself gets some answers.
The Lost House skillfully uses the Icelandic landscape and gives readers an authentic feel for this unique and beautiful country. Melissa Larsen’s novel will definitely appeal to readers obsessed with crime fiction set in Iceland but it will also capture those more unfamiliar with the nation—likely encouraging them to seek out similar books while they wait for Melissa Larsen’s next novel.
BUY LINKS: The Lost House by Melissa Larsen
Disclaimer: A print galley of this title was provided to BOLO Books by the publisher. No promotion was promised and the above is an unbiased review of the novel.