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

This was my first Ulf Kvensler and hopefully, it won't be my last.

This book is touted as a psychological thriller. However, it also had some hints of the supernatural that ultimately were not fleshed out. The statues. Dad's weird cook/maid. I wish that had been more fully explored and more fully explained. BUT, sometimes you don't get all of the information you seek and such is life.

This book is about Isak, who is contacted by his long estranged father. Said father lures him to his house on an island for a weekend trip and in exchange for meeting with him, he will receive his inheritance. Isak and his girlfriend Maddy had other plans, but Maddy encourages him to reroute so they both go to his father's house instead.

While there, things are just.... off. It turns out his father is very ill. His father puts Isak through a series of tests, of sorts, and holds his inheritance over his head throughout. Father is manipulative and really pushes boundaries of decency and morality, causing ongoing anxiety in Isak. This anxiety causes issues with Isak's girlfriend Maddy. Then we have these weird statues in the room where Isak and Maddy are staying. Together with the odd character of Barbro, the father's chef/maid, who is stranger than I can describe in every single way.

This book left me with a lot of questions, I definitely hated the father. He was written well in that regard. I really did like this book. I felt the chill of the water, the anxiety, the sand between my toes, the suspicions, etc.

I would definitely recommend to my friends.

I was intrigued by the description of this Swedish thriller about a young man reconnecting with his estranged father, but unfortunately this story left me feeling unsatisfied and irritated for having picked it. As a woman in my thirties, I would say this story would maybe appeal to older men or anyone that doesn't mind that the female side characters mostly consume drinks, make small talk and have their bodies and outfits described in great detail...

While I enjoyed some of the atmospheric description of the island of Gotland and learning a bit about Swedish culture, so much of the book felt directionless, boring and unnecessary. So much of this book is spent eating, drinking and traveling. The Riga sex party scene made me want to gouge my eyes out. I suspect some of my irritation was also due to the awkwardness of reading a book that's either translated or written by someone whose first language is not English because the writing felt off to me (mostly very basic with occasional strange word choice thrown in, like the word 'buttocks' that is used repeatedly by our main character who is a 26-year-old man).

Our main character has a lot of trauma from losing his mom and sister in a fire when he was six years old and I did like the slow reveals of learning what really happened to him, but I was constantly confused by the unannounced jumps into the future with the psychologist that come and go with no chapter or format change.

When we finally get to the climax, it's extremely short and could have been mined for more emotion and impact. There are some 'reveals' and a 'twist' that I had somewhat followed the breadcrumbs to figuring out on my own.

I really wish I could’ve seen the cover to this when I was reading it just so I can picture the people in my head. Harlequin romance is never miss.

I read this in one day!! Really good book. Almost a 5 star. Thanks to NetGalley for letting read this in exchange for an honest review!!

I loved Ulf Kvensler's "The Couples Trip" so was thrilled to receive this ARC. "My Father's House" is a suspenseful psychological thriller that kept me engaged until the last page. Recommended for fans of Kvensler, readers who love psychological suspense and family dynamics. Thanks to NetGalley and publisher for the ARC. Pub Date: August 5, 2025

#MyFather'sHouse

Another chilling and suspenseful thriller from acclaimed Swedish author Ulf Kvensler (The Couple's Trip), My Father's House takes readers on a haunting journey into a world full of secrets, lies, and psychological torment.

The story follows Isak, a man haunted by a dark and painful past. His estranged father, an incredibly wealthy and mysterious artist, has reached out for the first time in years—since a tragic and suspicious fire claimed the lives of Isak’s mother and sister. Now, his father claims to be dying and asks to see Isak one last time. Torn between his anger and curiosity, and against his better judgment, Isak agrees to visit the remote island estate where his father now resides.

What begins as a reluctant family reunion quickly unravels into a nightmarish ordeal. The isolated island is steeped in an unsettling atmosphere, and Isak soon finds himself entangled in a twisted, psychological maze. . Trust becomes a fragile and dangerous thing as Isak realizes that nothing—and no one—on the island is as it seems. He must navigate a treacherous game of manipulation, where his very survival is at stake, and uncover the truth about his family's past before it consumes him entirely.

Ulf Kvensler weaves a masterful tale of suspense and paranoia. My Father's House is a must-read for anyone who loves a dark, gothic and atmospheric thriller.

#harlequintrade #hanoversquare #myfathershouse #ulfkvensler

This was a thrilling book to read, I think it was nicely paced and well thought out, you can truely feel what the MC is feeling.

Isak grew up with his grandparents, and his father has not been a figure in his life since a tragedy destroyed his childhood. Isak lives a mostly content life now. He enjoys his job, loves his girlfriend, Maddie, and is still close to his grandfather. A phone call from his father will change all of that.
Fredrik is dying and wants to see his son before it is too late. Dubious of anything that involves his father, he agrees to visit him, bringing Maddie along for support. Frederik is a world-famous artist and lives a life with every luxury imaginable. As he introduces Isak to his idea of the finer things, Isak starts to doubt himself and everything he has believed for his entire life. Unable to decide if he has been manipulated by his grandfather, or if it is his father, who is the master manipulator. Things turn dark very very quickly.
The only difficulty I had reading this book, was that there were no chapters. It is all told from Isak’s perspective, but in two different timelines. One, for the majority of the story is the time he is now spending with his father. Occasionally though, the story would just change to him being somewhere (no spoilers) that let you know things had gone very wrong. The first time it happened, I thought I had inadvertently opened the wrong book on my Kindle. Nope, and I was better prepared for the next shift in perspective. Of course, this might change by publication date since I only read a DRC. If not, though, just be prepared.
No matter, I was hooked from the beginning, and though I might have wished for a slightly different ending, I still enjoyed every unexpected twist and turn.4.5 stars.