Books On Board
series Reading Order

Children’s House Books in Order

6 Books
2014 – 2022 Published
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Reading order
01
The Legacy
The Legacy
2014
Amazon
02
The Reckoning
2015
Amazon
03
The Absolution
The Absolution
2016
Amazon
04
Gallows Rock
Gallows Rock
2017
Amazon
05
The Doll
The Doll
2021
Amazon
06
The Fallout
The Fallout
2022
Amazon

The Recommended Reading Order

The Children’s House series (also known as the Freyja & Huldar series) consists of six interconnected novels. It is strongly recommended to read them in publication order. Because the complex, shifting, and often tense relationship between child psychologist Freyja and detective Huldar develops significantly across the series, skipping around will spoil major character milestones and personal backstories.

  1. The Legacy (Icelandic: DNA, 2014 / English: 2017)
  2. The Reckoning (Icelandic: Sogið, 2015 / English: 2018)
  3. The Absolution (Icelandic: Aflausn, 2016 / English: 2019)
  4. Gallows Rock (Icelandic: Gatið, 2017 / English: 2020)
  5. The Doll (Icelandic: Brúðan, 2018 / English: 2021)
  6. The Fallout (Icelandic: Þögn, 2019 / English: 2022)

Publication Details & Chronology

There is no divergence between the series' chronological events and its publication order. However, readers should note the gap between the original Icelandic releases and their English translations. The series was published in Iceland between 2014 and 2019, whereas English-speaking audiences received translations from Hodder & Stoughton (UK) and Minotaur Books (US) between 2017 and 2022. The final book, The Fallout, wraps up the main character arcs, and no plans for a seventh book have been announced by the author or her agency.

The Core Premise

Set against the backdrop of Reykjavík, the series derives its name from a real-life Icelandic institution, Barnahús (Children's House), which supports children who have experienced or witnessed severe trauma. The narrative focuses on Freyja, a child psychologist running the facility, and Huldar, a detective whose personal flaws frequently complicate his professional life. When brutal crimes leave traumatized children as the only witnesses, the duo is forced to collaborate, leading to a slow-burning partnership that drives the series forward.

TV Adaptation: Reykjavík 112

In 2025, the series was adapted into a television show under the title Reykjavík 112. Co-produced by New Media Arc and the German production company ndF (neue deutsche Filmgesellschaft), the six-episode crime drama premiered in Iceland on Sjónvarp Símans in April 2025 before its broader European release on Arte in October 2025. The adaptation stars Kolbeinn Arnbjörnsson as Huldar and Vivian Ólafsdóttir as Freyja.

Frequently Asked

QWhat is the recommended reading order for the Children’s House series?

You should read the series in publication order: The Legacy, The Reckoning, The Absolution, Gallows Rock, The Doll, and The Fallout. Reading in order is essential to follow the personal lives and evolving relationship of Freyja and Huldar.

QAre there any spin-off books or co-authored entries in the series?

No, there are no spin-offs, sequels, or co-authored books. The series is written entirely by Yrsa Sigurðardóttir and focuses strictly on the main six novels.

QIs the Children’s House series complete?

Yes, the series is considered complete with the publication of the sixth book, The Fallout (released in English in 2022). The author has not announced plans to write a seventh book.

QWho are the main characters in the Children’s House series?

The main characters are Freyja, a compassionate child psychologist working at the Barnahús (Children’s House) institution, and Huldar, a determined but flawed police detective.

QWhere can I watch the television adaptation of the series?

The series was adapted into a television show called Reykjavík 112, which premiered on Sjónvarp Símans in Iceland in April 2025 and on Arte in October 2025.