3.5/ 5 stars

The Family Upstairs is the newest suspense/thriller by popular UK author Lisa Jewell.

This is my fourth book by this author (I have read her last four releases).

The Family Upstairs is divided into four parts. It mostly takes place in London, although some of it does take place in France. There are three main narrators: Libby (3rd person POV), Lucy (3rd person POV) and Henry (1st person POV).

The Family Upstairs takes place in two time periods. The present where Libby and Lucy are living their lives (separately). And the past where a family is living upstairs in Henry's family's home.

At first I was trying to figure out how the narrators were connected. But it becomes clear pretty quickly. The beginning of the story was okay. But the book definitely got better as the story progressed.

The Libby storyline was my favorite. She has turned 25 and is contacted about an inheritance. I really enjoyed her part of the book.

Lucy has two young kids and was struggling. Her part of the story is heartbreaking at times.

Henry is telling the story of his childhood. And even though this is the main part of the story that relates to the title ... I liked his POV the least.

The last half of the book was definitely the strongest. There were some interesting developments. But overall I wanted more from the mystery. The last chapter however was super creepy and the book left off in a really intriguing place.

The Family Upstairs ! What are they hiding (cover)

A lot I can tell you !!

The family is so crazy you just have to know which one is crazier .

What happened in this house and how did the neighbours not even notice for the most part !!

The pages will turn. You will be suspicious of them all !

That's all I am willing to say , as this one book you can't describe : BUT YOU MUST READ IT !!

Lisa Jewell never disappoints.

Perhaps my family isnt so crazy after all !

Thanks to Net Galley and Atria books for the great, scary, haunting read !!!!!

WOW! A story so full of twisted people and deprivation, which is accepted as normal, that I couldn't put it down.

The story of Henry & Martina Lamb Trust recipients, from Henry's vast wealth to poverty, thanks in part to the family upstairs.

To say more would spoil the plot. There are so many twists and discoveries along the way to restoring the Lamb family to their home and each other. The ending left me wanting more.

This book sucked me in right from the start, but I do admit the vairous points of view and timeline threw me a few times, to the point of flipping back a few times to orient myself. However, it was a creepy story that really did keep me enthralled the whole way through. I did feel that the ending was not quite in line with the rest of the story.

The way the story ended with Henry, Lucy and Libby seemed a little off... well, mainly Henry seemed off. His narration was good throughout the story but in the last few chapters leading up to the reveal... his odd behaviors past and present aren't necessarily fleshed out enough for me. I really felt that while he had suffered in the house like the others, he came out just as creepy as he was when we was living there... if not more so. Did he really earn his share of the house ? But maybe that's just me.

Regardless, even a week or so after finishing the book, I still think about it on occasion. So if that's what you enjoy, you will enjoy this book.

Thank you to Simon & Schuster and NetGalley for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I have been waiting for a story like this all year!
There is something about Lisa Jewell books that has you questioning yourself about what you just read. Her books seem to have this delicious undercurrent of creepiness that seems so innocent at first, until she drops a few more insights into a character that has you reeling in disbelief. Her storylines are so tightly written with small tidbits offered that have you reconsidering everything you thought you knew. It seems totally predictable but nothing is as it seems and after finishing you're still in doubt of the character's motivation and intent.
This is a compulsively addictive story that will have you reading till late into the night.
If you haven't read one of her books yet, you really should, you won't be disappointed!!

The Family Upstairs by Lisa Jewell arrived with the highest of expectations, and in no way did it disappoint. The incomparable Ms Jewell has done it yet again. This is a novel that kept me riveted from beginning to end, and gave me a wonderfully creepy sense of unease throughout.

Libby Jones is shocked to discover that upon reaching her twenty-fifth birthday, she stands to inherit a mansion in an upscale suburb of London. Having been adopted as an infant, Libby has no recollection or knowledge of the parents who have bequeathed her so generously, only that they had died years earlier as a result of an apparent suicide pact. But the house comes with a sordid and spine-chilling history, even beyond what is known to have transpired. Told from the alternating perspectives of Libby, Lucy, a single mother who is struggling to make ends meet in France, and Henry, who recounts his own memories of growing up in the house, the author crafts a tale that is sinister, chilling, and diabolical, and it is wholly consuming and addictive.

Whether you are new to the writing of Lisa Jewell, or are a longtime fan like me, you should not miss this one.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Canada for this fabulous ARC.

Thank you, NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for the ARC in return for an honest review. This was unlike previous domestic thrillers I have read by Lisa Jewell. Reading this book was an unsettling experience. I found it a chilling and uncomfortable story, but so compelling that I was riveted to the pages. There was a sinister and menacing aspect which permeated this book.

Themes involved the search for identity, family issues, reconciliation, poverty and great wealth, physical and emotional abuse. This could be classified as Gothic horror, dark, with mainly flawed or damaged characters.

The story is narrated through the viewpoints of three characters, Harry, Libby and Lucy. As some of the characters use assumed names, and so many to keep straight early in the story, I am glad how well it came together.

Libby Jones works as a sales representative of designer kitchens. She lives in a small flat and is just getting by financially. On her 25th birthday, she is stunned and pleasantly surprised to learn she has inherited a mansion worth millions in the wealthy Chelsea district of London.

25 years earlier it was the home of the wealthy Lamb family with young children, Henry and Lucy. The mansion was lavishly furnished, and the place where some fine society parties were held. Early childhood seemed like a pleasant time. After an unknown person alerted police, the shocking discovery of the decomposing bodies of the Lamb parents and an unidentified man were found. A note leads police to find Baby Serenity Lamb in her crib, appearing to be well cared for and clean. Four older children known to be part of the household had vanished. The bodies of the adults were found clad in black robes and evidence pointed to a cult suicide.

On viewing the house with the solicitor, Libby found it to be in a dilapidated state, with lawns and gardens overgrown, and the fine furnishings long gone. The house had an eerie atmosphere and Libby was alarmed to hear someone upstairs. She was determined to learn what happened on that fatal day and enlists the help of journalist Miller Rae to help fill in the past history. His obsession with the case ruined his home and social life.

This seems to have a happy home until a pop star, Birdie, asks to stay for a couple of days. Mrs. Lamb agrees, but Birdie has no intention of leaving. She moves in her partner from the band, and soon brings in David and Sally Thomsen who aim to live there permanently with their children, Phin and Clemency. David is a manipulator and thief with strong charismatic persuasive ability. He completely dominates the family, taking control of their lives and ruining them financially. His stringent rules and harsh punishments take a devastating emotional and physical toll on the children. The parents are unable or unwilling to change things as they slip into poverty. Henry describes his hatred for the horrible things occurring in the mansion.

In the south of France, a young single mother is living in poverty, often homeless with her two young children, Marco and Stella, and their dog. She made a meagre living busking with her fiddle, but this was damaged by a vandal. She is committed to bringing her family back to England. This seems an insurmountable task with no money or passports. How does her unhappy life connect with the rest of the story?

Lisa Jewell brilliantly brings all the story threads together after some unexpected twists and revelations. The conclusion is open-ended but I enjoyed that part the most. 4.5 Stars

Creepy but engrossing read! Had my attention to the last page. Really enjoyed this read and was found wanting to know what happened next (though assuming that's the point and there won't be a sequel.)

Interesting read, wasn't a can't put down book for me. But had enough twists in it to keep it interesting.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an early release of this book.

This book did not disappoint. I am a big fan of Lisa's Jewell's work. This book had lots of twists and turns. I could not stop reading. I really enjoyed the different POV's of the characters and the unreliable narrator. Lisa did a great of developing the characters. I really enjoyed learning about the different families.and characters. I liked this topic, I have never read any kind of book about cults and making it a thriller. Really interesting concept.
I do find it funny that Lisa always describes sinister characters having pointy teeth. From her previous books I always know that is a bad sign, so maybe Lisa should use a different word to describe them.

This story is about a family. Henry Lamb and his sister, Lucy, live in a mansion on Cheyne Walk in London. His family lives a very privileged lifestyle. When Henry is around 12 years old, things start to turn for the worse when people begin to stay with the family. It was only supposed to be temporary, but it ends up being for years. Slowly Henry’s life is no longer what it was. Fast forward, 25 years, Libby Jones inherits a house – not just any house, a mansion on Cheyne Walk. As Libby unravels the mysteries of the house, she begins to learn the secrets of her own past.

Wow is all I can say to describe this book. I read this book in one sitting because I just HAD to know what happens next! Lisa Jewell does a great job in writing a gripping and twisted story !