HOLY CRAP, this book scared the bejeezus out of me! (Cue Chandler Bing from Friends here....) While reading this, I could barely sleep and actually felt like this creepy house was haunting ME. I honestly can't believe this is a debut novel, as it was so tightly constructed and kept me engaged (and guessing) throughout. I will definitely be looking to read future novels from this author. And the cover is absolutely gorgeous!!

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for a readers copy of this book. My reviews are spoiler free and freely given.
The Black Wood House is the site of a murder suicide, has stood empty for years, and has recently been purchased by a young couple determined to renovate it. But this house does not want to be changed.
Strange occurrences and threats soon begin to take their toll, leading to a tragic outcome.
The author excels at making you question what exactly is happening and the motivations driving both the main characters and the secondary characters within the town. Well done.

I absolutely loved THE STRANGER UPSTAIRS. There were so many layers to the story that it kept me guessing as each one was peeled back one by one. I am excited to see what is next from this author.

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! No spoilers. Beyond amazing I enjoyed this book so very much. The characters and storyline were fantastic. The ending I did not see coming Could not put down nor did I want to. Truly Amazing and appreciated the whole story. This is going to be a must read for many many readers. Maybe even a book club pick.

⭐️⭐️⭐️

This cover is amazing! It’s the first thing that caught my eye. As a debut novel, I think it did okay! Thank you for the ARC in return for an honest opinion.

What did I enjoy?
• I really enjoyed the first third of the book. I could almost see it being a TV show..
• thriller + horror elements
• unreliable narrators
• fast paced

What could have been better?
• kinda over the “unreliable alcoholic single women” trope
• I’m not sure if it was just me, but the writing felt almost immature. It felt a bit YA or unedited. It definitely made me pull away from really enjoying this book.

I was hooked from the start. This book is truly a creepy thriller that had me guessing the whole time. There was a good amount of characters and suspense. And the setting really added to the whole experience. Thanks to NetGalley for the privilege to read and review this book.

This was a super enjoyable read. I loved the premise and the setting. The main character, Sarah, was a bit annoying but definitely interesting. This was a really creepy twisty story, and the ending was completely unexpected.

Sarah Slade is an influencer, therapist, and… a woman on the run? Sarah clearly has some secrets beneath her glossy exterior, and watching them unravel was quite a ride! For a while this book felt like Riley Sager’s Home Before Dark, but I appreciated the explanation and the ending of this book more. A great read, and I’ll be watching for the author’s next release! Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the digital ARC.

A mostly single POV that in my opinion should have had so many more to it. I did love all of the news articles pointing to more and more murders at Black Wood House which really helped build the suspense. With no names given in the articles it really made your mind wander and come up with more ways that the story could unfold, all of which, I was wrong. I felt as though Sarah's character droned on a bit too much at times, but was still a solid MC. I enjoyed the spookiness vibes the book gave off, and all in all felt like it was a great debut by Matlin. (3.5)

What an absolutely riveting book!
I could have read this entire story in one sitting if not for the responsibilities of adulting.

I may end up being the odd one out here, but I loved every ounce of Sarah’s character, all the way to the very last words.

If you love a good, crazy, potentially paranormal/supernatural/very lightly haunted house suspense read this is the book for you.

There was so much anxiety and tension and “wtf is going on” throughout this entire book. It was exactly the kind of wild ride I’ve been searching for.

100% recommend, again and again!

4.5 stars

I honestly regret taking so long to finish this book I think I was in a bit of a slump. From the mental health representation in this book as well as the amazing way that this was written, I’m surprised this book isn’t related higher. There were a few scenes that had me on the edge of my seat that I can say I haven’t felt very often lately with a lot of thrillers. I sat with this for a bit as I was hoping for some other conclusion to this on trying to decide what I wanted to rate it. I can honestly say the twist didn’t make me mad or make the story any lack luster. If you want to read something that you’re not sure where it’s going to go or if anything can get any crazier but also go where you aren’t thinking it will, read this book.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC.

#netgalley

What I loved about the book is how Matlin builds up the suspense. Seriously, I was on the edge of my seat from start to finish. Every chapter had me second-guessing everything and everyone. I mean, do we really know what's lurking in the shadows? And let's talk about the characters! Sarah is such a complex and intriguing protagonist. Her personal life is falling apart, and the mysterious events in the house only add to her troubles. I found myself rooting for her, hoping she would escape the grip of the house's dark secrets. This story had all the elements that make a psychological thriller great - deception, obsession, and an eerie atmosphere that made the hair stand up on the back of my neck. I even found myself questioning my own sanity while reading it.

I feel like I have read several thrillers with similar storylines to this one recently (new couple moves into a home that was previously the scene of a murder), and so I didn’t have a ton of expectations going into it. I ended up enjoying it much more than I thought I would! There were several elements in this book that I thought were a fresh take on a popular premise, including the reveal which was so clever, in my opinion. I will say that the middle dragged on for me a bit, but the beginning pulled me in quickly and the ending certainly packed a punch.

Also, as always, a moment for the cover! 2023 cover artists have been all over it!!

Thank you to Random House Publishing + NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review!

I read this a couple of months ago and really enjoyed it! It started a little slow but once it picked up I was hooked!

This book was a fun read. It's not one that is very memorable but I liked the spooky atmosphere and the surprise ending.

📖: The Stranger Upstairs
✏️: Lisa Matlin
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

I found this book to be a perfect, quick read for spooky season, and learning that it was a debut was even better! Now I have another new to me author to follow for future books!!

Right off of the bat, I found Sarah Slade to be the most unreliable main character I've read about in a longggg time! I found her hard to relate to, but I didn't view this as a problem because she is chaotic! My heart broke for her, and I was rooting for her to get the help she needed.

The ending was absolutely WILD, and I did not see the reveal coming!

In the author's note, I appreciate the author for opening up and sharing a moment of vulnerability with the reader.

Thank you to @netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an eARC in exchange for my honest review!

Things to know about me: I am a huge sucker for an unreliable narrator, particularly if alcohol is involved, and I like unlikable MCs. Check and check for this book.

Unsurprisingly, the first thing that attracted me to The Stranger Upstairs was the cover. I'm shallow. Seriously, can we just take a moment to drink in these colors? Next was the synopsis, which sold me on the idea of a social media influencer buying a murder house to renovate for content. And with gothic vibes!?

We love that. Additionally, it's from a debut author and is set in Australia. We love that even more!!

Unfortunately, due to over-extending myself, and I didn't get to it as quickly as I wanted to. Then the reviews started rolling in and some of them weren't the greatest. I started to get nervous. I started to prioritize other books over this one. It was a whole thing. Having now completed this, I wish I would have read it sooner. I thought it was so much fun; a gripping page-turner!

In this story we follow Sarah Slade, a therapist, who is also gaining some traction as a lifestyle influencer.
Black Wood House was once the scene of a grisly murder-suicide, and now it's Sarah's latest pet project. She and her husband need a place to start over, and due to its 'murder house' status, they're able to procure Black Wood at a ridiculously low price in a highly-desirable neighborhood.

Sarah's idea is to renovate it and she can use the renovation as constant content to attract new followers, helping her to reach the next level in social media status.

Her husband, not a fan of purchasing the house in the first place, can hardly stand to be there. He doesn't understand Sarah's determination with this project. Once the builders, hired on to help with the reno, begin acting strangely and having unexplained accidents, it appears maybe Sarah's husband is on to something about the malevolent nature of the house.

Nothing is shaking Sarah though, not even the threatening notes that begin showing up for her. Someone doesn't want her there. Is it the house, or someone else and is Sarah really willing to risk everything just for content?

There are so many layers to this story, but you'll have to read it to discover all the little avenues Matlin takes us down. Admittedly, the writing style took me a minute to get used to, as it didn't flow quite the way I expected.
However, after reading the entire story, I sort of feel like the way it was written matches Sarah's personality perfectly. It's like viewing the world through her eyes and I not only came to enjoy it, but I became extremely invested in it. If I had to compare it, I would say the style reminds me of Mona Awad's style.

I was extremely intrigued by the house and Sarah's motivations for being there. I did feel like the house had a lot of Amityville vibes, but it wasn't a turn off for me. I actually quite liked that. Sarah, as a character isn't particularly likable, and you might even classify her as unreliable, but I don't need to like characters to enjoy a story. Additionally, as mentioned above, I love an unreliable narrator, so I think this story was just set-up to work for me.

I also really enjoyed the mystery behind what was happening with the house. It had a great, 'is it supernatural, is it not'-intrigue to it that I always enjoy. As Sarah is coming more unhinged the longer she stays in the house, she's also simultaneously trying to figure out what is going on. I thought Matlin did a great job keeping the intensity up throughout and making Sarah's investigations into her circumstances believable.

I think as far as debuts go, this one is very strong. I think if this is the kind of story that usually works for you, you should absolutely give this one a go. It's tense and gripping throughout, with a very interesting conclusion.

Thank you so much to the publisher, Bantam, for providing me with a copy to read and review. I am really looking forward to reading more from Lisa M. Matlin!

I enjoyed this book and finished it in a day! The twist was something I never saw coming! The plot was super intriguing from the start and I went in mostly blind. I found myself annoyed with the main character for a bit, but the book really took me by surprise and I found myself unable to stop about half way through! Although I expected more of a Haunted House vibe based on the cover and title, the domestic thriller was still fun and I was enthralled by the end. I absolutely loved the ending and the fast paced nature of this one made it super easy to read! Highly suggest as a new thriller to pick up!

This book was not exactly what you think! I loved that it kept me guessing, armchair detective and all. It was fast-paced, and thrilling which is what I want and need in a thriller. Also that cover is gorgeous, and makes me want to pick it up! Will be looking for more from Matlin in the future!

Would you buy a house where an infamous murder occurred? I wouldn't either, but I'm not Sarah Slade, and she's not like most of us.

But as she renovates the house of her dreams, things begin to happen that cause her to question her sanity.

This book had an atmospheric, creepy feel to it. I felt sort of claustrophobic in parts of it reading about the house. It's a good story.