A troubled woman with secrets + a murder house. What could possibly go wrong? A LOT!

I was curious about this debut novel surrounding a murder house. Sadly, it proved to be just an ok read/listen. There were things that I enjoyed - the frantic tension, the MC’s unraveling, the creepy AF house, the interspersed news sections that highlight the crime. It was definitely an atmospheric read and gave off lots of tense, what the hell is going on here vibes.

Sarah Slade was the kind of character you aren’t sure if you like, let alone truly want to root for but also can’t seem to look away from. She buys a murder house, at a steal (bc of course no one in their right mind wants to live there) and hopes to renovate and flip it, all the while documenting it on social media. We quickly see that this therapist and self help social media star’s life isn’t all it looks to be on those carefully curated squares and posts. She’s one hell of an unreliable narrator and a certifiable train wreck. I was here for her downward spiral and the escalating creepiness. Yet sadly, the overall story felt long and had too many plot holes I could

I got an ARC of this book through NetGalley! Sarah Slade is a therapist and a self-help writer slash influencer who has just moved with her husband to an old house in a wealthy town. She’s decided that renovating the house will make great online content, and they got an amazing deal on the house because it was the location of a murder years ago. She’s also hoping it serves as a bit of a fresh start for her marriage, which is not in a great place. Instead, though, lots of strange things start to happen – weird interactions with neighbors, major snags with the renovations – and keep getting stranger and stranger. I had a few moments while reading this book where I wasn’t sure what was real and what was in Sarah’s head! It’s a good “spooky season” psychological thriller.

Not often does a book surprise me. I have to say this one did! It also renewed my fear of the dark lol! This was the perfect spooky read with a sidekick cat named Reaper! (How Stinkin’ cute) Very interesting plot and it kept me wanting to turn the page to see what else was going on. It was overall a fun read! This is my first time reading this author but not the last!

Would you buy a house where a brutal murder took place? Well influencer/ therapist Sarah Slater did m, she bought Black Wood House. She compares fixing the house to how she helps fix her patients, and she believes once her followers see this, she will sell the house and make a ton of money. Behind closed doors Sarah’s marriage is falling apart and you begin realize Sarah has a dark past she’s running from. Sarah begins to realizes the "murder house" is more than she signed up for, it has peeling wallpaper, strange occurrences at night, contractors refusing to come out and help, and the neighbors have made it very clear she’s not wanted there. We watch as Sarah begins to spiral out of control becoming paranoid and insisting that she hears the previous murder victims echoing in her ears: "Don't kill me. Don't kill me. Don't kill me."
Sarah with her cat reaper are left alone to confront the house and she wonders . . . is it all worth it? Is someone lurking in the dark or is it the house forcing her out?

Hmmmm…… how do I feel about this book? On the one hand I think it is an okay and atmospheric thriller with some genuinely spooky moments. A social media influencer, a murder house where the echoes of the angry dead still linger…….. Are these supernatural happenings or is our wine guzzling heroine simply losing her mind?

But wait….. I think I’ve read this book before. I think I’ve read it in various subtle variations many times and that is where the problem lies for me. Lack of originality. And as someone who enjoys social media, murder podcasts etc , they are swiftly becoming a played out trope for me. I think I’ll pass on thrillers featuring them for a while.

Thank you to @NetGalley for an arc of this book.

Writing: 4/5
Characters: 4/5
Plot: 3/5
Enjoyment: 3/5

The Stranger Upstairs is about a married couple that buy a famous murder house as a fixer upper. Sarah is hoping to gain more followers by documenting her journey then turn around and sell it for a profit, but strange things start happening and she is forced to decide if it is all worth it. I did like the beginning and learning about the history of the house and the crime that took place there. Yes I am a true crime fan. But the way the book was set up I expected more of a ghost story, kind of like The Amityville Horror. This had many twists and turns to it that made me want to continue reading it. If I knew going in it was going to be more thriller than horror I would have been more willing to give it a 4 star rating.

I received an arc and am leaving an honest review.

I went into this book ready to love it, and I'm afraid I just didn't. Sarah has purchased the "murder house" after 40 years of sitting empty, hoping to renovate and sell it for plenty of $--but the house doesn't seem to want to be renovated. Strange things keep happening, and no one wants to work there. She is also a therapist who very clearly has lots of her own problems. She and her husband have serious tension between them. She's of course also an alcoholic, which just feels like the go to issue for female thriller characters to have. In general, I just didn't quite ever get into the groove of this book. That said, I'd try another one of this authors books in the future.

Man, this one got me. I was genuinely scared reading this book - which never happens to me. I did not see the ending coming at all. I really enjoyed the twist and turns of this book and would highly recommend it to others. Looking forward to the Author’s next book.

What a debut! The cover is also absolutely gorgeous! This book is creepy and messed with my mind. The protagonist is one that you hate to love or love to hate? Not sure which as I was reading. To me this book had touches of horror to it. The plot kept me intrigued the entire time. I cannot wait to see what Lisa Matlin comes up with next!!

I really tried to like this book, but it just wasn't for me. The storyline was repetitive, and I just wanted it to move on. The idea of it was interesting, but it couldn't hold my attention for long. At times, it could be humorous, but overall, I didn't connect with the book. That being said, I think there will be other readers that really do enjoy the book. Find out for yourself.

I gave it three out of five stars. I was given this book for my honest opinion.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this title.

This was an atmospheric psychological thriller with a touch of horror. A murder house and a woman unraveling can't turn out well.....Not to mention all the secrets she is hiding and a marriage on the rocks. Put all this together,and you're in for a twisty tale where you are kept guessing where things are going. A good solid debut. I'll be looking for more from this author.

(Spoiler if you want to go in knowing as little as possible) I like a thriller that doesn’t tie up everything at the end. Feels more authentic. I had a good time with this one and will happily recommend it it others. The author’s note at the end was especially great and I wish her all the best for the future and will pick up her next book if that is what she chooses to do.. Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for access to an advanced copy.

Sarah Slade just bought a murder house so that they can renovate and flip it. Who does that? A therapist and self-help guru that's who. She thought that this would be fun and help bring her and her husband back together. Well, hold your thoughts on that as this is an interesting tale and it will grip your almost from the moment you open the book.

I felt the protagonist's anxiety the entire time I was reading this book. It was a great read for spooky season and kept you second guessing your predictions for the ending. One of the better unreliable narrator stories I've read and I wanted more of it.

A really satisfying mystery with twists and turns you don’t see coming! It’s creepy, fast paced, and suspenseful so you can’t help but want to read just one more chapter til the end!

Every time I thought I had this figured out, I discovered I didn't. I have a deep appreciation for that as one who can usually see what's coming! A great debut novel - suspenseful, mysterious, and enjoyable. I didn't find the characters particularly likable, but that contributed to the story. An overall worthwhile read!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this book.

Sarah Slade is an influencer. She and her husband appear to have the perfect life when they move into a "murder house" intending to restore it. However, it seems the house doesn't want them there...

I enjoyed reading this book, but I found that it didn't stick with me. When I sat down to do my review, it took me looking the book up to even remember it. Still, it's a quick read,. I will say if you're looking for a book that is twisty and will keep you guessing the whole time, this probably isn't it.

I loved this book! It was a real thriller that had me guessing until the end. Stunning cover and creepy story! Perfectly executed!

I really wanted to like this book, but I could never get into the story. A social media influencer, Sarah, and her husband purchase a house with a haunted past. Sarah plans to document their renovations of the house on her social media page for her many followers. However, things don’t go as planned and Sarah’s secretive past starts to surface. The premise of the story sucked me in, but I felt let down in the end.

Good book. Never would have predicted the ending. This author will be going places. Not normally a fan of this type of book but it kept me interested throughout the entire book