About the Cat, click here if you want to know his fate: (view spoiler)

Also, this book is tagged as supernatural and it is not really. Things are explained in a real life way and not attributed to supernatural events.

Not sure what to think of this book.

Influencer, author, and therapist Sara Slade and her husband purchase the notorious Black Wood House for a low price. Why? Because a grisly murder-suicide took place there. Sara plans to capitalize on the history to promote herself. Soon though, Sara starts to hear things in the attic, and she starts to get more and more paranoid about what is actually happening in the house. And Sara and her husband are hiding some dark secrets themselves that they are trying to keep hidden.

I'm still totally on the fence about this book. It should have worked for me, and in some ways it did, but in many ways it didn't. I read the heartfelt and touching author's note at the end, and I really empathize with the writer and her struggles.

I never warmed to Sara, she was acting bizarrely from the beginning and it never got better. The paranoia just grated on me and there are some things that I don't feel were thoroughly explained to make me have buy in that this could even have happened. She spends so much time drinking and doing weird things that really didn't have anything to do with the main plot. So. Much. Foreshadowing. And not nearly enough regular revelations. When we finally figure out why the need for the hiding of their identities I was so confused as to why we had to hear about Joe's bad black dye job SO many times.

There are newspaper articles referring to things in the book that haven't happened yet and those made me super annoyed. They took away the majority of the suspense in the book as we knew what was coming (like with the town meeting, was that necessary to reveal ahead of time? By the time I got to it I didn't even care to read it because I already knew what happened).

Overall I think this author has potential. There are some creepy atmospheric parts of this story, but for me got overshadowed by the holes in logic. I would give her books another try in the future.

I really liked that the house had lore behind it and this air of mystery. I found the characters really cold and unlikeable which made me not want to read the book. I wish I fell in love with the FMC before finding out how fake she is. Like show me her fake side and make me like her social media persona and then upset me by showing me her true depressed, broken marriage self. The book was short enough in length to achieve this.

Like so many of us the character Sarah Slade has secrets.

Wait till you discover for yourself what they are upon reading this twisty winding tale because some of them may surprise you like they surprised me.

I could not stop reading for very long and the more I read the more unraveling took place.

None of the characters really struck a chord with me but unlike other stories with this one that did not matter as much as getting to the truth about what was really happening in Black Wood House.

The more I uncovered the more I wanted to know, until what was actually happening finally played out to a very strange conclusion that was both disturbing as well as worth my time to get there.

Thank you to Random House Publishing Group-Ballentine for granting my wish! I really enjoyed The Stranger Upstairs. This debut has a ton of buzz surrounding it, and fairly so! The social media influencer schtick is super now and relevant but the creep factor for this one is off the charts. I cannot wait to read more from this author. 4 stars.

Rating: 4/5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
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“You repeat what you dont repair..”
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The Stranger Upstairs was a highly anticipated read for me as it has been raved about on booksta! I finally got around to reading it and guys I binged this one in a day. It’s a shorter read (less than 300 pages) and it will grab you right from the start and maintains a fast and stead pace throughout the book.
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I love a good murder house story and this one checked most of the boxes for me. One thing that was super fun was the news reports that were thrown in there that gave some forewarning as to what’s happened at Black Wood House. I spent a lot of my time questioning who I thought was responsible for all of the mysteriousness at the house.
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This one is a perfect psychological thriller, with some haunted house vibes. The ending had me fanning myself to relax because I was so anxious, and I absolutely love where Matlin went with this ending. It was new, it was very unique and not something that I would have expected but I think it all makes perfect sense. Also that epilogue which will bring you full circle to those haunted house vibes. That gave me goosebumps galore.
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The authors note is super important to read and I appreciate you Lisa Matlin for sharing your journey with us readers! Your debut has been a huge success and it is one that I know I will be remembering for a while. Cannot wait to see more of what you write!
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Definitely recommending to all my thriller friends who are looking for a murder house / psychological thriller spooky read this year!! The Stranger Upstairs was just released on 9/12 - go grab your copy now! Huge thank you to NetGalley, Lisa Matlin and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, Bantam for the eARC in exchange for my honest review!!

Okay, this was full of twists and turns that I didn't see coming. Don't start this late at night, either--it's a haunted house story. I liked the premise, liked the creepy town setting, but I didn't love the main character. She's not very likable, and I like my characters to be more likable. Still, I think many readers will enjoy this. I flew through it!

🦅𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐍𝐆𝐄𝐑 𝐔𝐏𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐈𝐑𝐒 -
I didn’t love this one but didn’t hate it. I think for a debut author she did a wonderful job. But for me I was just looking for more creepy vibes. I did like the haunted house vibes and the unlikeable characters but overall I wanted more from it. I think if you’re new to thrillers or want an easy read for spooky season this is a good pick!

First, this cover is stunning. I had my ARC but grabbed a hard copy as well and brought it to work. At least a dozen people asked about the book. I’m so torn! I love a despicable and unreliable narrator but Sarah was over the top. I hated her…. The writing is phenomenal to make me feel this strongly! I wasn’t blown away by the end twist but the story definitely kept my nerves all over the place! Solid 3.5 and can’t wait to read what Lisa Matlin writes next!

This was another book that I flew through because I needed answers. It gave me Amityville vibes, which I really loved. This is a great pick for spooky season! And I did NOT guess the ending. Definitely a great read!

This book grabbed my attention right away. It has you asking questions the whole time. Who is the body that was found? Is there really someone upstairs? Who is the main character really? Is this real or her imagination? Definitely give it a chance with an open mind

This was a fun psychological thriller! I'll be honest, I was initially with our protagonist because I would absolutely buy a murder house if the price was right–housing costs are too dang high right now, so we have to do what we have to do. Unfortunately, things don't seem to be working out for Sarah's hopes of renovating the house, her marriage, and altogether improving her life. This was a super creepy, twisty, and altogether highly enjoyable read. I was hooked on every page, and despite some minor issues here and there with the plotting and characters, I thought this was very solid and a read that's well worth it. I had a great time getting to know this social media influencer and embarking on the journey with her. Highly recommended to any psychological thriller/horror fans!

I have mixed feelings about this book. I really wanted the title to be literal and really wanted to feel like Sarah was living in a haunted house. Instead the book seemed to be more about all the ongoing crazy thoughts in Sarah's mind. How much of that came from all the alcohol consumed? Then there's also the relationship between Sarah and Joe. That was a complete train wreck and really made no sense. Sarah certainly had some mental health issues along with the strange habit of assuming other people's lives. A few spots looked like it might be a little about a haunted house, but that was the epilogue at the end. Just wasn't what I expected and found it disappointing.

Sarah Slade is a therapist and a famous Instagram influencer. Her and her husband, Joe, have decided to purchase and renovate The Blackwood House. Joe does it reluctantly but Sarah is thrilled with the opportunity. Back in the 80's a husband and father killed his wife with a hammer to the head and then went after his 17 year old daughter who thankfully escaped. He later killed himself in the home before authorities arrived. Blackwood House has been sitting vacant ever since. Or has it? You'll have to read this to find out!

Holy Bananas! The main character, Sarah, is one of those pill popping, wine guzzling, snarky as can be, unreliable narrators and Matlin nailed it. I was completely fascinated with watching this woman unravel. At one point when the first twist was revealed my smug self thought I had this one figured out but I was nothing but a clueless idiot. Matlin continued to surprise me time and time again. This is a psychological thriller with nods to horror and that's a cocktail I'm always fond of. 🍹 I also commend the author for sharing her own mental health journey in the authors note.

From the gorgeous cover to the very last page I was completely riveted and I can't wait to see what she treats us to next! 5 stars!

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for my complimentary copy.

Summary: A therapist and self-help writer with all the answers, Sarah Slade has just bought a gorgeous Victorian in the community of her dreams. Turns out, you can get a killer deal on a house where someone was murdered. Plus, renovating Black Wood House makes for great blog content and a decent distraction from her failing marriage. Good thing nobody knows that her past is just as filthy as the bloodstain on her bedroom floor.

But the renovations are fast becoming a nightmare. Sarah imagined custom avocado wallpaper, massive profits, and an appreciative husband who wants to share her bed again. Instead, the neighbors hate her guts and her husband still sleeps on the couch. And though the builders attempt to cover up Black Wood’s horrifying past, a series of bizarre accidents, threatening notes, and unexplained footsteps in the attic only confirms for Sarah what the rest of the town already knew: Something is very wrong in that house.

With every passing moment, Sarah’s life spirals further out of control—and with it, her sense of reality. But as she peels back the curling wallpaper and discovers the house’s secrets, she realizes that the deadly legacy of Black Wood House has only just begun.
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Rating:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
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My thoughts: I loved this one ! It was genuinely spooky and some sections actually freaked me out! Sarah was just a fantastic unreliable narrator. I loved every minute of this book and finished it within a day. I could not put it down or stop thinking about this one! Such a fun and unique read with fun and surprising twist at the end. That ending was just SO good! Fantastic book; probably my favorite of September ! Thank you @netgalley @bantambooksuk for the advanced copy!
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QOTD: what is something that scares you ?! I’m terrified of being trapped on an elevator, creepy clowns, and big spiders 😂

Many thanks to NetGalley, Random House Ballantine Books Bantam for gifting me a digital ARC of the debut thriller by Lisa M. Matlin - 4 stars!

Sarah, a therapist and social media influencer, and her husband, Joe, are fleeing from their past and buy a house cheap because a gruesome murder-suicide happened there. They have plans to refurnish the house and sell for a quick profit, while Sarah posts about the experience. But the reality is much different - the house is creepy with sounds coming from the attic, Joe is totally checked out, and the neighbors angry.

I love a creepy, haunted house story with unreliable narrators and characters abounding! This was a smart, twisty thriller that kept the tension high throughout. I can't wait to read more from this author!

3.5 rounded up to 4⭐

In this twisted tale of a creepy murder house you'll find plenty of chills to keep you up at night.

Sarah is an unreliable narrator teetering on the edge of madness after moving into the house where a murder/suicide occurred 40 years ago. The town wants it bulldozed but Sarah is determined to fix it up and flip it. The problem is, will she be able to do that before the house flips her?

I really enjoyed this thrilling debut. It's pretty well written and the plot kept me on my toes. There are many things to like about the story but for me Sarah herself wasn't one of them but I think that's exactly what the author wanted me to feel. It's a quick read that can be devoured in a couple of sittings.

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for granting me an e-ARC to read, review and enjoy.

TW: Language, drinking, alcoholism, shopping addiction, toxic relationships, gaslight, addiction, overdose, death of parent, depression, suicide

*****SPOILERS*****
About the book:Sarah Slade is starting over. As the new owner of the infamous Black Wood House—the scene of a grisly murder-suicide—she’s determined that the fixer-upper will help reach a new audience on her successful lifestyle blog, and distract her from her failing marriage.

But as Sarah paints over the house’s horrifying past, she knows better than anyone that a new façade can’t conceal every secret. Then the builders start acting erratically and experiencing bizarre accidents—and Sarah knows there’s only so long she can continue to sleep in the bedroom with the bloodstained floor and suffer the mysterious footsteps she hears from the attic.

When menacing notes start appearing everywhere, Sarah becomes convinced that someone or something is out to kill her—her husband, her neighbors, maybe even the house itself. The more she remodels Black Wood House, the angrier it seems to become
Release Date: September 26th, 2023
Genre: Thriller
Pages: 288
Rating: ⭐️

What I Liked:
1. Very atmospheric
2. Writing style was good

What I Didn't Like:
1. The tone of the book
2. Sarah and her husband fighting - annoying
3. Sarah is not likeable
4. Thriller NOT a horror

Overall Thoughts:
I'm soooooo curious how a house that's sat for 40 years without caretakers is in okay enough condition that they can move in and live there while fixing it up. When Sarah describes the house it sounds like it's in pretty good shape. Has the author never seen an abandoned house?

I do not like Sarah.

Honestly the neighbor coming back to warn Sarah. Telling her that Bill said someone was in the attic. They never found out what it was or who it was. It just seems silly that the neighbor would give her this warning when it's been forty years. He also mentions that there have been others that lived in the house that thought they'd be okay too.

If Sarah has so many followers on Instagram why is she using a website to upload updates with? Why not Instagram/Youtube/Tik tok? A website seems so old.

A married couple buying a house to fix up when they are already having issues. Isn't it stressful to 1)buy a house and 2)renovate it?

I was annoyed at the constant fighting of Sarah and her husband. It felt so non-stop and over the top. Their fights felt very fake because they would just leave in the middle of the sentence. I tried to follow the conflict but it was like;
Sarah was frustrated. He was mad. Sarah didn't know why he was mad. She wanted to ask him why but instead she asked if he took the trash out. He gave her a look of hate and stormed off. Sarah wondered why she was so unloved."
Thanks author for adding those pointless things that did nothing for the plot or characters.

I didn't understand the concept of going to the effort of getting a fake identity, staying in the same country, and the posting your face all over social media and even writing a book. Isn't the point of another identity to hid your old identity? Sorry, I'm still waiting for my convenient fake identity to show up in the mail so I'm unsure how this works. So then she gets scared when someone is sending her a dvd and a post it on her car! Hello you let everyone know where you live!!

Whoa... She got a crew of contractors to come to her house on a Saturday?

I was confused when she came home from her run and they workers had laid ceramic titles in the kitchen and the wooden floor, but she got sick. Was she sick that they were actually able to work or was she sick because they did something wrong?

By the second sticky note I was pretty sure she was the one writing them.

Stupid Emily coming in and saying the neighbor Jeff was bad when he was a kid and now he is worse. Ummm Sarah presses for details but Emily tells her to not worry about it. She tells her some stuff even mentions that Jeff has tried to get the house bulldozed every year but the counsel has denied it. Sarah gets distracted by a stain and doesn't ask why. But seriously why?? Then Emily says another woman lived in the house before her but get this - she looked just like Sarah! *dramatic music* Her name was Amanda and she just disappeared.

I don't get this book holding back so much. Are we going to move forward with this plot or are we going to not learn anything and then when the ending comes everything is thrown at us?

I swear if this is just a book about phrogging I'm going to be mad.

It just drives me crazy when in a book everything could be just solved if they just talked. He comes home they never talk she never talks to him he never talks to her she starts to think he's having an affair because he's always gone but God forbid she actually talk to him.

Well we finally turned out to speak mixture and why they had to leave their town. Oh this big dark deep secret they've been keeping and why they had to change their identity and everything is because Joe was her sisters boyfriend and she stole him. That's it. That's something that they've been building for for 40% of this book.

It's so odd to me how Sarah aká Lizzy would think the neighbors and people in town would all be so happy she bought this house where a family was slaughtered at. She keeps making out like she's the victim when she's the one who came in with a fun idea of redoing the house.

I wish I would havw known anything about Joe, but he has so little of an appearance in this book I just don't care about him.

Want to read a book about a woman that jumps to conclusions every step of the way even if there is zero proof of anything? This is the perfect book for you.

Is this book over yet?

I'm shocked that the neighbors haven't burned the house down already. They clearly don't want the house there and what was stopping them from getting rid of it themselves.

Don't worry Darren is hot - Sarah has only mentioned it 1000 times.

What are the chances that the person that moves into the house are two women that look so alike that everyone thinks they are the same person? *shakes head*

Darren getting Amanda's name tattooed on him after only a few weeks of knowing her. Who's the psycho here? Definitely him.

Another drunk depressed woman in an unreliable storyline. I thought we were done with these.

Wtf is that letter to Andy... Teehee?

Honestly, I've been trying to figure out what this book is trying to be. Is it trying to be a horror book that has ghosts living in an abandoned house? Is it a thriller with a couple that has secrets and a missing woman? Is it a story of a couple that has issues and they are trying to get through them? How can one short book try to be so much and come out making me feel so unsatisfied?

Random pov from Emily.... Okay!

SO apparently Lizzy strangled Sarah and staged her suicide. Nevermind that to strangle someone you'll leave marks on the neck that a hanging wouldn't match up with.

This whole time I was trying to figure out why it took so long to identify Emily's body and then they said they didn't have anyone to identify her, but that isn't how that happens. They will identify you by your finger prints or dental records, so they don't need someone to show up.

Honestly the real villain is Carbon Monoxide so please remember to check that your detectors are updated. Alright folks have a good night. I'm out!

Final Thoughts:
No twist here. If you’ve read any other thriller where a woman is driven crazy then you pretty much know what’s going to happen in this book.

Recommend For:
• Every basic thriller

I feel conflicted with this. The premise and the plot line really got me interested. Also the cover is really eye-catching. But this was sadly just okay for me. 3.0 to 3.5 stars. Really middle of the road for me.

Self-help influencer and therapist Sarah Slade and her husband Joe Cosgrove have just purchased the infamous Black Wood House in the small town of Beacon, Australia. 40 years prior Black Wood House was the site of a brutal murder-suicide, since then the house has been empty and the bane of the town. With many neighbors and residents wanting for the house to be demolished, Sarah and Joe are not exactly met with open arms to their new community. As Sarah and Joe start their renovations on the house, bad things start happening and seemingly inexplainable things go bumping the night. Sarah becomes determined to figure out what is happening in the house, what her neighbors are hiding, and who knows about her and Joe's past before coming to Beacon.

Like I said, the plot is good. Spooky house. Untrustworthy neighbors. Secret past. Sounds perfect for going into spooky season. However, I found Sarah absolutely insufferable. I know she's supposed to be a terrible person but the stakes seemed very high for what was ultimately revealed to be not that shocking of a secret. I found myself going "that's it? that's the reason?" The ending seemed a little cliché and the reason for the "haunted" house was so practical it just pulled me out of the creepy, eerie atmosphere. The story wasn't bad by any means, but nothing to gush over. This is Lisa M. Matlin's first novel and she certainly has potential and I want to see how she grows as a writer. If you're a casual thriller/horror reader or a mood reader, you might really enjoy this.

Thank you to Penguin Random House-Bantam, NetGalley, and the author for an advanced reader's copy in exchange for an honest review.

On the outside, Sarah’s life is perfect. Bestselling author with a perfect husband. But reality is quite different. Sarah is hoping that flipping a house and making a profit will help her marriage. But the opposite happens. As soon as she moves in, horrible things begin to happen. I enjoyed this book even if it was a little scary for me. I would recommend to anyone who likes a little thriller and an unreliable narrator.

Sarah Slade takes the opportunity of fixing up a murder house for profit. None of the neighbors are happy about it and she keeps thinking about the murder that happened there, and the last owner that went missing.

I didn’t love the main character. She was annoying and got worse as time went by but I had to find out what was going on! I liked the story because it truly felt like a descent into madness. I was worried about the cat the entire time though!

“Most people sweep monsters under the bed, pull the covers back and let them crawl in.”

The Stranger Upstairs is available now.