When Sarah and Joe buy and move into Black Wood House, they have big plans to renovate and make a huge profit sale afterwards. The fact that murders have been committed in this house they feel will add to the mystic and selling power. As they leave their own secrets behind to begin anew - they find themselves in a house that has secrets of its own...the dangerous kind. Soon things begin happening that have no explanation, and the eeriness of the house becomes scary. Even the cat, Reaper, is reacting to something very strange. As the story unfolds, we find there is so much more to all the secrets and it begins to twist and turn in unexpected ways. Feelings of tension, fear, anxiety and drama are woven throughout the pages as we are drawn to answers and conclusions that can be mind-bending. Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, Bantam for the opportunity to read and review this advance reader copy. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. #NetGalley #TheStrangerUpstairs

The Stranger Upstairs by Lisa M. Matlin was not one of my favorites.

It was a quick read with lots of twists. For me the way the main character was portrayed was really troubling and was hard to get past.

The characters were one dimensional and while the ending was good, this one didn't do it for me.

Great twisted book.

The writing gets more jumbled as the narrators mental health deteriorates which takes some getting used to but overall a great thriller book.

Would recommend for my BA Paris or Megan Miranda fans

This was such a dang good debut novel. I’ve been sitting on writing this review because I just feel like I couldn’t put into words what I was feeling. But I love when books make me feel this way.

I also listened to this audio and you could literally feel Sarah going crazy. You felt every single emotion. The unreliable narrator aspect really worked for this book.

There were so many twists and turns in this book that you think you know where it’s going but bam, it throws another wrench in the mix.

I will say the ending was a little eh, for me. However I completely never would have guessed it. Such a fun, quick read

I will for sure pick up other reads from this author!

A really refreshing twist on the haunted house/sinister neighbors subgenre. Can honestly say the twist was unexpected!

OH MY GOD THIS BOOK WAS AMAZING!! It was the most un-put-downable book I’ve read in 2023!! I literally could NOT get enough of it!! Kudos to Lisa Matlin for the most thrilling debut I’ve ever read!!
One of the biggest issues I’m having being a huge thriller fan is the need for a gripping plot and not being able to figure it all out halfway through. The Stranger Upstairs kept me guessing and ignoring my phone and family for the two days it kept me in its grip. I was terrified, intrigued, confused and addicted and I loved every minute of it!! The FMC is the most hideous person I’ve ever met and honestly, kudos-again!, to the author for writing a narrator who sucks. I hated her and yet wanted her to stay alive.
The ending might not be the climax some readers are looking for, but I think it put a great twist on a spooky book.

Wow - I read this in one day. I was really pulled into Sarah's overall character and what made her want to buy those house in the first place. Secondly, what was going on with Sarah, her sister, and her husband. I felt like the climax was a total twist (to me at least).
My only feedback is that I felt like the title did not match the story at all. It was a little confusing to me that "The Stranger Upstairs" is the title when it could have been named something more closely related to the story.

This book was wild! Left me feeling unsettled with all the creepy happenings, and also definitely brought mental issues into the spotlight throughout the book. I really liked the concept, I loved the spooky setting (perfect for spooky season!), but I felt like there were a few topics that were kind of left hanging or not given as in depth of a storyline as I wanted, and the repetitive phrases throughout started to drive me a little crazy 😜. Overall this was a fun read and I give it 3.5 rounded to 4⭐️.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for my ARC in exchange for my honest opinion!

Loved this story!! The plot twist was fantastic. I would’ve never guessed! The main character really displayed symptoms of severe mental illness, and while she did still suffer from that, the root cause of her symptoms during this time period was surprising. Perfect for spooky season. I cannot wait to read more from this author!

Incredible spooky read 👻

Gives off major Amityville vibes which yesss I love ! Perfect season for this.
No spoilers but I love Sarah's love for her weird cat . Reaper is prob my fave character 🖤
I also always love a book that keeps me guessing & even when I thought I had that ending down. Nope !

The authors note was gorgeous & I'm so happy for Lisa she came out of everything to give the world this book.

Thank u #NetGalley for this Arc
#TheStrangerUpstairs is spooktactular

Thank you NetGalley and Ms. Matlin for giving me the opportunity to review "The Stranger Upstairs." I absolutely loved this book.! It is the perfect mix of horror and thriller. I flew through this book. The combination of a haunted house and questionable characters grips you into the story. I didn't want it to end.

I really enjoyed this book. Took me a bit to get into it though but once I read the cliffhanger in part 1, I was hooked. Would definitely read another book by this author. The main character was annoying but she was supposed to be. Did not see the ending coming at all or predict it.

Fantastic debut novel!

As soon as I saw the cover and read the description, I knew I had to read this one and I was not disappointed.

Sarah Slade, a wannabe Instagram influencer, and her husband, Joe, buy a house in small town that is infamous for being the scene of a grisly murder. Locally, it is known as The Murder House, and it has sat empty for 40 years until Sarah buys it. The neighbors are not happy and want her out of there and to bulldoze the house. But she has other plans. She was able to purchase the house for a steal and she wants to remodel the house, document everything on Instagram, get lots of sponsorships and then sell the house for a huge profit.

The problem is that she did not do her research, has no experience with remodeling and actually doesn’t really have the money. She is a therapist and Joe is a bartender. They have bitten off more than they can chew. The house is in disrepair, smells and almost immediately they start to get the feeling that the house doesn’t want them there. Combined with the fact that their marriage is on the rocks and they have a lot to hide, things spiral out of control quickly and then Sarah starts hearing noises from the attic and getting creepy notes.

I love the way the story was written with Sarah as the narrator, sometimes in first person and sometimes writing to a diary and there were also news reports sprinkled in to give detail on current events while we have them played out through Sarah’s eyes. Perspective changes slightly at the end but it works.

4 stars. Would recommend this book and would definitely read this author again.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

3.5 stars, rounded up.

Sarah Slade decides that buying a "murder house" and fixing it up could be a good money maker. She convinces her husband Joe to invest everything they have to buy and then renovate the house while chronicling it for her online fans, thus making money as the influencer she is and hopefully getting more endorsements.

Things start to go badly right away, strange occurrences in the house and neighbors who would have preferred the house was demolished. Sarah starts spiraling and isn't sure what is real and what is in her head. The story definitely keeps you on the edge of your seat and not sure of what will happen next. It's a great thriller but the characters are all lacking in positive qualities so I couldn't really root for anybody except Sarah's coworker who tries to help her.

Joe is pretty nonexistent from the house and Sarah's life, not sure why he agreed to move into the house with her. He and Sarah have secrets in the past that we learn along the way, there is nothing that makes either of them likeable. Would definitely give it more stars if I had liked the characters, it was a great thrill ride!

The Stranger Upstairs’ main character evokes both hatred and pity as she navigates a haunted house.
Sarah Slade, a social influencer, just purchased the infamous Black Wood House. The scene of murder-suicide decades ago still keeps people away from it. Regardless, Sarah determined that the fixer-upper will help reach a new audience on her lifestyle blog and distract her from her failing marriage. As she goes through the renovations, the builders start acting erratically and experiencing bizarre accidents causing Sarah to start to fear her own home. The fear is compounded by the fact she has started to receive menacing notes. Sarah realizes there are also threats both inside and outside the house.
Lisa M. Matlin creates an utterly unlikable character, and you like Sarah less and less as the novel progresses. Nevertheless, as it is clear that Sarah is having a mental breakdown, it’s hard not to want to look away. The reader feels sorry for her and, I, personally, felt like I shouldn’t be watching/reading it. But this is the best part of the book: seeing what happens when a mind breaks down. It also keeps you guessing about the house. Is there really something wrong with the house? Is there a malevolent spirit? Is it just hallucinations?
The Epilogue ruins the psychological scariness of the book. While giving it a creepier ending is a good twist, it negates exactly what the character went through. While I did not like Sarah, the basis was thought-provoking and had good reasoning. I didn’t like the character, but the sympathy I felt for her was my only interest in the character. The lack of character growth at the end of the book was also disappointing.
I felt ashamed to be watching the character’s emotional downfall but, sadly, that is the best part of this book.

At first I thought this book was just another unreliable narrator then it gets good! This story follows Sarah Slade a self help author who decides to buy a house with her husband and fix it up only twist it’s a murder house. We follow Sarah and Joe as they move into the house and things begin to slowly unravel.

The first quarter of the book I didn’t think I was going to be a fan but that quickly changed as the suspense was built. I am not a fan of the unreliable narrator trope and almost DNFd this thinking it was going to be another thriller following suite. Then it started to grow on me and I read the second half this book in one sitting it wasn’t the biggest twists and turns but again the author did an amazing job building suspense through the second half the book. I also really enjoyed the afterward that was about the authors personal struggles. I look forward to pick up more from this author in the future! I would like to thank net galley and the publishers for a chance to read this book for an honest review.

Prefect writen, definitely plot twist that you don't even see coming. Wowww! Can't believe how it ends.

I am torn on how to rate this because I am so tired of the alcoholic woman that's going crazy story trope, however, I read the author's note at the end and really resonated with the author's authenticity about sharing her mental health struggles. I do think the story was enjoyable and I really liked the spooky elements. I wish there would have been more spooky, haunted stuff happening though. All in all, I enjoyed this book, and I would pick up the author's next one.

Thank you to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, Bantam and Netgalley for my ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Black Wood House is a large, Victorian home built in 1889. It has stood empty for 40 years because people believe it’s haunted. In 1980, Bill Campbell killed his wife, Susan, and then attempted to kill his teenage daughter who managed to escape. Then, he took an overdose of drugs and died.

Sarah Slade, a therapist and best selling author of a self-help book, has bought the house. Along with her husband, Joe Cosgrove, they plan to renovate the home and sell it for a good profit. In addition, they hope the work of renovation will bring them back together.

Sarah has brought her cat, Reaper, with them. The house inside is in much worse condition than she thought it would be. Joe does not like staying there and usually hangs out with a friend. However, Sarah convinces herself she is not afraid so stays in the actual bedroom where Susan was killed.

As this book continues, things get weird, creepy, scary, and just plain nuts. Because the things that Sarah experienced were so strange, I just cringed as I read the book. For me, this book was a turn-off and I can only give it 3 stars.

Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Obsessed!!! Not only is this a gorgeous cover but the inside is so dark and twisted…I loved every minute!! Moments of confusion, and the the clarity - it just itched the right part of my brain!! For sure still have some unanswered questions but this book was so fast paced and I couldn’t put it down!!
Thank you so much NetGalley, Random House, Ballentine, and Lisa Matlin for the advance copy!!