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!!

Thank you Random House Publishing Group and Netgalley for a copy of this e-arc.

First off, the cover on this book is gorgeous. I love the colors and the spooky vibes. I was excited to read Lisa M. Matlin's debut novel. It was a fast-paced read with an unreliable narrator. I could read it fairly quickly but had a hard time relating to or feeling bad for any of the characters. I feel like we didn't get much backstory on anything, which towards the end made sense. The first half of the book felt creepy and then the second half of the book had some weird/interesting twists that I had a hard time convincing myself would happen. While I didn't love this book, I look forward to her future releases.

I’ve been on such a spooky haunted house kick, and was so excited for this debut, from the moment I saw the gorgeous cover.

When therapist and self-help writer Sarah Slade buys and renovates the Black Wood House, a notorious Murder House, she will discover the secrets the house has been hiding.

It was fast paced right from the start, and there were plenty of twists to keep you guessing, but it was hard to get past the drunk unreliable narrator trope for me.

🎧I both read the physical copy and also listened to the audiobook, and thought the narration was so good! I love when the narrators pair the accent of the characters, and I thought Fiona Hardingham was a great choice!

WHAT TO EXPECT
-a debut thriller
-bingeable read
-all the twists
-unreliable narrator

*many thanks to Netgalley, PRH and PRH audio for the gifted copy for review

Sarah Slade buys Black Wood House, known as the Murder House. Soon she receives notes that leaves her feeling someone or something wants her out or to kill her. Also strange things happen. Sarah’s life spirals out of control along with her sense of reality. Everyone has secrets including her husband, neighbors and even Sarah.

This book was creepy and has its twisty moments. I enjoyed the spookiness of the house and things that were happening. I could feel Sarah’s descent into madness.

I didn’t like any of the characters. There needed to be more character development and explanation. The ending was a little less exciting and disappointing

I wanted to read this book as soon as I saw it on Netgalley. I mean, how gorgeous is this cover?!? Congrats to the author for writing such an impressive debut thriller. I was into the story from beginning to end and enjoyed all the twists and turns. I found the ending oddly satisfying, which I realize doesn’t look good for me. For my animal loving friends, (*SPOILER ALERT*) the cat survives or you know I wouldn’t be able to recommend this book!

Thank you NetGalley and Bantom books for the ARC of The Stranger Upstairs, by Lisa M. Marlin. Sarah and her husband Joe buy a Murder House. Their plan is to renovate the house and resell it for a profit. The problem is, that everyone in the town is against them. From spying neighbors and lying characters, there is no one you can trust. The book has a good spook vibe, and who doesn’t live a good haunted house story. Unfortunately, I didn’t care for this book. None of the characters where very like-able and the story switched time frames and seemed a bit confusing at times. 2.5 stars rounded to 3.

Thank you Lisa M. Matlin, Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, Bantam and NetGalley for allowing me to read this ARC e-book. What an amazing debut novel! A murder house that has sat vacant for 40 years before a couple decides to make it theirs. Could this former site of a heinous murder-suicide be just what the couple needs to repair their crumbling marriage? This dark and twisted novel kept me hooked and I cannot wait to read her next book.

I just finished this book and I am not sure what to say. There was so much involved while reading. I believe the house is haunted, but is it? The house does not want to be remodeled. Is there a leak of som kind? The house seems to enjoy broken people. The realtor offered no disclosure on the bad things that have happened in the house, so is he in on it? The town despises anyone who buys the house but cannot get rid of the house. This is a creepy, make you look over your shoulder and read with the lights on book that anyone who like disturbing stories should read.

I found the characters to be dreadful. I wanted more of the creepiness and less of the drama. At times I found it to be a little confusing and repetitive. This wasn’t my cup of tea, but I do think it was a good debut and I would give the author another shot.

Oif. This really would have been a DNF, but it is a debut novel and I wanted to give this one a try. Unfortunately, it did not really work for me. The main character was so unlikeable that her dialogues were just so annoying and irritating. It sounded like this particular character was written to be a no-shame queen B but to me she just ends up completely to be just trying too hard to look tough and a bully. Halfway through the book, I speed read it. I am still giving this a 3.5 because I liked the twist, I liked how the author used that twist to create the vibe of the story.

Thank you Random House Ballantine, Bantam and author Lisa Matlin for sending me an ARC of this book, in exchange for an honest review.

This book is one of those where nothing good happens, but you can't put it down.

Influencer, therapist Sarah Slade moves into the Black Wood House - a delapidated murder house- with the intent of using the renovations as content. Think of the movie the Money Pit, with conspiracies, unfriendly neighbors, strange noises, and mysterious notes.

It's set in Australia so it was interesting to hear about local animals while bad things are happening.

Thank you to the publisher for my #gifted eARC in exchange for an honest review🤗


𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬:
First of all, I just love this cover!😍 The premise of this book sounded so good and so promising, so I was incredibly excited to receive a copy on netgalley. We follow Sarah and her husband who buy a an old Victorian home with a plan of restoring it and fixing it up. They get this house for a steal considering the neighborhood that it is in, and that is because a gruesome murder was committed inside the home years ago. A good deal is hard to pass up though, right?! Soon after starting the work on the old house, Sarah begins to question the house's past…its dark, sinister, and haunting past. Sarah begins to get a creepy feeling from the house, and when weird things start to happen around the house…and slowly Sarah starts to spiral out of control, losing all sense of reality. What exactly is happening? Is Sarah going crazy? Is it the old house? Is it actually haunted? Or is something more sinister going on?
This was a fun read, especially for a debut. I loved the amount of built up suspense and the mystery behind the old house. The author definitely fulfilled the goal of giving off an eerie, creepy, spine tingling vibe while reading this. I was definitely entertained and captivated throughout this one—AND THAT ENDING🫨 I totally did not expect the ending to play out as it did, and I was all for it! What a great debut and the perfect read for spooky season!

𝐖𝐡𝐨 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐞𝐧𝐣𝐨𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐨𝐧𝐞?
Are you a fan of haunted houses? You will love this one! Especially if you enjoyed The Haunting of Hill House, because this has similar vibes and made me think of that.

𝐌𝐲 𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️4/5

Creepy and disturbing! At every turn there’s more rot and wrong in this macabre tale. You’ll find yourself grimacing while eagerly turning the page! It’s a whodunnit, psychological, domestic thriller mashup!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my free copy. These opinions are my own.

The Stranger Upstairs by Lisa Marlin
Release date - 9/26

This debut caught my attention from the catchy and colorful cover! Plus its spooky season :-)
It follows the story of a young woman and her husband who purchase a murder house—that is, a husband brutally murdered his wife and attempted to kill their daughter before she got away. It has sat vacant for a very long time. Sarah is a social media influencer who plays a therapist by day, an author, and now she’s taking on a new role as an interior designer in this dreary mansion with one window.

Not everything is sunshine and roses, however, as strange things begin to happen to her, and with her relationship with others around town. Sarah becomes convinced that someone is out to kill her — or a ghost in the house, perhaps?? She’s sleeping in the murder room itself, after all! The house becomes a character as well, in this cold mystery.

This novel is getting 3.5 stars from me, rounded up, and here’s why:
The beginning quarter or more, I almost DNF’d as it’s crazy messy with an even crazier protagonist who I did not like at all. I immediately felt like she was a nut job (likely intent) but those types of books are not for me. Also, it felt predictable.
Likes: Many mentioned the cuss words as a turn off, but I don’t mind it when it puts you inside the character’s state of mind, making it authentic to the crazy train plot. Also, about the half-way mark, things started getting strange in an intriguing sort of way — so now I had to keep going! Haha! The pacing got better so I had to see if my prediction was right. (It was in the same arena, but I was ultimately wrong… it was a unique scene/plot stealer.) I also appreciated the author’s note.

Thank you to Bantam Books for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!

The House didn’t want to be fixed, pulled apart, made new and clean again. And neither do I.

I was in need of a real good bite my nails kinda book and man did this one have me on the edge of my seat! What I enjoyed about the story was the build up of the plot. You get the base of the story down and then have to join the main character in figuring out the who/what/when/where. There was so many parts of the book that were creepy and I was reading it in the middle of the night! One woman was murdered and another took his own life so you spend most of the book wondering is the disturbances from the house being haunted or is it someone trying to scare the homeowner away. All I know is this…no matter what it was I would not have stayed in this house for a second! Lol If you’re looking for a creepy thriller I highly recommend The Stranger Upstairs.
People probably think Sarah is crazy for buying a “murder house” but buying the house at a discount means she can flip it and make a substantial profit. Sarah is a therapist and plans on documenting all of her renovations online in hopes she can gain followers as well as sponsorships. Everyone is interested in how a normal couple can live in a home that has seen such tragedy, but somehow it intrigues Sarah and even excites her. Very quickly strange things start to happen that can’t be explained and as the days go by even Sarah is starting to become frightened. The thing is…is it that the house is haunted by ghosts of the past or is someone messing with her hoping they can scare her away? Sarah won’t walk away from her investment and she will do everything she can to find out the truth of Black wood House…..even if it kills her.