Um...not me being terrified while reading this book. I really had to stop and watch Schitt's Creek to cleanse my mental palate. Who was positively shook and undone by this twisty book? It's me, Mario. Ok so boom...I'm reading the book clutching my sheets and then BAM, Lisa M. Matlin takes a sharp right turn and everything I thought I knew was completely wrong. I love it when a book takes a turn and I'm left with my mouth agape thinking "damn, I DID NOT see that coming". From that point on, the book moved at such a feverish pace that I had to whip out my old whodunnit murder board and sharpie and get to connecting all of the dots.

This is the perfect read for spooky season. It's equal parts suspense and thriller and gothic and horror. 5 stars. Highly recommend.

My Thoughts

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.

On every book read as soon as it is done and written up for review it is posted on Goodreads and Netgalley, once released then posted on Amazon, Barnes and Nobles as well.

This book is seriously dark and twisted. And I couldn’t put it down. I’m not sure what that says about me.

Sarah Slade is an Instagram influencer, best-selling author, and psychologist in Melbourne. From her posts and following, it appears that she’s living a glamorous life. But she and her husband Joe both have secrets and a past. Together, they make the odd choice to buy a murder house.

This house sits in a wealthy little town and was the location of a murder-suicide many years ago. Neighbors have been trying to tear it down since. But Sarah and Joe buy it for a song with the hopes of renovating it and turning a tidy profit. Good luck getting a contractor. And we find out early that the two are having marital issues. Joe sleeps on the couch by himself while Sarah decides to take the very room where the murder was committed. Odd choice.

One thing you will have to dispense with is finding a character to root for. Everyone sucks (except for one minor character who is a co-worker of Sarah’s.) As things progress, Sarah struggles with everything – the remodel, relationships, her job. She’s just a bad person, and while I didn’t care what happened to her, I really wanted to know.

The author does a great job of leaving crumbs and not showing her hand. Every little turn was a surprise as things descend into a dark place for Sarah. Did I mention it was dark? Yeah, it’s seriously dark. But somehow satisfying. Since I didn’t care for her at all, whatever happened was okay. And stuff does happen.

This book was a cleverly written debut novel, and I would recommend it. I do think it would benefit from a bit of editing. Some unique phrases were repeated several times, and a couple of loose ends. But that doesn’t distract from the fact that it was fun and dark. Did I mention that?

Thanks to NetGalley, Random House Publishing Group-Ballantine, and the author for an ARC of this book.

Wow, this one creeped me out far more than I expected it to. Do not let the beautiful cover fool you. This has thrilling and horror vibes at moments that may have you looking over your shoulder. I enjoyed the premise and the twists were not the typical things. I feel like the story left some things open ended and the writing style wasn't 110% for me so that's the reason for the lower rating. Otherwise, I enjoyed this book. Just about 50% through it started feeling like a hike, more than a fin journey.

I received this ARC to read and review from NetGalley. All of the statements above are my true opinions after fully reading this ebook.

The Stranger Upstairs by Lisa M. Matlin is a brilliantly written thriller. I adored how this book started— it literally made me laugh out loud! It quickly turned mysterious and terrifying. This book is not at all what it seems, and this only makes it even better. Readers of thrillers will enjoy this book. I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher with no obligations. These opinions are entirely my own.

I gotta say that I was expecting a lot more from This book. I was hooked in the very beginning but then started losing interest about 30% in. The MC is very unlikeable. I’m not a huge fan of the drunk female character either.

When I read the synopsis about this book I got very intrigued. I was so excited to read it. AND I must say that this is a great debut novel! Though it is short I do not feel like anything was rushed and I definitely do not feel that anything was left out! I also was enjoying the read so much that I while I was trying to figure things out and who and what and why…I didn’t really see the part at the end coming until I was told of what was seen at the end. And while this book is specifically a single first person POV. I didn’t mind the few chapters at all that were from one other persons POV.
Now I really don’t think that I really cared so much about the main character but the story had me so engrossed and had my complete attention the whole time I didn’t really care that I didn’t really care about her.

Overall a great and fast read and I can’t wait to see what else this author does!

Holy cannoli. This is a LITERAL hide under sheets and peek out kind of book. Also— if you live alone, only read this in the daylight. 🤣

The Gist:
Sarah Slade is a therapist/blogger with a past who has just moved into a house with its own past. Know for a murder taking place in the 80s, the house has been vacant ever since. Sarah wants to renovate and flip the house, but it has other plans…

Things I loved:
-This book was a “be careful what you wish for situation!” I’ve been saying a wanted a thriller that was truly scary… well, my dear, your wish has been granted. 😧

My Reflection:
If I’m being honest, this book might have been a bit TOO dark and twisty for me. I definitely wouldn’t read it alone, but in the case of a thriller, I feel like that’s a compliment.

Also, I got caught up in assuming it would end a certain way. When it didn’t, I was pleasantly surprised that I wasn’t able to guess my way out of the book!


Read if you like:
-Scary movies
-Haunted House Vibes
-Mental Health
-Dark & Twisty stories

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing for the ARC in exchange for my review. Lisa Martin, congratulations on an amazing debut novel!

Sarah Slade and her husband Joe has just purchased Black Wood House to flip. The house was crazy cheap for the town because of the murder that took place there years ago. when they move in however, the town has made it clear they are not wanted, and now the house is doing the same. Weird things are happening and Sarah is convinced someone wants her dead…

Ok so first of all the relationship between Sarah and Joe was insanely weird and I still can’t say I totally understood why they were both willing to buy this house together. The shit going on in the house was creepy as hell and had me questioning the entire book, but also the neighbors all being so unwelcoming was infuriating. Overall, I enjoyed the story and the creepy haunted house!

The Stranger Upstairs by Lisa M. Matlin
Publishing date - 09/12/23
Rating (5/5) ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for this eARC. What a great debut!

Synopsis - Sarah Slade is an influencer and therapist who along with her husband buy a murder house to renovate and resell. The renovations seem to be angering the house and people who are involved are becoming ill or suffering freak accidents.

I could not put this one down. I read this one in less than 24 hours. So many twists and turns! Highly recommend this one especially if you are a fan of thrillers and suspense novels. I will eagerly await Lisa Marlin’s next book.

What did I just read?! I am blown away and unsettled by this impressive debut! This is one psychological thriller that will have you on the edge of your seat and jumping at every little sound you hear.

Most people wouldn't buy a house where a murder-suicide took place. They certainly wouldn't buy one to take their life in a nice new direction. To help their career and resuscitate their struggling marriage. But Sarah Slade isn't most people. She is desperate and determined to renovate Black Wood House and in turn renovate her life in the process.

She quickly discovers she might have bitten off more than she can chew. The community is not open to new people and her neighbors especially aren't eager to have anyone fix Black Wood House. One neighbor in particular is downright hostile towards her. The house itself doesn't seem to want to be fixed either...

Sarah puts on a facade of happiness and excitement for her followers as she takes them along her journey. But in reality the cracks are only getting wider. Strange things keep happening and she hears noises upstairs. She's alone a lot of the time in this unfamiliar and unsettling place.

You soon realize though that Sarah is an unreliable narrator. There's things in her past she's running from. She also can't completely trust her own mind. So when she's increasingly paranoid, you also have no idea if someone or something is out to get her. The tension and pacing were perfect from beginning to end, I was desperate to know exactly what was going on right along with Sarah.

It takes a lot to creep me out reading wise. And let me tell you, I was genuinely creeped out in certain scenes! The Stranger Upstairs would definitely make a great movie or tv show. There's a lot going on but the genre blending all goes together so well. Is the house actually haunted or malevolent? Are her neighbors or husband out to get her? Or is her past catching up to her? Is it all in her head? Seems the only one she can trust is her cat, Reaper. I love Reaper. And yes, he makes it to the end. A small spoiler but I felt like it should be mentioned.

I recommend not skipping the author's note at the end. Lisa M. Matlin doesn't use Sarah's mental health issues for shock value. She has personal experience and she is open and honest about it. The more we talk about these things, the more we remove the stigma surrounding it.

With Spooky Season swiftly approaching (not fast enough for my liking!) pre-order The Stranger Upstairs now and be able to read it at the most perfect time! It's a fantastic horror tinged psychological thriller that will stay with you long after you've finished. I will read anything Lisa M. Matlin writes!

Thank you Bantam, NetGalley and Lisa M. Matlin for the opportunity to read this early!

OMG…what did I just read!!! This book is a delicious combination of thriller, mystery and absolute horror!!!

The author has written an edge-of-your-seat book about Sarah Slade. She buys an old house with a horrifying history to renovate and sell. Little does she know that the house does not want to be renovated and things quickly go from bad to worse.

I could not stop reading this book and am giving it 5 stars!!! For a debut novel this is an amazing book!!!

Thank you Netgalley and Random House for the chance to read and review this stunning debut!!!

Sarah Slade is a therapist, self-help book writer, and online influencer. She and her husband Joe purchase a home that was the site of a gruesome murder 40 years ago. They got the house so cheap and Sarah dreams of fixing it up and documenting the renovations for her website then selling it for big profits.

Turns out, the neighbors would rather the house be left alone. She is not well liked there and has difficulties even getting contractors to come out for renovations. Soon she starts getting threatening notes, she hears footsteps in her attic, and she thinks her cat is being poisoned. Are the neighbors trying to get her to move out or is something more sinister going on?

I’m typically very selective about the books I choose to review because I feel like if I am given an advanced copy, I must finish it and review it. I took a chance with this debut and am quite glad I did! The book is well written, well paced, and I quite liked the main character, Sarah. The book had enough twists and turns to keep me reading but not so many that it felt unbelievable. Very impressive for a debut novel!

Thank you to the author, Random House publishing, and NetGalley for the advance reader copy. This is my honest review. Publication date Sept 12, 2023. 4.5⭐️

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an e-ARC of this book in return for an honest review.

I have never read a book written how this one was written. It was so erratic but also easy to read. You felt like you were Sarah and going through it with her. This story is full of twists and turns. It was a great story and I’m so glad I got to read it! I would definitely recommend this if your looking for a quick thriller that will take you for a ride! What a journey! Also, read the author’s note when you get to it!

A haunted house story at its finest. I really did not know what to expect when I started reading this book but it had me hooked. I don’t think that I would ever purchase a house where someone was murdered but I understand the desire to own a house and being able to afford certain things. From the onset,we know that Sarah is struggling, in her maariage, in her career and with her self-esteem. I will not give any other details as it is best to go in blindly.

For a debut novel, this is a great fall weather read! I would happily pick up future works by this author.

This book had me at the blurb. Creepy house, murder, a social media influencer thinking she should move in…sign me up!

While I love hate our main character, Sarah, I was hooked from page one. You know pretty quickly Sarah is an unreliable narrator, but I loved finding out slowly who she truly was.

The story is about the Blackwood House, aka a murder house. Sarah gets the bright idea she should buy it and fix it up, even though everyone warns her not too. Her husband isn’t into the idea, but goes a long with it, because it’s what she wants.

I never knew what direction the story would go, but without giving anything away, I will say I was satisfied with the ending.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

If you enjoy Amityville Horror or AHS Murder House this book is for you!

I like the fact that the house is creepy and making Sarah go insane.
The ending through me for a loop, definitely not what I was thinking or even had in mind.

It was a page turner (or in my case a swiper). Some parts of the book had me cuddling my husband a little more than I usually do. I love that in a thriller/horror book. The feeling of the heebie jeebies!

Go grab you a copy on Sept 12, 2023

Thank you #netgalley and #bantam for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

I DNF this one. The first few chapters were intriguing, but it really dropped off after that for me.

The Stranger Upstairs is Matlin’s debut novel & let me tell you, it was good. Cover & synopsis pulled me in instantly. Who doesn’t wanna read about someone buying a murder house to live in & renovate? This was a good spooky read but not one I was expecting. Told in multiple POVs (more so toward the end), blog posts & news clipping made it a pretty fast paced read that was hard to put down. If you’re looking for an atmospheric creepy read, this is it.

Publication Date: September 12, 2023

A huge thanks to NetGalley & Penguin Random House for an eARC of this title in exchange for an honest review.

To the outside world, Sarah’s life seems perfect. Her self-help book is a best seller, she has a booming career as a therapist, and her next project, documenting a murder house flip, is social media gold. But her marriage is on the rocks, her secrets have the power to implode her life, her neighbors hate her, and the house appears to be resisting the renovations.

The pacing of the story kept me turning pages. The modern gothic atmosphere creates a wonderfully unsettling mood. Sarah is the kind of morally gray protagonist that I find intriguing. I found her character’s voice to be deliciously deviant. Every one of her decisions from drinking at work to choosing a problematic pet add her to chaotic character. Her dairy entries, the news articles, and blog posts do a great job of imparting information while keeping the tension high.

The ending and epilogue really worked for me and I found the author’s note about mental health struggles and the book’s publication journey inspirational.

For me, this was a 4.5 star read, rounded up to five.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thanks to Bantam, an imprint of Random House, for providing an Advance Reader Copy via NetGalley.