The Stranger Upstairs by Lisa Matlin is an engaging thriller that blends elements of horror, mystery, and other dark themes to create an atmospheric reading experience. The novel follows Sarah Slade, a social media influencer who has recently purchased the notorious Black Wood House—aka "The Murder House," home to a famous murder-suicide scene—to renovate for her lifestyle blog and to escape her failing marriage. As Sarah uncovers the house's dark secrets and becomes increasingly paranoid, the reader is left guessing who or what is out to get her.

The premise of The Stranger Upstairs is intriguing, and Matlin's atmospheric writing effectively captures the sinister and haunting ambiance of Black Wood House. The novel kept me hooked and invested in the story until the very end, as the lines between reality and Sarah's delusions become increasingly blurred.

However, the novel falls a bit short in terms of its storylines, which often feel a bit flimsy and underdeveloped. The eventual "why-dunnit" reveal was somewhat disappointing, as it doesn't fully live up to the suspense and anticipation built up throughout the story. While the storylines could have been more robust and the reveal more satisfying, the novel still succeeds in keeping the reader hooked and invested in Sarah's journey.

The Stranger Upstairs was definitely a promising debut novel, and I'm looking forward to seeing what Matlin writes next.

The book follows Sarah and Joe a couple who buy a “murder house” with the hopes to renovate it and make a profit. Chilling things start happening at the house and Sarah begins to get very paranoid. The story is suspenseful, creepy, and full of twists and turns. I love the short chapters written like news articles. I hope the way it ended means a second book?! Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing for the ARC.

I was asked to review “The Stranger Upstairs” by Lisa Matlin.

Sarah Slade and her husband, Joe, have purchased the infamous Black Wood House in an upscale Australian area. The house is in famous because it was the scene of a heinous murder. Their goal is to flip it for a hefty profit. No problem, right? Even though she is a therapist/social media influencer with a self-help book, she is feeling the pressure to make choices that will help both her career and her marriage.

Yet, Sarah starts hearing and seeing things. And neighbors are not talking to her. Nor are her plans getting anywhere close to fruition. This story could easily fall into predictability but there were enough surprises that kept me wondering what could happen next.

Four stars.

Many thanks to our author, Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group for providing me with an advanced eGalley copy of the book on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This reads like a first book by this author. Character development is lacking. There isn't a single likable person in the entire book. I can't recommend this book.

The Stranger Upstairs
By Lisa Matlin
Random House Publishing Group
Releasing September 26, 2023

Synopsis: Sarah Slade is a self-help writer and therapist but she's a woman of many secrets. She and her husband purchase a mansion in a tight knit community called Black Wood House. She plans to renovate it with her progress followed online to keep up her social media engagement while she writes her next book. The problem is her neighbors don't want her there and nobody wants to work on the house. Within weeks, her entire life begins spiraling out of control and it all has to do with the murder house. And is it just Sarah or is someone living in the attic?

Review: I wanted to love this. I read several reviews that were glowing, and I got excited. I generally don't like haunted house novels–they all feel the same to me–but I allowed myself to hope this one would be different. Unfortunately, this one could not hook me. I felt like a lot of the elements were cliche to the subgenre (as I'd feared) and the tension was never there for me. Though the psychological angle was promising, its execution was messy. There were things that were never rightfully explained, and the things that did get answered were underdeveloped or rushed. The finale had some interesting aspects to it and the writing was solid, but sadly I just couldn't get into this book. It needed to be darker and more detailed. Flashbacks might have made a big difference. There was just too much missing to make this novel feel complete and ready for it's ambition.

Bottom Line: The Stranger Upstairs tries to be a psychological hit but fumbles the elements, making for an uneven ride that never really lifts off the airstrip.

Sarah Slade, a therapist and influencer, buys a Victorian house in a small Australian community, envisioning renovating it, sharing progress on her feed, turning a quick profit, and getting lots of endorsements. But the house was the scene of a brutal murder 40 years ago and has all the hallmarks of classic horror mansion. When the improvements start going wrong, and her marriage starts to crumble, Sarah starts to mentally disintegrate. Who or what is leaving her notes?

Billed as a psychological thriller, this veers more to the horror genre. The book oozes dread throughout, and with each page turned more hidden secrets are exposed. I didn't see the end coming. That's the sign of a great story.

Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley. I received an advanced reader copy of this book in return for an honest review.

That was...weird. It was a very quick and easy read. It was certainly creepy. It featured an unreliable and unlikable main character, but that's fairly par for the course in the thriller genre these days.

I fell into the story fairly easily and quickly, but something about it never felt like it quite clicked with me the way I wanted it to. I'm still not sure why. There was a very unexpected big reveal, that I must confess I found a little unsatisfying even if it was somewhat more plausible then the series of things I was running through in my head as possible villains of the piece. Yet despite the explanation proffered, which did tie up many loose ends, I still felt like I had as many unanswered questions as answered ones by the end, and that is always a sticking point for me.

The writing was very easy to engage with and things moved along at a decent pace throughout. I did enjoy the incorporation of off-time line news and social media clips, which served as teasers for what was coming in a way that kept me engaged even when my interest sometimes flagged due to the repetitive bad choices and general unlikability of most of the characters.

I don't know, weird seems to be the word I'm stuck on overall though, as a general feeling about the story. It's not a judgment word, just a feeling. Maybe it's that I've read too many "Haunted House" books recently, as well as WAY too many "These characters are not who you think they are" stories for several lifetimes (I really should stop picking up anything even vaguely domestic thriller-ish as they're all blurring together into a slurry of distaste for humanity in my mind). But despite the quick easy read, I'm still at a solid three stars here.

Talk about a page turner, I was so invested the entire time. Entire time! I needed to know what happens but didn’t want it to end either.

Sarah and her husband move to Black Wood House for a fresh start. 40 years ago a tragedy occurred there. Sarah starts to hear and see things that drive her crazier. This was an excellent creepy read that I couldn’t hardly put down. This will have you wondering what will happen next. The ending was unexpected. Highly recommend this book.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for allowing me to read this ARC in advance for my honest opinion.

Wow, this book was reallllly good! I first saw it on someone’s Bookstagram page and her review immediately had me wanting to read this book!

I loved everything about it-the storyline, the characters, the writing, and the ending.

Many thanks to the publisher and to NetGalley for the ARC.

A murder house meets a therapist, want-to-be influencer, what possibly could go wrong? Sarah Slide is looking for a redo. She already lives a fairly public life, and affirmation through public opinion is what is keeping her going. When she relocates to a well-known abandoned house that was the very house of a murder/suicide, she believe this will be her ticket to fame. Once she arrives at the house, she realizes the house and the neighborhood has other plans for her.

Lisa Matlin did a fantastic job piecing together an intricate thriller full of toxic vices and hidden pasts. This was a fun and fast-paced read!

thank you NetGalley for this ARC, all reviews and opinions are my own.

Pub date 9/26/23!!!

The Stranger Upstairs is a melting pot of social media 'murder porn', characters who are each shadier than the last, and unreliable narration, culminating in a thriller you won't want to put down. There are many layers to both the plot and protagonist, which are only augmented by Matlin's visceral description. The Stranger Upstairs will be fun for both the thriller enthusiast and the horror connoisseur, and I will keep an eye out for anything else the author publishes in the future.

Note: I received a free ebook copy of The Stranger Upstairs from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Sarah has decided to buy a "murder house" to document it via social media . Both her and the house have secrets that need to be uncovered. If you like the idea of an unreliable narrator or house that harbors secrets this will be for you!

I loved where the author went in regards to Sarah's character, while not much character depth I could see where the author was going and the usual story line that is found in all books nowadays wasn't followed. It was original on how it all came together and made for a great read.

What I liked: Sarah and her plot line as a therapist along with her feelings of the house, very descriptive and atmospheric. And that ending!!!! Very nice. The author gave the ending a different vibe that really worked.

What I didn't like: I didn't feel the supporting characters had much depth and were side plots. I would have liked to see more backstory between her and her husband along with the history of the house. I usually hate long books because they get too wordy but I would have loved more backstory/words with this one, it felt too short! Overall a super fast and engaging read. Can't wait to read more from this author

Thanks so much to Netgalley, author and publisher for my advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

From IG (@HeatherBoazHere - having trouble linking from my laptop. Emojis not included below!):
"THE STRANGER UPSTAIRS -- Sarah Slade is a fixer, and influencer/ psychologist with her own blog and a plan to flip a murder house -- the scene of a grisly domestic murder scene-- for profit.
As the story continues, and Sarah's reality unravels, her paranoia builds and we begin to distrust our *possibly* unreliable narrator? The part she doesn't' reveal on her blog is how her own marriage is failing and she just can't seem to "fix" this problem (surprise, it's not a one-sided DIY...) Mysterious things begin to happen, like notes left all over the house with things only she might know, neighbors concealing and misremembering an *other* house owner the realtor conveniently left out, or her cat, Reaper, becoming very wary of the attic and getting unexpectedly sick nearly daily.
Sarah's own relationship to her identity is another curious exploration and mystery that unveils itself over the course of the book.
I could not put this one down, and deeply appreciated the attention to mental health, the highlighted dangers of gaslighting, and the honest first-hand experience and note of support and references from the author at the end with regards to mental health support. Can highly rec for your late summer getaway read. (Pubs Sept 2023!)"

For direct publisher feedback: I wish this were publishing a month, or even just a few weeks earlier! This is definitely a "read in the park on a solo picnic with your dog/ thrown in your bag for devouring in one setting on a day of margs and sandy sun-reading"-kind of book!

The Australian setting is refreshing - particularly for a thriller. And as mentioned in my IG post, the standout factor that makes this particularly special is the attention to mental health throughout. It can be tricky to write about it in a fictional way without weakening or disparaging the characters suffering from any disorder. But Lisa Matlin has a way to make the inner life of her characters real, and truly magnify how terrifying it can be to live in someone else's mind, needing help, and not knowing it, or even where to start.

Thank you for the chance to read!

Sarah and her husband have gotten a “killer” deal on a Victorian house. It turns out the deal they got was “killer” because a murder actually took place on the premises. Sarah, a therapist, is looking to spice up her blog, by detailing the renovations on the house, and also improve her marriage. It is nearly impossible however, to find anyone willing to work on the house. Also, strange things keep happening and her husband is hardly ever home or helpful. It seems as if purchasing this house has hardly been helpful for her blog, her life, or her marriage. What is going on with this house? Things fall apart for her at home and at her job. Did she really have everything “together” before buying this house? What is clearly becoming evident, is that Sarah Slade is not who she pretends to be, and her life is spiraling out of control. Is someone out to get her? Has someone intimately involved with the house on the scene attempting to force Sarah to leave? What happened to the last resident? Why isn’t anyone truly invested in helping and figuring out what is going on? I thoroughly enjoyed this novel and couldn’t put it down. I was thoroughly surprised at the twists and turns. I highly recommend this book! Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the review copy in exchange for my honest review.

Set in Australia, Sarah and her husband Joe purchase a notorious home where a grisly murder took place 40 years prior. The plan is share renovation updates on social media and then sell for a profit. Things are already off the rails between Sarah and Joe even before moving in and literally everything devolves quite rapidly. Its hard to say too much without giving away spoilers, but it will definitely keep you on your toes! I felt like Janet was left as loose end though and would have loved more depth there.

The "Black Woods House " is a Victorian gothic from the late 1880's located in an elite neighborhood outside of Melbourne Australia. Most homes in this neighborhood are passed from generation to generation, so it is rare to ever have a home available for purchase. However, "The Black Woods House" is an anomaly because of its back story. This house was the scene of a grisly murder suicide 40 years ago, and has been vacant ever since.

Therapist and bestselling author Sarah Slade and her husband Joe are able to purchase the home for a low price and they hope to chronicle their renovation online as they flip it to earn a large profit. The couple soon learns that their new house may have other plans for their lives. From day one, the couple feels uncomfortable in their new home, and the feeling intensifies as each day passes. Threats and warnings begin to appear, and it is unclear if they are supernatural in nature or emanating from disgruntled neighbors. Is the home cursed? Are Sarah and Joe innocent victims of "the murder house" or are they complicit in their own web of secrets? The novel presents a fast-paced, suspenseful thriller that unravels secret after secret as the story unfolds. It is a compelling fun read. The only criticism is that a few storylines could have been developed a bit more fully in the novel's conclusion.

Thank you for the copy to read!

There is a bit to unpack here. I liked the style of the writing. With that being said...this was a 2 star book for me. This book was all over the place. The plot was disjointed and many things were never answered or explained. I can't say too much without giving spoilers but the end does not make it clear what was going on the whole time.

The woods, the black birds, the cat......there was way too much about these things and they didn't even really play into the story at all. The cat did but goodness on and on and on about the cat everywhere all the time. There was a lot about the woods for them to never end up being important to the plot.

The main character was very unlikeable. Not one redeemable quality. The big secret about the sister was....disappointing. Again, we never got a clear answer as to what happened to her either. Did she do it? Did he do it? Did she do it herself?

None of the characters were likeable nor realistic. There is a lot of disbelief to suspend in this book.

The premise was a great one even if it is slightly a take on Amityville. I had to force myself to finish this book.

There wasn't a stranger upstairs...or was there? That question along with many more are never answered.

I enjoyed this book and read it quickly! I liked the plot and was very interested in the renovations on a “murder house” I just wish we had a little bit more.

Potential Spoilers: I am just a little confused by the ending and didn’t feel like the husband’s story wrapped up well or we really understood the pretend therapist license. I am also a bit confused about the contractor getting hurt. I suppose more character development would have been helpful.

I have to say that I am so surprised by this book. Not quiet sure what I expected, but I got so much more than I thought. Lisa Matlin definitely knows how to write a book that will keep you in suspense and keep you guessing as to what is going to happen next. I started this book and did not want to put it down until I was done. Not one you want to read when things go bump in the night though.

Sarah and Joe Slade have just purchased a house that they are going to renovate and hopefully make a mint on, at least that is what they were thinking. When a house sits vacant for 40 years, there is a lot of work to be done. When a house is known as a murder house, there is even more work than just the physical repairs that need to take place. When every repairman that you call has hesitation to come out and do the work for you, you tend to wonder what you have gotten yourself into.

Sarah is an Instagram influencer and a therapist. Joe is a bartender. When Sarah decides that they should move into the murder house while they are renovating it, Joe is not so sure about it all. Joe and Sarah have had their fair share of problems and Sarah hopes that this can be the new beginning that they need. Sarah is also in the process of writing her second book that her fans have been begging for. That adds to the stress of everything else as well.

Sarah starts noticing strange things that are happening at the house and thinks that it is just her imagination, but when her cat also starts to act strange, she wonders if there are really things going on in the murder house that she can't explain. Joe starts staying at his friends house more just to get away from what is going on at the house. There are strange smells, strange things happening and strange notes being left around for Sarah.

You may think that you can figure this one out before you have finished the book, but I can promise you it is not like any other book you have read. Matlin has new ideas that will leave you shocked. I know you will enjoy reading about the murder house as much as I did.

I voluntarily read and reviewed this book and all opinions are my own. Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for an advanced copy. I highly recommend this read.