This is a slow-burn psychological thriller that is told in multiple POV, and sprinkled in is a creepy anonymous “Him” character.

Molly needs to move back to her hometown to care for her father who has suffered a massive stroke which left him unable to speak. Molly is recently divorced and is ready to move on and start over. She decides to move back into her childhood home with her son and her father. Molly was reluctant to come back, as this was the home that she witnessed her Mothers murder when Molly was old three years old.

Molly testified in court to what she saw that night, and a local teenager was convicted. Being home again with all of these memories flooding back, Molly begins to doubt if what she testified to and witnessed that night is really true.

This is a dark, psychological thriller where the perpetrator is unclear. Is it one specific person or is it the small woven community harboring disturbing secrets and a decades old murder. This was a slow burn, but a great psychological thriller with hints of mystery throughout. I would definitely recommend this book. It was a 4 star read for me.

I had the honor of reading this ARC thanks to NetGalley , the Author Nicole Lundrigan and the publisher Penguin Random House/ Viking.

This was my first time reading this authors work and I really enjoyed it - looking forward to adding others of hers to my “to read” list.
It’s a dark and twisty multiple POV thriller. Even though it was a TAD BIT of a slower burn it still had me invested from the start. I never had the ended pegged.
Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced copy!

Talk about a title to take your breath away and instantly activate your fear senses...

A Man Downstairs

I was giddy with excitement when I received my approval

I want to first point out that this is in fact, a "true" psychological thriller. I personally, get upset when something is labeled incorrectly. A Man Downstairs, is truly, a psychological thriller that will have your pulse racing and heart pumping out of your chest.

Nicole Lundrigan, does an impeccable job thrusting us down the rabbit hole and taking us on a mind bending journey . I doubted everything I once thought would transpire.

If you're looking for a book that will make you jump while reading, this is the book for you. A Man Downstairs releases, March 5, 2024 and you do NOT want to miss this one.

Check out this teaser:

Molly Wynters has moved back to her small hometown to care for her father, recently felled by a stroke and no longer able to communicate. She is ready to make a fresh start with her son after her divorce, but is haunted by both old events and new realities in her childhood home.

What Molly recalls of her young life with her father is full of love and care, even though a violent trauma defined her childhood: when she was a young girl, she witnessed her mother’s murder, and her testimony – “There was a man downstairs” – sent a teenager to prison. This tragic episode is still very much alive in the culture of the town, and the more Molly remembers, the more she fears that what she said on the stand all those years ago might not have been the whole truth.

After Molly, a trained therapist, volunteers for a local helpline, the threats begin. At first they seem random, but soon Molly realizes that she is a target, and even those closest to her seem suspicious, especially as unsuspected links between them emerge. More than one life was destroyed on that horrific long-ago day, and now someone intends to hold Molly accountable.

I really enjoyed this book from the beginning. It's twists and turns were well thought out and had me captivated. I don't know why I don't read thrillers more often. I enjoy the past and present of the POV's in this book, it really helps develop the story into something really incredible. This was my first time reading something by Nicole Lundrigan, but I will definitely be checking out some of her other works.

Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
This is an EXCELLENT read. Not only is Nicole a gifted writer, she does what is so lacking in many thrillers right now -- she surprises you at the end. I love not being able to figure it all out.
Molly Wynters has moved back to her hometown because her father, the town's former pharmacist whose wife was murdered, is ill. At a very young age, Molly testified at the trial that convicted a young man, who then died by suicide.
The mystery of what actually happened is told through various viewpoints and it works spectacularly. Each voice is authentic and provides clues of how things unfolded back then -- and how they are currently emerging.
I didn't want to put this book down and I will certainly be going to Lundrigan's back catalogue for more reads.

.

I must admit, it's been quite some time since I've encountered such a meticulously crafted character analysis and execution in a book, offering a refreshingly realistic and unadulterated perspective. The narrative seamlessly navigates between past and present, employing three distinct points of view in third person narration, while interweaving the enigmatic musings of a character simply referred to as "him" through first person narration. This intricate storytelling technique, coupled with a well-paced, puzzle-like structure, invites readers to piece together the intricate web surrounding the fate of Edie Wynters. Is the man lurking downstairs truly the culprit, or merely a scapegoat? What could have led Edie to amass such a host of enemies intent on harming her? And who was she truly? A hapless mother brutally slain by a disturbed teenager, or a figure harboring a plethora of dark secrets that incited those around her to unspeakable acts?

This thriller grips you from the outset, compelling you to engage your cognitive faculties in unraveling its mysteries, formulating hypotheses, only to abandon them in favor of new theories as the plot thickens. Yet, the true strength of the narrative lies in its impeccable characterization. None of the characters are easily categorized as wholly likable or detestable; rather, they are imbued with imperfections, vulnerabilities, and internal struggles, mirroring the complexities of real life. This nuanced portrayal lends an authenticity to their actions and motivations, allowing readers to empathize with even the most morally dubious among them, who, in their own twisted logic, harbor justifications for their deeds. In this story, moral boundaries are blurred, and the characters inhabit the murky gray area between righteousness and villainy.

At its core, the tale centers around Molly Wynters, a recently divorced therapist returning to her hometown to care for her ailing father following his stroke. As Molly grapples with her own familial and personal struggles, including a troubled teenage son embroiled in a social media scandal, she is confronted with a haunting legacy of her past: the unsolved murder of her mother decades earlier. Complicating matters further, an anonymous caller accuses Molly of wrongful testimony, casting doubt on the conviction of the teenager she once identified as her mother's killer. Determined to uncover the truth behind that fateful night forty years ago, Molly finds herself embroiled in a perilous quest that threatens to unravel the fabric of her existence.

In conclusion, this psychological thriller is a masterfully balanced and intricately constructed narrative that firmly establishes the author as one to watch in the realm of suspense fiction.

I extend my sincere gratitude to NetGalley and Penguin Random House Canada / Viking for graciously providing me with a digital review copy of this captivating thriller in exchange for my honest appraisal.

3.75 ⭐️

A lot happens in this book, and I was very curious to see how it would all come together in the end! I didn’t see it coming, and I liked it, but the reveal of the stalker left me a little disappointed. I think I wanted more from that particular plot point!

I really liked the psychological aspect of the novel and the depths of the characters. I loved the realistic contradictions in the characters, even though I wished Molly was a bit more aware of her behaviour with her son and Edie wasn’t such a weird almost cliché.

Overall, this book had me on the edge of my seat and kept me up way past my bedtime.

I would recommend it!

Wild and twisted, what did I just read? I have not read this Author before but you better believe I will be running for her next book. This was about as Diabolical as it can get ! Well done.

I just finished A Man Downstairs by Nicole Lundrigan- you do not want to miss this one! It had me guessing right up until the end! Great book! Thanks NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read it.

How well can you trust your memory…?

Sheeeeesh!!! This slow burn mystery had all the small town creepy vibes, with secrets, obsession, and dysfunctional family relationships. Normally slow burn can be hit or miss with me, but this was very heavy on the psychological aspect which I LOVED!!!

Multiple POVs (how creepy was “him”…?!!) and timelines, I found this one compelling and when I hit the last part of the book I just rattled to the end!

This was clever and chilling, with a sinister feel. The characters were wonderfully flawed and Lundrigan’s writing is atmospheric and vivid.

With nicely timed twists and an extra special twisty twist just when you think you’ve made it - one for Gillian Flynn fans!

4.5 stars rounded up.

You don’t want to miss this one!! 😍 Wow!! This was a wild ride! This was my first book by @lorethannewhite and I loved it!! ❤️ I will definitely be reading her backlist!! Listen to this…

Inspired by a true crime.. a murder of a 16 year old.. coming home from a party in 1976… her body was found right outside her house…😳🥺… Her murder has never been solved to this day… OH WOW… how heartbreaking… NOW that you have the background… on to THIS story…

A body is found… and it is thought to be female.. but it’s been buried for a very long time… as word gets out that a human skeleton has been found.. under the church.. 😳… the fact that she is still wearing a platform 👢 boot.. has EVERYONE talking… is it… HER?? After 47 years.. has she FINALLY be found?? 😳

My mind was all over the place… were their multiple girls missing??? Who’s POV is accurate?? Who knows what happened that night?? Everyone… and I mean everyone.. was a suspect in my mind… 🤔🤔 🕵️‍♀️

Especially fascinating was the the group of besties.. The Shoreview Six… who were thick as thieves.. and still are.. 🤨

I loved our detective Jane… she herself knows what it is like… to not have closure. I would absolutely LOVE to see Jane again!! Guys… this book was eerie… twisted… and shocking!! That ending… 😬😧😳😠🤯🤯🤯🤯

3.5 stars
This is a tale of murder, mystery, and the enduring scars of a troubled past. Molly Wynters’ is on a journey from a traumatic childhood to being a newly divorced mother. She is also moving to care for her ailing father.

Right off, I notice the unreliable narrators which add layers of complexity. It unfolds through multiple perspectives and time periods, with Molly’s memories in the background. As secrets are unearthed and suspicions fly, the small town setting adds a layer of intrigue to the tension filling the pages.

A smaller POV from “Him” heightens the mystery. When the true culprit is finally revealed, the twists and turns didn’t stop there, which kept me guessing until the very end.

I highly recommend this one to anyone looking for a small town tale of secrets, betrayal, and redemption.

AUDIO REVIEW: Narrated by Tyrone Savage, Amy Matysio and Wesley French which made this trio perfect for the suspense. The voices were done well with great cadence. My only complaint is that the narrator speeds varied slightly which put a very small dent in the ease of my listening.

Thank you to Thriller Book Lovers Promotions for the digital copy and Libro.fm for the ALC!

I really enjoyed this! I couldn’t put it down and loved every second of it. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC.

I love thrillers that play with my mind and that’s exactly what this one did. I enjoyed it quite a bit.

Thanks to Netgalley and Penguin Random House Canada for the complimentary copy to read and review.
A his book started off good and I was enjoying it but then I feel like the author was trying to hard to create different stories to throw the readers off. The ending of who did it wasn’t necessarily shocking but the what actually happened was harder to guess. I liked that it was told in two different POVs and timelines. I didn’t really love any of the characters. They weren’t that likeable.
I would recommend this to readers but I would just want them to know there’s a lot going on.

Not sure if It is me or this novel. I made it 25% and took several days to get that far. I had a hard time getting into this, forgetting the characters and plot as soon as I put the book down.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC, which was given to me in exchange for an honest review.

This was my first experience with Nicole Lundigran and it definitely won’t be my last. A well paced thriller that exceeded my expectations. It wasn’t quite what I expected as there was more substance to it. Great character development without the cheesy, overly dramatic twists and thrills that some mystery novels tend to have.

I was sucked in right from the start and enjoyed the way the author told the story in past and present alternating chapters and POVs. It was an original plot that felt fresh as opposed to the same overdone story that’s been done before.

Four huge enthusiastic stars from me!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This is my first exposure to this author and it definitely will not be my last! This is a well written, action-packed story that is sure to keep you turning the pages. I found it well-paced, with well-developed characters likeable for the most part and believable motivations, with an interesting plot and satisfying ending. The suspense is maintained until the very end where the author inserts a deliciously wicked twist.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Random House Canada who provided me with a copy of this book. I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

DNF @ 19%. It wasn't holding my attention and couldn't get into it. Thanks to NetGalley & Penguin Random House Canada for an advance copy

Diving into "A Man Downstairs" was like embarking on a suspenseful joyride. Nicole Lundrigan’s narrative prowess had me captivated from start to finish. The clever interplay of past and present kept me on my toes, and just when I thought I had a grip on the story, Lundrigan threw in twists that genuinely caught me by surprise.

The characters in this novel are like a complex puzzle waiting to be solved. As each layer was peeled away, I found myself uncovering unexpected traits and motivations, making them all the more intriguing. Lundrigan’s talent lies in weaving a web of secrets, and her ability to gradually reveal them added an extra layer of excitement to the narrative.

One standout aspect was the author's adept use of the past-to-present method. It not only provided a unique storytelling structure but also heightened the suspense, making each revelation more impactful. The shocks and surprises were delivered with precision, keeping me eagerly turning the pages.

What sets "A Man Downstairs" apart is its exploration of the fragile nature of memory. The protagonist, Molly Wynters, grapples with haunting memories and the unsettling possibility that what she believed to be true may not have been the whole story. Lundrigan skillfully delves into the shadowy corners of the human psyche, creating a narrative that is not only a gripping thrill ride but also a masterful examination of the complexities of memory.

In essence, my experience with this book was immensely enjoyable. Lundrigan’s talent for crafting suspenseful tales shines through, and "A Man Downstairs" is a testament to her ability to keep readers guessing until the very end. If you're a fan of mysteries with unexpected twists and well-developed characters, this novel is a must-read.