as soon as i saw the title for this book i new it would have to be one for me. how much thriller excited book does that title bring? yes please. and im so glad i got to read it. i mean we all know someone is going to be going downstairs right. if someone tells you not to go somewhere, where is the first place you want to go!? or at least know why. and it being a Jack Dane book i definitely wanted to know why and sit here watching someone else do so. because Jack Dane is an excellent author, and the genre hes chosen is one we are lucky to have him in. his books are all awesome.
i didn't know what to think going in. i was automatically trying to figure out Jacks new ways of tricking us with his plot and characters(hes good at that) but i of course was no match.
this book is about a couple who need time away. they need something. because their marriage is in trouble. so this swap seems the perfect idea. the owner of the house have left instructions for them. ok fine. but one said instruction is that they are not to go into the basement. at first you might think well this is someone else home. we all have hotels or air bnb's where there might be rooms kept private. all good. but this is a thriller so come on don't go down the stairs??? yeh right there is an innocent reason for this.
and as things ramp up things are certainly going to ramp up. when truths are unravelled you are fully on board for the ride. it might have begun as being too late for this marriage. but was it now becoming too late for this couples lives?
this book is tense and brilliant.
another great book from a great author.

Don’t Go Downstairs was a quick read, full of twists and turns. I love Jack Dane’s mention of Freida McFadden as the character Deb’s favorite author as this did make me feel like I was reading a Freida novel! While parts of this were unbelievable, its fiction, and that’s what it’s all about. I really enjoyed this! Thanks to NetGalley and Back Alley Press for the ARC. All opinions are my own. Expected publication date: 29 Aug 25, rating 3.5 stars

Don't Go Downstairs is a nice, quick popcorn thriller. It does require a bit of suspending belief because it gets a little out there at some points, but not to the point that it makes it unenjoyable. It has it's twisty moments and if you think you know what's going on, you probably don't!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

Deb arranges a weekend away with her husband Larry on a homeswap site. She feels her marriage is breaking down after 30 years and wants to ramp things up a little.
The owner of the house they stay at has left instructions that they are NOT to go into the basement, it is off limits.
That is exactly the way to make people curious.
Strange noises disturb them, and when they find out the truth, it is almost too late.

Another winner, fast paced and twisty by Jack Dane. The plot is convoluted and well thought out. A little unbelievable, but of course this is a novel, not real life.
Tense, dark, creepy and an unputdownable novel. I recommend.

Jack Dane has become an auto-read author for me! Love how he mentioned Freida McFadden in this book because his writing style and plot twists make me feel like I'm reading a FM book! Loved this and read it in one sitting!!