Reviews tagging 'Death'

The Family Remains by Lisa Jewell

34 reviews

elle_e_d_light's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

This was a wholly unnecessary sequel with an ending to this story that wrapped up just a bit to cleanly for my taste. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Toxic relationship, Sexual assault, Stalking, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Physical abuse, and Rape

Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Death, Infertility, and Suicide

If you've read the first book, you shouldn't be surprised at any of the content in this one. A lot of the events of the first book are either mentioned or continue throughout this book.

siobhanward's review against another edition

dark mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

 I'm just not sure why the first book needed a sequel - it's not like this book really added a ton to the lore or tied up many loose ends. If I looked at it as a standalone, it was a decent (although slightly confusing - Libby vs Lucy still gets me mixed up) book, but honestly it was just kind of weird as a sequel. I think it mostly just goes to show that maybe thrillers aren't prime targets for sequels. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death and Suicide

readwithbrittany's review against another edition

mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

A fast-paced sequel to the Family Upstairs, this picks up where the first book ends. It gives more background to some of the events that happened in the first book and has the usual thriller-esque plotline. This one didn't have the same punch as the Family Upstairs for me. And I know that thrillers are supposed to be plot-driven and not taken too seriously, but there were times I was rolling my eyes at all the outrageous coincidences that needed to happen to keep the plot moving. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Rape, Death, Murder, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence

natashahillier's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

I love Lisa Jewell and normally rate all her books 5/5 but I didn't love the ending of this one, it felt a bit like a letdown. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Emotional abuse, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Murder, Death, Rape, and Suicide

chloe_may's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder, Rape, Death, Drug use, Child abuse, Toxic relationship, Stalking, and Gaslighting

wonderfulxwonderful's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Emotional abuse, Rape, and Gaslighting

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Cursing, Sexual violence, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Alcohol, Murder, and Death

Minor: Dementia and Panic attacks/disorders

lovelymisanthrope's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

I did not really enjoy "The Family Upstairs" but decided to give this sequel a chance because it was a Book of the Month selection. Although I did enjoy this book more than the first, I was still a little underwhelmed with the story overall. 
This story picks up with bones being discovered on a roof, that are connected to a cold case from thirty years ago (the murder that "The Family Upstairs" follows). With this discovery, the case is thrown back open, and the children from that house of horrors are asked to relive that horrible time in their life. In an unrelated case, a woman named Rachel is shocked to learn that her husband was found dead in a basement. 
I was far more invested in Rachel's story and I did really enjoy reading from her point of view. Her story is what kept me reading this book, and I probably would have enjoyed this story so much more if it was only her perspective that we got. I did enjoy how the two stories ultimately connected. 
It is not necessary to read the first book, but it will give you more details about the crime and what really happened 30 years ago. "The Family Remains" does go over the details of the crime that are pertinent to the story. 
Will I read more from Lisa Jewell? Probably, but as of right now there is nothing on my radar. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Sexual violence, Torture, Murder, Death, and Stalking

Moderate: Grief

lottiemilne's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

sweet ending until the last sentence (????) i enjoyed how the characters crossed over 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship and Toxic relationship

Moderate: Death, Infertility, Emotional abuse, Domestic abuse, Suicide, Rape, Murder, Pedophilia, and Physical abuse

paisleypetty's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Abandonment, Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Rape, Confinement, Gaslighting, Toxic relationship, Suicide, Domestic abuse, Sexual violence, and Sexual assault

Moderate: Death of parent, Alcohol, Infidelity, and Miscarriage

unboxedjack's review against another edition

dark mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Sexism, Stalking, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Sexual violence, Suicide, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, Rape, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Violence, Murder, Child abuse, Death, Sexual assault, and Sexual harassment