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3.38 AVERAGE
3.38 AVERAGE
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal cruelty
The beginning felt a little off and wasn’t sure I was going to like this. I didn’t really like the main character at first, but this really picked up and got me interested!
this wasn’t bad necessarily but it dragged more than it should’ve. additional details that added nothing to the book. maybe having no characters to root for dragged it down
Not sure how to rate this one! Maybe 3 stars?!
The Stranger Upstairs has some decent plot twists, but the main character is someone I wanted to punch in the face. Sarah was a lot!
Of course, having this type of character makes it hard to put the book down because you do want to find out what her deal is along with the multiple mysteries involved in the plot.
✔️ What’s up with Sarah and why is she slowly losing her mind?
✔️ Does her husband have anything to do with this?
✔️ Do the deaths at Black Wood House have anything to do with Sarah's slow slide into insanity?
✔️ Do the neighbors and community have secrets to hide?
I would classify The Stranger Upstairs as more of a thriller with some supernatural elements thrown in for good measure.
I do think that if you need a character to cheer for, it will be hard to find it in this book.
If you enjoy watching a house burn to the ground, look no further than checking this one out!
The Stranger Upstairs has some decent plot twists, but the main character is someone I wanted to punch in the face. Sarah was a lot!
Of course, having this type of character makes it hard to put the book down because you do want to find out what her deal is along with the multiple mysteries involved in the plot.
✔️ What’s up with Sarah and why is she slowly losing her mind?
✔️ Does her husband have anything to do with this?
✔️ Do the deaths at Black Wood House have anything to do with Sarah's slow slide into insanity?
✔️ Do the neighbors and community have secrets to hide?
I would classify The Stranger Upstairs as more of a thriller with some supernatural elements thrown in for good measure.
I do think that if you need a character to cheer for, it will be hard to find it in this book.
If you enjoy watching a house burn to the ground, look no further than checking this one out!
dark
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I found the ending to be very mumbo jumbled. Found it to be disappointing.
Summary:
Sarah Slade is a best-selling novelist and accomplished therapist. She has the perfect husband and the perfectlife instagram, to match. Beneath the carefully planned facade that is Sarah Slade, everything in her life is falling to pieces. Her husband hates her, her sister is dead, and oh yeah, she has sunk all of her money into Black Wood House. A famous murder house surrounded by neighbors that want nothing to do with her or the house. From the second Sarah, her husband Joe, and her cat Reaper step foot into the house, it's clear that renovating this house will take nothing short of a miracle. Especially since the house seems to be fighting against any renovations they attempt to make. When they replace the wallpaper, it falls to ground moments later. A plumber they hire gets attacked by an unknown being from behind and runs from the home bleeding and telling anyone who will listen that Black Wood House is evil. Slowly but surely, Sarah's life falls to pieces as the house seems to suck her into its darkness. In the process, she becomes closer with her colleague Emily. Can Emily save Sarah before it's too late or does the house have other plans?
My Thoughts:
I loved this book. There's just something about a highly unlikeable main character that I love and Sarah Slade freaking sucks. I was rooting against her the entire time and wanted nothing more than for karma to finally catch up to her. A perfect mix of the normal and paranormal, Lisa M. Matlin pulls you in with this story and keeps you entranced until the very last word. The ending is frustrating not going to lie, but it is a good reminder that sometimes, not everything works out for the best.
Sarah Slade is a best-selling novelist and accomplished therapist. She has the perfect husband and the perfect
My Thoughts:
I loved this book. There's just something about a highly unlikeable main character that I love and Sarah Slade freaking sucks. I was rooting against her the entire time and wanted nothing more than for karma to finally catch up to her. A perfect mix of the normal and paranormal, Lisa M. Matlin pulls you in with this story and keeps you entranced until the very last word. The ending is frustrating not going to lie, but it is a good reminder that sometimes, not everything works out for the best.
Authors and narrators please, for the love of all that is holy, stop having CRRREEAAAKKK be read all sure annoyingly. Idk what it is, but every novel I listen tolately has it. Make it stop.
This book hooked me immediately! It is a gripping story that just pulls you in. I loved that Sarah was clearly unraveling and full of profanities and turmoil. Plus her cat is named Reaper, so you know that death is in the air. There were a few story lines at the end that I wish could have been given closure but the ending was still fantastic and left a little bit of mystery.
The storyline had potential. A social media influencer/therapist/author, Sarah Slade is trying to make a comeback blogging about her recently purchased “murder house”. Unfortunately, this one fell short for me on many levels.
The writing was mediocre at best & was confusing at times. The characters were unrealistic & the repetitive scenarios made me lose interest quickly.
Thank you to #NetGalley & #TheStrangerUpstairs for the ARC. My review is strictly voluntary.
The writing was mediocre at best & was confusing at times. The characters were unrealistic & the repetitive scenarios made me lose interest quickly.
Thank you to #NetGalley & #TheStrangerUpstairs for the ARC. My review is strictly voluntary.
I almost gave up on this thriller about a couple who buy a long vacant *murder house* who hope to fix it up and sell it. Oh, and the wife is a social media influencer documenting their process in addition to being an unreliable, often obnoxious character. The ending provided a few good twists, but otherwise I didn’t have too much enthusiasm for this one.