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lovelymisanthrope's review
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.
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Sexual violence, Torture, Murder, Death, and Stalking
Moderate: Grief
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