Scan barcode
readinginhouston's review against another edition
The Family Upstairs was my first Lisa Jewell book to read, and I enjoyed it. I was expecting a little more thriller and a little less family drama, but the mystery was intriguing. There were a lot of names to remember, and I wish I had written them all down to keep them straight. I will admit that I'm a sucker for a book that includes a cult, and I wish that aspect had been expanded upon. Some of the characters were well developed, while a few were lacking in the details. While the mother was central to everything that unfolded in the book, I felt like I did not get a very clear picture of who she was and what drove her to behave the way she did. I enjoyed the book enough to give some of Jewell's others a try. 3.5 stars.
jbudde's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
marjxrie's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Good book, first page to last completely enveloped.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder and Rape
emgraceef's review against another edition
5.0
Wow! I have been dying to find a book this year that keeps me on the edge of my seat like this one did, and I feel like I have not put it down since picking it up.
ksera's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Forced institutionalization, Abandonment, and Confinement
Moderate: Child abuse, Death of parent, Torture, Sexual assault, Miscarriage, Infidelity, Infertility, Adult/minor relationship, Pregnancy, and Toxic relationship
cepayola's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
booksandblossoms_'s review against another edition
5.0
Wow.. just wow. The beginning of The Family Upstairs was a bit hard to follow for me, I felt like there were so many characters and the fact that it jumped to a different persons point of view each chapter didn’t help me. I was questioning how so many people were raving about this book. However, once I got the hang of what was going on, I was HOOKED. I could not put this book down, and every time I had to (mom life), I couldn’t wait to pick it back up again. Now I just NEED to know if there is going to be another book. The ending leaves me wanting so much more!!
zaisgraph's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-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? No
3.0
I did not find this as well crafted nor enjoyable as her other thrillers. Some character interactions and plot points were a bit too ludicrous. There were times wherein I asked myself... shouldn't she be angry/angrier even more suspicious lol.
I also have a thing about thrillers that have a "magic passport" scenario wherein the characters can procure them with so much ease (or know someone who can) making borders barely an inconvenience lol... but at the same time, this is indeed a boring subject matter, so I guess I can understand leaving the explanation off... BUT still, I am yet to read anything that satisfies this nitpick.
Let me rank all the Jewell books I have read so far:
Then She Was Gone
None of this is True
The Night She Disappeared
The Family Upstairs
One Hit Wonder
I also have a thing about thrillers that have a "magic passport" scenario wherein the characters can procure them with so much ease (or know someone who can) making borders barely an inconvenience lol... but at the same time, this is indeed a boring subject matter, so I guess I can understand leaving the explanation off... BUT still, I am yet to read anything that satisfies this nitpick.
Let me rank all the Jewell books I have read so far:
Then She Was Gone
None of this is True
The Night She Disappeared
The Family Upstairs
One Hit Wonder
isabellamorven's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0