Reviews tagging 'Death of parent'

The Family Upstairs by Lisa Jewell

119 reviews

atelopxobia's review against another edition

dark mysterious medium-paced

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

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicide and Murder

Moderate: Infidelity, Child abuse, Toxic relationship, Addiction, Abandonment, and Death of parent

jacs63's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

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

4.0

While I enjoyed this easy to read, page-turner, I'm not a fan of books the run on a 3 chapter turn-over. 
There's one chapter about the going's on in the 80's and 90's in Chelsea; then an up to date chapter about some members of the family, and then one about a very innocent member of the plot. 
I find it hard sometimes to keep the interest going when there is a 2 chapter gap before the story continues again. I find it annoying. 
Its a fairly gruesome story at times, but its quite predictable. 
It's a good book and worth 4 stars, but so over-hyped by the publishers etc. Saying that, I will read the sequel, only because I want to find out about Phin. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Abandonment, Cursing, Rape, Animal cruelty, Blood, Death, Death of parent, Miscarriage, Adult/minor relationship, Animal death, Child abuse, Child death, Chronic illness, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Mental illness, Murder, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, and Violence

isabezza's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

5.0

Wow! I have been putting off this book for months, having it sitting on my TBR (despite recommendations from friends) and I cannot believe I didn't pick this up sooner! I was hooked from the first chapter. I would definitely read another story by Lisa Jewell. 
With multiple POV unreliable narrators, and a graphic writing style, I loved the structure of this book. My brain was constantly activated from horror/disgust or desperately trying to work out the next plot twist, making this a fast-paced and exciting mystery. Despite not typically being a thriller fan, the unsolved mystery, horrific plot, and investigative journalism maintained my interest. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Miscarriage, Pedophilia, Death of parent, Violence, Physical abuse, Adult/minor relationship, Death, Pregnancy, and Suicide

Moderate: Eating disorder and Medical content

mpolidori's review against another edition

dark mysterious reflective tense fast-paced

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

2.5

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Abortion, Pregnancy, Toxic relationship, Infidelity, Emotional abuse, Adult/minor relationship, Death of parent, Drug use, Miscarriage, Rape, Child abuse, and Murder

greatexpectations77's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional sad tense fast-paced

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

4.75

I had quite a good time with this book, and I kept picking it up to find out more of the story as it unfolded. I'll definitely look at this author again. I appreciated the unease of the book and not being sure if the narrators are reliable. Trauma all over the place.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Confinement, Infidelity, Grief, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Rape, Toxic relationship, Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, and Death

Moderate: Murder, Pregnancy, Sexual violence, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Miscarriage, Chronic illness, Abandonment, and Alcohol

Minor: Animal cruelty and Blood

meow_meow68's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective 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

4.25

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Classism, Physical abuse, Child abuse, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Gaslighting, Grief, Infidelity, Abandonment, Pregnancy, Rape, Sexual assault, Drug abuse, Drug use, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Murder, and Pedophilia

monique1316's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious 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? No

4.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Abortion, Violence, Physical abuse, Drug use, Sexual assault, Infertility, Emotional abuse, Murder, Miscarriage, Infidelity, Adult/minor relationship, Toxic relationship, and Pregnancy

Minor: Rape, Death, Suicide, Pregnancy, Infertility, Death of parent, Animal death, and Blood

cinnaminskies's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark mysterious sad tense fast-paced

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

3.5

was absolutely in love with it until

Henry became this whole gay predator trope and kissed Finn against his will I hated that so fucking much

would’ve been 4 stars without it.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Murder, and Child abuse

Moderate: Death of parent and Rape

kaitlyns22's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious tense medium-paced

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

3.5

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Animal cruelty, Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Death, Drug use, Alcoholism, Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Medical trauma, Miscarriage, Murder, Violence, Domestic abuse, Animal death, Child death, Confinement, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Terminal illness, Vomit, Sexual assault, and Trafficking

syd_syd'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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Child abuse, Child death, and Murder

Minor: Misogyny, Confinement, and Death of parent