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lucyford's review
- 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
Graphic: Mental illness, Alcoholism, Alcohol, Addiction, Murder, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Suicide attempt, Toxic friendship, Violence, Blood, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Animal cruelty, Infidelity, Body horror, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Animal death, Death, Death of parent, Chronic illness, Injury/Injury detail, Suicide, Vomit, and Grief
Minor: Gaslighting, Police brutality, Bullying, Fatphobia, Abandonment, Body shaming, Cursing, and Stalking
raequigley's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
Graphic: Blood and Death
Moderate: Suicide and Murder
Minor: Animal cruelty and Mental illness
ashleyj_reads's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Alcoholism
Moderate: Murder, Blood, Death, and Violence
Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Stalking, and Mental illness
The writing is absolutely brilliant. Not once did I correctly suspect the final outcome of this story. A slow burn, but fast-paced read. I'm looking forward to reading more from Matlin!cyndi1966's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Graphic: Blood, Death, Infidelity, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Alcohol, Animal cruelty, Mental illness, and Violence
lovelymisanthrope's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
"The Stranger Upstairs" is a haunted house story that follows Sarah Slade. Looking for a fresh start, Sarah and her husband buy the infamous Black Wood House, a home in which a grizzly murder-suicide took place decades before. None of the neighbors seem to want the Saldes there, and the house also seems to be resisting them. But Sarah is determined to make this investment work. Unfortunately, something sinister is interfering with her plans, and she might not actually make it out alive.
I was slightly disappointed in this story. At the beginning I was really hooked, and I was invested in Sarah's story as well as what was happening in the house. However, as the story progressed, and more was revealed, I got bored with the story. I did ultimately appreciate the ending, but it was not an impressive enough twist for me that it completely saved my reading experience.
The ultimate reveal that the house was emitting carbon monoxide was really clever and very well done. I did not see that coming until right before it was revealed to us. Sarah's descent into madness and symptoms from the carbon monoxide poisoning were so easily explained by other things in her life.
The idea that the house is actually haunted was a little under whelming and I felt like it was not fleshed out enough to be a plausible excuse for what was happening. This could have been a really interesting twist to the story, that the house is poisoning its residents because it does not want new owners, but the author did not do enough with it. All that is really touched upon is that when people enter the house, they feel that the house does not want them there.
Overall, this was a fine book, and I would recommend reading it during spooky season. I do think it is executed amateurly, but I am still interested to see what Lisa M. Matlin writes next.
Graphic: Death, Toxic relationship, Addiction, Murder, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Mental illness, Emotional abuse, Toxic friendship, Gaslighting, and Grief
Moderate: Alcohol, Animal cruelty, and Animal death
Minor: Self harm and Infidelity
beckyremillard's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Gaslighting, Toxic relationship, Suicide, Injury/Injury detail, Panic attacks/disorders, Death, Mental illness, Alcohol, Animal cruelty, Blood, Infidelity, Murder, Self harm, Vomit, Toxic friendship, Violence, and Alcoholism
emilycheslock's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- 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
Graphic: Blood and Murder
paisleypetty's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Death, Murder, Alcohol, Panic attacks/disorders, and Vomit
Moderate: Police brutality and Eating disorder
eviemayhem's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
The author gave so many ways for this book to end, but never really tied any of them up. Spoilers below.
The premise that she restarts her life with her husband and they just go on the run, DESPITE how much of a social media presence she has, is hard to believe. This had all the beginnings of a good murder mystery. Where was the daughter? Where was Amanda? But so many things just DIDN'T make sense.
How was she getting away with being a therapist? Do they not check credentials in Austrailia?
Why was the whole town conspiring to hide the fact Amanda went missing?
Why was Jeff such a threatening dick bag?
Joe's whole character....just what the fuck.
Wouldn't the main character be well known now since she's A.) Probably all over the news and B.) had a huge social media presence before all this?
The Epilogue: So was the house actually haunted?
This nearly felt like a choose your own adventure book, honestly. The author wanted to keep you guessing to the point that the resolution felt empty and dissatisfying.
Bright side: It is well written. I look forward to reading what the author writes next, I just wish the ending had made more sense and had been more satisfying.
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Suicide, Death, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Mental illness, Infidelity, Grief, Blood, Stalking, Panic attacks/disorders, Murder, Alcohol, Alcoholism, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Eating disorder
dev921's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Alcoholism, Alcohol, Chronic illness, Injury/Injury detail, Grief, Cursing, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Violence, Blood, Infidelity, Murder, Animal cruelty, Death, Gaslighting, Medical content, and Panic attacks/disorders