Reviews tagging 'Schizophrenia/Psychosis '

The Stranger Upstairs by Lisa M. Matlin

11 reviews

lucyford's review

dark emotional mysterious reflective 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

4.0

Once the book picked up after the first hundred pages or so, it was excellent. I really could not have predicted all the turns it took, specifically at the end of the book, but it all fit together and everything was explained logically. It feels very original, and I honestly loved the twist at the end

(the carbon monoxide poisoning

). I will say the first part of the book was dull at parts, but I did like how it picked up pretty incrementally, and the end made it worth it. I am however still a bit confused about

the neighborhood in general and how they acted towards the main character (idk whether to call her Sarah or Lizzy at this point) unless it’s clear that it was also just hallucinations, and also what left Reaper all bloodied on the brink of death

. Anyway, solid horror book and great story!

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Content Warnings

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

courtneyreadsitall's review

fast-paced

3.0

this was a quick read but the ending felt like a cop out 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder, Toxic relationship, Vomit, Grief, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Animal cruelty

Moderate: Alcohol, Alcoholism, and Suicide

cyndi1966's review against another edition

dark emotional 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? No

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Death, Infidelity, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Alcohol, Animal cruelty, Mental illness, and Violence

walenchao's review

adventurous dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-paced

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

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism

Moderate: Bullying, Cursing, Death of parent, Murder, Abandonment, Addiction, Animal cruelty, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Self harm, and Stalking

Minor: Vomit

louiepotterbook's review

challenging dark tense medium-paced

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

2.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Self harm, Death, Stalking, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Suicide, Alcoholism, Alcohol, Panic attacks/disorders, Violence, Mental illness, and Murder

Moderate: Emotional abuse and Gaslighting

Minor: Infidelity and Death of parent

eviemayhem's review against another edition

dark mysterious sad tense fast-paced

• 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

There were just too many red herrings that the ending had no substance. 

The author gave so many ways for this book to end, but never really tied any of them up. Spoilers below.

From the beginning, you absolutely just hate the main character. She's not a good person, her husband isn't a good person and she tells you that straight up. She's vapid and running from her demons and somehow monetizing the renovation of a murder house seems like a good idea. 

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. 

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Content Warnings

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

dark emotional informative mysterious sad tense fast-paced

• 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

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Content Warnings

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

jeniwarren's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious tense fast-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? It's complicated

5.0

The Stranger Upstairs

By Lisa M. Marlin

This book! This book! It was amazing! I can not sing enough praises for this one. It was the perfect plot, pacing, atmosphere, world build, character developed psychologically suspense book.

Sarah Slade is starting over. As the new owner of the infamous Black Wood House—the scene of a grisly murder-suicide—she's determined that the fixer-upper will help reach a new audience on her successful lifestyle blog, and distract her from her failing marriage.

5 out of 5 stars ⭐️ on Goodreads

5 out of 5 stars ⭐️ on Storgryaph 

Chefs kiss all around. 👩‍🍳💋

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence and Alcoholism

Moderate: Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Mental illness, and Suicide

yourbigsistersbookshelf's review

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

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

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Vomit, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Suicide, Death, Murder, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Blood, and Violence

amandas_bookshelf's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Animal cruelty, Self harm, Alcohol, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Suicidal thoughts, Alcoholism, Classism, Death, Murder, and Panic attacks/disorders

Moderate: Infidelity