Reviews

The Stranger Upstairs by Lisa M. Matlin

bookchaise's review

4.0

Thank you @netgalley for the ARC! There was a lot going on in this book. From the murder house to the running away from your past life, it was awesome! This legit had me scared while I was reading it. I did wish that the reason people were acting crazy was for something more sinister but other than that this was an enjoyable read! If you're looking for a scare you should definitely pick this one up.

21younh's review

dark mysterious

3.0

maryann_perry's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious slow-paced

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

3.0

steph_silva89's review against another edition

mysterious tense medium-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

4.0

jamiecakes0522's review

4.0

This was a fun thriller/light horror read.

Quippy
Funny
Fast paced
Girl descending into madness

whatsemmyreading's review

4.0

A book that really kept me guessing - I highly recommend not looking too much into it before reading, as it’s a great book to go into blind.

It kept me guessing for a good amount of the book. I didn’t really find the MC super likeable, but I’m not sure if she was supposed to be. It definitely had a general creepy vibe, and I’m a sucker for books with houses where bad things happened.

If you like books with unreliable narrators, especially ones with creepy mysteries where you begin to second guess your own thoughts about what’s going on, pick this one.

datadog1's review

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

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

3.75

mbmayo's review

dark mysterious tense medium-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

2.75

I know that a keystone of horror/thillers is characters making dumb decisions, but changing your identity and constantly reminding us that if anyone found out about your past you'd be ruined, while also being a social media influencer and having a best selling book? Like, those two things are at odds, right?

And then Emily,

realizing its carbon monoxide poisoning and breaking into the house, instead of calling for a wellness check?

And the cat in the initial conversation with Jeff. She's like, how did he know I have a cat, I've only told Emily about Reaper? It's an indoor/outdoor cat that you literally took to the vet in the middle of town a few pages ago? It's not at all suspicious that your neighbor would know you had a cat.

carriegunns's review

dark mysterious sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Mental illness, Suicide, Murder, and Death

court14's review

challenging dark emotional informative mysterious sad tense medium-paced

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

4.0