A review by maekay
The Family Upstairs by Lisa Jewell

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

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

2.0

I found this book really underwhelming and the ending really disappointing. I felt like the plot

had so much unnecessary abuse, of both the children and the women/disabled father

and the ending

was super rushed and tied everything up in neat bow, despite the fact two of the children committed willful murder and the other two apparently conveniently forgot about the baby

. 

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Ableism, Animal cruelty, Body shaming, Child abuse, Child death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Infertility, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Suicide, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Suicide attempt, Murder, Pregnancy, and Gaslighting