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A review by missbreathing
The Family Upstairs by Lisa Jewell
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I sped through this one in a couple of days because it was so compulsively readable. I’m rating it 4/5⭐️. Some thoughts:
This was a really intriguing novel. It grabbed me from the start and wouldn’t let go until the very last page. I’m such a sucker for the creepy, decrepit mansion setting. I liked the prose a lot: it was smart and refined. The descriptions could be really lovely, and the characterization felt full realized. There are 3 different POVs, yet they’re all distinct enough that it’s never confusing.
There were some twists, but not enough to make this a really surprising read. The plot delivers exactly what it promises, but it’s rarely surprising. Still, I found myself really interested in how things went down (the HOW is the real question, not so much the WHAT). The first 100 pages or so drag a bit, and it takes a little longer than I would have liked for the dots to start connecting.
Out of all the main characters, I found Libby the most boring. She’s a bland, rather flat character. I also thought her romantic subplot was 100% unnecessary. Lucy and Henry, the other two MCs are more interesting. I especially intrigued by Henry. He’s such a fascinating character! He’s the very definition of an unreliable narrator.
I won’t spoil anything, but THAT ENDING. It was so unnerving (I mean this as a compliment to the writer!). I’m so relieved we’re getting a sequel next year because I still have some lingering questions.
Overall, this was a really intriguing read. Maybe on the less thrilling side for a thriller, but a captivating read all the same.
This was a really intriguing novel. It grabbed me from the start and wouldn’t let go until the very last page. I’m such a sucker for the creepy, decrepit mansion setting. I liked the prose a lot: it was smart and refined. The descriptions could be really lovely, and the characterization felt full realized. There are 3 different POVs, yet they’re all distinct enough that it’s never confusing.
There were some twists, but not enough to make this a really surprising read. The plot delivers exactly what it promises, but it’s rarely surprising. Still, I found myself really interested in how things went down (the HOW is the real question, not so much the WHAT). The first 100 pages or so drag a bit, and it takes a little longer than I would have liked for the dots to start connecting.
Out of all the main characters, I found Libby the most boring. She’s a bland, rather flat character. I also thought her romantic subplot was 100% unnecessary. Lucy and Henry, the other two MCs are more interesting. I especially intrigued by Henry. He’s such a fascinating character! He’s the very definition of an unreliable narrator.
I won’t spoil anything, but THAT ENDING. It was so unnerving (I mean this as a compliment to the writer!). I’m so relieved we’re getting a sequel next year because I still have some lingering questions.
Overall, this was a really intriguing read. Maybe on the less thrilling side for a thriller, but a captivating read all the same.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Miscarriage, Rape, Murder, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Animal death, Child abuse, and Sexual assault