The Family Upstairs by Lisa Jewell: Review

I was in the mood for a creepy story when I picked up this book for review. I’ve never read the author before so I was not sure what I was getting into.

This book is definitely something different and more psychological than scary. Read on for my full review.

The Family Upstairs by Lisa Jewell
Publisher: Atria Books (November 5, 2019)
Publication Date: November 5, 2019 – Kindle Version
Sold by: Simon and Schuster Digital Sales Inc
ASIN: B07P5HB99D

ABOUT:
Be careful who you let in.

Soon after her twenty-fifth birthday, Libby Jones returns home from work to find the letter she’s been waiting for her entire life. She rips it open with one driving thought: I am finally going to know who I am.

She soon learns not only the identity of her birth parents, but also that she is the sole inheritor of their abandoned mansion on the banks of the Thames in London’s fashionable Chelsea neighborhood, worth millions. Everything in Libby’s life is about to change. But what she can’t possibly know is that others have been waiting for this day as well—and she is on a collision course to meet them.

Twenty-five years ago, police were called to 16 Cheyne Walk with reports of a baby crying. When they arrived, they found a healthy ten-month-old happily cooing in her crib in the bedroom. Downstairs in the kitchen lay three dead bodies, all dressed in black, next to a hastily scrawled note. And the four other children reported to live at Cheyne Walk were gone.

In The Family Upstairs, the master of “bone-chilling suspense” (People) brings us the can’t-look-away story of three entangled families living in a house with the darkest of secrets.

The Family Upstairs by Lisa Jewell Review

The Family Upstairs is a completely different concept than other books I’ve read in this genre. As I said in my intro it’s more of a psychological story that will put you through a range of emotions.

The story is narrated by one of the kids and you really get angry right along with them with the manipulation of others and impossible situation they are put into.

It reminds me a lot of Lord of The Flies when you realize what people will do to take control but also to get out of a bad situation. Anger, desperation, hopelessness, violence, plus a host of other emotions will get to you.

The Family Upstairs is an interesting and unique story that kind of sneaks up on you. There’s no gasp of outrage or feelings of fear. It’s more indignation for the despicable acts of others. Then the more you think about it, the more disturbing it becomes.

The twists definitely show their true colors towards the end of the story and then the author even leaves us hanging just a little bit more. Definitely one to check out if you love a little bit of psychological twist with your suspense story.

4 Stars!

Disclaimer: Chris has personally reviewed the product listed above. She has not received any monetary compensation for her review but did receive a free ebook so she could evaluate and use it for this post. Her thoughts & opinions in this review are unbiased & honest and your opinions may differ.