The Family Upstairs

Author: Lisa Jewell
Genre: Thriller, Popcorn Thriller
342 pages
Publisher: originally published in Great Britain by Penguin Random House, 2019

Synopsis
The Family Upstairs by Lisa Jewell is an entertaining psychological thriller that unravels a dark and twisted family mystery. The novel follows the intertwined lives of three main characters: Libby, Lucy, and Henry, whose fates are connected by a mysterious and tragic event from the past.

The story begins with Libby receiving a letter on her 25th birthday informing her that she has inherited a house in Chelsea, London, from her birth parents. As Libby delves into her past, she uncovers a complex web of secrets and lies surrounding her adoption and the strange circumstances of her birth parents’ deaths.

The narrative alternates between Libby’s perspective and flashbacks to events that took place in the house decades earlier. Through these flashbacks, we learn about the previous occupants of the house and how their lives are intertwined.

Overall, The Family Upstairs is an engaging and suspenseful read that will appeal to fans of psychological thrillers. With its mysterious characters, intricate plot, and darkly atmospheric setting, it’s a novel that will keep you entertained until the final page.

My review
The Family Upstairs by Lisa Jewell is haunting novel that explores the complexities of family, identity, and the impact of the past on the present. From the very first page, I was drawn into the dark and mysterious world of the Martel family and the secrets that have haunted them for decades.

One of the aspects of the novel that I found most compelling was Jewell’s skillful storytelling. The narrative unfolds through multiple perspectives and timelines, gradually revealing the interconnected lives of the characters and the events that shaped their fates.

The characters themselves are richly drawn and multifaceted, each with their own motivations, desires, and flaws. Libby, the protagonist, is a compelling and sympathetic figure, whose journey of self-discovery forms the heart of the novel. I also thought that Lucy and Henry were equally compelling as I learned more about their tragic story.

Jewell successfully ramps up the tension, and weaves together the past and present to create a gripping and unpredictable story. The plot twists and relatable characters kept me reading until the very end, and I was excited to read the sequel.

Overall, The Family Upstairs is a wonderfully entertaining popcorn thriller that will appeal to fans of the genre. With its complex characters, atmospheric setting, and gripping plot, it’s a novel that will leave you ready to read the sequel – The Family Remains.

My recommendation: read it!