Reviews tagging 'Infidelity'

The Stranger Upstairs by Lisa M. Matlin

26 reviews

book2kel's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious tense fast-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

3.5

if you love a book that causes you to constantly make predictions, I think you’ll enjoy this one! 

My book theme for this October is anything that involves a haunted house. This was my BOTM for September so It obviously made the list. I’m currently on Pg.183 and making my way through the last 100. so far i’ll say this has been an enjoyably fast past read and has kept me entertained all day. I did find the main character a annoying and It’s not as spooky as I’d hoped it would be when diving in (so the “haunted”house theme took the back burner with this *for me*). I made an annotation in the beginning of the book that stated and I quote “not here for the marriage problems (don’t care) only the haunted house” but the mystery around Sarah, the house, (and its occupants)  has kept me reading and guessing (I found myself having so many different “OMG! I got it! It’s ___,” moments. The constant mentioning of the birds (not wallpaper) felt out of place at times every time they’ve been mentioned I’ve been like “okay…”

(Cont.) finished the book and really enjoyed the last 50-85 pages.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Mental illness, and Murder

Moderate: Infidelity and Suicide

louiepotterbook's review against another edition

challenging dark tense medium-paced

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

2.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Death, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Suicide, Violence, Stalking, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Alcohol

Moderate: Emotional abuse and Gaslighting

Minor: Infidelity and Death of parent

yalibrarianjen's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Bullying, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Violence, Vomit, Stalking, and Gaslighting

maregred's review against another edition

dark mysterious slow-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

2.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Death, Murder, and Alcohol

Moderate: Infidelity, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Vomit, and Gaslighting

Minor: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Grief, and Death of parent

cammaleahh's review

dark tense fast-paced

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

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism and Violence

Moderate: Animal cruelty

Minor: Infidelity and Suicide

kris386's review against another edition

mysterious medium-paced

1.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal cruelty, Chronic illness, Death, Infidelity, Mental illness, Vomit, Stalking, and Alcohol

Minor: Animal death

eviemayhem's review

dark mysterious sad tense fast-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

2.5

There were just too many red herrings that the ending had no substance. 

The author gave so many ways for this book to end, but never really tied any of them up. Spoilers below.

From the beginning, you absolutely just hate the main character. She's not a good person, her husband isn't a good person and she tells you that straight up. She's vapid and running from her demons and somehow monetizing the renovation of a murder house seems like a good idea. 

The premise that she restarts her life with her husband and they just go on the run, DESPITE how much of a social media presence she has, is hard to believe. This had all the beginnings of a good murder mystery. Where was the daughter? Where was Amanda? But so many things just DIDN'T make sense. 

How was she getting away with being a therapist? Do they not check credentials in Austrailia?
Why was the whole town conspiring to hide the fact Amanda went missing?
Why was Jeff such a threatening dick bag?
Joe's whole character....just what the fuck.
Wouldn't the main character be well known now since she's A.) Probably all over the news and B.) had a huge social media presence before all this? 
The Epilogue: So was the house actually haunted?

This nearly felt like a choose your own adventure book, honestly. The author wanted to keep you guessing to the point that the resolution felt empty and dissatisfying.

Bright side: It is well written. I look forward to reading what the author writes next, I just wish the ending had made more sense and had been more satisfying. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Death, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Blood, Grief, Stalking, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Alcohol

Moderate: Eating disorder

katiemack's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense fast-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

3.75

I received an eARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

I'm glad this leans into the haunted house (and haunted person) horror motif as much as I thought it would. I thought it would veer more into thriller territory, and I'm pleasantly surprised by how eerie it is. The twist is somewhat predictable--though the epilogue provides a satisfying counter-twist--and although Lisa M. Matlin has a solid grasp on her narrative there are some annoyingly unresolved loose ends. But, for the most part, this is a deliciously terrifying read about Sarah's physical, mental, and emotional deterioration as she attempts to remodel a house that defiantly resists change. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Mental illness, and Murder

Moderate: Animal cruelty and Death

Minor: Infidelity

theoceanrose's review against another edition

dark mysterious 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? It's complicated

4.0

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Content Warnings

Minor: Death, Infidelity, Violence, and Murder

nnnghhh's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Infidelity, Mental illness, Murder, and Gaslighting