The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! π
lovelymisanthrope's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
I had seen people talking about this book, and I decided to pick it up as one of my Book of the Month selections.
"The Stranger Upstairs" is a haunted house story that follows Sarah Slade. Looking for a fresh start, Sarah and her husband buy the infamous Black Wood House, a home in which a grizzly murder-suicide took place decades before. None of the neighbors seem to want the Saldes there, and the house also seems to be resisting them. But Sarah is determined to make this investment work. Unfortunately, something sinister is interfering with her plans, and she might not actually make it out alive.
I was slightly disappointed in this story. At the beginning I was really hooked, and I was invested in Sarah's story as well as what was happening in the house. However, as the story progressed, and more was revealed, I got bored with the story. I did ultimately appreciate the ending, but it was not an impressive enough twist for me that it completely saved my reading experience.
Β Sarah is a morally gray, very complex character that I found to be quite interesting to read from. I think from very early on it is evident that there is something off about her, but as the story progressed it was wild to see just how unstable she really was. She went from being arrogantly annoying to concerningly detached from reality. One thing I did not understand about her character was the fact that she was a social media influencer. She set out to document her renovation process online, as well as share bits about her life, but she did not really keep up with it in the book. I think with the plot twist of her "slipping into other people's skins" it makes sense that she would want the validation from people online, and this idea of her being an influencer could have been a really interesting plot point. Unfortunately, she has a fulltime job as a therapist that we hear far more about.
The ultimate reveal that the house was emitting carbon monoxide was really clever and very well done. I did not see that coming until right before it was revealed to us. Sarah's descent into madness and symptoms from the carbon monoxide poisoning were so easily explained by other things in her life.
The idea that the house is actually haunted was a little under whelming and I felt like it was not fleshed out enough to be a plausible excuse for what was happening. This could have been a really interesting twist to the story, that the house is poisoning its residents because it does not want new owners, but the author did not do enough with it. All that is really touched upon is that when people enter the house, they feel that the house does not want them there.ΒΒ
Overall, this was a fine book, and I would recommend reading it during spooky season. I do think it is executed amateurly, but I am still interested to see what Lisa M. Matlin writes next.Β
"The Stranger Upstairs" is a haunted house story that follows Sarah Slade. Looking for a fresh start, Sarah and her husband buy the infamous Black Wood House, a home in which a grizzly murder-suicide took place decades before. None of the neighbors seem to want the Saldes there, and the house also seems to be resisting them. But Sarah is determined to make this investment work. Unfortunately, something sinister is interfering with her plans, and she might not actually make it out alive.
I was slightly disappointed in this story. At the beginning I was really hooked, and I was invested in Sarah's story as well as what was happening in the house. However, as the story progressed, and more was revealed, I got bored with the story. I did ultimately appreciate the ending, but it was not an impressive enough twist for me that it completely saved my reading experience.
Β
The ultimate reveal that the house was emitting carbon monoxide was really clever and very well done. I did not see that coming until right before it was revealed to us. Sarah's descent into madness and symptoms from the carbon monoxide poisoning were so easily explained by other things in her life.
The idea that the house is actually haunted was a little under whelming and I felt like it was not fleshed out enough to be a plausible excuse for what was happening. This could have been a really interesting twist to the story, that the house is poisoning its residents because it does not want new owners, but the author did not do enough with it. All that is really touched upon is that when people enter the house, they feel that the house does not want them there.Β
Overall, this was a fine book, and I would recommend reading it during spooky season. I do think it is executed amateurly, but I am still interested to see what Lisa M. Matlin writes next.Β
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Toxic relationship, Addiction, Murder, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Mental illness, Emotional abuse, Toxic friendship, Gaslighting, and Grief
Moderate: Alcohol, Animal cruelty, and Animal death
Minor: Self harm and Infidelity
beckyremillard's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
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? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting, Toxic relationship, Suicide, Injury/Injury detail, Panic attacks/disorders, Death, Mental illness, Alcohol, Animal cruelty, Blood, Infidelity, Murder, Self harm, Vomit, Toxic friendship, Violence, and Alcoholism
emilycheslock's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood and Murder
paisleypetty's review
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Death, Murder, Alcohol, Panic attacks/disorders, and Vomit
Moderate: Police brutality and Eating disorder
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.Β
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.Β
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.Β
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?Β
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.Β
The author gave so many ways for this book to end, but never really tied any of them up. Spoilers below.
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.Β
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?Β
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.Β
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Suicide, Death, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Mental illness, Infidelity, Grief, Blood, Stalking, Panic attacks/disorders, Murder, Alcohol, Alcoholism, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Eating disorder
dev921's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Alcohol, Chronic illness, Injury/Injury detail, Grief, Cursing, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Violence, Blood, Infidelity, Murder, Animal cruelty, Death, Gaslighting, Medical content, and Panic attacks/disorders
yourbigsistersbookshelf's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Vomit, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Suicide, Death, Murder, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Blood, and Violence
jillwedemeier'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
4.5
βπΎπππ π πππππ π
πππ ππ π πππππ? π©ππ πππ πππππ πππππππ πππ ππππ
ππππ
!βΒ
Read this book if you like:
π» Psychological thrillers
π» Debut authors
π» Dark humor
π» Suburban drama
π» Marriage issues
π» Haunted houses
π» Influencers
Social media influencer Sarah Slade is ready for a fresh start. She and her husband, Joe, are the new owners of Melbourneβs infamous Black Wood House, the scene of a murder-suicide 40 years ago. Sarah hopes that the fixer-upper will help her gain more followers on her successful lifestyle blog and Instagramβand distract her from her failing marriage. As the renovations begin on the β#murderhouse,β Sarah and the builders begin experiencing bizarre incidents. Sarah knows thereβs only so long she can continue sleeping in the bedroom with the bloodstained floor and listen to the mysterious footprints coming from the attic. When frightening notes start appearing in the house, Sarah is convinced someone or something is out to kill her: her absent husband, her angry neighbors, or maybe even the house itself. The more she remodels the house, the angrier it seems to become, and the more Sarahβs life spirals out of control.Β
Reading this book was like riding a rollercoaster, with one twist after another. There were so many moments while reading when my heart was racing, and I could feel the hair on my arms rising. This book was so good that I genuinely canβt believe it is the authorβs debut novel. The spooky atmosphere and dark humor were just perfection. I read the entire thing in a day, staying up late so I could finish it. This book was a blast, and I highly recommend it for spooky season!
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, Bantam for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.Β
And a huge shoutout to the author for one of my new favorite dedications: βWith no thanks to: Everyone who thought I should get a real job instead of writing my stories. HAHAHAHAHAHAHA suckers!β
Read this book if you like:
π» Psychological thrillers
π» Debut authors
π» Dark humor
π» Suburban drama
π» Marriage issues
π» Haunted houses
π» Influencers
Social media influencer Sarah Slade is ready for a fresh start. She and her husband, Joe, are the new owners of Melbourneβs infamous Black Wood House, the scene of a murder-suicide 40 years ago. Sarah hopes that the fixer-upper will help her gain more followers on her successful lifestyle blog and Instagramβand distract her from her failing marriage. As the renovations begin on the β#murderhouse,β Sarah and the builders begin experiencing bizarre incidents. Sarah knows thereβs only so long she can continue sleeping in the bedroom with the bloodstained floor and listen to the mysterious footprints coming from the attic. When frightening notes start appearing in the house, Sarah is convinced someone or something is out to kill her: her absent husband, her angry neighbors, or maybe even the house itself. The more she remodels the house, the angrier it seems to become, and the more Sarahβs life spirals out of control.Β
Reading this book was like riding a rollercoaster, with one twist after another. There were so many moments while reading when my heart was racing, and I could feel the hair on my arms rising. This book was so good that I genuinely canβt believe it is the authorβs debut novel. The spooky atmosphere and dark humor were just perfection. I read the entire thing in a day, staying up late so I could finish it. This book was a blast, and I highly recommend it for spooky season!
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, Bantam for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.Β
And a huge shoutout to the author for one of my new favorite dedications: βWith no thanks to: Everyone who thought I should get a real job instead of writing my stories. HAHAHAHAHAHAHA suckers!β
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Vomit, Suicide, and Blood
kwoot7's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Murder, Alcoholism, Mental illness, Cursing, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Vomit, and Suicide
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