Reviews tagging 'Death'

The Stranger Upstairs: A Novel by Lisa M. Matlin

32 reviews

raesapiga_'s review against another edition

dark emotional 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? It's complicated

2.0

---

Content Warnings

Minor: Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Death, Infidelity, Mental illness, Terminal illness, Torture, Blood, Murder, and Gaslighting

amareenicole11's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.0

This was very different than other books in this genre. It had a twisty ending and left me saying "well damn" a lot ... I wasn't expecting the ending at all and it really was written very well, especially for a debut novel. 

It was set up so well to be a "horror" book but in reality, it's a complete thriller and psychological. 

I was entertained and would recommend for a fast read. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Violence, and Murder

carriegunns's review against another edition

dark mysterious sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Death, Mental illness, Suicide, and Murder

lucyford's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

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

4.0

Once the book picked up after the first hundred pages or so, it was excellent. I really could not have predicted all the turns it took, specifically at the end of the book, but it all fit together and everything was explained logically. It feels very original, and I honestly loved the twist at the end

(the carbon monoxide poisoning

). I will say the first part of the book was dull at parts, but I did like how it picked up pretty incrementally, and the end made it worth it. I am however still a bit confused about

the neighborhood in general and how they acted towards the main character (idk whether to call her Sarah or Lizzy at this point) unless it’s clear that it was also just hallucinations, and also what left Reaper all bloodied on the brink of death

. Anyway, solid horror book and great story!

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Mental illness, Toxic relationship, Murder, and Alcohol

Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Chronic illness, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Suicide, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Toxic friendship, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Body shaming, Bullying, Cursing, Fatphobia, Police brutality, Stalking, Gaslighting, and Abandonment

raequigley's review against another edition

mysterious 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? It's complicated

2.5

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Death and Blood

Moderate: Suicide and Murder

Minor: Animal cruelty and Mental illness

amandaviljanen's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious sad tense slow-paced

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

3.0

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Death, Infidelity, and Mental illness

rhiannatherad's review against another edition

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

3.25

I don't know if it was good per se, but I enjoyed it.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness

Moderate: Animal cruelty and Death

Minor: Suicide

iridescentdreams's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense fast-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

4.0

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Death, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Violence, and Murder

Minor: Suicide

bcollent's review against another edition

mysterious tense medium-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? It's complicated

3.5

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Death, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide

ashleyj_reads's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism

Moderate: Death, Violence, Blood, and Murder

Minor: Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, and Stalking

The writing is absolutely brilliant. Not once did I correctly suspect the final outcome of this story. A slow burn, but fast-paced read. I'm looking forward to reading more from Matlin!