A review by muddypages
The Family Upstairs by Lisa Jewell

dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

The Family Upstairs by Lisa Jewell 
 
First Line✏️”Libby picks up the letter off the doormat.” 
 
Libby returns home from work one day to find a letter, a letter that she has been waiting to open her entire life. 
 
Upon opening, she learns the identity of her birth parents but also that she is the sole inheritor of their abandoned mansion on a coveted street in London. Everything about Libby’s life is about to change, but will it be for the better? 
 
Now step back in time. 25 years ago, the police were called to a home with reports of a baby crying. When they arrived they found a happy, healthy baby in a crib. However, downstairs in the kitchen laid three dead bodies, all dressed in black next to a note. 4 other children who lived in the home are also missing. 
 
I’m a new big fan of Lisa Jewell. Her books are incredibly fast paced, I am a fan of her writing style and find myself connecting and pulling for the characters. I didn’t have any expectations going into this book but I ended up being shocked with multiple turn of events and the ending left me with some questions; especially knowing book 2 (The Family Remains) is due out this month! 
 
The Family Upstairs gets a solid 4.5 stars from me. While I devoured this book, it does have some pretty heavy subjects that can be triggers for some. 
 
My Rating: ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 /5 
Goodreads Average Rating: 3.97/5 
 
  • 340 pages
  • Fiction/Thriller
  • Dark/Mysterious
  • Duel Timeline
  • Medium/Fast paced read
  • Shorter Chapters


 
**Some of these triggers may contain spoilers**
 

 
⚠️ Triggers/Warnings ⚠️ 


 
  • Child Abuse
  • Confinement
  • Emotional Abuse
  • Murder
  • Death
  • Physical Abuse
  • Sexual Assault
  • Cursing
  • Chronic Illness
  • Torture
  • Suicide
  • Gaslighting
  • Adult/Minor Relationship