The Family Upstairs

by Lisa Jewell
The Family Upstairs cover
Good Books rating 4.33
Mystery
Technical:
  • ID: 1366
  • Added: 2025-10-05
  • Updated: 2025-10-05
  • ISBN: 9781501190117
  • Publisher: Atria Books
  • Published: 2020-06-02
  • Formats: 6
  • Reviews: 3
Buy online
Waterstones
Paperback • £9.99

On her twenty-fifth birthday, Libby Jones receives a letter revealing the identity of her birth parents and her inheritance of a luxurious mansion in Chelsea, London. This discovery sets her on a path to unravel the mysteries of her past, including the tragic deaths found in the mansion years earlier. /n/n As Libby delves deeper, she realizes that others have been waiting for this moment, and she is drawn into a web of intrigue and danger. The story intertwines the lives of three families, each with their own secrets, leading to a chilling climax that will change everything she knows about her family and herself.

Reviews
A Little Book Problem · 2024-10-27
brilliant 4.50

The book brilliantly creates an oppressive sense of suspense by keeping the reader unsure about the identities of the characters. This clever construction makes it a thrilling and unpredictable read.

The reviewer commends 'The Family Upstairs' for its brilliant construction, which creates an oppressive sense of suspense. By ensuring the reader is never quite sure who is who among the characters, the author masterfully maintains a thrilling and unpredictable atmosphere. They appreciate the clever plotting and the way the story unfolds, keeping the reader on the edge of their seat. The reviewer finds the book to be a standout thriller, with a unique approach to building tension and suspense.

Quick quotes

    This book is brilliantly contrived to create an oppressive sense of suspense.

    The reader is never quite sure who is who amongst the characters.

    It makes it a thrilling and unpredictable read.

Baddie Book Reviews · 2024-05-01
gripping 4.50

This thriller mystery weaves a complex tale of family secrets across generations, with a gripping narrative that unfolds through the protagonist's birthday revelations. The author masterfully builds suspense, making it a compelling read.

The reviewer highlights how 'The Family Upstairs' skillfully intertwines the lives of multiple generations, revealing dark secrets that keep the reader hooked. The narrative structure, centered around a significant birthday, adds a layer of tension and intrigue. They praise the author's ability to maintain suspense throughout, making it a thrilling and engaging mystery. The reviewer also appreciates the depth of the characters and the way the story unfolds, creating a sense of unease and curiosity that persists until the very end.

Quick quotes

    The Family Upstairs is a thriller mystery that follows generations of family secrets and how one woman's birthday exposes it all.

    The author masterfully builds suspense, making it a compelling read.

    The narrative structure adds a layer of tension and intrigue.

The People's Friend · 2021-01-14
dark 4.00

This dark, gripping tale blends thriller and family saga elements, following the Lamb family and the strangers who move into their home. The story's unsettling atmosphere and intricate plot make it a standout read.

The reviewer describes 'The Family Upstairs' as a dark and gripping tale that seamlessly blends elements of a thriller with a family saga. They appreciate the unsettling atmosphere and the intricate plot that keeps the reader engaged. The story revolves around the Lamb family and the series of strangers who move into their home, creating a complex web of relationships and secrets. The reviewer finds the narrative compelling and praises the author's ability to maintain a suspenseful atmosphere throughout the book.

Quick quotes

    The Family Upstairs is a dark, gripping tale; one part thriller, one part family saga.

    It follows the Lamb family, and the series of strangers who move into their home.

    The story's unsettling atmosphere and intricate plot make it a standout read.

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