Book Review | The Family Upstairs by Lisa Jewell
The Family Upstairs
by Lisa Jewell
Atria Books
Publication Date : November 5, 2019
Pages: 352
Synopsis From Publisher:
Be careful who you let in.
Soon after her twenty-fifth birthday, Libby Jones returns home from work to find the letter she’s been waiting for her entire life. She rips it open with one driving thought: I am finally going to know who I am.
She soon learns not only the identity of her birth parents, but also that she is the sole inheritor of their abandoned mansion on the banks of the Thames in London’s fashionable Chelsea neighborhood, worth millions. Everything in Libby’s life is about to change. But what she can’t possibly know is that others have been waiting for this day as well—and she is on a collision course to meet them.
Twenty-five years ago, police were called to 16 Cheyne Walk with reports of a baby crying. When they arrived, they found a healthy ten-month-old happily cooing in her crib in the bedroom. Downstairs in the kitchen lay three dead bodies, all dressed in black, next to a hastily scrawled note. And the four other children reported to live at Cheyne Walk were gone.
In The Family Upstairs, the master of “bone-chilling suspense” (People) brings us the can’t-look-away story of three entangled families living in a house with the darkest of secrets.
Why is The Family Upstairs the first book I have read by Lisa Jewell? I have seen Jewell’s name on numerous occasions while shopping for books ( the beautiful covers always stood out) but for some reason I never gave Jewell a shot. But after reading The Family Upstairs, I will for sure be reading Jewell’s past releases. I am positive they will keep me captivated while I impatiently await her next release.
On Libby’s twenty-fifth birthday she receives a letter from a lawyer. The letter informs Libby she has inherited a large home in one of London’s most upscale neighborhoods. Libby is excited but also hesitant. After visiting her new home, Libby feels ill at ease; she instinctively knows something sinister took place in the house. Libby is now determined to uncover her past despite her fear of what she may learn.
Libby’s inheritance for most would be game changer. Most would quit their jobs and begin their new lives immediately. However Libby is hesitant to step into her new life. I believe Libby is hesitant because she is afraid of what she will learn about her birth family. As a child Libby had imaginary birth parents. These imaginary parents were glamorous, loving and supportive. Libby is not quite ready to let go of her fantasy parents. After visiting the house she becomes even more reluctant. Libby is struggling to accept her new life. It is as if she knows whatever she learns of her birth parents cannot be unlearned. Her quiet and stable life will be forever altered.
Although Libby has a good life, she is a little bored and ready for a change. Change then falls into her lap. Libby’s internal struggle of wanting change but being afraid of what may happen is relatable and makes her character genuine.
Throughout The Family Upstairs, Jewell has quite a few chuckle worthy moments. However, within these moments, a previously unknown element of a character reveals itself. For example, Henry, one of the narrators may come across as just a normal teenager thrown into a very odd situation. Henry then says “ I’d subliminally determine at this point that the only way to really know what was going on in the world was to listen to women talk. Anyone who ignores the chatter of women is poorer by any measure.” From that moment I knew Henry was a character I needed to pay close attention to…
The Family Upstairs is a riveting and compulsive read. It is one of best of psychological suspense stories I have read this year. Jewell weaves together the stories of the narrators seamlessly building suspense and anticipation which will keep readers inthralled until the last page.
Murder and Moore Rating :
5 out of 5 Stars