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The Family Upstairs

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2019

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Book Brief

Lisa Jewell

The Family Upstairs

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2019
Book Details
Pages

340

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

London, England • 1990s

Publication Year

2019

Publisher

Atria Books

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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Super Short Summary

The Family Upstairs by Lisa Jewell follows Libby, who inherits a mansion in Chelsea, and as she delves into its dark history, she uncovers her biological family's past intertwined with cult activities. The narrative alternates between Libby's present-day discoveries, Lucy's life as an adult, and Henry's memories of growing up in the mansion, revealing the sinister events that transpired there. The book contains depictions of abuse.

Mysterious

Dark

Suspenseful

Unnerving

Emotional

Reviews & Readership

4.1

553,320 ratings

75%

Loved it

21%

Mixed feelings

5%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

The Family Upstairs by Lisa Jewell is a gripping psychological thriller that captivates readers with its intricate plot and suspenseful narrative. Reviewers praise its well-drawn characters and unexpected twists, though some find the pacing uneven. Overall, it's a compelling read that keeps you guessing until the end.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The Family Upstairs?

Readers who enjoy suspenseful and twisty domestic thrillers will be captivated by Lisa Jewell's The Family Upstairs. Fans of Gillian Flynn's Gone Girl and Paula Hawkins's The Girl on the Train will appreciate the dark, intricate plot and the psychological depth of Jewell's characters. Suitable for those who enjoy unraveling family secrets and layered mysteries.

4.1

553,320 ratings

75%

Loved it

21%

Mixed feelings

5%

Not a fan

Character List

Libby Louise Jones/Serenity Love Lamb

A 25-year-old woman living in St. Albans, England, who works for a luxury kitchen design company and begins to uncover her biological family history after inheriting a mansion.

A character whose recollections of his childhood in the Chelsea mansion offer glimpses into the dark past of the Lamb family and their association with other complex figures.

A 40-year-old homeless woman struggling to survive in the Côte d’Azur with her children and dog, who has deep ties to the history of the Chelsea mansion and its longtime residents.

The husband of Sally Thomsen and father of Phin and Clemency, known for his charismatic yet controlling presence in the lives of those living in the Chelsea mansion.

A fiddle player whose arrival at the Chelsea house in 1988 signals a shift in the household dynamic as she becomes involved with the lives of the residents.

The son of David and Sally Thomsen, who shares a complex history with the Lamb family and plays a significant role in the events surrounding the Chelsea mansion.

Wife of Henry Lamb and mother of Henry (Junior) and Lucy, who becomes entangled in the lives and influences of new arrivals at the Chelsea mansion.

Husband of Martina Lamb, whose declining health leads to significant changes in the dynamics of the Chelsea mansion household.

Arrives with Birdie as her partner at the Chelsea mansion, known for his interest in herbal remedies and gardening.

David Thomsen's estranged wife and the mother of Phin and Clemency, who distances herself from the events at the Chelsea mansion.

Daughter of David and Sally, and sister to Phin, who shares a complicated past with the residents of the Chelsea mansion during her teenage years.

A journalist who previously wrote about the Chelsea mansion and its mysteries, eventually helping Libby uncover her past.

Book Details
Pages

340

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

London, England • 1990s

Publication Year

2019

Publisher

Atria Books

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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