Member Reviews

Really enjoyed the journey of this story! Would definitely recommend to friends who read similar genres.

Was this review helpful?

I’m not sure whether I believed in the two female characters of this book but that aside, I enjoyed the story and was interested to discover what had happened, not only to Emily the girl in the 1st floor flat but also the girl on the ground floor, Suzie whose backstory was why she had such a constricted life. This is a well written book which moves quite quickly but there were moments when I felt like shouting ‘OK I get it, move on!’ The supporting cast of characters were a little two dimensional for me but overall I liked the book. 3.5 stars

Was this review helpful?

I’ve lived in apartments most of my life, including all of my adult life. I’m accustomed to the noise of apartment living. I’ve lived with fussy neighbors who aren’t as accepting and I’ve lived with neighbors who take the normal noise of apartment living to an undesirable extreme.

It’s hard to say if Suzie’s resentment toward her upstairs neighbor was founded or if she was just being too sensitive about Emily’s lifestyle, but I can easily say that Suzie’s strange obsession with Emily piqued my curiosity immediately.

When Emily stops being so noisy, Suzie is the only one who is genuinely concerned. Upon realizing no one can account for Emily’s whereabouts, Suzie is convinced something nefarious is at play. She pushes further than the police are willing to go to figure out the truth about Emily’s disappearance.

Although amateur sleuthing is a trope I dislike, I thought the author used it in a way that mostly worked here. Suzie’s choices weren’t wise, but understanding her history helped me, as the reader, comprehend the driving force behind her investigative tactics. It seemed fair that she’d choose to pursue the mystery when she realized no one else was going to. The reason Emily’s disappearance haunted her so deeply made complete sense.

Suzie’s tragic backstory was another engrossing element as a side mystery, not because it wasn’t solved, but because she only gave glimpses of it in her narrative for a good portion of the book. I wanted to know what had happened to her and how it affected who she was. I also think the author captured Suzie’s desperation and depression well.

I’d be lying if I didn’t say some of this was a little corny, but I appreciate what the author wanted to do for her character. I did find the ending to be anticlimactic, and it was disappointing in another way I can’t expound upon, as I don’t want to spoil the story. I just thought things were building up toward something different. I came to care about both Suzie and Emily, which made the abruptness of the conclusion rather jarring.

I’ve put this one off for a while, fearing I’d made a mistake by accepting the widget; fearing this wasn’t the type of story I’d enjoy. Since it proved to be more of a character study and less of a mindless thriller, I actually found myself pleasantly surprised by the content. While certain areas could have used more development, I enjoyed Georgina Lees’ writing style and found myself glued to the narrative. It’s not often that I finish a book in two days so, despite any complaints I might have, I’m grateful for the story’s immersive distraction from real life.

I am immensely grateful to One More Chapter for my digital review copy through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

3.5 stars

Was this review helpful?

What a book! Not my usual genre but I’m trying to expand my usual authors and type. It had me on the edge of my seat at times and I’m definitely going to read more. Well done.

Was this review helpful?

This was a real slow burner that I struggled to keep reading. I kept reading because I wanted to find out what happened. It still has twists and turns to keep you turning the pages.

Was this review helpful?

Really enjoyed this book was surprised with the outcome . Definitely worth a read . Would recommend to friends .

Was this review helpful?

The Girl Upstairs is a page turner of a mystery with a complex main character. This is not a fast paced thriller but rather an intriguing character study that examines why Suzie is so determined to find her neighbor Emily. Suzie’s depression and self isolation are also explored through her search for Emily. If you like a slower paced mystery that is more character driven then plot driven, this is the book for you.

Was this review helpful?

This was a fast paced mystery that was a great escape read. Well written, it will keep you turning pages to see what happened to the girl upstairs.
Many thanks to Harper Collins UK and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Was this review helpful?

Thank you to Netgalley and Harper Collins UK One More Chapter for the arc of the girl upstairs by Georgina Lees.

5 star read- This follows the new neighbour who moved in upstairs Emily who is a bit of a nusiance playing loud music is loud and is heavy on her feet and seems happy enough and then theres the lady living downstairs Suzy whom seems to be the complete opposite of Emily shes full of sadness, stuck in her flat.. complaints of noise made and then it seems to go all quiet upstairs..?! whats happened to Emily.. you MUST read to find out!

Highly gripping, hooking, page turner totally recommend

Was this review helpful?

Suzie Arlington quietly lived her day-to-day life in her lonely flat. Her only entertainment was listening to Emily Williams, the girl upstairs. When Emily went missing, Suzie was determined to find out what happened to the girl who she thought she knew.

For a short book, this story was quite slow for me. I was intrigued by what happened to both characters, but most of the time it felt too linear especially in Suzie’s POV. I needed more ups and down to keep my attention. I liked the overall storyline, but it just needed a little more punch.

The Girl Upstairs is a story of secrets and obsession. It might appeal to readers who enjoy a domestic Thriller/Mystery.

Was this review helpful?

A psychological thriller about a woman who goes missing and her neighbour who has an unhealthy interest in her activities. The novel did not grip me, the character of Suzie was very sad and there was nothing remarkable about her personally. Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the arc.

Was this review helpful?

not a bad read, admittedly it kept me intrigued. However, I found all the characters extremely annoying and so couldn't enjoy it as much, but I was eager to find out what happened which kept me reading.

Was this review helpful?

I felt like the writing was messy. I’m unsure if that was just because of the unedited proof I was reading, or if the finalized version was also sloppy. Timelines seemed to meld together and jump around at their own Will. Found times where I really didn’t know what was happening for sure.

I figured out who did it early on. Just bad vibes immediately, but obviously unsure why until it unfolded.

Was this review helpful?

Suzie Arlington lives alone on the first floor of an apartment flat in London. Due to poor insulation, Suzie can hear every movement of her upstairs neighbor Emily. She knows when Emily is cooking, speaking, blaring music, and stomping around she also will go to room to room below her to listen to whats going on. .

One day, Suzie goes up to deliver a package for Emily she hasn't heard in in awhile and notices Emily’s door is open. Something seems wrong once she opens the door something is wrong.

She calls the landlord to come look at her apartment and soon the police is called and it turns into a missing person case. But Suzie doesn't feel they are doing enough or taking it to serious.

This is a slow built mystery but I wanted to know what was going on. They way they mix in grief and the depression and guilt one person carries in this story is what is the real highlight. Since Suzie feels the cops aren't doing enough she starts trying to find all the pieces that have been left behind.

The majority of the story is from Suzie’s perspective. Once you get so much info from chapters it shifts to Emilys pov.

The general vibe of the book is sad, especially the more we learn about Suzie’s and Emilys past. I liked Suzie and felt for her, but she is very awkward.

They lead you down one path of what happen then at the end they switch it up. Didn't see that coming but also felt strange. But in the end I really enjoyed this book and would recommend this book to anyone whos a fan on slow paced psychological character-driven books.

Thank you Netgalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

A brilliant psychological thriller
Will have you hooked from the first page
You will not want to put it down
Thanks NetGalley

Was this review helpful?

The perfect unreliable narrator, can we really trust her? Brilliant climatic ending, and very readable!

Was this review helpful?

I really enjoyed this book all the way through, i liked the characters and the story. Towards the end though it felt rather drawn out and was a very predictable ending

Was this review helpful?

This one started a bit slow for me but once I was at about 30% I couldn’t put it down. Great twists and surprises. Definitely don’t give up on this one.

Was this review helpful?

Suzie is a widow who complains about the loud music played by her upstairs neighbour Emily. When that neighbour goes missing she takes it on herself to investigate her disappearance after deciding the police and her family aren’t doing enough. She still feels responsible for her husbands death and involving herself in the investigation gives her the feeling she is making up for that. Along the way she uncovers a few secrets and one of them could result in her own death from an unexpected source.
I was surprised when Emily started to tell a little of her story. It was around chapter 19 and I was expecting it to happen earlier if it happened at all.
I liked the bit of a connection Suzie had with Detective Peters but felt she took a risk interfering in the investigation.
Susie’s family appeared to be very close yet they didn’t realise she was struggling with life and appeared to suffer from depression due to her bereavement. Some professional help probably wouldnt have gone astray.
If living in a flat/apartment is so noisy I hope I never have to live in one!. Hearing minute sounds of someone else’s life would drive me nuts.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a free digital copy of the uncorrected proof text in return for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

Thank you to Netgalley, the publishing hoUse and the author for the opportunity to read a complimentary copy of this book in return for a review based upon my honest opinion.

Suzie hears every step her neighbour upstairs makes; she knows what room she is in, when it is take-out day, when she is sad and crying, and she plays her music too loud. Suzie likes silence, she is coping with an event that turned her life upside-down and she has not yet recovered., and does not take kindly to the giel upstairs, Emily, stomping around.

But when the girl upstairs goes missing, it appears that Suzie is the only person concerned. Why is Suzie so concerned, did she have something to do with Emily's disappearance or is she worried that whatever happend to Emily, she could be next.

This book was good, it wasn't great as Suzie bugged me and did things that made no sense. Most of all the story gave lots iof promise of suspense, but did not deliver as much as I had hoped.

Was this review helpful?