Lisa Jewell sure knows how to write a thriller novel. This was a sequel and I loved it just as much as the first. I thought the beginning was a little slow but it finally came altogether.

This was a sequel to The Family Upstairs and it wasn’t as suspenseful or horrifying as the first but I still enjoyed it and read it in just a few days.

Having read this a few years after the first book, I wasn't sure if I was going to be able to follow the storyline well. However, as soon as I picked it up, it was as if I hadn't stopped reading after the first book. I was hooked from the first page and loved that we got a conclusion to this story.

I loved this book - such a great follow-up to the first in this series! While I normally read books that are YA or middle grade, this one was a must-read!

**Book Review: "The Family Remains" by Lisa Jewell**

Lisa Jewell's "The Family Remains" is a gripping and emotionally resonant novel that delves deep into the complexities of family dynamics, secrets, and the enduring impact of the past on the present. With her trademark blend of suspense and heartfelt storytelling, Jewell delivers a masterpiece that captivates from the very first page.

At the heart of the novel is a compelling mystery surrounding a family's dark history and the secrets that threaten to unravel their carefully constructed lives. Jewell expertly weaves together multiple narrative threads, shifting between past and present perspectives, to gradually unveil the truth behind a series of haunting events. Each revelation is skillfully crafted, keeping readers on edge and eager for more.

The characters in "The Family Remains" are vividly drawn and achingly real. From the enigmatic matriarch with a troubled past to the siblings grappling with their own demons, each member of the family is portrayed with depth and nuance. Their relationships are complex and fraught with tension, yet infused with moments of love and understanding that add layers to the narrative.

Jewell's prose is exquisite, evoking a palpable sense of atmosphere and emotion that lingers long after the final page. Her descriptions are richly detailed, painting a vivid portrait of both the idyllic countryside setting and the darker, more sinister undercurrents that lurk beneath the surface. The narrative flows seamlessly, drawing readers deeper into the story with every twist and turn.

One of the novel's greatest strengths is its exploration of themes such as identity, betrayal, and the search for belonging. Through the lens of her characters' experiences, Jewell delves into the complexities of familial bonds and the ways in which past traumas can shape and define our present selves. The depth of insight and empathy with which she handles these themes elevates "The Family Remains" beyond a mere mystery novel into a profound exploration of the human condition.

In conclusion, "The Family Remains" is a tour de force that showcases Lisa Jewell's talent for crafting suspenseful and emotionally resonant stories. With its intricate plot, memorable characters, and evocative prose, this novel is a must-read for fans of literary fiction and psychological thrillers alike. It is a haunting and unforgettable tale that will stay with readers long after they've turned the final page, solidifying Jewell's place as a master storyteller in contemporary literature.

Admittedly not my favorite Lisa Jewell novel, but The Family Upstairs was meant to have a sequel. To tell the truth, I think I enjoyed the sequel more than the original - but I have yet to read a Lisa Jewell thriller that I didn't enjoy.

Lisa Jewell is one of our greatest thriller writers. She has all the slow burn, suspenseful pacing of Agatha Christie, but she does a great job bringing relevant topics and ideas. I really love her and will continue to read her novels.

This standalone sequel was a great complimentary read to Lisa Jewell's The Family Upstairs. It was such a fun ride going back to that house and being back with some of those same characters. The story gripped me from the first pages, and held my attention to the very end. I was up late into the night finishing this one!

Twisty and oh so good! I had been waiting for this second book, hoping Lisa Newell would pick up the story where she left it last. She does not disappoint. So twisty and creep and dark.

Just like many other series', it can be read as a standalone, but I HIGHLY RECOMMEND reading The Family Upstairs before picking this one up. I loved the first book and have been waiting impatiently for this one. Miss Jewell delivered with another intricate, well crafted and gripping mystery

What a great sequel and follow up. I couldn't put it down. I really enjoyed the multiple POVs and the dual timeline. I was completely engrossed but the plot and found the characters likable. Definitely a great read.

I am sorry for the inconvenience but I don’t have the time to read this anymore and have lost interest in the concept. I believe that it would benefit your book more if I did not skim your book and write a rushed review. Again, I am sorry for the inconvenience.

Lisa Jewell is an automatic yes from me, always, and while The Family Upstairs was never my favorite of hers, I was really hopeful this sequel would answer the questions we were left with at the end of it. And I guess it did, but it was so unsatisfying I'd have rather been left to wonder.

Welcome back to more family drama. This eagerly anticipated sequel to The Family Upstairs completes the saga yet it didn’t grip me as much as the first book. That’s not to say that I didn’t enjoy digging into the back stories and learning further secrets that drew me in to the story of Lucy, Phin, and Henry. Enjoyable and a recommended read, especially if you’ve read book one, but not my favorite Lisa Jewell book. #TheFamilyRemains #NetGalley

Another great thriller, would highly recommend! I could not put this one down, it is a real page turner

Lisa Jewell is an auto-read for me. I am a big fan of her work and this book was no exception. The story was taut and clever and the characters well developed and real. Recommended!

This was a completely unnecessary sequel to the melodramatic, soapy, and fun to read The Family Upstairs. All the characters return, some further details are revealed, but I think I was better off not reading more about this family.

It took me awhile to get through this book. It was engaging enough but I couldn't remember how the first book went and I don't think it stood alone very well. I was frustrated by how many storylines it jumped to and found myself continuing to read just to get to the chapters/characters I wanted to read and breezing through the others. Don't get me wrong, the story was gripping; not as much as the first one, but good nonetheless.

The audiobook of Lisa Jewell’s The Family Remains, narrated by the top notch ensemble of Dominic Thorburn, Bea Holland, Hugh Quarshie, Josh Dylan, Thomas Judd, and Eleanor Tomlinson, is an engrossing thriller that will keep on your toes and keep you hooked all the way to the stunning end. Set in modern day England, Lisa begins the book from the perspective of detective Samuel Owusu, a integral person in connecting the various characters, and his initiation of an investigation after the discovery of a bag of bones along the Thames. As the story unfolds Rachel Rimmer, Lucy Lamb and her brother Henry Lamb, who seem to have no connection with the murder, are introduced, perfectly creating the threads Lisa will use to weave this intricate and startling thriller.


The Family Remains is a standalone sequal to Lisa’s gripping, The Family Upstairs. It explores the tragic and sometimes brutal experiences that people keep hidden yet shape their very existence. It also delves into family relationships and the extent a person would go to protect the people they love. Intertwined in these over arching themes are pictures of resilience that exists in people who have experienced trauma and the strength that each individual has within them. I especially loved how the flaws of the characters kept you continually wondering if they were truly the victim or were they actually a perfectly disguised monster at heart. But, this is all just icing on the cake of a great contemprorary thriller that is packed full of fascinating characters, murder, deception, and payback. I wish I could be more specific but I don’t want to divulge any spoilers and ruin the great experience that comes from the revelation of the interconnected plots and a gut-wrenching ending. Trust me, this is a great thriller that you Do Not want to miss!

Not only is The Family Remains a great story but experiencing it as an audiobook takes it to the next level. Having an extensive cast of narrators allows each character to be clearly defined and helps you lose yourself in the story. The casting of the narrators was extremely well done as well. Their voices and the way they read the lines fit perfectly with the way I imagined the characters in my mind from the descriptions and actions. Henry was especially good and fit his eccentric and oddly twisted personality. The format of audio, when well done like this, really enhances the experience. For me, both the book and the audiobook are 5 stars that I highly recommend!!

Lisa Jewell does it again. The Family Remains continues the story started in The Family Upstairs, and lets readers into the lives of the family after many years have passed. The novel involves multiple timelines, and at first it is not quite clear how everything goes together, but Jewell weaves the intricate pieces together in a satisfying way.

The characters include the children from the previous novel, now adults, a detective, a jilted wife, a con artist, and a host of other characters. Jewell does a good job of describing these characters in a way that makes me feel like and I know them. They are human and flawed, and while not all are likable, they all contributed something valuable to the story.

I enjoyed the novel and can't wait to see what Jewell brings us next!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.